Santorini Greece Travel Guide
Santorini in Greece is an absolute dream! Yes, there are popular destinations that will leave you disappointed (looking at you, Tulum), but I can’t imagine Santorini ever leaving anyone let down!
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When to Go to Santorini
While this magical island would not disappoint, the swarms of people who flock here every year can put a damper on the experience. That is why I always recommend shoulder seasons. I recommend April, May, September or October as a great time to visit. I go into more examples as to why on my Greece Travel Tips post, but less crowds and lower prices are the main reasons! High season is June through August, so you will get more crowds and higher prices during those months.
How Long to Stay in Santorini
I went to Santorini for four days and it was the perfect amount of time for me to explore the island at a relaxed but fun pace! Ultimately it would depend on how much you want to see and how much you want to simply relax. I’m more of a traveler than vacationer so there was not an entire day where I relaxed. Four days was perfect as I was never rushed and I left feeling as though I really got to see and experience Santorini!
Santorini | Things To Do
Explore Oia
If you are considering a trip to the Mediterranean, chances are the images that sparked your interest were likely from Santorini, Greece! And the images of Santorini are probably from Oia (pronounced ee-uh). Naturally, this should top your list of places to see in Santorini. Wander around the shops and enjoy a meal with an unbeatable view! Don’t forget to take some photos! This is, after all, one of the most picturesque views in all of Greece!
Red Beach
Santorini has black sand, white sand, and a red beach! Some tours will take you to see Red Beach, but there’s a viewpoint that is relatively easy to get to where you can admire this striking beach!
Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia
I took a tour similar to the below that included a hike up Thirassia and a swim in the hot springs. The hot springs didn’t feel super hot end of May, but certainly warmer than the rest of the Mediterranean Sea in this area. The tour also explained the volcanic activity of this area which was very interesting. The hike wasn’t bad, but I also went end of May when it was cooler. If you go in the Summer, be prepared for the heat.
Take in the Beauty of Santorini from the Sea
Santorini, Greece is absolutely stunning and worth viewing from every angle available! There are multiple options to do this, but the below tour includes passing by the volcano without a hike, which you might prefer. It also includes views of Red Beach and White Beach, and a stop at the hot springs.
Black Sand Beach
Pull up to Perissa Beach to relax or grab lunch. I stayed a block from Perivolos Beach, and while I did visit Perissa, I preferred Perivolos overall. Both places have restaurants and lounge chairs though, so you can’t really go wrong. If you’re more of an activity driven person, horse back riding might be perfect for you!
Akrotiri
If you are a history or archeology buff, plan a visit to Akrotiri. It is believed this civilization collapsed after the volcano erupted and they date this area as far back as 4,000 B.C.!
Explore Santorini from an ATV or Scooter!
One of my favorite memories in Santorini, Greece was renting an ATV to get around and explore the island! There weren’t a lot tourists while I was there, so I didn’t feel unsafe or a massive nuisance. However, I can imagine this being annoying for the locals. You need a motorcyle license for a scooter as that can reach much faster speeds. The ATV was fun, but if you don’t want to rent and explore on your own, you can take a tour!
Magical Santorini Sunset
Though I shared this moment with a lot of strangers, it was worth it! My one annoyance was I had booked a tour that included a sunset, only to have them drop us off at Oia to take in the view from there. If you do book a tour that mentions the sunset, make sure that means you are enjoying it from the boat! Regardless, the sunset is magical and not to be missed!
Hike Fira to Oia
Hike the whole trek or at least part of it! The views are amazing and worth making stops along the way to grab some shots. Santorini is really legendary for the views, so take the chance to appreciate them as much as you can!
Seafood at Amoudi Bay
If you’ve seen Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, you’ve seen Amoudi Bay! It’s adorable and lined with seafood restaurants. Sit outside, right next to the water and enjoy the fresh seafood!
Cliff Jumping
My cliff jumping memory sticks out a lot when I think of Santorini! My friend wasn’t interested in this experience so I went solo and the day itself was overcast and dreary, unlike the sunny days we experienced the rest of our time in Santorini. I walked passed all the seafood restaurants in Amoudi Bay. Eventually the path stops, and now you are navigating rocks (at least that was the case for me when I was there). Eventually the path reappears and I walked by some local kids jumping from a real cliff. Not wanting to bother them, I continued on until it dead ended and where I ran into other tourists.
The little island across the bay was the goal and the tourists around, gave me some quick tips about where to swim and what to expect. The Sea was choppy so I was a little concerned it might be a difficult swim. I jumped in and easily the hardest part was the temperature! It was cold for me, but there were people from Melbourne, Australia who said “it wasn’t bad.” Thankfully, the cold knocking the air out of me was the hardest part. The swim itself was easier than I expected. While it was choppy, the current was almost non-existent.
When you get to the island, there is a rope ladder to climb and eventually steps. The ground is beautifully decorated, but hard on my “no longer used to being barefoot” feet. I made it to the platform. Yes, it’s a platform, which is why I called the locals spot the real cliff. Once on the platform, I took in the sights, looked down, got my phone camera ready and I heard someone on the sailboat near me yell, “just jump!” Feeling excited and now a little nervous with a small audience, I run and take a leap off the platform.
This cliff is essentially prepared for us tourists looking for a thrilling moment. Having the area all dolled up does diminish some of the excitement, it’s a memory worth having if you are the cliff jumping type!
Santorini Greece | Short on Time
If you are short on time in Santorini, or just want to relax for the majority of your stay, the below tours can pack a punch. While this island isn’t large, it has plenty to offer at a relaxed pace.
Weather in Santorini
The weather in Santorini follows a typical, but loose four seasons, with the cooler months being mild. July and August are the hottest (and most crowded)! This is when Europe is looking for a beach vacation!
The weather still had cooler mornings and evenings (by my standards) end of May when I was there, but warmed up beautifully during the day. It did rain, but never lasted long and overall made little impact on my four days in Santorini. Spring in general is a good time to visit, but the earlier you arrive, the less restaurants and shops might be open. This is because people leave during Winter before returning to the island for tourist season.
Winter here is mild, but only the true locals are in Santorini during the winter. So if you visit in the winter, a more authentic Santorini experience will be had but a lot of experiences won’t be available during this time.
Similar to Spring, Fall is a good time to visit. Less crowds, pleasant weather, and cheaper accommodations!
How to Get Around
It’s a small island, so you can rely on taxis or utilize the public transport. For ultimate freedom, rent a car or ATV and explore the island at your own pace! If you do tours, most offer hotel pickup so on those days, there is little concern on how to get around.
Where to Stay in Santorini Greece
There are plenty of options in Santorini! Shoulder season is the best time to visit to get good deals on accommodations. I went with a friend and stayed in the southern part of the island a block from Perivolos Beach. If you are coming with a significant other, definitely stay in Oia for the romantic Santorini vibes!
With a View
Near a Beach
Rooms Under $100 per Night
*Prices are based on mid-September
Solo Budget Options
Space for a Family of Four
I hope this Santorini Greece Travel Guide was helpful! This Greek Island is magical and I’m so excited for you to experience it!
