For those willing to venture off the well-worn path, Santorini reveals a quieter, more authentic, and surprisingly diverse side. Here are the top uncommon experiences to seek out on your next visit.
Before tourism took over, Santorini was made up of farming villages. Mesa Gonia, once devastated by the 1956 earthquake, was left partially abandoned. Today, it's slowly reviving, with a hauntingly beautiful mix of ruins and restored homes. Visit Art Space Winery & Gallery, housed in a cave, and walk the quiet alleys for a glimpse of pre-tourism Santorini.
Oia's sunset is iconic-and overcrowded. For a more serene experience, head to Pyrgos, the highest village on the island. Climb to the old Venetian castle (Kasteli), grab a drink from a rooftop bar, and enjoy a panoramic sunset with far fewer elbows in your photos.
From Skaros Rock in Imerovigli, take the narrow footpath to the tiny white chapel of Panagia Theoskepasti, perched on a cliff with nothing but sea around it. Few tourists make this trek, so you'll likely have the dramatic views and raw, windy solitude all to yourself.
Forget crowded Red Beach. For a more peaceful swim, head to Vlychada Beach, surrounded by lunar-like cliffs, or Eros Beach, accessible via a dirt road and perfect for a private dip. Both offer beach bars, but the vibe is tranquil and local.
Instead of dining in tourist-heavy tavernas, join a home-style cooking class in a traditional cave house. Learn to make domatokeftedes (tomato fritters), fava, and local sweets like melitinia-and enjoy them over wine with a local host who will tell you stories of the island you won't hear anywhere else.
