Santorini is an idyllic Aegean paradise that’s been enchanting travellers for centuries. This breathtakingly beautiful Greek island is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. With pristine white-sanded beaches, rugged red-hued cliffs, and iconic cobalt-domed churches, it’s no wonder why this volcanic Greek island is a favourite spot for adventurers. Whether you’re planning your first ever trip to Santorini or your fifteenth, this guide will tell you everything you need to know for a relaxing and memorable stay. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive Santorini travel guide for the best tips and tricks to make your trip a success. From where to stay, to what to eat, to how to get around, this guide will arm you with the knowledge you need to plan a dream vacation in Santorini. So, get ready to pack your sunscreen and camera, and let’s go explore this magical and majestic destination.
What is Santorini Famous For?
Santorini is globally known for its cliff draping towns, and jaw-dropping sunsets that melt into the horizon. Their traditional Mediterranean food also deserves a mention. Expect freshly caught seafood, colourful greek-salads with mountains of creamy feta, gyros, fried cheese, pita, tzatziki, and rich lamb dishes. Yum! I’m not kidding when I say that the food alone is worth a trip to Greece.
Overall, Santorini is a place you HAVE to visit at least once in your lifetime. Since it’s a town built on top of a volcanic island, it is truly unlike anywhere else in the world. And I must add, pictures of this place don’t do it justice. Seeing Santorini in real life is breathtaking! After two trips to Greece, this country has forever stolen my heart and earned its place as my favourite country in Europe. I hope this Santorini travel guide will help you plan a wonderful holiday in Santorini, and you will love it as much as I do!
FAQ About Travelling to Santorini Island
Drinking Water in Santorini Greece
Our Airbnb host told us it wasn’t safe to drink the water, so buy bottled water. Hopefully, this will change in the coming years. I hate buying bottled water, due to the plastic waste, which is why we always travel with our own re-usable water bottle with a built-in filter straw.
Electrical Plugs in Greece
Requires European Plugs. So if you don’t already have a universal adaptor plug that works worldwide, I recommend bringing this on all your travels. We have this one and love it! Not only does it work with my computer and hair curler, it has the additional four USB plugs at the top, to charge all your phone and any other gadgets!
Currency in Greece
Euros. I recommend having cash on hand, however, most major restaurants, stores and hotels accept credit cards.
Best Time to Go to Santorini Greece
Greece’s summers sizzle with vibrant tourism from June to September. However, brace yourself for scorching hot days and crowded beaches in July and August, as they are peak tourist months with inflated prices. So choosing to explore Santorini during the tranquil months of spring or fall promises a more serene and budget-friendly vacation experience.
Getting to Santorini Island
To get to the Greek Island of Santorini there is a 99% chance you will first have to fly into Athens. From Athens, you can then either catch another flight or take a ferry to Santorini. Since Santorini has a very small airport, flights can be expensive, so most people opt for the ferries.
There are two types of ferries, either fast (5 hours – €80) or slow ferries (8 hours – €30). We booked with Seajet Fast Ferries, even though it was €50 more expensive, but it saved us 3 extra hours on a very bumpy and uncomfortable ferry ride. So if you get sea-sick, prepare yourself accordingly or pay the extra for the flight.
Tip: If you tend to get seasick on boats, get these acupressure motion sickness wrist bands. I swear by them! Plus they are low cost, and you can re-use them.
Lastly, most ferries from Athens leave super early in the morning, forcing travellers to spend a night in Athens. Because of this, we decided to add a full day in Athens to explore the history mecca of Greece. If you decide to spend some time exploring Athens, which I highly recommend you do, make sure to read The Perfect Itinerary for 24 hours in Athens.
Getting to your Accommodation from the Port
A lot of accommodations do not include pick-up from the port. So you need to catch a taxi or bus, which can be quite a nightmare when disembarking a ferry with hundreds of other clueless backpackers and tourists. Instead, save time and avoid stress by pre-booking a transfer to be waiting for you on arrival. We pre-booked this 1-way transfer through Get Your Guide and it got us from the Port to our Airbnb quickly, so we could make the most of our time on the island. I typically use GetYourGuide when I want to uncover new things to do, or in this case for a safe transfer. They’re easy to use and book with, and I’ve had amazing experiences with their tours.
How Long Do You Need in Santorini?
