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Travel bucket list idea:

Hike to the Kameni Volcano

  • Santorini, Greek Islands, Greece

  • Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 30 March, 2024

Cruising the island’s half-submerged, cliff-rimmed volcanic crater is like floating in an open-air geological museum.

A full-day boat trip takes in three equally extraordinary attractions: climbing the charred, hissing crater of Palia Kameni, wallowing in the sulphurous hot springs of Nea Kameni, then shinning up the steep islet of Thirassia, a charming time warp miraculously overlooked by mass tourism.

Logistics

Price from: £25
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around
Duration: 6 hours

Getting there & doing it

It’s possible to charter a private boat, but this excursion is most easily done through one of the organised group tours. Boat trips depart mostly from Skala port below Fira (accessible only by cable car) or sometimes the main port of Fira Athinios. Some tour operators offer hotel pick up for an additional charge.

Be sure to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, and take a pair of sensible shoes – flip-flops aren’t suitable for scaling a smoking crater.

When to do it

Tours run daily from April to October.

Every attraction on Santorini is overcrowded during July and August – best avoided if possible. The volcano is naturally baking hot and can reach ferocious temperatures during the midday heat.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port

  • Santorini

Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port

Viator

Your tour will start from the old port of Fira. Your first destination will be the volcano bay for 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you decide to visit the volcano you will have to pay a 5€ ticket fee at the entrance. Your tour escort will show you various key points of the volcanic path and you will be guided all the way up to the top, where you will be informed about the history of the volcano. Please consider that the hike needs a moderate amount of walking. After the volcano tour, the boat will depart and head towards the hot springs of Palea Kameni island. Once you arrive at the hot springs, you will have 30 minutes of swimming time. The boat will stop at an estimated distance of approximately 30-40 meters that you will have to swim to reach the thermal waters. It is important to note that the customers that will decide to swim at the hot springs, must be strong and skilled swimmers, since they will have to swim a relatively long distance (30-40 meters).

Price €25

Min age 0

Rating 4.17 / 5 [807 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia)

  • Santorini

Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia)

Viator

Sail across Santorini’s beautiful ‘caldera’ (flooded crater) and visit the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia on this 6-hour cruise. Board a sightseeing boat from the old port, and admire Santorini’s cliffs and as you cruise to Nea Kameni. Enjoy free time to walk around its volcanic crater, swim in the warm springs, and visit Thirasia island. Explore and have lunch here at leisure before cruising back to Santorini.

Price €30

Min age 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [738 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Caldera Private Cruise & Volcano Hike

  • Santorini

Caldera Private Cruise & Volcano Hike

Viator

"The best value-for-money excursion cruise in Santorini" Set sail from Ammoudi Port cruising along the coastline and visit the two most iconic sights of the island. Get to hike the volcano and swim at its Hot Springs, where you can treat yourself with a natural spa in thermal mixed with volcanic mud waters. One of the best-kept secrets of Santorini is the islet of Agios Nikolaos, next to Ammoudi port. One can reach this only by a short and quite tricky hike or by boat. You will enjoy a short swim and maybe take the opportunity and take a memorable dive from the cliff. The Motor Boat is 10m in length, spacious cruising hull boat with one 400 HP engine. It is constructed and designed to provide comfort, with its exterior shaded area and its interior seating space with a table and WC.

Price €275

Min age 1

Rating 4.68 / 5 [22 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

  • Greek Islands, Greece

Santorini

Destination guide

Incredible volcanic scenery, enchanting cave hotels, fine wines and memorable sunsets equal heaven for romantics.