Alternative Things to Do in Santorini with Children That Your Kids Will Love!

Visiting Santorini with kids? This article offers you ideas for activities to d in Santorini with kids and it was written by a local mom of two!

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Santorini island is magical, inspiring, and majestic. It’s also more than just a ridiculously gorgeous island. Parents, though, are often forced to gear down since it’s been labeled “for couples only”.

So what do we do with the kids? … For couples only? There’s a lot for kids to do in Santorini… and for adults too. For instance, you can spend a day with the family outside Fira! Take a look!

Things to Do in Santorini with Kids

Discover Ancient Thera

This region lies on an elevated headland that divides Perissa from Kamari: Meso Vouna (or between mountains).

The flatness of the plateau and its height from sea level results in a phenomenal 360° panorama. A visit to Ancient Thera is a must-do if your kids love all that’s ancient. And it’s a must from the beginning.

A drive on one of the most spectacular roads on Earth, the Kamari Serpentine, with 22 hairpin switchbacks, takes your breath away (not always in a good way!).

The settlement is on the east side of Santorini and offers a very different observation point. Important ruins are the Temple of Dionysus, the Sanctuaries of Artemidoros and Apollo Karneios, The Terrace of the Festivals, and ancient graveyards that will certainly move you.

If the Kamari Serpentine is too much for your vertigo, reach Ancient Thera on foot, the hiking trail starting in Perissa takes about an hour and rewards you with spectacular views of the Aegean.

Explore Ancient Akrotiri, one of the best things to do in Santorini with kids!

Santorini’s Pompeii, if you will, lies in Akrotiri which is on the southernmost tip of the crescent-shaped island. With remains that date back to the 2nd millennium BC, the Bronze Age has left a permanent mark on this side of the Cycladic island.

The ruins are incredibly well-preserved and you can almost walk inside the two and three-story buildings that were part of the original settlement; once adorned with colorfully vibrant wall paintings and frescoes.

You’ll find pottery and clay decanters still very much intact. The remains of this advanced civilization will astonish you.

So as not to miss any important detail, we opted for a professionally guided tour of Akrotiri. It was excellent to get a well-rounded insight into the most prominent areas of the island and in a reasonable time.

Explore Fira with Kids

It’s a good idea to book a kid-friendly tour that will handle your children’s questions and curious look while exploring Santorini’s capital. Find a tour that is flexible in terms of pick-up as well as tour hours and that adapts well to you schedule.

The activity is perfect if you are spending a few days in Santorini but I also think it can show much of the island if you’re a cruise passenger. In that case, they pick you up from the port of Athinios, at the base of the Caldera, they take you to Akrotiri and show you also the wonderful village of Oia.

If you are staying in Santorini for more than a day, can I suggest you three things to do?

Try Fava!

Fava is probably the best-known dish from the island, and when it’s cooked by the book, it’s heaven. Fava has nothing to do with fava beans, it’s a dish mainly made of yellow split peas, and a must in Santorini.

Taste Santorini Wines

I’ve already talked about wines and kids in Santorini… and our experience was awesome. And third..?

Choose the Right Hotel for the Family!

As much as you can. Santorini is a treat to the senses, enjoy sunsets, tastes, experiences… and choose a ravishing hotel in Fira, Fira, such as the lovely Kalisti, (which, by the way, means beautiful in Greek; and the Kalisti honors its name!). We were lucky to manage our time quite wisely and to return to the hotel in time for some relaxing downtime. Kids included!

We all took in all those beautiful cultural images experienced during the day and enjoyed a memorable dinner overlooking the Caldera… romance does not mean kids forbidden. In a way, that’s how kids are started sometimes!

For those of you interested in museums, check these:
– Official website of the Archaeological Museum of Thera
– Official website of the Museum of Prehistoric Thera

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Alternative Things To Do in Santorini with Kids