10 Things to Do in Santorini in September

September is an ideal month to visit Santorini thanks to its pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists. You will be able to enjoy festivals and amazing activities.

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Santorini in September

Panoramica in Santorini | David Lofink

Apart from enjoying the island's beautiful beaches, there are many other activities you can do in Santorini during the month of September. One of the must-do things to do on the island during this month is to visit the picturesque villages on top of the caldera. From here you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the island and explore the small streets and shops offering a wide variety of local produce.

Another popular activity in Santorini in September is to visit the stunning vineyards in the area, as the island is famous for its local wines. In fact, one of the best things to see and do in Santorini during this month is to take a guided tour of the wineries to learn more about wine production and taste some of the best local produce.

1. Go and enjoy Panagia Mirtidiotissa

Palea Kameni island| ©Gaz n Nic
Palea Kameni island| ©Gaz n Nic

The feast of Virgin Mary of the Myrtle Tree, also known as Panagia Mirtidiotissa, is a very important event for the people of Kamari in Santorini. This celebration takes place on the 24th of September and is considered to be one of the most important festivals of the place. During the festival, locals gather in the centre of the village to honour the Virgin Mary and commemorate the transfer of her holly image to the streets of the island.

This is undoubtedly a very significant event for the community, and will be a great opportunity for you to meet the locals and get to know their faith and beliefs in depth. Also during this festival, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious dinner of meat and potatoes and lots of wine, as the Greeks are used to celebrating.

During the event you will realise that these elements are essential in the Greek culinary tradition and that they reflect the importance of food and drink in the local culture. You will also get to see and even participate in the exchange of gifts and souvenirs made by the locals in Kamari, with the intention of marking the occasion. This is an amazing activity to include in your island itinerary, right after you've done a tour of Santorini.

Details of interest

  • Price: You won't have to pay anything to enjoy these events, but you will have to buy some gifts to take back to the community to share.
  • Time: Celebrations are held throughout the day on 24 September, although sometimes these celebrations extend for up to a week.
  • Location: This tradition takes place in the village of Kamari.

Sign up for a tour of Santorini

2. Listen to traditional music at the International Music Festival

Playing music| ©Kostas Mavridis
Playing music| ©Kostas Mavridis

The Santorini Music Festival in September is a multi-day event that attracts artists and music fans from all over the world. During the festival, you can see artists from genres of music ranging from classical to jazz, Greek folk music and many others that are heard all over the world. Concert venues include both open-air venues with breathtaking views of the island, as well as historic churches and theatres.

In addition to the live performances, you can also take part in workshops and music classes, which is a great opportunity to learn and appreciate the art of music even more. In addition to attending such events, another great way to appreciate the local music is to sign up for activities such as a boat cruise around the island of Santorini at sunset, where you will be treated to traditional food and live music.

You'll love the atmosphere of the Santorini Music Festival in September, with music floating through the air in the island's picturesque villages, as well as tourists and locals enjoying the performances. In addition, this event gives you the opportunity to experience Greek culture through music while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Santorini.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 30 euros per person to enjoy these events.
  • Schedule: Performance times may vary according to the schedule from year to year. Although you can usually enjoy the shows at night.
  • Location: concerts and shows can vary in location, sometimes outdoors and sometimes indoors.

Sign up for a Santorini Cruise Tour

3. See independent films at the Santorini Film Festival

Enjoying the cinema| ©Jake Hills
Enjoying the cinema| ©Jake Hills

The Santorini Film Festival is an annual event held on the island in September. At the festival you can see a selection of independent and arthouse films from around the world, including feature films, short films and documentaries. If you are a lover of the cinematic arts and also like to appreciate the work of independent filmmakers, I definitely recommend you to attend this activity.

The aim of the festival is to promote independent film and support emerging and established filmmakers, as well as to provide an opportunity for viewers to enjoy unique and original films.

But not only can you go to see interesting films, you can also get film education and training, thanks to the organisation of workshops, round tables and master classes given by film industry professionals, which take place during the duration of this event.

