Are you looking for spots off the beaten path in Santorini?
There is no denying Santorini, Greece, is stunning.
We spent 6 days on this lovely island, enjoying some of the most touristy spots. Then it got to the point that we needed to explore spots off the beaten path of Santorini, away from cruise ship crowds in Oia and Fira.
The sights are incredible. The idyllic white mountainside homes are just as picturesque as seen in travel magazines, on Instagram, and even on the big screen (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, as reference).
The sunsets are magical, and the sunrises are worth the early rise – and that’s saying a lot because we’re not morning people.
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We fondly remember all of this from our visit. By the same token, we also recall the surge of crowds in the afternoons in Oia and Firá that pushed us to find quieter and less explored parts of the island.
We found a few spots worth visiting and sharing with you off the beaten path.
Off the Beaten Path in Santorini, Greece
Hubby and I visited Santorini for a week and stayed in Oia. Which meant we had the time to explore outside of Oia and Fira. We rented a car for part of the time and explored.
Our local hostess, born and raised in Santorini, was a wealth of knowledge and insisted we venture outside the tourist areas. I wish I had written down every one of her recommendations to share with you.
However, the next three spots were our favorites.
Where did we stay in Santorini? We stayed in a beautiful villa in Oia overlooking the caldera at Ifestio Villas Oia. The views were spectacular and unlike anything we ever experienced. The host and owner of the villas is a local who goes above and beyond to make sure you are enjoying your stay on the island she loves. We highly recommend it.
The Good Heart Santorini
This Tasty Itinerary was quite the find. It’s a produce market and a tavern.
By now, it’s probably gained popularity, but we will never forget the warm welcome by the owner and the full tray of samples given to us the second we stepped into the shop.
The majority of the fixings were homemade with local produce. We purchased all sorts of goodies to take home: fig jam, Santorini tomato paste (prepared with local Santorini tomatoes), olives… etc.
During a past Christmas, my sister-in-law served the tomato paste we had given her as part of an antipasto, which tasted better than we remembered it being.
If you are a foodie and love to try local goods, stop by and have a taste. You won’t regret it.
Tasty itinerary Tip: Say YES to the Fig jam and tomato paste.
The Good Heart | Greece, Akrotiri 847 00, Greece | Google Map It
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Red Beach
Ever imagine what it may be like to step foot on Mars? Mars with a large body of water that is.
This is quite possibly one of the most unique beaches I’ve ever been to… so far. It is spectacular with its large red lava rock formations and rocky terrain. The clear, cerulean water, in contrast, is breathtaking. Plan on taking a dip here.
It wasn’t too busy when we went in October, but expect it to be in the summertime. This can be a huge tourist spot, but not everyone that visits the island will venture off the beaten path in Santorini, Greece to see it.
Red Beach | Google Map It
Tour Option:
Sailing Cruise in Santorini to Red Beach and Akrotiri with a BBQ [book here]
Wine Tasting at Art Space
At Art Space, you’ll find an ancient winery and an art gallery in the same space. Plus, a free wine tasting!
At the Art Space, they provide samples of their wines and educate you on their process as they give you a tour of their old winery. The old winery, a cave carved out of pumice rocks, has been turned into a beautiful art space displaying an array of art from international artists.
We enjoyed the wine immensely. The art was worth the visit, too. Delicious wine, plus great art… you can’t go wrong.
Tip: We absolutely loved their Vinsanto (a dessert wine). I highly recommend taking a bottle back home with you. We did, and it didn’t last long.
Art Space | Έξω Γωνιά 847 00, Greece (Google Map It) | Website
Other Wine Tour Ideas:
Experience Santorini: Wine Tasting Small Group Tour [book here]
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Other Unique Things to Do in Santorini, Greece
1. Take a Cooking Class
During this trip, you will fall in love with Greek cuisine. Why not take a cooking class and learn how to make an authentic Greek dish?
Return home with a new recipe to cook for your friends and family the next time you throw a dinner party. If anything, go for the food and wine! That’s enough of a reason for me.
2. Volcano & Hot Springs Tour
This is technically an off-the-beath path Santorini adventure, but only because you need to take a boat there. It’s only accessible by boat.
We did a volcano tour when we visited; it was cool and exciting. When will you ever tour a volcano? Remember to wear sneakers and be ready for a bit of a hike.
Bring your swimsuit for the hot springs.
