Best Things to Do in Santorini With Kids
Santorini's family days are an Oia village and sunset walk, a volcano and hot-springs boat tour, a Red Beach or Perissa black-sand beach day, a visit to ancient Akrotiri, and a catamaran sunset cruise if the budget allows a splurge.
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1Area photo: Taxiarchos228 / Wikimedia Commons (FAL)Oia Village & Sunset Walk
Whitewashed, blue-domed buildings stacked above the caldera make Oia the most photographed town on the island, and a slower evening walk through its narrow streets works well even with younger kids in a carrier or stroller.
Watch out: The famous sunset viewpoint gets absurdly crowded in peak season — arrive an hour early to get a spot, or pick a quieter side street with a similar view instead of fighting the crowd. Steep, uneven stone streets are rough on strollers.
2Area photo: Taxiarchos228 / Wikimedia Commons (FAL)Volcano & Hot Springs Boat Tour (Nea Kameni & Thirasia)
A short hike up the still-active volcanic islet of Nea Kameni, followed by a swim in the naturally warm, sulfur-tinted waters near Palea Kameni — a genuinely different, memorable activity kids don't get anywhere else.
Watch out: The volcanic hike is on loose, rocky ground with real sun exposure and no shade — bring water and real shoes, not sandals. The 'hot springs' water is murky and sulfurous, not clear blue — set expectations so kids aren't disappointed.
3Area photo: Taxiarchos228 / Wikimedia Commons (FAL)Red Beach & Perissa Black Sand Beach
Red Beach's dramatic red cliffs make a striking short visit, while Perissa's black sand gives a longer, more comfortable swimming stretch with real beach-club amenities — pairing both covers different needs in one day.
Watch out: Red Beach requires a short walk over uneven, rocky terrain to reach, and access has been restricted at times for safety after rockfalls — check current status before planning around it. Black sand gets genuinely hot underfoot in midday summer sun; water shoes help.
4Area photo: Taxiarchos228 / Wikimedia Commons (FAL)Ancient Akrotiri
A remarkably preserved Bronze Age settlement, sometimes called the 'Greek Pompeii,' buried by the same volcanic eruption that shaped the island — kids can walk through real streets and building foundations under a modern protective roof.
Watch out: Less immediately dramatic than the caldera views or beaches, so it works better for kids old enough to engage with the history (roughly 7+) rather than younger kids. The site has limited shade despite the covered roof structure.
5Area photo: Taxiarchos228 / Wikimedia Commons (FAL)Santorini Catamaran Sunset Cruise
Combines swimming stops in open water with the caldera sunset viewed from the boat instead of a packed cliffside crowd — the splurge activity, but a genuinely different vantage point than the land-based sunset spots.
Watch out: Meals and drinks included vary a lot by operator and price tier — confirm what's actually included before booking. Open water can be choppier than it looks from shore; check the forecast if anyone in the family gets seasick.
Frequently asked
Are the donkey rides in Santorini okay for kids to do?
We'd skip them — animal-welfare concerns about the donkey rides up from the old port in Fira are well documented (overwork, heat, and steep terrain). The cable car up from the port covers the same route more comfortably and without the ethical questions.
Which beach is best for young kids, Red Beach or Perissa?
Perissa for young kids — it's a longer, easier stretch of black sand with real beach-club amenities. Red Beach is more visually dramatic but requires a rockier walk to reach and has had periodic access restrictions.
Is the volcano boat tour worth it with kids?
Yes for kids roughly 6 and up who can handle a short rocky hike and don't mind murky (not clear-blue) hot spring water — it's a genuinely different experience most families find memorable, just not what the 'hot springs' name might suggest visually.
What's the best time of year for Santorini with a family?
Late May–June or September avoid the worst of the July–August heat and cruise-ship crowds while keeping warm enough weather for beach days and boat tours.
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