Santorini may be best known for whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches and caldera sunsets, but its dramatic volcanic landscape is also helping the popular Greek island develop another side to its tourism offering: active and sports travel.
Running trails climb and descend across volcanic terrain, hiking routes trace the rim of the caldera, while the Aegean provides a spectacular setting for open-water swimming, sailing and water sports. The Municipality of Thira’s official tourism site promotes everything from hiking and scuba diving to kayaking, SUP, yoga and horse riding.
That combination comes together each autumn at Santorini Experience, the island’s flagship sports tourism event, which in 2026 takes place from 16-18 October.
Take on the Santorini Experience
Now in its 12th edition, Santorini Experience combines road and trail running with one of the most distinctive open-water swimming races in Europe.
The headline swimming event on 17 October takes competitors 2.4km from the volcano to the Old Port of Fira, crossing the waters of the caldera. The 2026 international field includes Olympic and European medallists such as Hungary’s David Betlehem and Bettina Fábián, Germany’s Leonie Beck and Italy’s Barbara Pozzobon.
Runners have several options. A new Sandblu Ancient Thera 5km starts and finishes in Kamari on 16 October, following a circular course beside the Aegean and below Ancient Thera. A simultaneous 5km Pet Run offers a less competitive option for runners and walkers travelling with their dogs.
The main running programme takes place on 18 October, with 5km, 10km and 15km distances starting and finishing in Oia.
Santorini as an event host destination
Santorini Experience is also helping demonstrate the value of sports tourism outside the island’s traditional peak season.
According to research by ActiveMedia Group and the Sports Management programme at Deree – The American College of Greece (School of Business & Economics, Department of Management), the 2025 event found that 97% of participants had a positive or very positive overall impression, while four in 10 stayed for more than a week in October. Event visitors also spent almost twice as much per day as the average tourist in the South Aegean.
Seven in 10 travelled with friends or family, while Santorini and its landscape both scored 6.2 out of seven. Eight in 10 participants also wanted events to incorporate local cuisine, customs and culture.
Hiking and walking in Santorini
You don’t need a race number to explore Santorini on foot.
The island’s caldera provides some of its most memorable walking terrain. The Municipality of Thira describes the trail along the caldera rim from Imerovigli to Oia as one of Santorini’s standout hikes, with views across the sea, volcano and caldera. Around Pyrgos, walkers can also follow trails towards Profitis Ilias, Emporio and Ancient Thera.
Another option is to take a boat into the caldera and walk on Nea Kameni. Greece’s official tourism website says the ascent to the volcanic crater takes around 30 minutes through a lunar-like landscape, with trips commonly continuing to Palia Kameni for a swim in its warmer thermal waters.
In the hotter summer months, hiking is best tackled early in the morning rather than during the heat of the day. The popular hiking trail between Fira and Oia is highly recommended.
Swimming, water sports and fitness
Santorini’s volcanic coastline opens up plenty of other ways to stay active. Swimming can be combined with visits to its distinctive beaches, while the island’s southeast coast is promoted for sailing and kite-based activities.
Scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and parasailing are among the other activities available. Sailing trips around the caldera often incorporate swimming stops and provide access to the volcano, Thirassia and stretches of coastline that are harder to reach by land.
Travellers looking for something slower can build wellness into an active break too. Yoga, meditation and Pilates are among the activities highlighted by Santorini’s official tourism organisation.
Where to stay in Santorini
For an elevated base close to some of the island’s walking country, Santorini Sky sits above Pyrgos on the slopes of Profitis Ilias, around 2,000 feet above the Aegean.
Opened in 2020, the independently owned resort consists of private villas, many with heated pools or Jacuzzis. In 2026, it joined Hilton’s portfolio through the hotel group’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It is also open year-round, making it particularly suited to active trips during Santorini’s quieter autumn, winter and spring periods.
Its location complements an outdoors-focused stay, while guests can arrange private massage and yoga sessions at their villa as well as boat tours around the caldera.
Images: Sports Tourism News, Santorini Experience (santorini-experience.com), and Santorini Sky (santorinisky.com)