10 Things to Do in Santorini in May

Visiting Santorini in May is a great option if you're looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beauty of the island in a more relaxed atmosphere. In addition, in May you can enjoy celebrations of important events such as International Museum Day, which offer some of the best things to see and do in Santorini during the month.

Throughout the latter event, for example, you can visit local museums participating in the celebration for free and learn more about the island's history and culture. Other activities you can do in May include hiking, exploring the beaches, taking a sunset cruise or simply enjoying the local food and wine.

The Eleusis Folklore Festival is one of the most interesting festivals in Greece and extends to the Cyclades Islands, in this case Santorini. It is a folkloric celebration that brings together all the inhabitants of the different localities of Santorini, to commemorate and celebrate the most deeply-rooted traditions of Greek culture.

During the event you will have the opportunity to share with the locals, as well as learn about their traditional dances, cultural characteristics and costumes.

On top of everything else, during the event you will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Greek food, to make your experience a complete adventure into Greek traditions. If you want to continue tasting more of the Greek cuisine, another activity you can do is to sign up for a cruise around Santorini where you will be able to taste good gastronomy.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to enjoy this event.
• Time: These commemorative events usually take place in the morning, although the festive atmosphere lasts all day. This festivity is celebrated around the third week of May.
• Location: The whole island of Santorini offers activities to do, although they are mostly concentrated in Fira.

May 18 is known around the world as International Museum Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the importance of museums in our cultures and communities, and Santorini is no exception. On this day, museums all over the island offer special activities and events for the public, including guided tours, talks with experts, educational workshops and much more.

The most important museum on Santorini is none other than the Museum of Prehistory of Thera, inside which you can get a fascinating look at the Minoan civilisation and daily life on the island thousands of years ago, a sort of tour of Santorini, but through time. You can also find amazing things to do at the Archaeological Museum of Thera, which I recommend including in your Santorini in 3 days itinerary.

In addition to these museums, there are other places of interest in Santorini that offer unique experiences during this celebration, such as the Museum of Lost Atlantis, which explores the mythology of Atlantis and its relationship with Santorini. I also recommend visiting Santorini's MATI Art Gallery during the day, as it is a great place to view works by local and regional artists.

Details of interest

• Price: Museums tend to have different ticket prices, although they usually offer certain discounts on this day. But these prices may vary from year to year and according to the policies of each institution.
• Opening hours: Museums are generally open between 9:00 and 19:00.
• Location: Museums are located all over the island. Some of them are very close to Fira or within the town.

The second weekend of May is very special in the town of Pyrgos, as the Rose Festival takes place. This festival offers you a chance to taste Santorini's famous rosé wine, as well as enjoy live music and traditional island dances. During the festival, the streets of the village are decorated with roses and people dress up in colourful traditional costumes to celebrate together.

The Rose Festival is one of the most popular festivities among locals and tourists in Santorini, mainly because it is an opportunity to experience the local culture and gastronomy in an atmosphere full of joy and merriment. In addition to all the activities you can enjoy during this celebration, you can also explore the traditional handicrafts and local products, which are an integral part of the island's heritage.

Details of interest

• Price: to enjoy the Rose Festival you will have to pay around 50 euros per ticket.
• Opening hours: Generally these faces during the festival occur during the day and into the evening, although the timetable may change according to the edition of the event.
• Location: This festival takes place in Fira.

In mid-May, Kamari, one of Santorini's most popular beaches, celebrates the opening of its beach season with a big event, which you won't want to miss if you travel to Santorini during the fifth month of the year. You'll have the chance to enjoy the grand celebration of the start of summer on the island, while relaxing in the sun, sand and sea water.

You'll love this event which combines live music, food and drink, plus plenty of activities for people of all ages. With a black sand beach and panoramic views of the volcanic landscape, Kamari is an ideal place both to enjoy the sun and sea breeze, and to meet local residents and other tourists.

Details of interest

• Price: There is no charge to enjoy the opening of the beach season.
• Hours: This activity usually takes place throughout the day, from morning to evening.
• Location: Kamari Beach is located on the island of Santorini in Greece. More specifically, on the east coast of the island.

On the 5th of May, the village of Perissa celebrates the Feast of Saint Irene, its patron saint, in the church that bears her name. This is a very important event for the local community, who gather to honour their patron saint with processions, masses and other religious celebrations. The church of St. Irene is a very special place for the people of Perissa, as it is a symbol of their religious heritage and faith.