3. Eat and Walk Food Tour
Nothing like a food tour to make a trip special. Take a small group walking food tour in the village of Firostefani in Santorini. Enjoy scenic views while tasting local favorites like Greek Coffee, Olives, souvlaki, loukoumades, and more.
4. Hike the Best Trail in Santorini
Book a guided hike that takes you through the most incredible views of the caldera. Start in Fira and end in Oia.
It’s one of the most popular hikes and worth going with a guide that knows all the hidden pathways of the island they love.
I’d love to hear if you have other spots off the beaten path in Santorini that you’ve visited. Leave them in the comments.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
That red beach has my name all over it! I can’t remember if we stayed in Fira or Oia, but it was the less popular one. We found a winery on the top of the cliffs. It was sheer heaven! Love finding great little markets too. Love these pics!
Was it Imerovigli? Everyone told us the next time we return we should stay in the town next to Oia…. Imerovigli. We did visit there and it was so beautiful, peaceful and no crowds.
Love the look of all of those places. You just can’t beat local knowledge, particularly when travelling in high season and trying to get off the beaten path. The local specialities sound amazing (fig jam ?)! There’s so much depth to the Greek Islands and once you have a car it’s easy to explore those hidden places where an authentic way of life continues. Really enjoyed your post!
The funny this is that we were there in October, apparently the low season, but it didn’t feel that way sometimes. I do not want to imagine what it is like during the high season, haha. Lot’s to do in Santorini though. We had a great time. Hope you get to go someday soon!
I can’t wait to go here one day!! It was nice being transported there while reading. ? I want to go to that shop and buy some tasty treats! I also want that wine!!
Great post! Glad you shared it. ?
It’s a beautiful island. I hope you get to visit in the future. Thanks for commenting and I apologize for the delayed response. =)
Wow, Santorini sounds just amazing and your photos are absolutely stunning! I would totally love to stop by the produce market you mentioned. I am looking for a place to visit this October and would definitely consider Santorini. Do you think it would be worth the visit even off-season?
I would recommend going off-season in October, that’s when we went. Towards the end of October, I believe shops, restaurants and some hotels begin to shut down for the lull. It’s a beautiful island. A week was a little too long for us, unless you are looking to sit around a pool at your hotel to relax for some days. Santorini is definitely worth a visit, at least once in your life. There area many islands you can take the ferry to from Santorini, so island hopping is another option. We headed to Naxos and it wasn’t as crowded as Santorini in October.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope you do get to try the Good Heart and bring back some goodies with you. =)
What about the volcano? Someone told my husband to take the tour ? Does it worth it ? We are going to Santorini in July
Thanks
Sylvie
We took a sailing tour that took us to the volcano. We had a great time on the ship, and the hike to the volcano was interesting. It was a great experience. Would I go to the volcano again, probably not. Would I take the tour to enjoy the sail, yes. It all depends on what you’re looking forward to.
I love this post! Greece has never been a place I’ve ever thought I’d want to go to but reading this has made me rethink! The produce market sounds heavenly and Red Beach looks like such a beautiful spot. Thanks for sharing!
The Greek Islands are so amazing. If you have the opportunity to go some day, go. You will not be disappointed.
I’ve been to Greece but not to Santorini (YET). I’ve just added it to my list though héhé
Thank you for sharing these “secret” spots! I love to try local food, so I would definitely need to go check the product market! The red beach also looks awesome! I will keep this one in mind as well!!
Thank you for sharing!
The Good Heart was one of my favorite finds. You’ll love Santorini. It really is a beautiful island.
I’m glad you wrote this Kathy. Santorini is numero uno in our bucket list. I love reading about the different places we could visit over there someday……..
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading! I hope you get to go to Santorini soon. I never thought I’d ever get there and somehow we made it happen. I pinched myself a lot to make sure it wasn’t a dream. If you need any other recommendations, let me know. 🙂
I love finding quieter places when I travel! Going off the beaten path is a must for frequent travelers who get tired of touristy spots. I will definitely be keeping this post in mind for when I make it to Greece.
Kerry – I don’t know how I missed replying to your comment. Yes! I love seeking out quieter spot. Love the touristy spots because I mean, they are touristy for a reason and part of the destinations history. Sometimes you gotta work around those busy times to explore the less unknown parts. Red Beach is busy during the summer time, but still it was a unique site to visit. Hope you get to visit Santorini soon!