A trip to Greece really isn’t complete until you visit the beautiful and iconic island, Santorini. The white Cycladic houses, blue domes, winding cobble-stone pathways, and gorgeous sunsets are something you have to see in person to believe. Yes, Santorini can get pretty crowded and touristy; but despite this, Santorini fully lives up to its hype and is one of the most magical and beautiful places we’ve been.
There’s a lot to say about the crown jewel of the Cyclades, so read on for our Santorini Travel Guide and get ready to book your trip!
Quick Breakdown
How many days
4+ Days to see it all
Oia – 2 days
The quintessential Santorini town where you see most of those Instagram pictures being taken.
Imerovigli – 2 days
A quiet and romantic town with fewer tourists and slightly lower price points, yet still has insane views and lots of fun things to do.
When to go
April-October
If you can, try to visit in late April or September to avoid peak season.
How to get there
From Athens
Air: Flights from Athens to Santorini are serviced daily by Ryanair and seasonally from Ellinair, Minoan Air and Volotea.
- ETA: 45 Minutes
- Cost: $45-$175 per ticket (depending on when you book)
- Booking: Use momondo.com or the flighthopper app to purchase tickets and compare rates.
Ferry: Ferries typically leave Athens in the morning and make stops at different islands along the way making for an afternoon arrival in Santorini.
- ETA: 5-8 hours
- Cost: $25-$90
- Booking: Use ferryhopper.com to purchase tickets and compare rates.
Our Recommendation: Take the 7:05 a.m. Hellenic Seaways Ferry from Piraeus port in Athens to arrive in Santorini at 12:35 p.m. The ferry is quick and spacious, and the ride is enjoyable.
From other islands
Air: Mykonos to Santorini is serviced by Astra Airlines seasonally.
Ferry: Ferryhopper.com for purchase and to compare rates.
NOTE: Some ferries don’t operate daily from certain islands and might sell out during peak season, so book early if possible.
International
Air: Most major cities in Europe offer flights to Santorini on a seasonal basis.
Tip: It is very chaotic when you arrive at the port, with several people trying to get you to jump into their (very expensive) taxi services. Arrange a pick up before you arrive (ask your hotel or Airbnb if they offer this service).
Best way to get around
Bus
The cheapest option, but usually the slowest with long queues for the bus in summer months.
Taxi
Typically the most expensive, but also the fastest method to get where you need to be.
ATV/Scooter
Very popular with tourists. It’s an easy way to get around on your own time and by far the most fun. (Just be cautious driving on main roads)
Currency
Euros; credit cards accepted at most places.
If you can only do one thing…
Take a sunset catamaran cruise with Sunset Oia.
2 Days in Oia
Arriving at the Santorini port is pretty hectic, but we instantly felt more relaxed as soon as we were taking in the breathtaking views of Oia. Since Santorini has become such a hot spot destination, the prices can be expensive and the amount of tourists that visit here can make it difficult to navigate.
Because of this, we recommend staying just a couple days here and then moving to a less expensive (but equally as beautiful) spot, such as Imerovigli, Fira, or Firostefani.
Where to stay
For a great spot outside of the main, crowded part of Oia, we recommend staying at Vino Houses. We stayed in the Athiri Villa and were blown away by the beautiful and comfortable space, friendly service, and delicious breakfast. With two rooms and lots of space, this would have been the perfect villa for a family or a friend group of four!
Vino Houses is in Oia, but it’s situated about a 10-15 minute walk away from the main part of town. The walk goes by fast though, and it gives you the opportunity to explore the lesser sought out village of Finikia.
Before we stayed at Vino Houses, we stayed in a different hotel that was very close to the main town in Oia. Though the close proximity was great, we didn’t love this hotel (it wasn’t the most comfortable or clean location). We learned that if you want to stay in Oia, it’s going to be pricy for a decent spot (and could be worth it because the views in return are unparalleled).
If you’re willing to spend a little extra money but still want a good deal, check out Hotel Maregio Suites, which has been rated as one of the best values in Oia.
For other options check out Airbnb, as there are some pretty amazing cave houses:
If you’re new to Airbnb, here’s $40 off your first booking!
