Santorini Travel Guide: All You Need to Know for a Perfect Trip
Santorini has some of the most beautiful blue dome villages and cliff side views, making it Greece’s most famous island.
Whether you’re spending several days here, or it’s just a short stop on your island hopping journey, it is an island worth visiting. After spending a whole week there, here is my Santorini travel guide to help you plan your next trip!
Things to Do
- Roam The Beaches – Perissa Beach is known for its black sand and Red Beach
- Fira to Oia Walk take in the views as you hike from town to town. This trail is about 6.4 miles long, but it’s so worth the trek!
- Sunset in Oia – catch the dreamiest sunset you’ve ever seen over the village of Oia.
- Visit a Local Winery – tour the famous vineyards of Santorini while tasting all the different variations of wine.
- Explore Pyrgos – escape the crowds in the village of Pyrgos. It’s the highest village on the island.
For more things to do: Things To Do in Santorini: Memorable Activities You’ll Love
How long to stay
If you want to see everything on the island, I recommend spending 3-4 days here, including travel. This gives you plenty of time to see all the sights and do all the island activities. However, if you just plan to stay in the main villages of Fira and Oia, 2 days will be enough.
What to Pack
Layers of Clothing – In the spring, the weather is pretty mild, but it can be chilly if the sun is not out. I would bring your island wear but also a jacket and pants for when the sun goes down.
Sunglasses – the sun reflects off of the white buildings and can be very bright.
Cash – All buses accept only cash, as well as some smaller shops.
Day Pack – bring a small bag that zips closed to carry your things for the day. Keep it close to you to avoid pickpockets.
Tip: Get cash from your bank at home before leaving for your trip to avoid the mark up prices at the ATMs on the island.
Island Transportation
There is a bus system centered in Fira, which can get you to many parts of the island, including the airport for only 2-3€. The buses only go out of Fira, so if you want to bus to multiple destinations you will have to take the bus back to Fira to get on a different route. There are also taxis and Ubers available, but they can be quite expensive.
Places to Eat
The Greek islands are known for their vast selection of fresh seafood, definitely something to try while you’re here. I also recommend trying a traditional Greek dish like the Greek salad or Soutzoukakia (Greek meatballs). Here are some of the restaurants on the island that I went to and enjoyed:
- Karma – traditional Greek cuisine
- Cacio e Pepe – Italian cuisine
- Kremvi – Mediterranean cuisine and seaside views
- Bohemia the Journey – breakfast and brunch
- Pitagram – gyros
- Kayak – gelato and dessert
Tips for Visiting
- Book Airbnb/hotel in Fira, the central town where the buses run, and everything you need is located.
- Keep in mind that everything in Oia, especially restaurants, cost significantly more.
- For less crowds, visit the village of Pyrgos, the highest village on the island.
- I highly recommend the Fira to Oia walk if you are up for the challenge. I saw some of the best views of the trip on this hike!
- Plan ahead and book everything in advance for lower prices.
Love These Photos?
Click here to see more photos from Italy and Europe. All photos are available for purchase as high quality downloads!
More From The Blog
More Posts