Gastronomic Experiences in Santorini

From tangy tzatziki to fragrant rice-stuffed vine leaves and meats that fall off the bone, Greek cuisine is highly regarded around the world for its Mediterranean flavors, and there's nowhere better to taste it than Santorini.

If your excitement on vacation revolves around what you're eating and drinking, then you should consider arranging one of the delectable gastronomic experiences in Santorini. Not only will you be able to sip wine that was drunk by the ancient Greeks, but you'll also have the opportunity to try regional delicacies that the locals love.

Wine tours and tastings

Nicknamed the "Wine Island" for its abundance of vineyards, Santorini is the perfect place to embark on wine tours and tastings. The island's history of viniculture began over 3,600 years ago and has been an important part of the Greek destination's culture ever since. What makes the wine produced here so unique is its cultivation on volcanic soil, which aids in the growth of mouthwatering Assyrtiko grapes.

On wine tours and tastings in Santorini, you'll learn about the entire process winemaking process from grape to bottle, and see for yourself how artisans create this sumptuous beverage. You'll also sample several different varieties to pick out the different floral and fruity notes between them.

Hop between different wineries to learn the secrets of what sets each one apart from the rest and wander through endless rows of picturesque grape vines. If you want to add an extra special touch to your excursion, choose one that happens later in the day to enjoy a blazing Greek sunset.

Dinners

Mediterranean cuisine is widely regarded as some of the healthiest and most delicious in the world, and the food in Santorini is no exception. While there are several different types of dinners you can have on this romantic island, they all help you to explore new flavors to gain a wide-ranging view of the Greek culinary scene.

One of the most popular dinners in Santorini happens aboard a boat tour at sunset, when you'll be served a feast of local salads, doughy bread, tender meat and fresh seafood. Alternatively, work up an appetite by kayaking around the isle before dropping into a local taverna to sample the local cuisine.

Or, experience a large dose of Greek culture by combining your dinner in Santorini with a live show, which includes the iconic and electrifying smashing plate dance.

Food tours

If you wish to experience as many of Greece's delicacies as possible in just a few short hours, opt for a food tour in Santorini instead.

Some of these experiences are traditional food tours, which include a walk through the main town of Fira, dipping in and out of bakeries, tavernas, and bars to taste the local's favorite dishes. However, others combine several activities, such as wine tasting or full-day cruises, concluding with a freshly-prepared Greek feast.

Whichever type of Santorini food tour you choose, you can expect to sink your teeth into fresh Mediterranean fare including feta-sprinkled salads, sizzling seafood and succulent spiced meats. You also may have the opportunity to try stuffed vine leaves, sticky honey-covered donuts and Assyrtiko wine.

Cooking classes

If you wish to pick up a new skill while in Santorini, why not join a cooking class? These culinary lessons will leave you with a craft that you can continue mastering for years to come and allow you to share your Greek experience with your loved ones back home.

Cooking classes in Santorini are suitable for everyone, whether you're a baking fanatic or a total novice. Alongside an experienced local, you'll learn the classic techniques for creating traditional recipes that have been passed down and perfected over the centuries.

You'll discover the flavor pairings that make Greek cuisine so delicious and when you're done, you'll be able to tuck into your masterpiece while bonding with your group over your shared experience. You can also combine your cooking class with a wine-tasting session for a relaxing end to your gastronomic experience.

Beer tastings

Santorini may be known as the "Wine Island," but this corner of Greece also creates mouthwatering craft beers. Whether you're a lager lover or an IPA enthusiast, you're sure to find a flavor that tickles all of your senses on a beer tasting in Santorini.

You'll travel to a local brewery to learn all about the laborious process of turning hops into delicious beverages and sample several different varieties to determine your favorite. Your Santorini beer tasting tour may end there, however, you can choose an extended excursion that explores other alcoholic beverages that locally made on the island.

Whether you'd like to taste the sweet wines the ancient Greeks were consuming over 3,000 years ago or sample unique flavors of spirits, you can do so on these types of combo tours. Alternatively, you can opt for a spot of sightseeing alongside your beer tasting experience, and discover the astounding ruins of Akrotiri — a prehistoric city from the Bronze Age.