From watching the sunset in Oia to exploring the picturesque villages with white-washed buildings, there’s no shortage of romantic things to do in Santorini for couples on this beautiful Greek island.
If youʻre booking your trip to Santorini last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🇬🇷 Top Experiences and Tours in Santorini:
- Premium-class Catamaran Cruise with BBQ (I did this tour – great for couples!)
- Santorini Jet Ski Safari (another one of my favorites)
- Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit (highly recommended!)
- Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour (great for couples!)
🛌 Top Hotels in Santorini:
- Hill Suites (has a private hot tub)
- Ira Hotel & Spa (adults-only resort with a spa)
- Aesthesis Boutique Villas Fira (private villa with outdoor pool)
🚗 Visiting Santorini independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!
While Santorini is also becoming a popular Greek island for solo female travel, there’s no denying that Santorini is even more special for couples.
Whether you’re on your honeymoon or just looking for a weekend getaway to spend quality time with your significant other, Santorini will certainly bring the romance.
If I missed any of the best hotels, things to do, or places to eat for a romantic getaway to Santorini, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
In this post...
Best Hotels in Santorini for Couples
Before I get into the best things to do in Santorini for couples, let’s talk about the most romantic hotels in Santorini.
A hotel stay can make or break your trip, so you need to find a hotel that has all of the amenities you are looking for.
- For a hotel with a private hot tub and balcony with incredible views of the caldera, I recommend Hill Suites
- For an adults-only resort with a spa and breakfast every day, I recommend Ira Hotel & Spa
- For a private villa with a full kitchen, I recommend Aesthesis Boutique Villas Fira
Romantic Things to Do in Santorini for Couples
Here are some of the most romantic things to do in Santorini. If I missed something, please let me know in the comments!
1. Hike from Fira to Oia
Fira and Oia are two of the most popular villages in Santorini and are a must-visit during your trip to Santorini.
The two villages are connected by a 6-mile (9.6 kilometers) trail that offers stunning views of the caldera while you walk between the two places.
While you have the option to walk either way, I recommend taking the trail from Fira to Oia. In this direction, the trail slopes downward, making it easier to hike, and you will have stunning views of Oia throughout the trip.
The hike takes approximately three hours to complete, but it is best to start in the morning so you have enough time to stop at villages along the way.
2. Explore the Beautiful Village of Imerovigli
Santorini is home to many charming villages, each with its own unique character. The cliffside village of Imerovigli is along the hike from Fira to Oia, as mentioned above, and offers all of the charm of a Santorini village with fewer crowds.
The village is located on the west side of Santorini, only 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away from Fira. It offers some of the most stunning viewpoints of Santorini and is actually how it got its name (vigla, which means “viewpoint”)!
Skaros Rock is among the best attractions in Imerovigli to see a panoramic view of the caldera. It is a little bit of a hike to get there, so just be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water!
3. Watch the Sunset in Oia
Oia is famous for its outstanding sunsets, and any Santorini itinerary should absolutely include it!
However, word has gotten out that watching the sunset here is one of the best things to Oia for couples, so there can be quite a bit of a crowd even outside of high season.
While Oia Castle offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in Santorini, you are almost certainly going to be in a crowd, which is not an ideal environment for a romantic evening.
For this reason, I recommend that you find a restaurant with west-facing views to enjoy the sunset while you have a romantic dinner.
Pelekanos is a fabulous Mediterranean restaurant with a rooftop that is perfect for enjoying the sunset. Book a reservation in advance, starting approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour before sunset, to enjoy stunning views while enjoying your meal!
4. Go Wine Tasting in Santorini
While Santorini may not be famous for wine, the island has a unique climate and terroir that creates delicious wine you can’t find anywhere else in the world. And I genuinely believe one of the best things to do in Santorini is to enjoy a little bit of the local drink!
With approximately 20 wineries throughout the island, going on a wine tasting in Santorini is a perfect way to enjoy beautiful views while also learning about local culture.
A private wine tour is the best way to experience the wineries in Santorini. What better way to enjoy a wine tasting than with your private sommelier, air-conditioned ride, and customizable tour based on your taste preferences and preferred setting?
Another perk of the delicious wine in Santorini is that it is something you can do during the winter if your trip is off-season.
>> Click here to check wine tour rates and availability
5. Take a Boat Tour around Santorini
Explore Santorini’s coastline from a different angle by taking a boat tour of the caldera. By boat, you will be able to reach other parts of Santorini that you otherwise couldn’t get to.
On your boat tour, be sure to visit the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, where you can hike to the crater and take a dip in the hot springs.
Then, visit the island of Thirassia, where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters and enjoy an authentic Greek lunch.
