21 Hidden Gems In Santorini Off The Beaten Track You Must Visit

Many places on our planet claim to be the most beautiful of all and the Greek island of Santorini is always in the conversation. Looking at the postcards with picturesque, whitewashed Cycladic houses with azure-blue roofs and walls uniformly painted with the purest of white that gives the whole city a pink shade during sunsets, no wonder people are hyped up about this charming Mediterranean island! Are you planning to visit this captivating Mediterranean island soon and wondering where to go in Santorini? Here are some hidden gems in Santorini that will surely make your holiday an unforgettable one!

Exploring the Prehistoric Thira Museum

We’re starting this list of hidden gems in Santorini with the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, a museumthat tells the story of Akrotiri through a collection of Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts. If you’re a fan of history it’s one of the places on Santorini you really shouldn’t miss. The museum isn’t very big but inside, you can find a lot of important historical artifacts of Santorini (dating back to as early as the Minoan era) and learn about the island’s history.

A fan of history? Check out my list of the best 45 historic sites from Europe’s 45 countries.

Hike From Fira To Oia

If you ask me, this is one of our favorite hidden gems in Santorini- and it’s free! Trekking from Fira to Oia is one of the most scenic walks I ever took. The trek starts in Fira, goes through the towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli, where you can experience the rural charm of the island, and ends in a largely rural area surrounded by hills that leads to Oia, one of the most beautiful (and touristy) parts of Santorini.

The trek takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace. The route isn’t well-marked but it’s pretty hard to get lost, especially because you probably won’t be the only person walking this route.

Visiting The Monastery Of Profitis Ilias

As mentioned above, Oia is one of the places on our planet that comes closest to the definition of paradise. A lot of people visit it but only a few know about the Profitis Elias monastery located on the hilltop overlooking the small, charming town. Seeing the sun setting over Oia and dropping into the Aegean Sea, giving the whole surrounding area a dramatic pink and golden shade is one of the most captivating experiences one can have in Santorini. It’s the highest point on the island and you need to take a short hike in order to reach it.

Next, a trip to Santorini can’t be complete without…

Visiting The Volcano

Santorini’s still-active volcanic island -Nea Kameni- is the youngest volcanic landform in the Eastern Mediterranean. It has erupted 8 times in the past 1,900 years and is asleep since 1950. You can reach Nea Kameni island by simply hopping on a local boat. After you reach, you can spend the day hiking this 130-meter high volcanic crater and even make a shortstop on the edge of the island’s geothermal points and dive into the deep blue sea.

Talking about hidden gems in Santorini, how about…

Getting Hit In The Head At 2 Brothers Bar?

I know the title sounds crazy but just hear me out. It’s simple, you let the bartender hit you in the head with a baseball bat while wearing a helmet and you get a super-cheap shot. After a few of those, you probably won’t even feel the next hit. The atmosphere in the bar is also amazing and everyone you meet there is super-friendly. Unsurprisingly, the bar has become a favorite among tourists and is always crowded.

Staying In A Windmill

One of the most unusual and hidden gems in Santorini is staying in the Windmill suite at the Golden Sunset Villas. Even though it might sound peculiar, the windmill is actually quite comfortable and has an aesthetically pleasing interior. Unfortunately, this is the only windmill suite on the island, so if you want to stay here, be sure to book way in advance. And this is no surprise considering the number of visitors Santorini gets, especially in the summer. So, if you’re looking for a more laid-back island similar to Santorini, check out this post about things to do in Paros.

Sleeping In A Traditional Cave House

To sleep in a traditional cave house in Santorini is to embrace the island’s geological embrace literally. Carved from the very cliffs that offer those postcard-perfect views, these cave houses are the original eco-friendly abodes. Waking up in one feels less like emerging from sleep and more like emerging from a dream within a dream, where every comfort has been thoughtfully carved out of the earth.

