Greece is a country that I had always dreamed about visiting…and who hasn’t? Movies like Mamma Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants make it look so blue and beautiful.
After a few months in Europe and spending some time in Santorini, Greece, I can say that it lives up to expectations. Of course, it is getting more crowded with tourists during peak season, but I visited towards the end of their busiest time. Here are just a few of the many things that should be on your Santorini bucket list.
#5 – Watch A Greek Movie Outside At Dusk
One night, we went to one of the main cities on the island called Fira. We found a restaurant that shows Greek movies at dusk on a projector. You can get a nice meal and some hot chocolate if you get chilly. They even provided blankets if you’re really cold.
Our headphones allowed us to listen to the movie really well. Don’t worry, it didn’t prevent us from singing the Mamma Mia songs as loud as we wanted. We even had a dance party at the end with some of the other guests. It was a very unique experience to watch Mamma Mia while overlooking the deep blue waters and sky.
#4 – Enjoy Some Greek Cuisine
Greek food is made up of some of the healthiest, most delicious foods according to many. They have mastered the art of making hummus, fava dip, tzatziki, grape leaves, Greek salads, and much more. In between all of your time at the beach and exploring the island, make sure to indulge in some Greek cuisine.
There are several restaurants in each of the cities and along the beaches with fantastic views and exquisite food. Feel free to check out menus around town before you choose a place. I ate at several cafes and was never disappointed.
#3 – Watch The Sunset
Located on the northwest side of Santorini, Oia is one of the most famous places in the world to watch the sunset. Whether you watch it from a boat or one of the lookout spots in the city, the view is breathtaking.
Have a nice meal, and grab some ice cream or a drink to watch the sunset. The city tends to get busy as people grab a spot in the streets and sidewalks to enjoy the setting sun, so you might want to pick a place early. The colors and clouds change every night, but the sunset rarely fails to be beautiful. Take in the last of the sun’s rays reflecting off of the clouds and the sea while you notice little islands and boats in the distance.
#2 – Take A Boat Tour
There are many boat tours to choose from. I went on one that stopped at Nea Kameni, a close by volcanic island, where we were able to hike up and explore the volcanic craters and see Santorini from another view.
We also stopped at the Palea Kameni natural hot springs in the sea where we had the choice to jump or climb off the boat and swim around for a bit in the warm, orangish water. Then, we stopped at a smaller, more remote island called Thirasia complete with its blue and white buildings. You can jump off of the dock into the clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and indulge in some ice cream before boarding the boat again.
No matter which tour you take, it’s a pretty neat experience to see different landscapes and islands surrounding Santorini.
#1 – Visit Red Beach and Black Beach
Santorini is known for its fantastic beaches. I stayed just a 5 minute walk from Black Beach, so I spent a fair amount of time in the sea there. This beach is made up of small black pebbles that feel great underneath your feet…as long as they aren’t burning hot from the sun!
There is a great little road along the beach that is littered with shops for you to browse through and restaurants for you to eat at and enjoy a great view. Red Beach is another famous beach in Santorini. I took a bus and did a bit of a hike to get there, and it was totally worth it. The reddish rocks make a great contrast to the vibrant, blue waters. I spent a couple of hours just treading water and floating in the ocean with my best friend. It’s a great place for a family and a picnic as well.
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