Details of interest

  • Price: you will pay an entrance fee of approximately 30-40 euros per person to enjoy these film events.
  • Timetable: generally these activities take place in the evenings, when the film shows take place.
  • Location: Screenings are held in theatres and open-air cinemas all over Fira, which is the capital of Santorini.

4. Tasting local wines at the Harvest Festival in Santorini

Tasting wine| ©Ksenia R
Tasting wine| ©Ksenia R

The Santorini Wine Har vest Festival is a very important event for the culture and economy of the island, which will also help you to learn more about the local traditions. Every year, during the month of September, the locals dress up in traditional costumes to harvest grapes in the vineyards. Grape harvesting is a crucial activity in the production of wine, which is one of the most important industries in Santorini.

After the harvest, a grape blessing ceremony is held in the local church to thank the gods for the harvest. The islanders then congregate in the main square to celebrate with traditional Greek music, food and drink, and it is at this time that you can enjoy the local wine, taste typical Greek dishes such as feta, olives and tzatziki, while immersing yourself in the island's culture.

Interesting details

  • Price: to see and participate in the grape harvest festival, you won't have to pay anything, but I do recommend that you set aside some money for all the tasting of local wines and typical food.
  • Timetable: Generally these events take place from early morning until late evening hours. Dates may vary from year to year, but it is always during the month of September.
  • Location: Harvesting takes place in the vineyards all over the island, and then the grape harvests take place in the main squares of the different villages of Santorini.

5. Get to know the local culture and history at the European Heritage Days

Archaeological complex of Akrotiri| ©clareplater
Archaeological complex of Akrotiri| ©clareplater

The last weekend of September is an important date in Greece's cultural calendar, because this is when the European Heritage Days take place. During these days, you will have the opportunity to explore and discover the country's rich cultural heritage for free. The best thing about this event is that you can count on free entry to all the ancient sites and public museums of Greece, and of course Santorini.

With these features, one of the sites you will definitely love to visit for free is the archaeological site of Akrotiri. But in addition to the ancient sites and public museums, you will also find other places of interest open to the public during the European Heritage Days, including historical monuments that are normally closed to the public all year round.

Throughout these free visits to the historical and archaeological sites of Santorini, experts and guides are present to provide you with all the explanations and information you want to know about the site you are visiting, which makes the experience even more enriching.

Details of interest

  • Price: this event is free of charge, as these are free activities offered to locals in general.
  • Timetable: visits can be made all day long.
  • Location: You can visit different archaeological sites in the city, including the archaeological site of Akrotiri.

6. Enjoy an unforgettable night time experience

Santorini by night| ©Valerio_D busy
Santorini by night| ©Valerio_D busy

Beyond being one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, Santorini offers its visitors an unforgettable nightlife experience during the month of September, which is why this is one of the must-do activities on the island. Venues such as the Koo Club and Enigma Club are some of the most popular places to enjoy the nightlife on this Greek island.

One of the features you will love most about the nightlife in Santorini is the lively atmosphere, the music and the lighting, which make these venues the perfect places to enjoy an exciting night out on the island. At the Koo Club you have the freedom to dance to the world's most popular music.

On the other hand, at Enigma Club you can enjoy electronic music, which is undoubtedly the star of the show. One of the things that will catch your attention in this place is its interior design with elegant and minimalist touches, in general a perfect atmosphere to offer you an exciting night with high quality music.

September is the ideal time to party in the city because it is the last month of summer and the amount of tourists has dropped a little but not so much that the clubs have emptied out.

Details of interest

  • Price: A night out can cost between 80 and 100 euros per person, depending on how much you're willing to spend.
  • Opening hours: The partying and nightlife in Santorini starts after 21:00.
  • Location: You can find bars and tavernas all over the island, but where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere is in Fira, the capital.

7. Take a hike through the island's stunning natural scenery

Hiking in Santorini| ©Steve Jurvetson
Hiking in Santorini| ©Steve Jurvetson

With cooler temperatures and the crowded season behind us, September is the perfect time to enjoy all that Santorini has to offer, and one of them is to sign up for a hike through the island's stunning natural landscapes. During the hike you'll have the chance to explore the picturesque cobblestone paths of the villages and take in the breathtaking cliffs of Santorini's caldera.