Visit The Open Air Cinema in Kamari

Set under a canopy of stars, the Open Air Cinema in Kamari offers a cinematic experience. With director’s chairs for seats and cocktails to sip, it’s as if the cinema itself is performing, with every night a premiere and every audience member a VIP. Whether you’re there for a blockbuster or a cult classic, the real star of the show is the setting itself

Get Away From The Crowds And Enjoy The Countryside

One of my favorite hidden gems in Santorini is renting a car and getting off the beaten track. If you want to rent a car and get away from the tourist crowds in Santorini, use this link and save up to 30% on your car rental for your upcoming trip. The island has become extremely popular among tourists, especially in the last couple of decades, and sadly that has taken away a part of the island’s charm.

Fortunately, most tourists are concentrated in a few areas, and getting off the beaten track is still an option. My favorite part of the island is the south, where, you can find a lot of farms where a more traditional way of life is still practiced and where you can’t drive for very long without seeing a winery…

Talking about wineries and unforgettable moments, another thing you absolutely have to do while in Santorini is…

See The Ancient Village Of Akrotiri

When talking about hidden gems in Santorini, we have to include some history. Akrotiri is one of the largest archeological discoveries in Greece. Once upon a time, it was a city with more than 30,000 inhabitants and one of the most prosperous settlements in Santorini.

However, a volcanic eruption in the 16^th century BC completely annihilated the city. That’s why Akrotiri carries the nickname The Pompei of Greece. The site is located roughly 15 kilometers away from Fira. If you keep going southeast, you’ll discover a Minoan Bronze Age archeological site that’s arguably the most important one of its kind in Greece.

Visit A Gorgeous, Often Forgotten Village

Situated in the South of Santorini, Emporio is one of the biggest villages on the island. The name Emporio (trade) comes from the times when this village was a major commercial hub on Santorini. Today, the village has only 3,000 residents and is one of the most peaceful settlements on the island. One of the most interesting sights around is the 16^th-century fortified castle with a beautiful medieval church on site and the Tower of Nimborio, one of the oldest buildings in the area.

Megalochori Village

Megalochori Village is Santorini’s answer to the question, “Can time stand still?” Walking its cobblestone streets is like flipping through the pages of a well-worn novel and the village squares guarded by towering churches are some of the most picturesque ones I’ve ever seen. It’s a place where the doors are as colorful as the island’s sunsets, inviting not just into homes, but into the heart of Greek hospitality.

Discovering The Art Space Winery

If you’re looking for alternative, hidden gems in Santorini, you’ll love this place! The Art Space Winery is an art gallery carved into the chambers of a very old winery. The winery is still functional and still keeps producing amazing wine but you can also see some very interesting artwork by Greek and foreign artists alike. Visiting this Greek hidden gem is a great chance to enjoy some of the finest wine on the island while also learning more about Greek contemporary art.

After all that food and wine, you’ll probably want to learn something about the place you’re visiting. A great starting point is…

Visiting The Ancient Capital Of Thera

Located on the top of Messa Vouno Mountain, the ancient Thera was the capital of Santorini for a long time. The ancient city that was named after the mythical ruler of the island, Theras has been uninhabited since the 7^th century AD but it slowly becoming a tourist attraction in the last few years. To reach the ancient Thera, you have to either hike the steep trail from Perissa or take a shuttle from Kamari.

At the top, you will find a lot of fascinating Hellenic, Roman, and Byzantine ruins and no other tourist facilities. Despite this, a trip to Santorini can’t be complete without visiting one of the most important historic places on the island.

If you just can’t get enough of the island’s fascinating history, the next thing you’ll want to do is…

Have A Picnic At Akrotiri Lighthouse

The Akrotiri lighthouse is the oldest one in Greece and one of the best viewpoints on Santorini. It’s a great spot to bring a picnic basket and a bottle of wine and enjoy the view of the sun setting over Santorini. No surprise that nowadays, the lighthouse, even though closed to visitors, is one of the main tourist attractions on the island. However, despite the increased number of visitors, it’s definitely worth stopping by after a long day of exploring the Akrotiri Ruins.

