Santorini Experience Returns October 3-6

The seventh year of Santorini Experience, a renowned athletics event that highlights the status of one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, will take place from October 3 to October 6, 2024.

Trail Running Routes at Santorini Experience:

• 5km route for running and dynamic walking;
• 10km route for experienced runners;
• 15km route for strength and endurance enthusiasts.

Open-Water Swimming Race:

• 1.5-mile (2.4 km) race from the volcano to the old port of Fira.

We are especially pleased that the event we started in 2015 has laid strong foundations and continues dynamically, as an institution, to strengthen the sports tourism of our island. The global interest of professional and amateur athletes will turn once again to Santorini in October and will be the beginning of other major events. Santorini Experience will attract quality tourists who will be able to combine sports with the unparalleled beauty of our destination, get to know the local culture of the island, and of course, boost the local economy. We are proud that this unique path used in the event’s running routes is available to our visitors, and they can walk it all year round.

Mayor of Thira, Nikos Zorzos

Santorini presents an unparalleled enigma that is doubtless in its global appeal, owing to its awe-inspiring panoramas, imposing volcano, and enthralling coastlines. Once more, it will welcome both amateur and professional athletes and open-water swimmers. In addition to its renowned restaurants, picturesque settlements, beaches, and azure waters, the Cycladic island is replete with contrasts and unmatched elegance.

With the medieval settlements of Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Oia in the background, running devotees will be able to traverse three breathtaking trail running routes that offer breathtaking vistas of the Caldera and the volcano. The 5km route accommodates individuals with greater experience in extended distances, while the 10km route is designed for both running and dynamic strolling. Individuals who excel in physical strength and stamina should aim for the 15 km distance. Beginning at the desalination plant in Oia, all routes terminate back in the same location, albeit via unpaved roads at times.

Santorini Experience is an initiative of the Municipality of Thira that proves that sports can be a strong incentive for a tourist to travel, to obtain new and unique experiences, to create excellent memories, and to return to a destination that can offer them everything. We begin our sports activities with running and swimming, aiming to include many more side events in our schedule that will appeal to the residents of Santorini and the young people living on the island, and which will be attended by major personalities of global and Greek sports. After all, residents of Thira will be able to participate in the event for free. We are already working on offering special prices to visitors, facilitating their trip to Santorini.

Deputy Mayor of Culture and Sports of the Municipality of Thira, Eleftherios Tzouros

This year, a special space will also be reserved for the established open-water swimming event. Participants will embark on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) swim from the summit of the volcano and emerge at the historic port of Fira, beholden with a majestic panorama of the island. Through the installation of safety buoys, the organization will ensure the security of every athlete. The swimming route will proceed as usual in the entrancing waters of Santorini, which have an average temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius, ensuring complete safety. Nikos Gemelos, the race’s technical director and a swimming champion with Olympic and international recognition, has devised the course. Rescue vessels and specialized lifeguards will continue to ensure the race’s safety for another year. Individuals who have paid to compete in the swimming race are eligible to utilize the cable car for free during the ascent and descent by presenting appropriate documentation.

Santorini Experience is organized by the Municipality of Thira and ActiveMedia Group. The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization.