Santorini
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Santorini travel guide, where we explore one of the most popular Greek islands. With stunning views, breath-taking sunsets and beautiful towns, Santorini is hard not to fall in love with.
Santorini inspires romance and is often used to illustrate the Greek islands. Cascading white-washed houses sit on the high cliffs that adorn the coastline of the island, making for impressive scenery at every opportunity. However, with such a reputation, comes a great following of tourists. In the summer months, Santorini’s streets and waters can get hectic and, while the wealthy crowd have bought the introduction of some fine dining establishments and upmarket hotels, the island feels less welcoming or traditional compared to some other islands. All this aside, Santorini is still a must see in Greece and, with it being so well connected, is easy to get to and explore.
Santorini Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Greece Travel Guides:
Rhodes Travel Guide | Athens Travel Guide | Heraklion Travel Guide | Naxos Travel Guide | Chania Travel Guide
Santorini Travel Guide
How to get to Santorini
Santorini is well connected to the rest of Greece via flights in and out of Santorini airport and ferries from and to Santorini port. Santorini International airport (JTR) caters to both domestic and international flights, with international flights operating between March and November to Europe and the Middle East. The airport is located around 6km from the main town of Fira and has one terminal which has a small selection of shops and cafes. Ferries that connect to Athens, other Cycladic islands, Heraklion in Crete, and Rhodes, among others, depart and arrive at Athinios ferry port, the main port on the island, you can book ferries online via Ferryhopper. The passenger terminal at the port has basic facilities as well as a small selection of shops and cafes. The main town on Santorini is Fira, and all public transport from the airport and port goes to Fira. If you are heading elsewhere on the island, and want to use public transport, you will need to first get to Fira and then change for the route to your final destination. With this in mind, here are the options for how to get to Fira, Santorini:
Bus from airport – There is one bus that runs from outside the arrivals hall at Santorini airport to Fira, costing €1.70 ($2) a ticket, and taking 30min. The bus times correspond with flight arrival times, however, these are infrequent throughout the day, so if you miss one, you may have to wait a long time for the next
Taxi from airport – Taxis are available from outside arrivals to anywhere on the island 24/7. A taxi to Fira will cost around €20 ($23) and take 25min
Bus from port – There is a local bus that runs from the port to Fira, stopping a handful of times on the way. It is parked up separately from the other buses, which are generally run by tour operators, so is fairly easy to spot. Bus times coincide with ferry arrival and departure times. Tickets cost €2 ($2.25) per person, one way and can be bought from the driver. Journey time is approx 30-40min to Thira
Taxi from port – Taxis are readily available from the port, but queues can be long in the peak season. A taxi from the port to Fira should cost in the region of €20 ($23) and take 30min
Areas to stay in Santorini
Santorini isn’t a large island but its unique topography means that getting from A to B isn’t always straightforward. Therefore, staying in the best location to suit your needs and wants is imperative to getting the most out of your trip. There is a range of areas to suit different budgets and different groups. We would highly recommend staying in Fira because this is the best area for accommodation, convenience and nightlife. Let’s take a look at where to stay in Santorini:
Fira – The main town on Santorini, Fira, is our recommended place to stay. Alongside pretty streets and stunning caldera views, there is plenty to see and do and a good selection of restaurants, bars and shops. All buses on the island start here too so this is the best-connected town
Firostefani – Located just a 10min walk from Fira, Firostefani is a smaller town that suits those who still want to be close to Fira but would prefer to be in a quieter setting
Oia – Known for its stunning views and incredible sunsets, Oia is the most desirable place to stay, and visit, on the island. As a result, accommodation can be more expensive here, and there are several high-end restaurants. Despite being a beautiful place to stay, exploring the rest of the island by bus can be difficult from Oia as you have to bus to Fira first every time
Imerovigli – One of the quieter towns on the island, Imerovigli is located a 30min walk from Fira and has some of the best sunset views on the island. There is only a small handful of restaurants here and very few shops
Perissa – Located on the other side of the island, so no Caldera views but it is home to the best beach on the island. As a result, it is well suited to families, those who want the beach close and those on a budget. There are plenty of restaurants and shops along the beachfront but visiting the Caldera side of the island can take longer from Perissa
Kamari – Quieter than Perissa, Kamari is also very family-friendly and has a pebble beach. Fira is only 15min away by bus, so Kamari is closer than Perissa for visiting the Caldera, however, it has fewer restaurants and shops
Pyrgos – Located inland, Pyrgos is where to stay if you want a taste of local life on Santorini and to be close to wineries and rural settings. It is a traditional village with restaurants, shops and cafes. Fira is a 10min bus ride away
Accommodation in Santorini
Being a popular tourist destination, Santorini has plenty of accommodation options to choose from. The widest range of options can be found in the main town of Thira, where there are a few hostels, budget, mid-range and high-end hotels and a selection of apartments and villas. The most luxurious accommodation options can be found in Oia, where prices tend to be higher than the rest of the island. For the widest range of more affordable accommodation options, head to the beachside of the island, to Perissa or Kamira. Despite what many may think, reasonably priced accommodation can be found in the peak season, but you will pay significantly more at this time of year and options sell out quickly. Staying outside of the peak season of July and August will always offer a greater range of options. We’ve picked out a few of our favourite accommodation options in Santorini to suit the budget of any visitor:
Budget Hostel | Bedspot Hostel – Situated in Fira, Bedspot Hostel provides clean, comfortable and modern accommodation for those on a budget in an excellent location. The hostel also has a shared kitchen and lounge and a terrace for guest use
Mid-range Hotel | Costa Marina Villas – A great value option just a few minutes’ walk from central Fira, Costa Marina Villas have a selection of rooms types to choose from. This is a local, friendly hotel with an emphasis on great Greek hospitality
Mid-range Hotel | San Giorgio – Another great value option in the heart of Fira, San Giorgio has a selection of beautifully designed contemporary rooms and a cosy patio area with a small pool
High-end Hotel | Palmariva Villas – Located in Fira, Pamariva Villas are a complex of white-washed Greek villas, all beautifully furnished and well-equipped with access to a communal pool or private hot tubs. A great breakfast is also included
Luxury Hotel | Katikies Garden Santorini – The only 5-star hotel in Fira, Katikies Garden is one of the most luxurious hotels in Santorini with fantastic rooms and suites with hot tubs or private gardens, a beautiful shared pool area, a fabulous breakfast and a restaurant on site. This is where to stay in Fira to feel like royalty
How to get around Santorini
Santorini’s cliffs, hills and volcano typography make it more challenging to get around than some Greek islands, but exploring Santorini is a must, so there are plenty of options to get around. Aside from the close proximity of Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli, most towns require transport to get between so, here are the options for how to get around Santorini:
Bus – All buses in Santorini start from Fira, so if you are planning to travel from an area outside of Fira to another area outside Fira, by bus, you will need to change buses at Fira. Buses are run by the Greek company KTEL and run regularly across routes to towns and villages across the island. Bus tickets cost €2-€2.50 ($2.30-$2.90) per person, depending on the journey and the journey time on one single bus in no more than 40min. The buses are larger coach-style which means that they are air-conditioned and well equipped with luggage holds below but can get busy during peak season due to the narrow standing space
Taxi – Available throughout the island, taxis are a convenient way to get between towns and villages, particularly if you are not staying in Fira, or are in a group, where a taxi price could work out similar to multiple bus tickets. The price of a journey should not cost more than €25 ($29) and you should agree on the fare, or ask the driver to use the metre, before setting off
Rent a car – Renting a car is a great way to explore more of the island in a short time, and can allow visitors to get between areas quicker. There are numerous companies offering car rental on the island from larger companies to smaller, local companies. It’s worth noting that the narrow, bending roads of the island can cause quite some traffic in the summer months, so journey times may take longer than anticipated
Quad Bike/Motorbike – Across the island, motorbikes and quad bikes are a popular form of travel for tourists, and are readily available to rent. They can prove a good alternative to cars on the narrow roads but be wary of sharp bends
Boat – While there aren’t any ferries that connect areas of Santorini, there are many boat trips and even boat taxis, available to purchase. These can be an excellent way to see more of the island in a scenic and fun way
Things to do in Santorini
When visiting Santorini, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the activities to spend time on and which Santorini attractions to prioritise. We’ve put together a compact list of the top 5 things to do in Santorini, Greece to help you plan your trip:
Explore Fira – As the main town on the island, Fira has a lot to offer visitors. Wandering the small streets and streets overlooking the Caldera is a must but there is also a museum and several interesting churches to see
Akrotiri Excavations – One of the top Santorini attractions, this archaeological site dates back to the 4th Millenium BC and is one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Aegean sea. Tickets cost €12 ($14) per person