Tip: When looking for places to stay, pay special attention to where the spot is located. There are many hotels that may look reasonably priced but could be in a more remote location… which means it could be difficult and expensive to get around.
Where to eat + drink
Breakfast
~ Our Choice ~
Vitrin: Grab a greek yogurt, crepe and a fresh orange juice at this cute little cafe with a patio overlooking the caldera. We went almost everyday while staying in Oia.
~ Other mentions ~
Hungry Donkey: A small cafe, although does not have a caldera view, has some pretty sweet and savory crepes at a reasonable price. Cheap and tasty.
Mes Amis: Get here early for some delicious espresso and watch the sunrise over Oia and the caldera.
Lunch
~ Our Choice ~
PitoGyros: Go for the best gyros in Santorini (and maybe all of greece). They tend to run out of gyros by 4pm so keep that in mind. We had to come back 3 separate times before we could actually get our hands on one. Their tzatziki sauce is to die for!
~ Other Mentions ~
Melitini: Tapas style moderately priced homey greek cuisine. Try the lamb sausage with a Yellow Donkey beer brewed locally in Santorini.
Nikos Place Grill House: An economical and tasty lunch in Oia. If you’re looking for a quick cheap bite but don’t want to sacrifice any quality, this is your spot. The pita bread here is incomparable.
Dinner
~ Our Choice ~
Catch Bar Restaurant: You pay for what you get, and here you get quite a lot. Creative cocktails, freshly caught seafood, friendly waiters, and one of the best dinner views you will ever have. You’re going to definitely want to slide this into your itinerary.
~ Other Mentions ~
Fanari: Enjoy some delicious local wine and fresh shrimp pasta as you watch all the tourists scrambling for a sunset view below. Enjoy 15% off your bill as a guest of the Fanari Villas.
Pelekanos: Great sunset restaurant with some grilled octopus to die for. Make sure to reserve a table with a view!
Drinks
~ Our Choice ~
Lioyerma Lounge Cafe Pool Bar: What better way to watch the sunset in Santorini than with some refreshing cocktails by the pool on the edge of the caldera? A very relaxing way to let the day unwind and a great place for the kids to play in the pool while mom dad enjoy some tranquility.
And last but not least…
Lolita’s Gelato: For a delicious mid-day treat or to top off the night with something sweet. Go here everyday, trust us.
What to do
Sunset Cruise
If there’s only one thing you do in Santorini, make it a sunset sailing catamaran cruise with Sunset Oia. This was the highlight of our trip and we couldn’t have had a better experience. We chose a small group package (25-person) that lasted 5 hours and took us around to Red Beach, White Beach, Black Beach, and to the hot springs on the caldera.
Sunset Oia arranges the pick-up and drop-off from your hotel and they also provide a delicious meal, endless drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The staff was amazing and the barbecue dinner was one of the best we’d had (chicken, pork, seafood, Greek salad, pasta with red sauce, bread and tatziki).
Oia at Sunrise
Another must do in Oia is to wake up at sunrise and walk around the town. Trust us, even if you’re not a morning person, you’re going to want to wake up early as this will be a rare time to take in the views with little to no tourists. Plus, you’ll get some great photos. (that light!)
2 Days in Imerovigli
We took the bus from Oia to Imerovigli for the remaining two nights of our stay in Santorini. Imerovigli is a quiet and romantic little town with amazing views, it would be the perfect location for a honeymoon.
Where to stay
For a medium-priced location with beautiful views, check out La Maltese Estates. La Maltese offers friendly service, clean rooms, and an amazing view at their restaurant, Buddha-Bar Beach Santorini, where they service a delicious complimentary breakfast.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, we’ve heard great things about Hotel Grace Santorini. Just take one look at that infinity pool overlooking panoramic sea views and I think you’ll agree that it’s an amazing spot!
Where to eat + Drink
Breakfast
~ Our Choice ~
Buddha-Bar Beach Santorini: We took advantage of the complimentary breakfast served at the La Maltese Estates with insane panoramas of the caldera. The restaurant is is open to non-hotel guests as well. It’s well worth stopping by.
