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“Is Santorini good for families?” is a common question for parents to ask. Even though it is not specifically known as a family destination, Santorini is actually great for families.
The Cycladic island’s otherworldly landscapes and its rich ancient history pique children’s imaginations like no other destination.
Read on to discover what makes Santorini the perfect place for a family holiday.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
Santorini is famous for its luxurious accommodation ideal for romantic getaways. With stunning sunsets, breathtaking caldera views, and private infinity pools, the island’s hotels attract lovebirds the world over. This doesn’t mean there’s a lack of Santorini hotels for families, though.
Santorini is the most visited island in Greece. As such, it offers all sorts of accommodation options. Santorini has many villages, but the best ones to stay in as a family are Fira, Imerovigli, and Kamari.
On the west coast of Santorini, Fira is the island’s cliff-perched capital and biggest hub of activity. Its cobblestone streets are lined with a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and souvenir shops.
You can find absolutely everything in Fira and that’s what makes it a very convenient location to stay at with kids. Situated on the caldera, Aria Suites & Villas is a Fira boutique hotel that offers spacious family suites.
For parents who prefer something quieter, Imerovigli is a great option. Located a stone’s throw away from Fira, the village of Imerovigli is a quiet gem. There, you will find Phaos Santorini Suites, a hotel that welcomes families with open arms and hosts children under 4 for free.
On the other side of the island, on its southeastern coast, there are also some excellent family accommodation options. In the village of Kamari, there are some fantastic Santorini family resorts, such as Santorini Kastelli Resort and Imperial Med, that combine fun activities for children with elegance and modern comforts.
Getting around Santorini
Santorini may be a relatively small island, but it’s not walkable. The best way to get around Santorini is by car. Renting a car means you should be able to visit any landmark or beach you want, whenever you want.
While there is a public bus service in Santorini, buses do not run as often as one would hope. To avoid waiting for a late Greek bus on a hot summer’s day with a grumpy toddler, it’s wisest to be in charge of your own transport.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving on the narrow streets of the island, you can always book a taxi or Uber to move around.
Family-friendly things to do in Santorini
1. Paint the Oia sunset
Sunsets in Oia are one of the things Santorini is most famous for. Granted, kids do not always appreciate the beauty of nature as much as adults do, but Oia sunsets are a once-in-a-lifetime experience they’ll never forget.
To get the best view of the sunset, head to the Venetian Castle of Agios Nikolas in the beautiful village of Oia. This is located right on the edge of a caldera and is the perfect place to watch the sun slowly paint the island’s whitewashed houses gold.
To make the Oia sunset an even more “Santorini with kids” type of activity, why not have your children also paint a picture of it? That way you’ll also have a very special souvenir to take back home!
2. Kayak around the caldera
Most adults would probably be happiest enjoying Santorini’s caldera from afar: with a glass of wine on a roof terrace. Kids, however, tend to want a more hands-on experience with this spectacular natural sight.
Luckily, in Santorini, you’ll be able to find many sea kayak tours of this crescent-shaped wonder. Even if you have never done it before, there are professionals on the island who will be able to teach you and your family the basics of the sport quickly. They will take you on a guided tour of the best spots of the caldera so you can safely enjoy the best of what the Aegean has to offer.
3. Hike to Skaros rock
Families who like adventuring together will love hiking up to Skaros. Skaros is a rocky headland just below the village of Imerovigli.
In medieval times, Skaros was inhabited and constituted one of the most important fortresses on the island. With time, large parts of Skaros disappeared into the sea due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and, so, the area was abandoned.
Today, the only building left there to tell Skaros’ story is the picturesque church of St. George but the views remain as impressive as ever. The trail hike up to Skaros is only short, but its muddy terrain is a firm favorite with active children.
4. Walk around the archaeological site of Akrotiri
It’s certainly true that many archaeological sites can be a little boring for children, but Akrotiri is quite the opposite.
One of the most amazing ruined sights in Greece, Akrotiri is an ancient Minoan settlement that was destroyed when the volcano that Santorini is built over erupted.
Today, what remains of Akrotiri has been covered by a roof, with walkways suspended above the ruined houses and streets. Akrotiri is considered the Pompeii of Greece and will amaze children lucky enough to see it.
For a hassle-free trip, book an archaeological bus tour, which includes a guided tour to traditional villages, the Akrotiri Excavations, and swimming at Red Beach.
5. Swim at the Red Beach
Speaking of Red Beach, children get very excited at the thought of spending time at the beach. So, you can just imagine their reaction when you tell them that you’re going to a beach that is red! To be fair, I was left pretty open-mouthed myself when I went there for the first time… and I was well over 18!
As is the case with a lot of things on the island, Red Beach owes its color and stunning rock formations to volcanic eruptions. Located in the south part of Santorini, this semi-organized beach can be reached by trail or boat.
Once there, kids will be able to explore the beach’s wild scenery, snorkel, and even collect pumice stones, which makes for a great holiday souvenir!
6. Check out the volcanic crater
You may be detecting a theme so far: volcanos! It’s unavoidable. Since Santorini is a volcanic island, most of the exciting things to do there are related to it. It’s fair to say, then, that the one thing you really shouldn’t miss out on is a visit to the actual volcano.
