The Best Thing We Did in Santorini
When people think of Santorini, images of blue domes and dramatic caldera views come to mind, but away from the bustling streets of Oia we discovered one of the most magical experiences of our entire trip - horse riding on the beach at sunset. We hadn’t planned it, but I’ve always loved horses and the opportunity for a beach ride at one of the most beautiful sunset spots in the world sounded unmissable.
We booked a private sunset beach ride with Santorini Horse Riding, who kindly sent someone to pick us up from our hotel and take us to the riding centre. When we arrived we were kitted out with riding hats, shown to our horses, and introduced to our experienced guide who would be joining us on horseback. The horses seemed relaxed and well cared for.
We rode through dusty trails for roughly 45 minutes before the view opened up to the beautiful Eros Beach, just in time for sunset! The horses were so well behaved, and our guide was happy for us to stop and take some pictures both on and off the horses. It was such a special experience getting to watch the sunset over the Santorini coastline from horseback, and one of the most memorable things we’ve done.
After spending some time on the beach we rode back to the riding centre where we said goodbye to our horses, who were ready to have their dinner and be turned out for the night. The people who work at the riding centre were so friendly, and made sure we both had a bottle of water before putting us in a car and driving us back to our hotel.
If you’re planning a trip to Santorini, I definitely recommend booking with Santorini Horse Riding, and seeing the beauty of the island from the back of a horse.
Tips if you go:
Book ahead, especially during peak seasons (we booked a couple of days in advance and they were able to fit us in).
Wear long pants and closed shoes for comfort and safety.
Don’t forget to take some water, sunscreen, and your phone or camera to get some pictures. The horses have small bags attached to their saddles which you can use to store a few things.
Don’t worry if you've never ridden a horse before. They cater to all experience levels and the guides will make sure you feel safe throughout.