For this Santorini Travel Guide, I recommend staying on Santorini Island for at least 3 days. However, if you are looking for a more relaxed stay, you’ll be happier with 4-5 days. There is so much to see and do on the island, plus you’ll want some time to relax. Also, keep in mind your first day will only a half-day, because it takes so long to get to the island. Luckily the ferries back to Athens or to other islands usually leave Santorini in the afternoon, so you’ll be able to enjoy the morning on your last day.
Santorini Travel Guide: Where to Stay in Santorini
In terms of where to stay, there are plenty of options on Santorini. It all comes down to price, who you are travelling with, and the experience you want to have. If you are on a budget a hostel might be more your style. For a family vacation, a resort will be just the ticket. Or if this is your honeymoon, perhaps splash out and get a romantic villa with a perfect view for sunset.
The two major towns of the island are Fira and Oia. This is where you will find the majority of accommodation on the island. Fira has a bit more action and nightlife, while Oia is more traditional and has the best viewpoint for sunset. The island is fairly small, so no matter where you stay, you can always drive or ATV to the neighbouring town.
For this trip, we stayed at the Dream Island Hotel, a boutique resort just off the main road in Fira, after some of our friends recommended it. The rooms were small but comfortable, and the hotel had a pool and included breakfast. I would definitely recommend it. If we went back to Santorini, I think Ben and I would want to splurge on a hotel in Oia, with a splash pool and views of the sunset.
Santorini Travel Guide: Getting Around Santorini
Similar to Milos, Santorini is best explored by ATV. You can also rent a car, but with the hot weather and beautiful scenery, I loved scooting around on an ATV. At first, I was nervous. But just remember to be safe by wearing your helmet, and obey standard driving rules on the roads. A lot of tourists can be reckless with the ATVs, which is so disrespectful and dangerous for the locals who live there.
In the end, we settled on a shop that gave us our ATV for $20 a day, but the only problem is, I forget the name of it. I do remember it was on the main street heading into Fira, before you enter into the main Plaka area. It had a big green sign out front. It might be Martiou ATV Rental, or near there. We got an ATV with a little lock box on the back, so we could store our helmets, and bags when driving. My last tip when renting an ATVs is to make sure the gas tank is full when you first pick up the vehicle. We noticed our ATV tank was almost empty after we first left the store, and we had to circle back to make them fill it up.
Where to Eat in Santorini
This wouldn’t be the Ultimate Santorini Travel Guide without sharing where to eat! Greek food is one of my favourites, as it’s so fresh, flavourful, and usually healthy too. Plus, almost everywhere you eat in Santorini includes a stunning view, so try to plan to eat dinner around sunset to enjoy the view.
There are a lot of restaurants in Santorini, and some can be disappointing tourist traps. So to avoid you eating at one of those, here are several amazing places to eat in Santorini that won’t let you down.
Seafood Tavern at Ammoudi Bay
Our lunch at the Seafood Tavern was not only one of my most memorable meals in Greece, but in all of Europe. Yep, it was that good! Our table was located on a patio boarding the Aegean Sea, with waves lapping beside us. I swear if I knelt down I could have literally touched the ocean. Since we were in a fishing area, we treated ourselves to the seafood linguini. We were absolutely amazed by how fresh and flavorful it was. Plus the ambience of the restaurant was perfectly Greek. The Greek music, friendly staff, insanely delicious meal and beautiful scenery made it the ultimate place to have lunch. If you travel to Santorini, promise me you won’t miss out on this amazing food experience.
Melitini Restaurant in Oia
Unique Greek Tapas on a beautiful rooftop terrace set back from the main strip. The staff was incredible, and we met the loveliest travellers beside us. One was a lovely honeymoon couple from NYC, and the other was an older German couple that’d been coming to Santorini every year, for 30 years!! They knew the island inside and out, and this restaurant was one of their favourites. We knew if these regulars loved it, we were in for a treat. The final verdict – it was delicious! Highly recommend making a reservation before you go!
Lolita for Gelato in Oia
This gelato was so creamy and tasty, we went back twice!
Salt & Pepper in Fira
Salt & pepper is one of those place you go for the food, and not the view or ambiance. It is located off the main street in Fira, just outside of the busy Plaka area. The food was traditional Greek and absolutely delicious! We loved their grilled Houlomi with tomato jam & grilled zucchini.
Naoussa in Fira
Great for dinner with lovely live Greek music, and a great upstairs patio. We really enjoyed their moussaka (a Greek version of Shepard’s Pie) and the beef dish they had on special that evening. All the food was traditional and simply delicious. You may need a reservation in the peak season!
