The countdown to Santorini Experience 2026 continues, and this year's event raises the bar even further, welcoming to the Caldera some of the biggest names in world open water swimming on October 16–18. Olympians and world champions, will line up at the start of the iconic swimming race from the Volcano, once again confirming the international character of the event and making Santorini a meeting point for the world's elite of the sport.
The field includes Leonie Beck of Germany, Olympian and double world champion, winner of both the 10km and the 5km at the 2023 World Championships, one of the leading figures in international open water swimming. Alongside her, Italy's Mario Sanzullo, Olympian and world silver medalist in the 5km, his compatriot Barbara Pozzobon, world champion with Italy and European 25km champion, and Hungary's Anna Olasz, two-time Olympian, and a two-time world silver medalist, will also line up. It is a gathering of athletes rarely seen on the same start line.
Their presence is matched on the coaching side, with two of the sport's most respected open water coaches also in attendance. Italy's Fabrizio Antonelli, named Coach of the Year by the Italian Swimming Federation (Alberto Castagnetti Trophy) in 2021, guides Gregorio Paltrinieri, Olympic gold medalist in the men's 1,500m freestyle, and a generation of Italian distance and open water champions. The event will also welcome Nikos Gemelos, technical director of the swimming race and one of Greece's most important open water coaches, with many years alongside the national team and a decisive contribution to Greek swimming's greatest international successes. He has designed the course that starts from the volcano.
Ideal open water conditions in October
Beyond the spectacular backdrop of the Caldera, Santorini also offers ideal weather conditions for open water swimming and sporting events in October. According to official climate data from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS/EMY), the average maximum air temperature is around 25°C, while sea temperatures in the Cyclades typically remain above 22°C. The weather remains warm, without the intense summer heat, while the sea remains warm enough for racing and swimming, one of the key reasons Santorini is an ideal destination for open water swimming and sporting events at this time of year.
A new identity for Santorini Experience
This year, Santorini Experience unveils its new logo, marking a refreshed identity for the event. Inspired by Santorini's unique terrain and the experience offered by running and swimming in the Caldera, the new logo's creative concept captures the meeting of the natural landscape with athletic action, through a clean, minimalist and contemporary design approach. The result expresses the event's dynamic evolution, creating a distinctive, timeless and instantly recognizable identity.
At the same time, the official teaser of the event is already available, offering a first taste of what participants will experience this coming October: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IAPvX5vTdI
The experience begins before the start: special travel and accommodation privileges
From the very first step of the journey to the stay on the island, the event ensures that participants enjoy a complete experience in Santorini.
Discover Santorini with the reliability of SIXT
SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, through its state-of-the-art and premium fleet, offers participants comfortable and safe transport on every route around the island, from the trip to the event to exploring Santorini. Through SIXT's dedicated page, SIXT Rent a Car, a 15% discount is offered on vehicle bookings. The offer is activated automatically via the link, with no code required, and is valid for the period from October 5 to 20.
SKY express – From Europe to Santorini
Travel to Santorini with SKY express, ERAA's Airline of the Year and Official Airline Sponsor of Santorini Experience, drawing on its extensive international network and 9 daily flights from Athens to Santorini.
Exclusive ferry offers from Blue Star Ferries
Blue Star Ferries is offering a 30% discount on passenger ferry tickets (all classes, excluding cabins), and 30% on vehicle tickets for routes from Piraeus, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to Santorini and back, for trips taken between October 10 and 25, 2026.
The offer applies to registered participants of the event and extends to up to three (3) companions per participant.
For bookings and ticket issuance, participants can contact the following port offices:
Piraeus: GELASAKIS SHIPPING & TRAVEL CENTER, tel. +30 210 4222440
Santorini: DAKOUTROS TRAVEL, tel. +30 22860 22201
The local community stands beside Santorini Experience 2026
At Santorini Experience, the island's own local community plays a special role, people who don't just support the event, but give it character, color and soul, turning every award into a small story of Santorini.
This year's special event awards are born from marble, crafted by the well-known artist Grigoris Kouskouris and Othen Elemental Aesthetics. With a deep connection to natural material and the aesthetics of the place, he creates awards that speak the island's language, here, marble becomes a bridge between ancient Greece and today, a timeless keepsake for those who stand out this year in the Caldera.
The sense of the handmade and personal is also conveyed by Konstantina Spanou, the goldsmith behind Spanou Jewelry. With jewelry inspired by the history and landscape of Santorini, she will offer exclusive creations to the winners of each event, in both running and swimming, so that the prize is not just an award, but a piece of the island that travels with them.
The island's transport partners also stand beside the athletes. Santo Line Tours, as the event's Official Travel Agency, handles the group transport of athletes by coach, ensuring a comfortable and organized transfer to every point of action. Vacation Into Premium, based in Oia, offers visitors to Santorini a premium package of experiences, from private transfers in luxury vehicles to exclusive private tours and caldera cruises by catamaran or other luxury boats, as well as more special experiences such as horseback riding, cooking or pottery classes and more, depending on each visitor's interests. On the water, the boats of Caldera Yachting will be alongside the swimmers throughout the race, reinforcing the safety framework and providing reassurance to every participant.
The island's hospitality, finally, embraces the event with an entire map of partner hotels covering every style of stay and every wish. From cozy, atmospheric accommodations in the heart of traditional villages, with friendly rates starting from around €50 a night, to iconic suites with private pools and volcano views, Santorini Experience visitors can choose their own experience across the whole island. Many hospitality sponsors even offer exclusive privileges and special rates for participants and their companions, making a stay in Santorini part of the experience itself, affordable, authentic and, as befits the island, unforgettable.
The hotels supporting Santorini Experience so far are the following: Athina Luxury Suites, Sandblu Santorini, NOŪS Santorini, Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini (Empiria Group), Katikies Garden Santorini, Santo Collection Resorts & Villas, Apeiron Blue, Canaves Collection, 270 Oia’s View, Coco-Mat Hotel Santorini, Aqua Vista Hotels, Agave Santorini Design Boutique Hotel, Holiday Beach Resort, Meltemi Suites, Meltemi Village, Atlantis Beach, Eteoro Suites Santorini, The Majestic Hotel Santorini (Kord Hotels), Thimari Lodge, Rocabella Santorini, K & K Unique Holiday Homes, Loizos Stylish Residences, Sea Sound White Katikies, The Muses of Santorini Suites, Kalisti Hotel & Suites, Phaos Santorini Suites, Santo Mangata, Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites, Blue Spa Santorini, Venus Sunrise Suites & Villas, Sienna Eco Resort.
These partnerships tangibly show how Santorini Experience remains deeply connected to the island and its people, turning every detail of the event into an experience that authentically bears Santorini's stamp.
The new route to Ancient Thera
This year the program debuts the Ancient Thera 5k Run powered by Sandblu Santorini, a new route linking the athletic experience with the history and unique landscape of the island. Starting and finishing in Kamari, at the foot of Ancient Thera, runners will move along the Aegean and beneath the archaeological site of the ancient city, which was the island's most important center for centuries. A distinctive route where the natural landscape, culture and movement meet in an authentic experience.
The route 15k Powered by The North Face
The route bearing The North Face's signature is one of the most demanding yet impressive experiences at Santorini Experience. Starting from the Caldera, runners will cross uphill and downhill trails with intense volcanic relief, passing through breathtaking views with the Aegean as a backdrop. The route passes by the chapel of Prophet Elias, continues through picturesque Imerovigli and reaches the entrance of Fira, at the church of Agios Gerasimos, before returning to the starting point. It is a route that combines the intensity of volcanic terrain with the uniqueness of the landscape, offering participants an authentic outdoor experience, while the partnership with The North Face highlights exactly this spirit of exploration and connection with nature that characterizes both the route and the philosophy of the brand.
Elevation profiles of the 2026 routes
Santorini Experience's routes remain true to their demanding, volcanic character. The main elevation data for each route is shown in the graphic below:
Detailed features of all the routes are available at: https://santorini-experience.com/diadromes-2026/
Registration and ticket sales are handled through more.com.
Register here for the 5k “Aristidis Alafouzos” run powered by Miele, the 10k powered by SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group, the 15k powered by The North Face, the Ancient Thera 5k run powered by Sandblu Santorini, and the 2.4k swim: https://www.more.com/gr-en/tickets/sports/santorini-experience-2/
Premium Mobility Partner of the event is SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMICS Group.
Gold Sponsors of the event are AESTIAN Philoxenia & Hospitality, Sandblu Santorini.
Official Airline Sponsor is SKY express.
Official Trail Running Shoe is The North Face.
Silver Sponsor of the event is Miele.
Official Water is VIKOS natural mineral water.
Bronze Sponsor of the event is Blue Star Ferries.
Official Technical T-shirt is 42K Running.
Official Travel Agency is Santo Line Tours.
Partners of the event are the Santorini Boatmen's Association, Caldera Yachting.
Official Supporters are the Othen Elemental Aesthetics, Vacation Into Premium.
Jewelry Partner is Spanou Jewelry.
Helper is Spotteq.
The event will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.
Santorini Experience is co-organized by the Municipality of Thira, the Municipality of Thira's Department of Sports and Culture and the ActiveMedia Group.
[photo credits: @ Santorini Experience]