ITINERARY

Day 1. Welcome!

Arrival in Santorini. Transfer to your hotel in Perissa on the east coast (approx. 14km). 7 nights in Santorini

Day 2. Fira, the island's capital. Hike along the rim of the Caldera. Scenic Oia

Drive to the island's capital Fira (approx. 12km). Orientation walk, then free time for strolling, museum visit, lunch break. Panoramic hike along the rim of the Caldera, over the Little Elias Mountain, 320m, to Oia (you can also only do half of the hike, the rest - or even the whole - distance to Oia by bus). Time to stroll in one of the most picturesque places in the world. Drive back to your hotel (approx. 25km)
- H1: Fira – Oia, approx. 11km, ↑380m, ↓520m, 3h30min, easy to moderate
- H1a: Fira – Skaros – Oia: approx. 13km, ↑500m, ↓640m, 4h15min, moderate

Day 3. On the highest mountain of the island and through two medieval villages

Circular walk from your hotel in Perissa. Along old, partly paved paths you first reach the Sellada Pass: On one side, the Mesa Vouno mountain, where the archaeological site of the ancient city of Thera is located. On the other side, your path leads up the Profitis Ilias mountain, 624m. Once at the top, enjoy the panoramic views in all directions! Passing the monastery of the prophet Elias, which is now uninhabited, you continue to Pyrgos, a medieval village built like a fortress: A single gate leads into the interior of the traditional settlement. Then on to Emporio; visit the protected traditional settlement of Kastelli: Here, too, the outer walls of the houses built in a circle on the top of the hill form a fortress. Then it goes down to the sea and you walk along the beach back to Perissa.
- H2: Perissa – Profitis Ilias – Pyrgos – Emporio, approx. 14km, circular hike, ↑665m ↓665m, 5h, moderate

Day 4: The prehistoric city of Akrotiri. Hike through an impressive volcanic landscape

Transfer to Akrotiri on the western part of the south coast. Opportunity to discover the very interesting archaeological site of a Minoan city, destroyed by the massive volcanic eruption of the 17th century BC. After a short walk to "Red Beach", you will hike via the traditional village of Akrotiri to the chapel of Saint Nicholas on Palos beach on the north coast and along the sea to Apothikes beach. Then you cross again to the south coast and continue in an easterly direction; soon you are moving in an impressive volcanic landscape that has been eroded and shaped by wind and water for thousands of years! Passing white and gray beaches, you finally reach the small fishing port of Vlichada. Transfer to your hotel
- H3: Akrotiri – Apothikes – Vlichada, approx. 12km, ↑350m ↓360m, 4h, moderate

Day 5: Optional boat excursion to an active volcano

A day at leisure. An optional half-day excursion is possible: transfer to the pier. Short boat trip to the island of Nea Kameni, where the volcano is still smoking. You hike to Georgios Crater.: A natural wonder unfolds around you. It's so beautiful and it makes you shudder to think you're standing in the middle of an active volcano! Before or after the volcano visit, the boat also goes to the thermal springs of Palea Kameni, where a dip in the sea is possible. Back to the jetty. [Costs around 50€ in total].
- H6: Nea Kameni volcano, approx. 2.7km, round-trip, ↑127m ↓127m, 1h, easy

Day 6: Day trip to the neighboring island of Thirassia

Transfer to Ammoudi, the port of Oia. By speedboat to Korfos, the small fishing port on the east coast of Thirassia. Like Santorini, the lonely island was part of a larger, more or less round island, destroyed by the massive volcanic eruption of the 17th century BC. But unlike Santorini, here you get the impression that time stopped about 50 years ago; few tourists visit little more than Korfos, where the tour boats make a stop during the crowded caldera tour. You explore Thirassia on foot. Take the steep cobbled pathway to the island's capital, Manolas, perched high on the caldera rim. Enjoy panoramic views of the caldera before continuing your hike south. Near the island's summit is the Chapel of Profitis Ilias, which you can visit on your return. You first go through the deserted village of Kera, finally reach the lonely monastery of the Virgin (“Kimisi Theotokou”) in the southern corner of the island, high above Cape Tripiti. A breathtaking panorama opens up in all directions: you are standing high above a precipice, surrounded by the dark blue sea and several colorful islands! Back to Manolas then back down to Korfos and by boat to Ammoudi. Transfer to your hotel
- H4: Korfos – Manolas – Kimisi, approx. 8.7km, round trip/ partially circular, ↑400m ↓400m, 3h, moderate

Day 7: Ancient Thera on the slopes of Mesa Vouno

A limestone mountain separates Perissa from Kamari. It can be bypassed by boat or bus. The mountain also separates the black sand and pebble beaches of the two villages. Sun worshipers lie on the rows of loungers on both sides. On the Kamari side, an old paved path leads up the steep slope to the cave chapel of the Zoodochos Pigi (the Virgin is worshiped here as the source of life). In the cave, the little water from what is perhaps the only spring on the island drips down from the ceiling. Rainwater was traditionally collected as drinking water, today tankers bring the fresh water needed for the household; bottled mineral water is used as drinking water. Finally you reach the Sellada Pass. Today you do not climb Profitis Ilias: you have the opportunity to walk in the other direction, through the extensive excavation of Ancient Thera, the ancient city on Mesa Vouno, 369m. From its location it is one of the most beautiful excavations in Greece. On the descent to Perissa, a detour to the chapel of Panagia Katefiani at the foot of a steep rock face is possible. The afternoon is free.
- H5: Kamari – Ancient Thera – Perissa, approx. 6.1km, ↑435m ↓435m, 2h, moderate

Day 8: Good bye!

Transfer to the airport