Santorini is one of Greece’s most iconic islands. Known for its breathtaking sunsets, charming white-washed buildings, and crystal-clear waters, Santorini offers something for everyone. Since it is such a popular destination, a well-planned itinerary is key and can help you experience the best that this magical island has to offer. This post will help you hone in on your ultimate Greece itinerary in Santorini so you can plan your next unforgettable vacation.
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When to Go
Peak season in Santorini is July to August. This is when temperatures are at their highest, but also so are the crowds and prices. The shoulder seasons are April to June and September to October. During these times you’ll get great weather and fewer tourists. Specifically I recommend September to October, since the water is the warmest this time of year after heating up all summer.
How to Get There
There are two ways to get to the island of Santorini – by plane, or by boat. The most popular way to get into the country of Greece is to fly into the Athens airport. From there you can either fly directly into the Santorini airport or you can get a car from the Athens airport to the Port of Piraeus and take the Ferry. Here are the pros and cons of each option.
By Plane
Although flying is more expensive, it is a much shorter travel time, approximately 50 minutes, and requires less modes of transportation. If you do choose to fly, double check your carrier’s luggage policy. Since the planes that fly to the Greek islands are usually smaller, there are strict weight rules for luggage and up-charged prices for checked bags. Once you fly into Santorini, you can easily get from the airport to your location via a pre arranged taxi .
By Ferry
Taking the ferry is cheaper and can give you more flexibility regarding your luggage size and weight. However, this option will make your travel time significantly longer. The ferry trip from Athens to Santorini is approximately 6.5 hours, but you also have to build in time to get to and from the Ports. The port in Fira specifically is very busy and at the bottom of a very long winding road. This leads to intense traffic delays of taxis trying to get up and down for pick ups and drop offs.
If you can pack light and can afford the flight – I highly recommend it over the ferry. Picking your travel methodology early on is key to maximizing your Greece itinerary.
How to Get Around
The best way to get around Santorini is by foot or by bus. To get from town to town, Santorini has an affordable bus system that connects most of the main towns and villages, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, and Kamari. Buses can get crowded, especially during peak season, but they’re a great budget-friendly option. To get around inside each town, walking is the best option. If you need to get to a specific door to door destination ie: airport transfer, or down to a port for a tour, I recommend taking a taxi. For the smoothest transfer, you should pre-book the taxi and build in extra time for traffic due to the narrow one way streets.
Where to Stay
The most popular areas to stay in Santorini are the towns of Fira and Oia. They are both filled with restaurants and tourist shops, however Oia is more upscale and more expensive. Imerovigli is also a popular place to stay as it is close to Fira, but less crowded and touristy than both Fira and Oia.
If you’re looking for these sweeping caldera views, poolside drink service and a private sunset terrace, check out my blog post here for my recommendation of the best budget luxury hotel in Santorini.
What to Do
From hiking, to relaxing on the beach there are many popular actives on Santorini. Mix and match the best things to do on the island listed below to put together your perfect Greece itinerary.
1. Take a Hike
The hike from Fira to Oia is one of the most scenic and popular trails in Santorini, offering stunning views of the caldera, white-washed villages, and the sparkling Aegean Sea. The trail stretches about 10 kilometers (6 miles) and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete.
If you chose to do the hike I cannot stress highly enough that you need to leave early in the morning – the earlier the better, but Ideally I would start at 6 AM. The hike is not that difficult, it only has some mild elevation in the middle, but it does not have any shade and gets significantly harder and less enjoyable in the beating mid-day sun. Also once you pass Imerovigli, there is one place to stop and get water (a small snack stand), so I’d bring enough to last you the whole hike.
2. Sail on a Catamaran
A catamaran tour is one of the most popular things to do in Santorini, and for good reason. Sail around the island and swim in the infamous turquoise blue clear water. I recommend choosing a sunset sail option like this option provided by Viator. These leave mid afternoon, stop at a few great swimming spots, serve dinner and then pull into Amoudi Bay for an epic sunset view. The best part about these tours is you get to see the lights along the cliffs of Santorini from below as dusk turns to nightfall. It’s a truly magical site and something you do not want to miss!
3. Visit Amoudi Bay
Amoudi Bay is situated at the base of the famous cliffs below Oia and is one of the most photographed pots on the island. It’s well known for it’s stunning views, water-side restaurants and traditional charm. To get to Amoudi Bay from Oia, you must walk down about 300 steps or take a donkey.