>> Click here to check boat tour rates and availability
6. Enjoy Incredible Seafood in Ammoudi Bay
Ammoudi Bay is located just beneath Oia and is a romantic escape from the busy, narrow streets of Oia’s center. You can arrive by taking approximately 300 steps down from Oia or by driving.
As a small fishing port, Ammoudi Bay is one of the best places in Santorini to enjoy fresh seafood by the water.
Ammoudi Fish Tavern is one of the best places to eat along the water. Here, you can enjoy views of the red volcanic cliffs while eating fresh catch from the day!
7. Visit Akrotiri’s Ancient Ruins
Santorini is home to some of the best-preserved ancient ruins in Greece. The ancient city of Akrotiri was buried under volcanic ash in 1700 BC and has been preserved almost entirely intact.
Located at the southern tip of Santorini, Akrotiri offers a different viewpoint of the island that is worth seeing before exploring the ruins.
You should dedicate a few hours to exploring the ruins and another few hours to enjoy the views that Akrotiri has to offer.
8. Relax on Perissa Beach
Santorini is home to some of the most beautiful pebble beaches in Greece. Practically all beaches in Santorini are made of volcanic sand, with many having black or red pebbles!
Perissa Beach is a beautiful option for spending the day soaking up the sun and views. At Perissa Beach, you will find lounge chairs for two, a water park, a diving section, water sports, and more.
There are several seaside cafes and beach bars along the beach if you are looking for a bite to eat or a drink.
Other romantic beaches in Santorini include:
- Kamari Beach
- Mouzaki Beach
- Red Beach
- Perivolos Beach
9. Take a Helicopter Tour of Santorini
For a truly unforgettable experience, take a helicopter tour of the island. While not for the faint of heart, a helicopter tour is a fantastic way to see a unique view of the island that few can see.
Fly over the caldera and the stunning coastline and get a bird’s-eye view of the island’s many villages and beaches.
>> Click here to check helicopter tour rates and availability
10. Visit a Spa
Treat yourself and your loved one to a day of relaxation at one of Santorini’s many spas. Enjoy a couples massage, take a dip in the hot tub, or relax in the sauna.
Here are the most romantic spas in Santorini to enjoy as a couple.
- Caldera Massages Studio & Spa: a beautiful spa in Oia with relaxing massages and a peaceful environment to unwind
- Callisti Couples Massage: a relaxing couples massage with sunset views of the caldera
- Wellness Malaxis Massage Salon: a relaxing spa in Fira that offers deep tissue massages
These are just a few of the most romantic spas in Santorini, and there are many more to choose from! Before booking a spa day, look at the treatments offered to ensure they align with your and your partner’s wishes.
11. Take a Cooking Class
Food is the best way to the heart, and that is why taking a cooking class is a romantic activity to do in Santorini with your partner.
With the guidance of a skilled chef, you and your partner can learn how to make traditional Greek dishes while enjoying the island’s beautiful surroundings.
With this class, you will have the opportunity to make a 3-course Greek meal while enjoying local wine.
This activity not only allows you to learn about Greek cuisine but also allows you to cook together and bond. Plus, you can take home new culinary skills to recreate the dishes and relive the experience even after your trip to Santorini!
>> Click here to check food tour rates and availability
12. Capture Stunning Photos with a Private Photographer
A private photoshoot in Santorini is a perfect way to capture stunning views with you and your partner in one of the most picturesque settings in the world!
There is no better backdrop than the stunning caldera and iconic white-washed buildings, and capturing this scenery is one that you are sure to treasure for a lifetime.
Several professional photographers on the island offer private photoshoots for couples, where you can choose the location, style, and duration of the shoot.
Whether you want to capture moments in Oia’s narrow cobblestone streets, the iconic blue-domed churches of Fira, or the stunning sunset over the caldera, a professional photographer can help you create the perfect scene for your wishes.
Should you book a romantic getaway to Santorini?
In conclusion, Santorini is a destination that’s made for romance. Whether you’re watching the sunset in Oia, exploring the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, or relaxing on a beautiful black sand beach, there’s no shortage of romantic things to do in Santorini for couples.
The island’s rich history, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality all contribute to its romantic allure.
Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply looking to reconnect, Santorini provides an idyllic setting that will leave you wanting to plan your next trip back in no time!
Did I miss any romantic things to do in Santorini in this guide? Let me know in the comments!
More Santorini Travel Guides
- Santorini jet ski tour review
- Santorini catamaran cruise
- Best beaches in Santorini
- Santorini in winter
- Best things to do in Santorini
- 5 days in Santorini
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.