Walking tourism has been gaining ground around the world in the past few years and Santorini is particularly well suited to this form of touring thanks to its morphology and stunning views. Fans of the island argue that unless you walk its streets, alleys and fields, you will never truly know it. The first step in developing this form of tourism was taken last year with the sign-posting of eight routes, which the Municipality of Thera intends to expand to a network of 19. The Anavasi publishing company, meanwhile, has published maps of the routes in both print and digital form.

However, if you are wary of taking on the harder routes, such as the climb to Profitis Ilias or Ancient Thera, for example, then Nikos Boutsinis is your man. With a degree in tourism studies from the UK and an inherent love for nature, as well as the people and traditions of Santorini, he spent an entire winter designing walking tours that include stops at artists’ studios, farms and wineries, spots of geological or architectural interest, abandoned villages and more.

The routes are 6-9 kilometers long and the walk lasts between 4-4.5 hours, with prices starting at 65 euros per person. The names he has given the routes are the best indicator of what they offer: Τhe Caldera Hike, Santorini Wanderlust, Southern Exposure, Ancient Thera Trails… Also available are guided private tours so that you can set your own pace and enjoy a unique experience put together exclusively for you. If you want to go it alone and need any advice or further information on the condition of the trail, the team is always happy to help.