The bay is also popular for swimming and relaxing by the water. Past the main restaurants, the bay has a small rocky beach area where you can swim or if you’re feeling extra adventurous cliff jump of the high rocks.
4. Go Wine Tasting
Santorini’s wines are known for their high quality and unique flavors, thanks to the island’s volcanic soil, hot climate, and centuries-old winemaking techniques. While they do produce red wine, Santorini is specifically known for it’s unique white wine varieties. There are 20-30 wineries on the island. I recommend booking a tour that will take you to multiple of them so you can sample a variety.
5. Relax at a Beach Club
If you’re looking for white sand smooth beaches with calm wading waters, you’re on the wrong island. Although you can swim at them, and the water itself is beautiful and clear, the beaches in Santorini are rockier due to the volcanic history of the island. Many spots like Karma black sand beach offer lounge beds and umbrellas along the shoreline so you can relax and enjoy the stunning views.
6. Explore Oia
Oia is the most famous village in Santorini. Known for its blue domes, white architecture and cave houses, Oia is what most people picture when they hear the word “Santorini.” If you come visit the island, it’s definitely worth it to explore the town, even if it’s only for a few hours. I recommend visiting early in the morning, that way you can escape the crowds. Watching the sunset from Oia is often recommended as one of the best things to do, however I recommend skipping the crowds and watching it from elsewhere – per number 7 below.
7. Watch the Sunset
Making time to watch and enjoy the sunset, should be on everyone’s Greece itinerary. If you’re not watching it from dinner or on a catamaran cruise, I recommend booking a hotel that has sunset views. Many hotels are built into the cliffs and you can find one with seaside views even on a budget. The picture above was taken right outside our hotel room and we were able to enjoy the sunset crowd free.
What to Eat
There are a plethora of restaurants to eat at in Santorini. Where you eat will vary based on your home base and the activities your choose. However, here are a few specific foods/experiences I recommend incorporating into your trip.
- Gyro – Gyros are a popular and beloved Greek street food. They are typically made with a seasoned meat (usually chicken, pork or lamb) that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, cut off and stuffed with vegetables and tzatziki sauce in a pita. The one pictured above was from Why Not! Souvlaki and it was so good we went back three times during our trip.
- Feta – Feta is a traditional Greek cheese made up from either sheep’s and/or goat’s milk. It’s typically served on salads, in pastries or in dips. Feta is eaten in many countries, but nothing is better than fresh feta in Greece.
- Seafood – They say eat like a local, and nothing is more local that seafood in Greece. From boat to table you can’t go wrong with with your selection.
- Sunset Dinner – The caldera view at sunset is historically one of the most beautiful sights of Santorini. Because of this, many restaurants have opened with terraces perched high on the cliffs so you can dine and admire the view as the sun goes down. Be warned, restaurants with caldera views tend to run slightly more expensive and you’ll definitely need a reservation if you want the coveted sunset time.
Know Before You Go
- Stairs are everywhere – Since the towns in Santorini are built into the cliffs, stairs are required to get to and from almost anywhere. There aren’t any ramps or elevators. So, make sure you can carry whatever you pack up and down a few flights.
- Sunscreen is expensive – With little shade and beating sun, sunscreen is a must on your vacation. Although they do sell it at small tourist shops on this island, it is definitely up-charged, so I recommend bringing your own.
- Santorini is expensive – Compared to the other greek islands (with the exception being Mykonos), Santorini is considerably more expensive.
- Santorini is filled with tourists – Although there are less tourists in some of the smaller villages, overall Santorini is filled with tourists. If you’re looking for a quiet vacation among locals, Santorini is not for you. However, because of this, almost everyone speaks English which can make getting around much easier.
Planning Your Greece Itinerary
I think the perfect length of time to visit Santorini is 3 days. This would fit well into your trip to Greece itinerary and allow you to spend time visiting some of the other fantastic islands. Here is a sample itinerary for your time in Santorini, Greece.
Santorini is a place that combines natural beauty, rich history, and a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. Whether you’re an adventurer, a culture enthusiast, or someone looking for a romantic getaway, Santorini offers something for everyone. So pack your bags, and get ready for a dream vacation in one of the most beautiful places on earth!
-Kira