Santorini, Greece: 7-Stop Route Along the Caldera Roads
Explore Santorini's iconic hilltop villages and volcanic landscapes along a scenic 47.9 km route. This journey connects the island's most notable destinations, offering panoramic caldera views and insights into Santorini's unique geology and cultural heritage.
- Distance
- 47.9 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Pyrgos
- End
- Santo Winery
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Pyrgos
- Red Beach — Famous volcanic beach with distinctive red cliffs created by ancient lava flows, surrounded by rocks and offering spectacular bay views despite occasional crowding.
- Fira
- Akrotiri — Prehistoric Minoan settlement from 4000–2000 BC preserved under volcanic ash, called 'Greek Pompeii', with suspended walkways above two and three-story buildings.
- Winery Tour — Local vineyards produce distinctive volcanic wines using grapes grown in Santorini's mineral-rich pumice soil, offering tastings of unique Assyrtiko whites and Vinsanto dessert…
- Oia
- Santo Winery — Premier winery showcasing Santorini's renowned Assyrtiko white wines, offering sunset wine tastings with caldera views overlooking the volcanic crater landscape.
Useful for your trip
- Food
- Stop at Kantouni, a small Greek place in Pyrgos village, for a very good lunch break.
- Avoid
- Red Beach is very small and can become extremely crowded. Be aware of numerous landslides that have occurred in past years.
- Where to stay
- Stay in Fira instead of Oia. Fira is cheaper, has a central location, offers caldera views, and provides access to nightlife and shopping.
- Tip
- When visiting Akrotiri archaeological site, hire a guide to learn about the history, people, and the site's preservation as the 'Greek Pompeii'.
- Tip
- Visit Santo Winery around sunset to try wines while watching the sun go down in the caldera. Assyrtiko is the most popular white wine variety.
- Timing
- Visit Oia in the early afternoon to avoid massive sunset crowds. It's the most photographed place in Greece and very crowded.
- Tip
- Take a boat tour to Nea Kameni volcano (still active, last erupted 1950) and Therasia island (300 residents) to swim in hot springs.
- Timing
- Hike from Fira to Oia (10km, 3-5 hours) early in the day if visiting during summer heat. Path has very little shade.
- Tip
- When hiking Fira to Oia, keep the water (caldera) on your left to stay on the correct path. Mix of paved roads and dirt trails.
- Transport
- Pyrgos is about 7 kilometers south of Fira but feels much further away. It's the former capital and best preserved medieval settlement.
Video on this route
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