Art Café in Fira
A small cocktail bar, perfect for sunset drinks without crowds of crazy tourists.
Buddha Bar
The perfect ambiance and view for a sun-setter. This restaurant is gorgeous and has one of the best patios on the island. They even have a pool you can pay extra to use if your hotel doesn’t have one. Their menu looked amazing, however, it was a tad pricey for us, so we only stayed for drinks.
Best Things to Do in Santorini
In this next section of this Santorini Travel Guide, let’s dive into the must-see attractions and hidden gems that make this Greek Island an unforgettable destination. Known for its breathtaking sunsets, pristine beaches, and iconic blue-domed churches, Santorini is a dream destination for travellers seeking a mix of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, savouring delectable cuisine, or simply soaking up the sun on volcanic shores, this enchanting island offers an array of unforgettable experiences. Join us as we unveil the must-see attractions and hidden gems that make Santorini an unparalleled paradise for every wanderer.
See Santorini’s Highlights on a Day-Tour
If you are short on time in Santorini, embark on a full-day sightseeing tour to discover the best of the island. Uncover the island’s rich history at the Akrotiri excavation site and delve into the charm of traditional villages like Emporio. Soak up the sun and black sand at Perissa Beach, indulge in Santorini’s distinctive wines at a local winery, and ascend to the peak of Profitis Ilias for breathtaking views. Finally, make sure to savour the unforgettable experience of an Oia sunset, capturing the essence of Santorini’s magical allure. This tour really covers all the highlights in one day, so you can spend the rest of your time in Santorini relaxing.
Wine Tasting
Head to one of the island’s many wineries and learn about Santorini’s unique viticulture. The island’s volcanic soil gives the local wines a distinct taste you won’t find anywhere else. After the wine tasting, take a dip in one of the secluded beaches in the area.
Tip: If you don’t feel comfortable renting a car or ATV, then hop on this day tour that brings you to a variety of wineries, beaches, and then Oia for sunset! Travelling made stress-free.
Oia for Sunset
Santorini sunsets are globally known to be the best in the world, so you can’t miss them. In fact, it felt like our days always revolved around going somewhere to enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand. There are plenty of great spots to watch the sunset, some of which I’ve already mentioned in this Santorini travel guide; however, don’t miss seeing the sun go down in Oia. There is a great bar near one of the old windmills, but if you want to get that classic Santorini shot, you need to go over to the ”sunset lookout‘. Warning, every night it is always packed with tourists, so either get there early to snag a seat, or expect to stand.
Hike from Fira to Oia
Unfortunately, I caught a cold on the tail end of our trip in Santorini, so we didn’t get a chance to do this hike. But from what I heard, the hike can take up to 2.5-4 hours to do and is best done in the morning, when the sun isn’t too hot. Wear running shoes, bring lots of water, and do not do it at sunset, as you need good light to see the trail. Lastly, don’t forget your camera – apparently, the views are absolutely spectacular!
Shopping
Since I am travelling out of one suitcase for the year, I don’t have much room for shopping, however, that has never stopped me from browsing. 😉 What I noticed was the shops were a little less expensive in Fira than Oia. There is plenty of beautiful jewelry, pottery, sundresses and bathing suits. I actually found a store in Fira that had the most stunning linen dresses and jumpers, and at reasonable prices. I forced myself to leave the store after buying two pieces, but I could have easier bought a lot more. Some other things that are great to buy: leather sandals, olive oil, capers, and table cloths. Most things are cheaper in Athens if you are passing through this major city.
Explore Oia and Fira
Oia and Fira are the main Plaka towns, that are famous for their cascading whitewashed houses that run along the side of the island’s cliffs. Both of these areas offer terrific views for sunsets, and plentiful restaurants, bars and shops for tourists.
Spa
Take a break from all the site seeing and relax with a couple of hours at the spa. Since travelling full time, it has been a while since I’ve treated myself to a Mani and Pedi. I was delighted to find affordable treatments and shellac polishes at Spa Del Mar e Sol in Fira. Their staff and owners were so kind, and my nails lasted a month without a chip!
*What to Skip on Santorini*
Ride a Donkey
After seeing Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I always thought riding a donkey in Greece would be such an authentic experience. But when in Santorini, we saw how cruel the owners were to the donkeys, and quickly realized it was an abusive industry. Luckily, we never saw any tourists on the donkeys, so hopefully, it will be a tourist experience that naturally disappears in the near future.
