Hot Springs: Day Trips and Tours from Santorini

Santorini and its surrounding islands tell the story of a chain of ancient volcanic eruption that began forming this archipelago over 3,600 years ago. One of the reminders of this explosive activity is the bubbling hot springs of Palea Kameni that sit adjacent to the still-active Nea Kameni volcano.

A hot springs day trip from Santorini allows you to dive into the history and geology of the area, all while soaking your limbs in balmy sulfur-rich waters that aid your wellbeing.

Here's all you need to know about hot springs tours, one of the most exciting day trips from Santorini.

How to get to hot springs from Santorini?

The most popular hot springs to visit when staying in Santorini is those on the island of Palea Kameni, directly next to the Nea Kameni volcano, just off the west coast of Santorini. The distance between Palea Kameni Hot Springs and Santorini is less than 10 kilometers, and you will need to travel by boat.

Guided tour to hot springs from Santorini

The easiest way to make the jaunt to the hot springs from Santorini is by booking a guided excursion. These day trips typically include several other destinations en route, offering you a wide-angled view of what this area of Greece has to offer.

These types of tours range from 3 to 11 hours, depending on the other attractions you visit, and you’ll usually have a convenient hotel pickup service included.

How much does the entrance ticket to hot springs cost?

Visitors can enter the Palea Kameni Hot Springs for €5 per person. This cost is often not included in a Santorini hot springs day trip, so you should bear this in mind and carry cash with you.

What is the typical itinerary?

Santorini hot springs day tours vary in itinerary depending on which other destinations they visit en route. However, most of them begin with a hotel pickup at a pre-arranged time by a friendly guide.

You’ll then make your way to the coast where your vessel is waiting for you to begin your adventure. You’ll hop aboard and set sail along the Aegean Sea, heading toward the Nea Kameni volcano, which is just a stone’s throw from the Palea Kameni hot springs.

Along the way, you may stop at several of Santorini’s most enchanting bays, such as Red Beach, which is famed for its unusually-colored sand and surrounding cliffs. You’ll often enjoy free time to wander around the volcano’s crater before continuing on to the thermal baths.

After destressing in the warm waters, you may travel to Thirassia, an island that is home to just 150 residents, before journeying back to Santorini where your hot springs day trip ends.

Most tours will provide lunch or dinner on board your vessel while sailing between destinations, and you may also be given the opportunity to swim or enjoy a snorkeling excursion.

What kinds of tours are available to go to hot springs?

There are several different Santorini hot springs day tours to choose from, based on your own travel preferences.

Hot springs day trip plus volcano islands visit from Santorini

The most popular hot springs day tour combines a visit to the natural water phenomenon with an adventure through the islands that form the Santorini caldera. You’ll head first to Nea Kameni where you can hike up to the active volcano’s crater and see mother nature in all her glory.

Traveling on to Palea Kameni, you’ll bathe in the thermal waters of the hot springs, which has been healing locals for centuries. Continue on to Thirassia where you can wander the island’s winding paths and towering cliffs at your leisure.

End your tour by riding a donkey to the hilltop village of Manolas, from where you can gain astounding views over the Aegean Sea and to the neighboring island of Thera.

Sunset hot springs tour plus White Beach from Santorini

Leaving Santorini in the late afternoon, you’ll travel to the most famed destinations on the island — Red Beach and White Beach — where you can soak up the sun, dip your toes in the mild ocean, and learn about the ancient history behind each bay’s appearance.

Dig into a freshly-prepared gourmet Greek feast as you look out over the Aegean Sea from the deck of your boat. Allow your body to be rejuvenated by the sulphur-rich waters of the Palea Kameni, before watching a spectacular Greek sunset.

Private hot springs day tour plus Thirassia from Santorini

Private Santorini hot springs day tours enable you to have a more personal experience and allow a level of flexibility that other excursions do not. Aboard your own private yacht, you’ll travel along the south coast of the island, stopping at Santorini’s most celebrated landmarks, including White Beach, Black Beach and Red Beach.

Visit Nea Kameni to admire the towering volcano and experience its bubbling waters at the Palea Kameni hot springs before moving on to see the village of Oia, known for its blue-domed churches. Catch a glorious view of the caldera from Thirassia before returning back to Santorini with your captain.

How much does a day trip to hot springs from Santorini cost?

Hot springs day trips from Santorini that explore the ancient volcanic islands by boat cost between €20 and €30 per person.

If you opt for a premium sunset tour, you’ll pay approximately €230 each and you’ll be part of a small group numbering 12 or fewer participants. You’ll have dinner, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snorkeling equipment included in the price.

Alternatively, you can choose a private Santorini hot springs excursion, which costs €3,140 per group of up to eight participants. Broken down, if you have the maximum number of guests in your party, you’ll each pay just under €400 for a day trip that includes lunch.

What will you see and do?

Palea Kameni translates to “Old Burnt Island” and the isle was formed in the series of explosions that created the Santorini you can see today. While there have been no major eruptions since the 1950s, the Nea Kameni volcano is still considered active.

There have been 11 known eruptions recorded for this area since the 16th century B.C., the last of which spewed ash 1,000 meters into the air. However, it was an explosion in 1570 that resulted in the creation of the hot springs.

Nea Kameni’s continuous low level of activity causes the waters of the hot springs, which are located in the waters surrounding Palea Kameni, to remain between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius.

These orange-tinged springs are filled with sulfur, which is thought to improve joint pains and skin conditions such as eczema, and psoriasis. Along with sulfur, the hot springs are rich in iron and manganese, which are excellent for the maintenance of healthy hormones.

You can find these hot springs on the eastern coast of Palea Kameni, closest to the Nea Kameni volcano. While some may worry about the volcanic activity that occurs in this area, there is no need to feel anxious. Scientists carefully monitor Nea Kameni and can accurately predict eruptions several months before they happen.

When is the best time to visit hot springs?

You can plan your Santorini hot springs day trip at any time of year. However, you may wish to avoid booking your tour for the peak of summer when the island is overrun with tourists. During the months of July and August, excursions to the hot springs run regularly, and you can expect the site to be busy at all times.

Instead, travel to the attraction in the shoulder months of May, June or September when you can enjoy a quieter experience. Temperatures are warm and dry during these months with daytime averages hovering between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius.

Travel tips

• While you can book a day tour to the hot springs in Santorini at any time of day, consider opting for a sunset excursion to create everlasting memories of your Greek vacation.
• The waters of Palea Kameni are coloured an orangey-brown by the level of minerals in them. Because of this, you should wear an old bathing suit, which you can change out of once you’ve bathed in the hot springs.
• The journey to the Santorini hot springs takes place via boat. If you suffer from seasickness, ensure you take the appropriate medication with you, just in case.
• Most excursions include a meal. If you have any dietary requirements, make these known to your tour operator upon booking.