10 Things to Do in Santorini in March

Santorini is an island that has a lot to offer if you are 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 can also find several attractions on the island during the month of March, including more festivals and fun celebrations such as the commemoration of the Greek Independence Day, when you can get an insight into the culture of this region and its history. Overall 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 a very welcome opportunity to enjoy one of the most impressive spectacles in the whole country. Basically you will see paper kites of all colors, shapes and sizes flying in the sky, creating a magical sight and atmosphere, worth taking lots of pictures of.

One of the things you will like most 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 while watching them shine in the sky. But in addition, during the Katheri Deftera celebration you will have the opportunity to taste delicious Greek food and the most traditional drinks of the island. This is a perfect activity to attend just before you sign up for a Santorini cruise tour, which are already available for March.

Details of interest

• Price: to participate or go to see the kites, you will not have to pay anything at any time.
• Schedule: this show usually occurs during the evenings and is held forty days before Easter. Although the date may change, it always occurs during the month of March.
• Location: Usually 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 March 25, and it is none other than the 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 remain 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 good way to get to know the cultural legacy of the island and the Greek tradition, and it is an activity you should do right after participating in a tour of Santorini in which you will have already known part of the island and its past.

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

Details of interest

• Price: you will not have to pay anything to enjoy the events commemorating the independence of Greece.
• Schedule: Parades usually take place during the morning of March 25.
• Location: the commemorative events of the Greek Independence are held in the city of Fira, which is the capital of the island.

March 6 is a special date in Greece because it celebrates 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 despite the fact that 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 throughout the country, including Santorini. During this day you will be able to learn about the importance of culture and cultural heritage throughout the country, and how these help to keep the history of this traditional nation alive.

Details of interest

• Price: you don't need to pay anything to enjoy the activities on the occasion of the commemoration of Melina Mercouri Day.
• Hours: This event takes place on March 6 every 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 mountain of volcanic origin 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 Black Mountain, Akrotiri Lighthouse and the volcanic beaches, especially since March is the beginning of spring, so you can enjoy even more unobstructed 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, without a doubt, one of the most outstanding tourist destinations in Santorini and one that you definitely have to visit during the month of March. Here you will be able to see how the natural beauty of the island combines with the fascinating geological history that has shaped it over the centuries.

Details of interest

• 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.
• Schedule: you can do these tours all day long, although they are usually done in the mornings.
• Location: the Black Mountain of Santorini is located on the southwest coast of the island, near the beach of Perissa.

I recommend you to include in your visit to Santorini in March, a visit to Profitis Ilias Mountain, which is the highest point of 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 that was built in the 18th century, and from it you can appreciate the architecture and the frescoes inside that have been carefully preserved.

Also, March is a good time to visit Profitis Ilias Mountain because it is off season and there are fewer tourists than in the summer months, but the weather is still good 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.

Details of interest

• 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 during the morning, with the intention of having enough time available 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 the reason why you should go to Megalochori if you are looking for tranquility, especially in spring when the capital of Santorini can still be quite busy. The village is quite small and full of narrow cobblestone alleys, whitewashed houses and old churches with characteristic bell towers.

There are several bars, tavernas and curio stores selling local products, including jewelry, 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 will be able to explore and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. There are also a number of notable historic buildings in the area, such as the Church of the Virgin and Goulas Castle.

Details of interest

• Price: to get to know Megalochori, one option is to sign up for a tour of Santorini, which can cost around 90 euros per person.
• Time: you can depart to Megalochori from Fira, in the morning or in the 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, for this 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 see it inside an authentic local cave house. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with appetizers and wine, just before starting the gastronomic experience.

Souvlaki is one of the most popular Greek dishes composed of, a kind of skewered meat 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 lasagna made of eggplant slices, minced meat, onion, tomato and spices, covered with a layer of bechamel sauce and baked.

Your expert guide will give you hands-on instructions to learn 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. Plus, you'll have the option to take the recipes with you so you can recreate them at home.

Details of interest

• Price: you will have to pay just over 100 euros to enjoy this experience.
• Time: it will take you about three and a half hours to complete the activity.
• Location: the place where the class takes place is decided by the chef and guide who will take you to live this experience.

During the month of March it is fun 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 will 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 thanks to 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 sulfur and iron, which are beneficial to your health. Back on the ship, we will set course for 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.
• Schedule: the activity usually starts around 10:00, every day.
• Location: these tours depart from the Old Port of Fira.

Visiting Santorini in March is a good idea to taste some dishes that are in season. The best thing about this is that you will be able to find a great variety of different options for all kinds of 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 you can't miss, 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 will have no problem to find a wide gastronomic offer at any time of the year, but especially in March, when the offers of plans are limited because it is low season, it is possible to find different restaurants on the island to taste its delicious gastronomy.

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.
• Hours: restaurants are usually open all day long, although the best time to taste the flavors of the island's main dishes is around 13:00.
• Location: all over the island you will find restaurants with good dishes. 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 like Red Beach. What stands out about this beach is that it is considered as the best for taking pictures in Santorini, thanks to its red color. 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 its reddish color due to the volcanic rock just behind it.

On the other hand, Perissa is known to be one of the best beaches for swimming in Santorini. of Thira, and part of what stands out in this place is that it is a beach with crystal clear waters and black sand, ideal for enjoying a day of sun and sea. Meanwhile, Kamari beach is another iconic beach of Santorini, considered one of the most famous of 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.

Details of interest

• 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.
• Hours: the beaches are open all day long. But definitely the best time to go is during the morning to enjoy the whole day at the beach.
• Location: Red Beach is located in the southwestern part of the island, just like Perissa. Kamari Beach is located in the southeastern part of the island.