10 Things to Do in Santorini in May

Visiting Santorini in May is an excellent option if you are looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beauty of the island in a more relaxed atmosphere. In addition, in May you can enjoy the 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 the 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 festivities in all of Greece and also 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 in the Greek culture.

During the event you will have the opportunity to share with the locals, at the same time you will be able to learn about their traditional dances, their cultural characteristics and their typical 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 through Greek traditions. If you want to continue tasting more of the Greek cuisine, another activity you can do is to sign up for a Santorini cruise where you will be able to taste good gastronomy.

Interesting details

• Price: you will not have to pay anything to enjoy this event.
• Schedule: generally these commemorative events take place during the morning, although the festive atmosphere lasts all day long. 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 does not escape this celebration. During 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 in Santorini is none other than the Museum of Prehistory of Thera, inside which you can have a fascinating look at the Minoan civilization and daily life on the island for thousands of years, it is a kind of tour of Santorini, but through time. You can also find amazing activities 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 to Santorini. I also recommend you visit Santorini's MATI Art Gallery during that day, because it is a good option to look at works by local and regional artists.

Details of interest

• Price: museums usually have different prices on their entrance fees, although they usually offer certain discounts during this day. But these prices may vary from year to year and according to the policies of each institution.
• 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 that town.

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

The Rose Festival is one of the most popular festivities among locals and tourists in Santorini, basically 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.
• Hours: generally these faces during the festival occur during the day and until late afternoon, although the schedule 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 great event, which you won't want to miss if you travel to Santorini during the fifth month of the year. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the great celebration of the beginning of summer on the island, while you can relax in the sun, sand and sea water.

You'll love this event that 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 to both enjoy the sun and sea breeze, as well as meet local residents and other tourists.

Details of interest

• Price: you will not have to pay anything to enjoy the opening of the beach season.
• Hours: This activity usually occurs 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 May 5, the town 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, which gathers to honor its patron saint with processions, masses and other religious celebrations. The church of St. Irene is a very special place for the inhabitants 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 colors, 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.
• Schedule: 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 May 1 to 10, the Santorini Festival takes place, 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 you will be able 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 will enjoy a sense of camaraderie and hospitality at all times.

Details of interest

• Price: Ticket prices may vary according to each edition.
• Schedule: the events of this festival usually take place during the afternoon and evening.
• Location: you can find the different events of this festival throughout the island.

During the first week of May, Santorini hosts the International Jazz Festival, an unmissable event 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. In addition, throughout the festival you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of local wine and taste local food in some of the most picturesque places on the island.

Details of interest

• Price: you can enjoy this festival by paying tickets that can cost around 20 euros per person.
• Schedule: generally the jazz music events and shows are presented in the afternoon and evening during the time of the festival.
• Location: the shows take place all over the island, although they usually take place in Fira, which is its 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 colors 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 you pay attention to each of the colors present in the scene and make the most of it.

One of the best photos come out next to the flowering trees and plants, the colorful doors and the brightly colored roofs. All this will give you amazing pictures with a variety of tones, which you might not get in Santorini in winter.

Details of interest

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

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 quiet 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 in the beaches for the month of May.

Details of interest

• Price: a guided excursion to Negra beach can cost around €120 per person. Although if you go on your own, you don't need to pay anything.
• Hours: This beach is open all day.
• Location: Negra beach is on the southeast coast of the island. Right in the town of Perissa.

Exploring the caves of the island of Santorini is a unique and exciting experience that you should consider during your visit in the month of May. This is the perfect time of the 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 characteristics.

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

Details of interest

• Price: Excursions to these caves can cost approximately 100-120 euros per person.
• 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.