Santorini is a place that through a simple Google search will turn up thousands of results. There are so many things to do in Santorini it can seem overwhelming. How can you fit it all in?! The simple answer: You won't (especially if you’re limited on time), but these are the activities you MUST to have on your bucket list on your next trip to one of Greece's most picturesque islands: Santorini.

I can safely say Santorini is one of those places you will probably come back to.

WALK AROUND AMMOUDI BAY & CHECK OUT THE OCTOPI

(AND THEN EAT ONE)

The views you will get from walking around Ammoudi Bay are amazing! And this is where you are going to find restaurants hanging octopi out to dry to serve later, which are the famous photos you’ve probably seen all over the internet and social media.

From the cute little houses, to all the restaurants, to the trail that leads to a spot for cliff jumping, to the boats lining the bay (which you will end up taking for a day cruise), it’s easy to spend your entire day in Ammoudi Bay. The best part about being in Greece is the lifestyle of the locals. It’s all about taking it easy and enjoying life, so this is what I suggest you do while down near the water. Find a prime spot to sit, order a plate of freshly grilled octopus, tomato fritters and a cool glass of white Greek wine and enjoy the spectacular views and people watching.

I told myself that the first time I would eat octopus would be from the source, and not at some restaurant in the U.S. The wait was well worth it as my first octopus experience, and what you can see in the photo below, was at SUNSET RESTAURANT in Ammoudi Bay. We had a table right on the water, the octopus was freshly grilled and the most tender thing I had ever eaten (seriously melt-in-your-mouth), the whole fish was also the freshest fish ever, the tomato fritters were the perfect combo of light and fried, and the wine was to die for!

This was the only restaurant I ate at in Ammoudi Bay, because I was trying to do this trip to Santorini on a budget, but it is one I can HIGHLY recommend!

TIP TO NOTE:

To get a photo with the octopi that are hanging to dry, similar to the one I have below, you are going to have to climb onto the roof of Ammoudi Fish Tavern. Best practice is to ask permission before you do this, because most likely they will say yes if you are quick about it.

The octopus plate at Sunset Restaurant in Ammoudi Bay

CLIFF JUMP INTO THE SEA

(OFF A HUGE ROCK IN AMMOUDI BAY)

Right past Sunset Restaurant at the far end of Ammoudi Bay is a path, follow it! After about 5 minutes walking you will come to the end. From there it’s time to jump into the sea and swim about 50 meters out. There is a huge rock calling to you, a rock that will not only give you the thrill of cliff jumping, but also features a hidden small church around the back (which you can’t see it from the pathway). It’s a spot both popular with locals and with tourists, and if you have even the little bit of sense of adventure it’s a MUST do to when in the bay.

Be careful when you climb up the volcanic rock though, it can be slippery, and make sure you launch yourself far enough off so you don't hit anything on the way down! The water is deep enough so you don't need to worry about that when landing, and if you’re visiting in the summer it’s definitely going to be refreshing from the scorching sun!

TIP TO NOTE:

Around the back of the rock, which you can’t see from the pathway, is a small church known as Ekklisia Agios Nikolaos. The pathway to the church, from the water at the base of the rock, features beautiful mosaics and seashells!

TAKE A CABLE CAR IN THIRA DOWN TO THE PORT

(AND THEN RIDE A DONKEY BACK UP TO THE TOP)

To get a truly unique view of the island take the cable car down to the port from the town of Thira (which will only cost you 5 EURO). The views you will get are pretty amazing, and the speed of the cable car really allows you to take everything in properly and take as many photos as you want on the way down. When we went there weren’t a lot of people we didn’t have to wait and were able to have a car to ourselves.

Another things to note about the cable car is its location. Many times when people come to Santorini they head straight to the town of Oia (pronounced "ee-yah" so you know how to say it properly) and spend most of their time there. It makes sense, this is the town you see all over social media with it’s cute white houses spilling over the cliffs towards the caldera. But don't forget about the island has another large town, which is pretty amazing in its own right, Thira (which you will also see spelled ‘Fira’), and is where I actually stayed during my trip to Santorini.

Once you reach the bottom of the caldera in your cable car you will be in Thira’s port (which is where all of the ferries also stop). Make a left and head along the walkway until you see two old Greek men and a bunch of donkeys. Pull out another 5 EURO and prepare yourself for a bumpy ride back to the top - which in no way is as glamorous as it looks in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but is just as fun.

TIP TO NOTE:

The men who will give you a donkey ride speak very little English (or at least they pretend not to), so don't expect them to take a great photo of you while you're on the donkey. Hand your camera to your friend and snap away!

It is slightly hard getting a good photo on yourself riding a donkey - hence the weird coloring of this

Sometimes they don't like how close you get...

EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FOOT MASSAGE

(COURTESY OF TINY, HUNGRY, NIBBLEY FISH)

I have always heard about fish spas but I've never actually been to one. They have them in the States and a bunch of other countries, but we felt as though it was the perfect way to pamper ourselves and beat the afternoon heat.

Kissing Fish is right in Oia, and we passed it multiple times, until I finally told my friend I really wanted to try it out (if you are in Thira they also have a second location there). Trust me this is one crazy fun (and hilarious) experience you need to have! Not that my feet felt 200% different but it is something I would definitely do again in a heartbeat! I can’t fully remember the cost, but I believe it about 15 EURO for a 20-30 minute session.

TIP TO NOTE:

If you are ticklish (like I am) this is going to be a huge test of your willpower! And needless to say it was the weirdest thing ever to experience tiny fish nibbling at my feet. But be mindful that you are not allowed to thrash about and disturb the fish, no matter how much it tickles! If you start to do that the girls in the spa will tell you to stop. :)

HAVE AN IMPROMPTU PHOTO SHOOT

(IN THE BASEMENT OF A THIRA SEX SHOP)

One of the most hilarious things my friend and I did was have an impromptu photo shoot. We were walking around Thira in search of a phallic keychain I could bring back for my sister (they are EVERYWHERE) and happened upon a sex shop. I knew they had to be in there so we went in.

As we explored around the shop we came upon a photo shoot area with multiple scenes, backdrops and costume options. It was only 10 EUROS so we said why not! As dodgy as the "studio" was I can easily say it was the funniest bonding experience I have ever had on a vacation!

ESCAPE THE GREEK HEAT WITH SOME GOOD OLD FASHIONED FROZEN YOGURT

(SERVED AT THE CUTEST SHOP IN THIRA)

I am a huge fan of frozen desserts, and personally feel like they are the perfect way to escape the summer heat that you will mostly likely be experiencing on your trip to Greece. It’s also fun to find the local “ice cream shop” to see what their unique twist is on the treat.

Another thing that will always get my attention when it comes to a shop, probably because I have a graphic design background, is interior design and packaging.

In Thira there is the cutest DIY (they will serve you, but you get to pick all of the toppings) frozen yogurt place called Chillbox. It's the perfect place for a late night treat before heading back to your accommodations, or the perfect spot to have a mid afternoon break to escape the sun and the heat. Plus the “boxes” that the frozen yogurt comes in is the cutest and completely Instagrammable.

WATCH THE FAMOUS GREEK SUNSET

(IN BOTH OIA AND THIRA)

Something you HAVE to do, obviously, is watch that famous Greek sunset. We were fortunate enough to see it in both Mykonos and Santorini, and it was spectacular in both locations. But there is something about the way the sun sets on the white homes spilling over the cliffs of the caldera in Oia that make it even more special.

And of course don't forget about Thira! The sunset there is also just as breaktaking! If you plan to be in Santorini for more than one night I highly suggest you do one night in Oia and another in Thira. And if you are there for a third night why not take a catamaran tour and experience the sunset from the sea as well. :)

SEE THE ISLAND FROM THE WATER ON A CATAMARAN

(THE WAY POSEIDON INTENDED)

If there is one thing you are going to splurge on during your time in Santorini a catamaran/yacht tour with Sunset Oia is the way to go! You have the option to go during the day (starting in the morning) or for a sunset tour which starts late afternoon.

It will cost you around $110 USD, but you will get a lot for your money! Included in the price is the boat ride (with multiple stops for swimming), which lasts half a day, lunch, unlimited drinks (including wine, beer and ouzo!), and a snorkeling activity (gear included).

The lunch is buffet style, so come hungry, the views you'll get from the catamaran are life changing, and the friends you'll make while on the boat will last forever!

If this didn't convince you pop on over to my other post to find out Why You Need to Take a Catamaran Tour in Santorini!

BONUS THING TO DO:
WALK AROUND AND TAKE A MILLION PHOTOS

This almost needs no explanation. I was sure there was no way Santorini could look exactly like all the postcards and images I had seen online. But I was wrong, it definitely does. I could have dedicated an entire post to just photos, and this is when you know you can walk around and take millions of photos of this beautiful place.

Don’t take my word for it though. Scroll down and take a look for yourself!

TIP TO NOTE:

Make sure you wake up early and head into town before any of the shops, and some of the restaurants, open. This is when you will be able to have the streets all to yourself and get those prime photos without all of the tourists in them.

Unfortunately because I was short on time I wasn't able to ride 4-wheelers around the island, or hike the infamous trail between Thira and Oia. If you can fit those into your schedule definitely give them a go. Otherwise, I'll see you back in Santorini. :)

Pin the image below so you don't forget to add these things to your Santorini bucket list!