During the Feast of St. Irene, the town of Perissa is filled with colour, music and delicious food. You will love joining the celebrations to learn more about the local culture and traditions. In addition to religious activities, you can also enjoy various activities including live music, traditional dances and sporting events.

Details of interest

• Price: Please note that there is no charge to enjoy the festivities.
• Time: Religious activities are usually held in the mornings.
• Location: These celebrations take place in the village of Perissa, at the foot of Mount Vouno.

From the 1st to the 10th of May, the Santorini Festival is an annual event where you can learn more about the local culture of the island. This event will be a great opportunity for you to experience the unique customs and traditions of Santorini. Within the Festival you will also be able to participate in different activities such as live music, traditional dances, wine tasting and local food tasting.

Other things to see during this festival are the traditional handicrafts made by the locals. The best thing about this festival is that the locals are always willing to share their culture with visitors, and you can enjoy a sense of camaraderie and hospitality throughout.

Details of interest

• Price: Ticket prices may vary from year to year.
• Schedule: Events at this festival usually take place in the afternoon and evening.
• Location: You can find the different events of this festival all over the island.

During the first week of May, Santorini hosts the International Jazz Festival, an event not to be missed if you are a lover of this musical genre. Throughout this festival you will have the opportunity to see an impressive selection of jazz musicians from all over the world, presenting different styles and genres of this same type of music, so it is a unique musical experience.

But besides that, you will have the opportunity to enjoy other jazz-related activities, such as workshops and lectures to learn more about the history and fundamentals of jazz. Throughout the festival, you'll also have the chance to enjoy a glass of local wine and taste local food in some of the island's most picturesque spots.

Details of interest

• Price: You can enjoy this festival by paying for tickets which can cost around 20 euros per person.
• Time: Generally the jazz music events and shows take place in the afternoon and evening for the duration of the festival.
• Location: The shows take place all over the island, although they usually take place in Fira, which is the capital.

Santorini is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, where the pristine white buildings contrast with the blue sea and sky, creating a unique and spectacular visual experience. In spring, you can see how this beauty is enhanced by the explosion of colours from the blooming flowers and plants, adding shades of pink, yellow and purple to the already breathtaking landscape.

With all this description, you will love to capture beautiful photos of all this beauty. To get the best results when taking photos in Santorini in spring, I recommend paying attention to each of the colours present in the scene and making the most of it.

Some of the best photos are of the trees and flowering plants, the colourful doors and the brightly coloured roofs. All this will give you amazing photographs with a variety of tones, which you might not get in Santorini in winter.

Interesting details

• Price: You can take a tour of the island of Santorini on your own, so you don't have to pay anything. You can also take the guided tour which can cost around 30-50 euros per person.
• Time: The best time to capture the colours of spring is undoubtedly in the morning.
• Location: Every corner of the island has its own charm when it comes to taking photos.

May is the perfect month to visit and enjoy the exotic Playa Negra. This beach is located on the east coast of the island and offers you a unique experience if you want to relax in a peaceful and natural environment. Within the landscape you will have the opportunity to see crystal clear waters and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

One of the things you will like most about visiting this beach during the month of May is that you will have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and the weather, considering that the spring season brings much more pleasant temperatures, it starts to feel warmer and you could even test the waters, although in most places in Santorini it is not yet possible to swim at the beaches for the month of May.

Interesting details

• Price: A guided tour to Negra beach can cost around 120 euros per person. However, if you go on your own, you don't need to pay anything.
• Opening hours: This beach is open all day.
• Location: Negra beach is on the south east coast of the island. Right in the town of Perissa.

Exploring the caves on the island of Santorini is a unique and exciting experience to consider during your visit in May. This is the perfect time of year to do it, as the weather is pleasant and the crowds are not as large as during the peak summer season. There are many beautiful caves to explore in Santorini, each with its own history and unique features.

Some of the most popular caves to explore, especially in May, include those found in the Finika area, which offer breathtaking views across the landscape and are rich in history and culture. During your visit to the caves, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious local food, visit traditional villages and explore some of the area's outstanding wine cellars.

Details of interest

• Price: Excursions to these caves can cost approximately 100-120 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The caves are usually available to the public between 9:00 and 19:00.
• Location: These caves are located in the villages of Tholos and Fira.