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Visit Aspronissi Island

Even though technically not a part of Santorini, this list of hidden gems in Santorini couldn’t be complete without at least an honorable mention of Asprinissi, a secluded isle off the coast of Santorini. On Asprinissi, silence is the name of the game, broken only by the occasional seagull or the whisper of the waves. It’s a place where your footprints might be the only ones on the beach, offering a Robinson Crusoe-like experience.

Visit The Iconic Red Beach

Located near the Akrotiri Ruins, you’ll find one of the most photographed spots in Santorini. The famous Red Beach is completely surrounded by volcanic rocks and incredible red hills. The beach is easily accessible and hence, busy most of the time, but the spectacular sight of the red hills towering over this beautiful beach is a reason enough to visit.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more peaceful beach, consider…

Exploring The Volcanic Formations Of Vlychada Beach

If you’re looking for the most spectacular, hidden gems in Santorini, you simply can’t skip Vylchada Beach. At first sight, it looks like the usual Mediterranean beach whose striking cliffs have been specifically decorated by an artist, in order to attract more tourists. However, these cliffs actually got their form naturally throughout the years under the influence of no one else but Mother Nature.

These impressive geological formations alone are a reason enough to visit but it’s also a place where you can get some peace and quiet. It’s one of only a few beaches on Santorini that you won’t find in most tourist guides and a place that a lot of visitors don’t know about (yet).

The beach sure is fascinating but it looks even more fascinating from above. To get a great view of Vylchada Beach and the surrounding area…

Take the scenic walk to Skaros Rock

Skaros Rock is a large promontory created by a volcanic eruption that occurred more than 60,000 years ago. Throughout the years, a few severe earthquakes shaped the rocks at Skaros even more, giving them the stunning appearance they have today. The promontory was fortified during the Byzantine era and for years, it was the largest settlement on the island and later, the capital of Venetian Santorini.

Today, Skaros Rock is one of the most prominent landmarks on the island. If you want to reach it, you need to take a one-hour hike to the top from Fira. If you’re brave enough, you can even explore the far side of the rock formations and discover a small, hidden medieval church.  The hike can be tiring, especially in the hot summer months, but the view is absolutely worth it!

Finally, I’d like to share a few of my favorite places in Santorini to get away from the tourist hordes!

Take A Day Trip To Thirassia Island

What’s today known as Thirassia Island was once part of Santorini before a major volcanic eruption separated the two. Today, Thirassia is an island of its own with its own inhabitants and some amazing food. Are you looking for some peace and quiet away from the busy streets of Fira and Oia? I strongly suggest taking a day trip to Thirassia. There are boats leaving from the Old Fira port several times a day.

Have A Slice Of Mediterranean Life In Pyrgos Village

Located around eight kilometers away from Santorini, you can still discover a place where the laid-back, Mediterranean atmosphere is still present, without the thousands of tourists that visit Santorini every day. Pyrgos is one of the last remaining, peaceful, crowd-free villages on the island.

Located at the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos is one of the most important strategic points on the island. No wonder it was the former capital of Santorini for quite some time! However, despite this and the fact that it offers some of the best photography spots in Santorini, the small village of Pyrgos remains relatively unfrequented today.  Do you need any more reasons to visit?

A Few Thoughts On Discovering Hidden Gems In Santorini

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If you’re traveling to Santorini from the US, I suggest you compare travel insurance from the USA’s leading travel insurance carriers before you go and save a lot of time while planning your trip. Finally, if you want to extend your trip to Greece and also visit some other nearby islands, use my Booking discount codes to get special accommodation deals in Santorini and save up to 15%.

If you want to visit other places in mainland Greece, the bus is probably the best option and you can get the best deals on local transportation on Busbud (for more info, check out our Busbud review).

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Did this list answer the question “Where to go in Santorini”? Do you like our list of hidden gems in Santorini? If you were to visit, which place would you head to first? Do you think there are some places in Santorini that I didn’t mention in this post? Let me know in the comments!

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