Looking for the perfect mix of sun, history, beach time, and unforgettable views? Here’s how our family trip to Santorini unfolded—what went right, what went wrong, and how to plan your own stress-free escape to this stunning Greek island.
Our Rough Landing – A Bumpy Start to Our Family Trip to Santorini
Our family trip to Santorini didn’t exactly start as planned. We were flying with Ryanair, and although delays aren’t uncommon, this one was something else. Our flight was delayed for over two hours, but Ryanair didn’t officially announce it until almost two hours after our scheduled departure time.
Worse still, once we finally boarded, we sat on the plane for over an hour. Passengers were being told not to use their phones, which meant I couldn’t contact our rental car company. By the time we landed in Santorini, the office had closed , and our greeter had given up. We were 30 minutes past the selected rental pick up time. The rental car company (dirent) had our flight information and should have known there was a delay. I highly recommend avoiding Dirent as a result.
With no rental car and no way to get around the island with our group of six, we had to hire an expensive taxi service just to reach our hotel. I was up until nearly 3 a.m., trying to find a last-minute rental. We managed to secure one of the last two large vehicles available on the island. Miraculously, we only lost €23 from the original rental. Stressful? Absolutely. But once that was sorted, the trip turned around.
Day One – Exploring the South Side: Red Beach, Akrotiri & More
Our first real day of our Santorini family trip began with breakfast at the hotel. I passed up a nearby bakery, Griggoris, and I still regret it. It’s right next to the Lost Atlantis Museum and had incredible reviews—next time!
The museum itself was just okay for adults, but great for kids. It introduced Greek mythology in a hands-on way that sparked curiosity in our children—totally worth the stop.
From there, we visited the Akrotiri archaeological site, an ancient city preserved by volcanic ash. Before exploring, we ate lunch nearby at Peirasmos, a laid-back taverna with great traditional dishes. They are family-owned, and the food was incredibly fresh! There is a parking lot nearby, right by the trail for Red Beach, but it was tight (it’s summer). We managed to luck out and snag a spot, but many were not as lucky!
We spent the afternoon at Red Beach, known for its dramatic cliffs and dark sand. It’s perfect for photos and relaxing. You can also take a boat from here to White and Black Beach for about €15 per person. We opted to finish the day with a quick market run for groceries and a simple hotel dinner with the food we had just purchased. We were all exhausted!
Day Two – Hiking from Fira to Oia + Santorini Sunset Dinner
No family trip to Santorini is complete without taking in the island’s most famous trail: the Fira to Oia hike. We had breakfast at the hotel and headed out early to beat the heat. We made the mistake of using google to find the “trailhead.” It was wildly off base and set us back about an hour! The start of the hike is the Atlantis hotel in Fira. You can park in one of the free parking lots in Oia and walk over!
This 6.4-mile hike along the caldera is scenic, peaceful, and surprisingly kid-friendly. We took our time, stopped for snacks and water, and enjoyed lunch at Pink Sophia Maria, a tiny trail-side café with amazing views.
At mile four, we ran low on water and energy, so we ended the hike there. My husband grabbed an Uber to pick up our rental car while the kids and I waited in the shade.
After some rest back at the hotel pool, we headed into Oia around 6 p.m. to secure parking for our sunset dinner. Parking gets really challenging closer to sunset in Oia. We had reservations at Flora, and they gave us a perfect rooftop table for sunset—I had mentioned this was important in our booking, and they honored the request. The sunset? Pure magic.
Day Three – Volcano Tour + Relaxing Beach Time at Monolithos
This day combined volcanic adventure with family beach time—a perfect mix. After breakfast, we drove to Fira Old Port for a 3-hour boat tour.
The tour included:
- A hike on the Nea Kameni volcano with a great guide
- A quick swim to the hot springs (dark swimsuits recommended due to staining)
The hot springs were cool, but we had limited time—try to get off the boat early if you want more than a few minutes to float and relax. We were one of the last to get off and barely made the 100-meter swim to the hot springs before having to get back on the boat. The boat stops near the hot springs, but you still need to swim over to the warmer waters!
Lunch was our pre-packed picnic from the market, enjoyed during the ride back. Then we headed to Monolithos Beach, one of the best family-friendly beaches in Santorini. The sand is soft, and the water stays shallow for a long distance—great for kids of all ages. We rented two loungers and an umbrella for €20.
Dinner was at Kopsidi, just a few minutes away. We got the Variety meat platter, and the seaside views made it even better.
Day Four – Ancient Thera + Waves at Perissa Beach
We started early to avoid the midday heat. Though there’s a steep road to Ancient Thera, our car wasn’t up for it, so we hiked up instead—and I’m glad we did. The trail was scenic and manageable, even for our youngest.
Walking through the Ancient Thera ruins felt like stepping into another world. The history here is powerful. You’re surrounded by structures that predate the Roman Empire—and the views? Breathtaking.
Next, we drove down to Perissa Beach and had lunch at Poseidon. I ordered calamari, and it was my favorite seafood dish of the trip.
The beach is unique—black sand turning to a solid sheet of rock under the water. The waves that day were high, but we all loved it! It very much reminded me of summers spent on the Gulf Coast of Texas, where the waves barrel rolled you! After leaving the beach, we settled on an easy night at the hotel. We rinsed off, had a sandwich dinner at the hotel, and spent our last night by the hotel pool. My kids love swimming, so it’s not a shock that they wanted to go from the beach to the pool!
Final Morning – Last Looks in Oia + Farewell Beach Views
On our last morning, we went into Oia early to beat the crowds. I wanted a few quiet photos and a souvenir dress—and found both. A small boutique owner helped me find the perfect dress, and I appreciated her warmth and hospitality.
We had lunch at Barolo, a creatively styled restaurant in the Perissa area, and kept it low-key. After we drove to Monolithos Beach, relaxed in the hammocks, and walked the pier one last time to soak in the Aegean views.
Why Santorini is Perfect for Families
Our family trip to Santorini didn’t start off perfectly, but it became one of our favorite trips. Here’s why Santorini works so well for families:
✅ History that sparks curiosity (Lost Atlantis, Akrotiri, Ancient Thera)
✅ Beaches for every age (Red Beach, Monolithos, Perissa)
✅ Scenic hikes that are kid-friendly
✅ Sunsets, food, and culture the whole family can enjoy
If you’re planning a family vacation to Santorini, let me help you build your dream itinerary. As a travel blogger and travel agent, I specialize in family-friendly European adventures, and I’ll plan your trip for FREE—saving you time, money, and stress.
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