Top 5 Things to See and Do in Santorini, Santorini, Greece

There’s a reason why Santorini is so popular – dreamy white cave houses that cascade down the side of its rugged cliffs, infinite views across the Aegean Sea, delicious Mediterranean food and those oh-so-famous sunsets that the island is known for. It’s officially called Thira in Greek but is more commonly known by its Venetian name Santorini, after Saint Irene. A product of its volcanic past, the Cycladic island can be likened to a phoenix rising from the ashes, a trait that has helped it soar to the top of tourism rankings and bucket lists alike.

Yet it would be hard to shy away from the fact that Santorini is one of the most expensive places I’ve visited, especially if you choose to stay in a hotel with a caldera view (you’ve come all this way, so the experience would be hard to pass up). It’s also more touristy than other Greek islands, and at times felt like one big honeymooners resort where you can’t drink the tap water (buy bottled water at the mini-mart versus the hotels mini-bar) and getting around requires extra patience (the buses are crowded and may or may not arrive on schedule). Despite these “trade-offs”, Santorini does not lack in charm – there really is no other place like it in the world. So if you aren’t into sitting poolside at your hotel all day, here are my top 5 things to see and do to get the most from this beautiful and unique island. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).