10 Free activities and attractions on Santorini, Greece | Must- do and see hotspots for travellers on a budget
- Gem
- Mar 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Transport to Santorini and accommodation on the island can be quite expensive when planning your visit. That is why I have created a list of free things to do in Santorini, from activities and attractions to unknown towns, so you can save money while also discovering alternatives and hidden gems across the island. Santorini is actually much more than Oia and its picturesque buildings. Free or not, these activities and spots are not to be missed.
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1. Hike from Fira to Oia
This activity is the first recommendation for a reason. The hike from the centre of Fira to the centre of Oia (or the other way around) is the best free activity you can do on Santorini. This hike takes you along paths past the winding streets and hotels as well as panoramic views from the tops of hills and mountains. Although the hike takes around 4.5 hours, the views that you are only able to see by walking this route are absolutely worth it. If you are not able to hike the whole route in one go, there is a shop where you can stop and sit down for a bit halfway through and you and about an hour away from Oia you will find a very pretty church with a viewpoint for great pictures and time in the shade.
Check out the route on the 'Alltrails' app. If you search for hikes in santorini this route will pop-up quickly! Trust me, it is totally worth it and afterwards you will forget all about the parts of the hike that are less pleasant and too warm. Just make sure to bring enough water and snacks and wear sturdy shoes!
Views on the route from Fira to oia
2. Sunset at Skaros Rock
If you are staying on Santorini for more than one night (which you probably should), visit Oia during sunset on the first day and have a more relaxing sunset at Skaros Rock during the second evening. Oia is the busiest during sunset (and of course very beautiful), but after seeing it once, you can opt it out for a serene sunset with a drink and a snack while enjoying your company. Skaros rock offers amazing views while you are high above the sea.
It is very easy to get to Skaros Rock, especially from Fira. You can either take the bus to Imerovigli and walk for a bit afterwards, or you can walk from Fira, which takes around 40 minutes. Once you are there, you can sit down comfortably next to the first small church you see, or you can walk all the way down towards the edge to sit next to the large rock. I personally enjoyed staying near the top and adored the view from here just as much.
Sunset views at Skaros Rock
3. Go inside the Metropolitan Church and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Fira
You can't leave Santorini without walking inside one of its churches. Especially since the entrance is free. Greek churches are incomparable to churches in other countries in my opinion. They are really colorful on the inside and have beautiful paintings. I especially recommend stepping inside the Metropolitan Church and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. These two churches are easily accessible and had the most impact on me due to their atmosphere and drawings.
Inside of the Metropolitan Church
4. Have a beach day at Kamari Beach, Perissa black sand beach, Red Beach or Caldera Beach
Once you are on the island of Santorini, you will probably only see cliffs high above the sea, without any beaches. But, the beaches on Santorini are actually very special, although a little harder to find. Due to the island's volcanic landscape, the beaches on Santorini look a little different from those on the other Greek islands.
If you want to have a beach day on a unique beach, then your first choices should be Perissa black sand beach or Red Beach. Both have an interesting colour, according to their names, and are fun to relax on. Keep in mind that Red Beach does not have any beach beds or shops around it, so bring enough water and food.
Kamari Beach and Caldera Beach can be seen as more standard beaches, but they are perfect if you want to visit a new town as well. These two beaches are both located next to a small town which you can take a stroll in for a restaurant, souvenirs or just some water and snacks.
5. Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera (free during several holidays and several days during the off-season)
This one is for the history and culture lovers like me. Taking a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Thera is the best idea to learn more about the history of the island. The museum has prehistoric artifacts, big and small, shown on two different floors. These artifacts are supported by texts explaining their purpose and what Santorini was like during that period.
Usually you have to pay €5,-, but on holidays like the International Museums Day (18 May) and many others, plus every first Sunday from November up untill the end of March, entrance is free. The museum is very informative but also very interesting and when admission is free, you should not miss out on the opportunity.
Inside of the Museum of Prehistoric Thera
6. Take a self-guided online walking tour
Santorini has many hidden gems and small towns. To uncover these I recommend finding an online self-guided tour. These types of tours can be found for free on different kinds of platforms when you search it up online.
I have found the following free tours:
7. Walk past the vineyards of Pyrgos
The small town of Pyrgos is known for its vineyards where they grow green grapes for white wine. Therefore, you can take a small excursion to the vineyards. It's free to walk around the vineyards and wineries. This excursion is definitey different compared to the other activities on the island, since it showcases the countryside of the island.
8. Visit Mati Fira gallery for an art break
If you like to visit art galleries, Mati Fira Gallery can offer a great short art break while walking around the streets of Fira. The gallery has temporary collections of greek artists. Of course, entrance is always free!
9. Explore Imerovigli and have a photoshoot
Imerovigli is a small town situated in between Oia and Fira. This town is just as picturesque as the larger two, but it has even more photo spots. Therefore, you will probably see a lot of people in beautiful dresses with professional photographers. Of course, you can also have a photoshoot with your own phone and let yourself be guided by the locations of the photographers that you see. And when you are done, walk over to Skaros rock to relax and take in the view of the highest village on Santorini.
Picturesque photo spots in Imerovigli
10. Go down the steps in Fira to the old port
Another free activity is to go down the steps to the old port of Fira. To get from Fira to the port there are 587 steps to walk down on. Luckily, these steps are less challenging than you might think. The old port is very picturesque and provides a change of scenery compared to the compact towns. The smell of the sea and the restaurants at the port make the climb back up a bit more pleasant. If you are not up for the climb back up, you can also take a cable car back up for €10,-.
Do watch out for the donkeys that are walking up and down the stairs as well. They walk down pretty fast every few minutes. I was startled a few times as they also came very close to me multiple times. With that, also be warned for the donkey droppings on the steps...
If you are visiting during the high season, I have another heads up. During the day, multiple cruise ships arrive at Santorini, and they will arrive and stay at the Old Port. Of course, a lot of people will get of this ship and most of them immediately take a cablecar to get to Fira. If you don't like large crowds or want to take the cablecar up, visit the old port in between 11 am and 3 pm, as this is the best time period in between when the ships arrive and leave.
The views during the walk towards the Old Port in Fira
Thank you for reading this blog post and enjoy your trip to Santorini! Don't forget to stay open to spontaneity to find the real gems while travelling!
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