Watch The Sunset – From any town that overlooks the Caldera, the views of the sunset are incredible, but head to Imerovigli for the best view, which is uninterrupted of the rest of the island
Explore Oia – The most picturesque town of Santorini, Oia is well known for attracting a wealthier crowd. Get lost in the maze of streets that make up this beautiful town, enjoy some fine dining and admire the stunning views over the Caldera
Take a Boat Trip – One of the best ways to enjoy Santorini is by boat. Many companies run daily boat trips which cover varying sights, some offering food and drink and taking anywhere from one hour to 7 hours
What to eat in Santorini
Being one of the most touristic islands, and known for attracting a wealthy crowd, Santorini has a good selection of restaurants to choose from across the island. The majority of fine dining restaurants are located in Oia and Fira. You can find good traditional Greek food across the island as well as modern twists and fusion cuisine. However, the Santorini dining experience isn’t as generous with free drinks or bread, which you may come to expect after visiting other Greek islands and the prices are higher. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Santorini while you’re there:
Tomato Fritter – Tomatoes, onions, parsley and flour fried into delicious fritters. Feta cheese is also added sometimes
Santorini Salad – Made using produce commonly grown in Santorini, the salad uses tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, rusks and capers
Stuffed Calamari – Squid stuffed with rice, cheese, onions and tomato paste and baked or grilled
Kofta – A minced or ground meatball or sausage (commonly lamb or beef) seasoned with various spices and herbs and usually served with a thick tomato sauce
Saganaki – This is fried feta cheese in filo pastry, covered with honey, delicious!
Money - Santorini Travel Costs
The currency in Greece is the Euro(€). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Greece, including in Santorini, and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. A service charge is rarely included on the bill in Santorini, however, many restaurants have set up their credit card machines to ask for a tip, when paying. It is up to you whether to leave a tip or not, but the norm is to leave a tip of up to €5 ($6) for a budget or mid-range meal, and up to 10% for high-end restaurants. For taxis, you can round up the fare. Santorini is noticeably more expensive than the majority of Greece but is still quite reasonable given its reputation as a holiday destination within Europe. Prices can vary depending on what part of the island you’re in, we have used Fira as our example. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay in (per person) in Fira for:
A local draught beer – $4-€6 ($4.50-$7)
A coffee – €3-€5 ($3.50-$5.75)
Gyros (Greek pita wrap with meat) – €5-7 ($5.75-$8)
Budget restaurant meal – €15-€20 ($17-$23)
Mid-range restaurant meal – €25-€40 ($28-$45)
High-end restaurant meal – €50 ($57+)
When to go to Santorini and for how long
The best time to visit Santorini is in May and June or September to the end of October. The peak months of July and August can get very extremely busy and the weather can get very hot, so it’s best to avoid these months if possible. Prices also increase considerably in July and August, so be prepared to pay more for accommodation and flights in these months. The southern location of Greece and the Cyclades means that the weather is generally warm from the beginning of May to the end of October, but April can even be nice, as well as November. Santorini is open year-round, although many restaurants and tourist attractions close or reduce their hours from November to March. International flights into Santorini also stop from November to March. A visit of at least 2-3 days is recommended, which will allow time to see Fira, Oia, take a boat trip and see the main Santorini attractions.
Local language and phrases
The language in Greece is Greek. Being a popular tourist destination, you will find that many locals, restaurants and hotels in Santorini speak very good English. While that certainly makes things easier when visiting Greece, learning a few Greek words and phrases will go a long way when interacting with the locals. Check out our Greece travel tips section for some useful Greek phrases to help you
Santorini travel tips
– Santorini is a safe island and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian diets
– The tap water is not safe to drink in Santorini, buy bottled water for drinking
Santorini travel guide written in October 2021
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Santorini Travel Articles
Santorini Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Santorini walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Fira Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights and sounds of Fira, Santorini with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Oia Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights and sounds of Oia, Santorini with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Imerovigli Walking Tour
A walking tour video highlighting the sights and sounds of Imerovigli, Santorini with an accompanying map showing the route we walked
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