10 Things to Do in Santorini in March

Santorini is an island that has a lot to offer if you're looking for new cultures and unique experiences. One of the most peculiar festivities in this country is the Katheri Deftera, which is celebrated forty days before Easter and is an opportunity to enjoy one of the most striking spectacles in Greece.

But you'll also find a number of attractions on the island during March, including more festivals and fun celebrations such as the commemoration of Greek Independence Day, when you can get an insight into the culture and history of the region. In general you can find many of the best things to see and do in Santorini during the month of March.

Santorini also joins in the celebration of Katheri Deftera, which is a very special holiday celebrated in Greece forty days before Easter. This tradition leaves you with a very welcome opportunity to enjoy one of the most impressive spectacles in the whole country. Basically you will see paper kites of all colours, shapes and sizes flying in the sky, creating a magical sight and atmosphere, worth taking lots of pictures of.

One of the great things about this event is that you will find people of all ages joining in the fun. You can also throw your own kites in the air as you watch them shine in the sky. In addition, during the Katheri Deftera celebration you will have the opportunity to sample some of the island's delicious Greek food and traditional drinks. This is a perfect activity to attend just before you sign up for a Santorini cruise tour which is already available in March.

Details of interest

• Price: To participate or go to see the kites, you will not have to pay anything at any time.
• Time: This spectacle usually takes place in the afternoon and is held 40 days before Easter. Although the date may change, it always takes place during the month of March.
• Location: Generally this event takes place in the free areas of the island, which in this case are the shores of the beach.

One of the most important celebrations in Greece takes place on the 25th of March, and it is none other than Independence Day in Greece. Santorini does not escape this celebration, so during this day you will be able to see different military parades and other official acts that take place in the place to commemorate the struggle for the independence of the country.

It is not a day to visit tourist sites such as the Acropolis or the archaeological museums because they are closed, but it is a good time to enjoy the joy of the city and the official activities that take place on the island. These celebrations and parades are a great way to learn about the island's cultural heritage and Greek tradition, and it's an activity you should do right after taking part in a tour of Santorini where you will have already learned about the island and its past.

Although there are many opportunities to explore the rich culture and history of Greece on the island, a good time to do so is certainly by going to the celebration of this important holiday for the whole of Greek society.

Details of interest

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to enjoy the events commemorating Greece's independence.
• Time: Parades usually take place on the morning of 25 March.
• Location: The Greek Independence Day celebrations take place in the city of Fira, which is the capital of the island.

The 6th of March is a special day in Greece because it is celebrated as the Day of Melina Mercouri, a prominent actress and politician who served as Minister of Culture and contributed significantly to the preservation of the country's cultural heritage. Santorini does not escape this traditional holiday, and although it is a little known day of celebration, it represents a unique opportunity to learn more about the culture and history of Greece.

During the commemoration of this day you can find free admission to museums and archaeological sites all over the country, including Santorini. During this day you can learn about the importance of culture and cultural heritage throughout the country, and how it helps to keep the history of this traditional nation alive.

Details of interest

• Price: You don't need to pay anything to enjoy Melina Mercouri Day activities.
• Time: This event takes place on 6 March each year.
• Location: Usually the celebrations around this figure take place in the city of Fira.

One of the activities you can do in March is to visit the Black Mountain, one of the most impressive places in Santorini. It is a volcanic mountain with a black cliff that rises from the Aegean Sea.

You'll love taking a boat tour around the island to see the breathtaking views of the Black Mountain, Akrotiri Lighthouse and the volcanic beaches, especially as March is the beginning of spring, so you'll be able to enjoy even clearer views.

You can even take kayak and canoe tours so you can explore the coastline and cliffs of Black Mountain from a different perspective. This is undoubtedly one of the top tourist destinations in Santorini and a definite must-visit during March. Here you can see how the natural beauty of the island combines with the fascinating geological history that has shaped it over the centuries.

Interesting details

• Price: You can go on your own and pay nothing, or you can take a guided tour to the mountain for which you will have to pay around 120 euros per person.
• Timetable: You can do these tours throughout the day, although they are usually done in the mornings.
• Location: Santorini's Black Mountain is located on the southwest coast of the island, near Perissa Beach.

I recommend that you include in your visit to Santorini in March a visit to Profitis Ilias Mountain, which is the highest point on the island. From the top, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the entire coastal paradise and the Aegean Sea. At the top of the mountain you can also visit an Orthodox church which was built in the 18th century, and you can appreciate the architecture and the frescoes inside which have been carefully preserved.

Also, March is a good time to visit Profitis Ilias Mountain because it is out of season and there are fewer tourists than in the summer months, but the weather is still nice and pleasant, which will help you to climb the mountain without getting exhausted. If you are a nature lover, the view of the changing landscape and the beautiful clouds offer a unique experience.

Interesting details

• Price: if you go to this mountain as part of a guided tour, you will have to pay just over 90 euros per person.
• Time: The visit to this mountain should be in the morning, so that you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
• Location: This mountain is located in the south-central part of the island. Very close to the foot of Pyrgos.

Megalochori is a traditional village on the island of Santorini, Greece. It is known for its calm and relaxed atmosphere, which makes it popular with tourists looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of other places on the island.