The active volcano itself lies underwater, but you can take a boat trip to the islet of Nea Kameni to see its crater. Hiking through Nea Kameni’s lunar scenery, and smelling the sulfur in the air, is a very fun adventure to have with your children.
If you or your kids are not up to hiking, a volcanic islands cruise with a hot springs visit is a great alternative.
7. Have a mud bath
Palea Kameni is an islet that was created as a result of a volcanic eruption on Santorini in 1570. Even though there is not a lot on Palea Kameni, it’s worth visiting for its hot springs.
Located under the shadow of the volcano, these hot springs are a sight to behold. Against a backdrop of red and black rocks, the hot springs are famous for their orange-hued water. Their water has a constant temperature of 35 degrees Celsius and contains many minerals with healing properties.
Kids will no doubt enjoy splashing around in the hot springs, while adults will feel pampered at this natural spa.
8. Horseback riding in Megalochori
For an activity that feels like it’s jumped straight out of the pages of a fairytale, try horseback riding. This horseback riding experience is a two-hour tour that starts in Megalochori.
Megalochori is an ancient village in the southwest part of Santorini that used to serve as a pirate hideaway. This fact alone is enough to excite children, but it gets even better.
Riding a horse along the village’s labyrinth of alleyways and witnessing its perfectly preserved architecture is guaranteed to transport you to the 17th century. Not to mention the incredible views you will get to see of the sun setting over the island’s ravines and gorges!
9. Visit the Tomato Museum
Many children do not like museums because they associate them with old stuff behind glass cases that you can’t touch. Santorini’s Tomato Museum challenges that notion.
Located in Vlychada, the museum is housed in an old tomato factory. By showcasing old processing and can-labeling machines and other tools, it aims to tell stories about the island’s most famous product, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cherry tomatoes.
A great way to explore the museum is by booking an admission ticket with an audio guide. At the end of their tour, visitors also get to do a tomato paste tasting and check out the museum’s one-of-a-kind gift shop, featuring all sorts of quirky tomato-themed trinkets that kids will love!
10. Watch a movie at the outdoor cinema
One of my favorite things about Greece is its outdoor cinemas. Come summertime, going to the movies becomes the nation’s favorite evening pastime. One visit to Santorini’s Cine Kamari is enough to make you understand why.
Movie-goers sit at bistro-style tables, order drinks and snacks from the bar, and watch films under the moonlight, surrounded by the scent of jasmine and bougainvillea. It’s a very unique cinema experience that kids will never forget!
11. Take a ride on the cable car
The Fira cable car is a brilliant family-friendly Santorini activity. The cable car was constructed in 1982 to connect Gialos, the old port of the island, to the capital. Until then, the only way to reach Fira after arriving at the port was via Karavolades, a famous set of 588 winding steps.
While fitness lovers can still choose this option, a more popular one (especially with kids!) is the cable car.
Gialos is not used as a port anymore, but it’s a lovely, quaint place to visit and have a meal at. However, it’s the three-minute journey there on the cable car that’s the real star experience, as it allows you to see the caldera from a totally fresh perspective.
12. Go to the Lost Atlantis Experience
Legend has it that Santorini could be the Lost Atlantis, the mythical island that sank into the sea.
While this may raise some eyebrows, it is not actually a very far-fetched scenario if you take into consideration the great volcanic eruption that occurred around 1500 B.C. and obliterated the ancient settlement of Akrotiri.
The Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum in Megalochori has been designed to explore the connections between Santorini and the myth of Atlantis. You and your kids can explore this interactive museum and enjoy a 9D experience.
With digital installations, hologram technology, and interactive activities, this activity offers a super modern experience that is educational and extremely fun for children and adults alike.
13. Have some frozen yogurt in Fira
As you probably already know, yogurt is an important part of Greek cuisine. Served with some honey, nuts, and fruits, it makes for a great breakfast or dessert. But did you know you can also have it frozen?
If you’re visiting Santorini in the summertime, make sure to stop by one of Fira’s many Greek frozen yogurt shops. Your kids will love creating their own customized desserts there. And the best part? It’s very healthy!
Tips for family-friendly trips in Santorini
Here are some reminders as you plan your family’s trip to Santorini:
Pack comfortable shoes. To see the best of what the island has to offer, you will have to do a fair amount of walking. A comfortable pair of sneakers will go a long way not only when you’re hiking, but also on the island’s villages’ cobblestone streets.
Bring a jacket. Santorini evenings can be surprisingly chilly, even in the summer. This is because of dry, seasonal winds called “meltemia” that blow all over the Aegean between July and September.
Avoid visiting in August. August is the busiest month in Santorini. The island gets very crowded, which can make it difficult to get around. To enjoy Santorini’s sights best, visit in late spring or early summer.
Conclusion
So, is Santorini good for families? As you can gather from this whole article, it’s a yes! Santorini is a perfect destination to visit with kids, young or old.
The Cycladic island is developed, which means you will be able to find everything you need for a comfortable trip there. The island is also full of natural wonders, creating many opportunities for fun adventures that your family will remember forever.
Which of these activities are you most excited to experience in your family holiday in Santorini?