~ Other Mentions ~
Galini Cafe: Come for some delicious looking crepes and eggs benedict. Like most places, due to its popularity, be sure to get here early or expect to wait for a table.
Diverso Cafe Santorini: Right in the heart of Fira, this little hidden gem has some savory crepes and a greek omelet to satisfy your feta cravings.
Lunch
~ Our Choice ~
Lucky’s Souvlakis: take a short trip into Fira for lunch to grab some gyros and souvlaki. This was our number two spot for gyros in Greece behind PitoGyros. It’s a local favorite you might end up visiting more than once.
~ Other Mentions ~
Avocado Restaurant: No caldera views here, just some tasty seafood to satisfy your mid-day cravings. You’ll want to try the avocado salad. Great place to stop on your Fira to Oia hike!
Mezzo Restaurant: Good for lunch or dinner, but you’ll have better luck being seated during the afternoon of course. Make sure to try the tomato balls!
Dinner
~ Our Choice ~
Santo Wines Winery: Call ahead to request a patio seat for the ultimate sunset viewing. This was another highlight from our trip – you can’t go wrong with beautiful views, amazing locally grown wine, and delicious food!
~ Other Mentions ~
Kapari Wine Restaurant: Enjoy a romantic setting and an extensive locally cured wine list that will surely delight the taste buds. Great for all the honeymooners out there. Once again, make sure to reserve a table in advance.
La Maison: A superb restaurant in Fira with reasonable prices in comparison to other choices on the island. Do not forget to try the mackerel.
Drinks
~ Our Choice ~
V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar: Get here about 90 minutes before sunset to snag a table and say goodbye to another day in paradise with some delicious cocktails paired with an antipasto platter.
And last but not least…
Confetti: Gelato, Ice Cream, Cake, Chocolate. Another sweet spot to satisfy the cravings after a long day.
What to do
Hike from Fira to Oia:
One of the best ways to see the island in its full beauty, and best of all it’s free! This hike, which starts in Fira, takes you along the caldera cliffs and passes through the villages of Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia. It’s just under 6.5 miles (10.5 km) and takes about 2-4 hours depending on your pace and how many times you stop (took us about 2.5 hours as we are pretty fast walkers and didn’t stop much).
You’ll want to wear some running or hiking shoes as the terrain can be a little rocky at times, plus there is over 2,000 feet (600m) of elevation change. A good mid-holiday workout!
Tips
- It is a little easy to stray from the path passing through Firostefani and Imerovigli, just be sure to keep your sights on the next town ahead and try to stay up high.
- Don’t use Google Maps to navigate as it will end up taking you the most direct route being the road (which is a no-go).
- There are only two shops/cafes between Imerovigli and Oia and they’re not always open, so make sure to grab a water bottle before leaving Imerovigli.
Rent a scooter or ATV:
One of the most popular ways around the island for tourists. We rented an ATV while staying in Imerovigli from Jimmy’s (right down the street from the La Maltese Estates) and took it all over the island. It was a great and convenient way to experience different views, visit neighboring towns, and was a lot easier to park than if we had rented a car (which we wouldn’t recommend as we saw many people struggling to maneuver through the narrow streets).
- Cost: $40-$70 per day depending on engine size and rental shop
- Tip: When driving on main roads, be aware of cars and busses behind you and use the turnouts at every opportunity to let those behind you pass (cars will tend to speed by you in anger as most locals are not very keen about the recently increased ATV use by tourists).
*Please be very careful if you do end up renting an ATV as it can be dangerous. Drive carefully!
Vourvoulous Beach
We stumbled across this beach with our ATVs and we’re surprised to see not ONE person on the beach itself. It’s a small beach on the east side of Santorini in an area not many tourists would end up at. But if you’re looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a nice afternoon with a bit of peace and quite this might be for you. The beach has chairs with umbrellas you can rent, and there is a local cafe/bar you can order drinks and food from as you admire a different side to the island.
If you’re looking for a vacation with breathtaking views, great food, and the perfect mix of adventurous activity and relaxing downtime, then Santorini is the place for you! We hope this Santorini travel guide inspired you to visit, and if you’ve already been, then leave a comment below with your own recommendations!