This is why you should go to Megalochori if you are looking for peace and quiet, especially in spring when the capital of Santorini can still be quite busy. The village is quite small and is full of narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and old churches with characteristic bell towers.

There are several bars, tavernas and curio shops selling local products, including jewellery, wines and handicrafts. Megalochori is also known for its wineries, and is home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Greece. The vineyards are spread throughout the town, so you'll be able to explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There are also a number of notable historic buildings in the area, such as the Church of the Virgin and the Castle of Goulas.

Details of interest

• Price: To see Megalochori, one option is to sign up for a tour of Santorini, which can cost around 90 euros per person.
• Time: You can leave from Fira to Megalochori in the morning or afternoon, depending on the type of sightseeing you want to do.
• Location: The village of Megalochori is located in the southwestern part of the island of Santorini.

As March is the beginning of spring, it is the ideal time to learn and experiment with Greek gastronomy in Santorini, so I recommend you to go to a cooking class to learn how to prepare souvlaki and moussaka, which are traditional dishes of the island. The best thing about this cooking class is that you will be able to watch it inside an authentic local cave house. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with snacks and wine, just before the gastronomic experience begins.

Souvlaki is one of Greece's most popular dishes, a kind of meat kebab marinated with herbs and spices, usually made with pork or chicken and accompanied by a delicious tzatziki sauce. It can be served on a baguette or on a plate with side dishes such as salad, fries or rice. Moussaka is a kind of lasagne made of aubergine slices, minced meat, onion, tomato and spices, covered with a layer of béchamel sauce and baked in the oven.

Your expert guide will give you hands-on instructions on how to cook these authentic dishes of Santorini's gastronomy. At the end of the class, you will enjoy your own creation on a lovely terrace, along with local wine, desserts and Greek coffee. You will also have the option to take the recipes with you so you can recreate them at home.

Interesting details

• Price: You will have to pay just over 100 euros to enjoy this experience.
• Time: It will take you around three and a half hours to complete the activity.
• Location: the location of the class is decided by the chef and guide who will take you on this experience.

March is a fun time to take a boat trip to the volcano and the island of Thirasia, mainly because the weather is much nicer than at other times of the year. You' ll start your adventure by sailing for 20 minutes from the coast of Santorini to the volcano. Once there, you will be able to walk along its ridge and learn about its history and geology from an expert guide. After a one and a half hour guided tour, you will return to the boat to continue the route to Palea Kameni.

In the middle of the trip you can stop for about 30 minutes at the beach of Agios Nicholaos, where you can enjoy the warm water, rich in minerals such as sulphur and iron, which are beneficial for your health. Back on the boat, we will head to the island of Thirasia, to stroll through its picturesque streets and discover its delicious gastronomy during lunchtime. Back on board, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the shores of Nea Kameni, the volcanic island, and finally return to shore.

Details of interest

• Price: You will have to pay around 27 euros to enjoy this experience.
• Time: The activity usually starts at around 10:00 every day.
• Location: These tours depart from the Old Harbour of Fira.

Visiting Santorini in March is a good idea to try some dishes that are in season. The best thing about this is that you can find a wide variety of different options for all tastes and palates. Also during this season you will always find delicious dishes made with the fresh ingredients of the region.

Santorini's gastronomy is known for its Greek influence and the use of fresh fish and seafood, which are found in abundance due to the island's location in the Aegean Sea. In addition to these dishes, there are others not to be missed, such as tomato and cucumber salads, tzatziki, the famous moussaka and Vinsanto, a sweet wine made from ripe grapes that are dried in the sun.

Most of the local restaurants are open all year round, so you'll have no problem finding a wide range of food at any time of the year, but especially in March, when the low season is limited, you'll be able to find a variety of restaurants on the island to sample the island's delicious cuisine.

Interesting details

• Price: A meal in a restaurant can cost around 30 to 50 euros per dish, depending on the type of dish you order.
• Opening hours: Restaurants are usually open all day, although the best time to sample the flavours of the island's main dishes is around 13:00.
• Location: Restaurants with good food can be found all over the island. But the best places are undoubtedly Pyrgos and Fira.

March is the first month of spring, so it is the perfect season to visit and enjoy the most beautiful beaches of Santorini such as Red Beach. What stands out about this beach is that it is considered to be the best beach to take pictures in Santorini, thanks to its red colour. This beautiful beach called Red Beach or Red Beach of Santorini is located in the southwestern part of the island, very close to the village and archaeological site of Akrotiri. It has a reddish colour due to the volcanic rock that lies just behind it.

On the other hand, Perissa is known to be one of the best beaches for swimming in Santorini, and part of what stands out most about this place is that it is a beach with crystal clear waters and black sand, ideal for enjoying a day of sun and sea. Kamari beach is another iconic beach of Santorini, considered to be one of the most famous on the island. It is also located in the eastern part of Santorini, north of the mountain that separates the beaches, making it more accessible than other similar beaches.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to enjoy these beaches on your own. But if you go on a guided tour, you will have to pay around 50 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The beaches are open all day long. But definitely the best time to go is in the morning to enjoy the beach all day.
• Location: Red Beach is located in the southwestern part of the island, as is Perissa. Kamari Beach is located in the south-eastern part of the island.