You will also discover the beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and the characteristic whitewashed houses of the island, which are repeated over and over again in every village. If you do this kind of hike you will also get to know the authentic local life on the island, you will be able to talk to small farmers and fishermen going about their daily activities, among other traditional things, so that the hike becomes even more enriching.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay just over 50 euros to enjoy this type of walk, if you decide to do it guided. If, on the other hand, you decide to do them on your own, you won't have to pay anything for it.
  • Timetable: I recommend going for a walk early in the morning, so that the midday sun doesn't bother you.
  • Location: you can walk along the island's various trails, including the path from Fira to Oia.

8. Water sports such as paddle surfing, water skiing and scuba diving

Windsurfing| ©texaus1
Windsurfing| ©texaus1

If you are looking for exciting and refreshing activities during your visit to Santorini in September, I recommend you to test your adrenaline and sign up for a water sports experience, because even in this month you can still enjoy the warm weather before the water temperatures turn freezing. This is also an ideal activity to do in Santorini in November, as the cold winter weather has not yet set in.

The island offers a great variety of them to practice or simply to enjoy as tourists, among all of them stand out paddle surfing, water skiing and diving, all perfect to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea.

Paddle surfing is one of the most popular activities on the island and it is ideal for you if you want to experience a fun and aquatic activity at the same time. On the other hand, if you want even more adrenaline, you can choose water skiing, which is an ideal sport to experience a thrilling adventure in the sea.

Interesting details

  • Price: to do any of these sports you will have to pay just over 60 euros per person.
  • Time: You can do these sports at any time of the year, although in general I recommend doing them in the early hours of the morning.
  • Location: These sports are practised on the island's most famous beaches, including Red Beach, White Beach and Black Beach in Perissa.

9. Attend outdoor yoga sessions in public places

Yoga in Santorini| ©Kostas Karageorgiou
Yoga in Santorini| ©Kostas Karageorgiou

One of the most interesting things to do in Santorini during the month of September is to get away and enjoy the practice of yoga in public places all over the island such as parks or even on the beach, depending on the location chosen by the group. Among the most popular places for outdoor yoga sessions are Perissa beach and the natural landscape of the Santorini Ring, surrounded by cliffs and the blue sea.

Practicing yoga in Santorini in September can also be an opportunity to relax and get in touch with the island's nature. This is because you can take advantage of the good weather, the cool breeze and the natural scenery while acquiring and practising different breathing and meditation techniques. Moreover, this is an activity you can do if you are travelling with family or friends, or even if you are travelling with your partner.

Interesting details

  • Price: to participate in these outdoor yoga classes, you will have to pay just over 20 euros per person.
  • Timetable: You should ask your yoga group what time they usually practice, although it is usually in the mornings.
  • Location: Perissa Beach is one of the places where you can participate in different outdoor yoga classes.

10. Take a helicopter for a scenic tour

View from the helicopter| ©The Finest Hotels
View from the helicopter| ©The Finest Hotels

One of the most exciting activities you can do during your trip, whether you decide to travel to Santorini in May when it's spring or even better in September when autumn begins, is to take a helicopter tour to see and photograph spectacular panoramic views from the air. You'll love this activity if you want to experience a truly unique and breathtaking adventure.

Among the sights you'll be able to see from the air are the impressive caldera and the adjacent coastline. You will also have the opportunity to admire the picturesque villages of the island, the winding roads, and the white houses that make Santorini so special.

But on top of that, during this month if you take a helicopter tour you can enjoy the views illuminated in the warmer colours of autumn and get a different and clearer perspective of the Mediterranean Sea, for a wider view of the surrounding natural landscape.

Interesting details

  • Price: you will have to pay 220 euros per person to get on the helicopter.
  • Time: I recommend taking this tour in the mornings for a better panoramic view.
  • Location: This helicopter tour departs from the capital of Santorini, Fira.