Best Beaches to Visit in Santorini Island
In this next section of this Santorini Travel Guide, let’s visit the unique volcanic beaches for when you need some time to relax and cool down from the Santorini sun.
Ammoudi Bay
Ammoudi Bay is a fan favourite, especially if you love to cliff jump! To get here, you have to drive down to Ammoudi Bay, walk through all the restaurants and onto a path that leads you to another bay around the corner. There are no signs, so it may seem like you are going the wrong way, but I promise you, you aren’t. FYI this isn’t your typical sandy beach, but more of a rocky coastline that offers a unique view of Oia above you. Once you jump in the water you will also see on one of the rocky islands there is a small church you can walk up to. From here you can jump into the crystal clear Mediterranean.
After your swim, don’t miss eating at the Seafood Tavern, where we had the best Seafood Linguini I’ve ever had, in my entire life (see more details above).
Red & Black Sand Beach
Santorini is one of the few places in the world that has a red, black and white sand beach. This is due to the fact that it is a volcanic island. The black sand is created by fragmented lava rock, while the red sand is rich in volcanic minerals. The Red & Black sand beach is located on the opposite end of the island from Oia, making it a bit of a trek to get to. This isn’t the most popular beach on the island, but it is interesting to see.
Catamaran Cruise
If you’re short on time, and want to see all these beaches, do a Catamaran Cruise around the island, which should take you to all these beach, and many others. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy sunset from the boat and see Santorini from a different perspective. This is one thing that was on our list to do, but by the time we got there, the one we wanted was booked up. So learn from our mistake and book this unforgettable experience before you go!
What to Pack for Greek Island Hopping
1. Sun Hat:
A stylish sun hat is a must-have accessory for your Greek island hopping adventure. Not only does it add a touch of glamour to your outfit, but it also provides much-needed shade and UPF 50 to protect your face from the scorching Mediterranean sun.
2. Lightweight Cover-ups & Towel:
From beach to bar, you’ll want a versatile cover-up to throw on over your swimsuit. Choose a breezy dress, a flowy kimono, or a cute sarong to add a touch of effortless elegance to your island-hopping wardrobe. Also, a sarong can double as a lightweight towel. But if you don’t have one, you can also bring these lightweight and quick-dry towels to use at the beach. We found a lot of our hotels/Airbnbs didn’t supply us with beach towels, so these were handy to have!
3. Comfortable Sandals:
Exploring the charming cobblestone streets and ancient ruins calls for a pair of comfortable sandals. Opt for these ones that are not only cute but also sturdy enough to keep up with your island adventures. Your feet will thank you!
4. Stylish Swimwear:
Get ready to dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Greek islands in style! Pack your favourite bikinis and one-piece suits to make a splash and feel fabulous. Don’t forget to snap those Insta-worthy beach pics!
5. Travel-sized Camera:
Capture the breathtaking beauty of the Greek islands with a compact camera that fits in your purse. From stunning sunsets to picturesque landscapes, you’ll want to preserve those special moments forever. Get snap-happy and create memories that will make you smile long after you return home.
6. Flowy Dresses & Linen sets:
Embrace the carefree island vibes with a collection of flowy dresses and this trendy linen set. Perfect for exploring charming villages or sipping cocktails by the beach, these breezy outfits will keep you stylish and comfortable throughout your island hopping adventure.
Remember, the key to a perfect Greek island hopping adventure is to pack light, stay comfortable, and embrace the carefree spirit of summer! Pack these essentials, and you’ll be ready to make unforgettable memories while looking effortlessly fabulous.
Santorini Travel Guide Conclusion
When it comes to spectacular getaways, no place can compare to the beauty of Santorini. With its captivating history, stunning views, and diverse activities to enjoy, Santorini is the perfect destination for a romantic vacation, a family getaway, or an unforgettable adventure. From the iconic whitewashed villages to the mesmerizing sunsets over the caldera, there’s truly something for everyone in this magical Greek island. Whether you choose to stay in a luxurious five-star hotel or a cozy local apartment, you’ll be enchanted by Santorini’s beauty and hospitality. With a little bit of planning and an open mind, you’ll be able to create lasting memories that you’ll cherish forever. So take the plunge and explore the magnificence of Santorini – you won’t regret it!
I hope this Santorini Travel Guide has helped you plan your perfect vacation. If you have any further questions, asked them in the comments below.
Best Photo Spots on Santorini Island
The top end of Fira – Google Maps
Oia Sunset Lookout – Google Maps
Ammoudi Bay – Google Maps
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