Is Santorini Walkable?
Heading to Santorini for the first time and wondering, is Santorini walkable? Well, I’ve been and loved my time in this bucket list destination!
Parts of Santorini are absolutely walkable, but as a whole it’s too large to walk. I’ll review various regions of the island and how walkable they are and also how to get to and from those regions.
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Oia | North Santorini
When asking, is Santorini walkable, much of what you picture about Santorini is Oia! From brochures to social media posts, Oia is often what is shown when you are seeing the dreamy Greece photographs!
Oia (pronounced ee-uh) sits on the north end of the island and would definitely be a spot you will want to see while in Santorini. The white washed buildings, narrow streets, and bucket list views are among the reasons this area can’t be missed!
Is Oia Walkable?
Oia is definitely walkable, but here are some things to consider. This little town in Santorini is perched high on the cliff, which is what gives you the breathtaking views! Once you’re in Oia, there are slight hills, but nothing too intimidating. You can walk the streets and enjoy the shopping, or dip into a restaurant with a world class view!
I didn’t stay in Oia, so the area with the main sights, shops and restaurants wasn’t bad. However, if you stay in Oia you will likely encounter a lot more stairs.
Oia’s Parking Lots
There is a parking lot just outside the town. One visit, I drove an ATV from the southern end of the island to Oia. Another visit during my trip was with a tour, so the bus we had to locate for our ride home was in this parking lot. It was along the main road and plenty of cars parked there so I knew it would work. Google Maps shows numerous parking lots, but some are probably very small!
The walk from the parking lot into Oia was easy. There is a small climb, but it’s minimal and the walk overall is very short! If you’re visiting during peak season (which I don’t recommend) the parking lot might fill up quickly, so keep that in mind.
Overall, this lot sees plenty of cars and buses. Unless you stay in Oia, you will visit this lot at some point! If in doubt, ask a local! They may have better advice on where to park during your trip or what to do if the lot is full.
Oia’s Stairs
For the boat tour I did to the volcano, Thirassia and the hot springs, they dropped us off at Oia to watch the sunset. Our options to get from the docks to Oia was either walk hundreds of steps or ride a donkey.
Is this part of Santorini walkable? Yes, but it’s also brutal! It’s definitely an unforgettable memory! However, just know that if you get dropped off at the docks, it’s a long way up.
Where to Stay in Oia
If you’re wanting to avoid as many stairs as possible, you might want to reconsider staying in Oia. While this is definitely the dreamiest area to stay in Santorini, most hotels will require you to navigate a good number of stairs. You will be staying on what is essentially the side of a cliff, so it makes sense.
*Prices are estimates and will vary based on the time of year.
Luxury under $1,000 | Aspaki Exclusive Hotel by Art Maisons
Under $400 | Ducato di Oia
Amoudi Bay
Amoudi Bay is below Oia and a must visit while in Santorini. You can enjoy a delicious seafood meal right on the water and if you’ve seen the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, then you’ve seen this charming area of the island!
You can also cliff jump while you’re down this way, so check out my itinerary for what to do in Santorini in three days to learn more. My friend and I drove the ATV down the hill from the Oia parking lot to the Amoudi Bay parking lot. Theoretically, you could walk, but since we had the ATVs, we took the easy option.
The hill is fairly steep, but it looked doable. Since I didn’t walk it, I can’t fully say, but it was certainly not as intimidating at the stairs.
Fira | Central Santorini
Fira, the capital of Santorini, is also a cute town in Santorini and is very walkable! Similar to Oia, Fira is high up with stellar views as well! It’s slightly less polished and white washed, but still charming and beautiful!
If you plan to rely on bus transportation, Fira may a good place for you to base yourself. This is where the main bus station on the island is located and everything connects here. If you leave from Fira, you only need one bus. To and from anywhere else on the island, you will have to change buses in Fira.
Is Fira Walkable?
Yes! Similar to Oia, there are hills and stairs, but nothing intimidating once you’re there. There are hills, but overall it’s very doable! It’s a great area to explore, have a meal, visit a museum and enjoy the views!
Fira’s Parking Lots
Parking was easy enough to find, but if you’re there during high season, you may need to be strategic with your timing. I wasn’t there in peak season, so finding a parking spot was simple, especially with the ATVs.
There are multiple options, and when in doubt, ask a local to have the best, most updated advice.
Fira’s Stairs
From Santorini’s Old Port to Fira, there are endless stairs! Of course, you can walk them but the most common choice is riding the cable car. Oh and a donkey ride is also an option here.
Where to Stay in Fira
Similar to Oia, there may be more stairs in some of the Fira hotels than ones in the southern part of Santorini. If stairs are make or break, be sure to reach out to the hotels directly.
*Prices are estimates and will vary based on the time of year.
5 Star under $1,000 | Athina Luxury Suites
5 Star under $300 | Astro Palace Hotel
Budget under $100 | Koronios Villa
Beaches | South Santorini
We’re just going to call everything south of the airport South Santorini, but this is a large region. While each beach area has walkable qualities to it, the overall walkability score will depend on what accommodations you choose and what’s available around it.
I stayed in this region and used the ATV to drive to Oia and Fira. The volcano, hot springs, and Thirassia boat tour also took me to Oia. While this area is not the most pictured Santorini spot, I was there with a friend so we didn’t need the dreamy Oia vibes. Plus, I’m a beach girl!
Another benefit to staying in this area will be less stairs and hills. Yes, there are some hills sprinkled throughout this region, but overall it’s more flat and less taxing when it comes to walking. If the stairs in Oia and Fira intimidate you, consider staying in the southern region.
Perivolos Beach | Where I Stayed
My friend and I stayed at Asterias Mini Apartments which we found on Airbnb. It was a block from Perivolos Beach, a black sand beach. We ate breakfast at the same restaurant on the beach everyday and loved talking to the owner. He would work from April to October or November and then learn languages in Athens during the winter. He knew ten languages!
I was there in May and it was super quiet in this area of the island! It was fairly quiet overall, but more so in this area. The beach was lined with umbrellas and lounge chairs and it was almost entirely empty! However, it did give us an indication of how busy Santorini would get!
Within walking distance of where we stayed, there was a small grocery and plenty of restaurants! One evening we walked up the road a bit to another cluster of restaurants for dinner. Overall, I really enjoyed staying in this area of the island!
Where to Stay in Perivolos
*Prices are estimates and will vary based on the time of year.
5 Star under $400 | Istoria Hotel
3 Star under $150 | Atlantis Beach Villa
Perissa Beach
Walk up the road for twenty to twenty-five minutes and you’ll be in Perissa Beach. A black sand beach with even more restaurants and accommodation options than Perivolos. This beach and area is great for walkability and you’ll have plenty of beach clubs to choose from for any days you want to relax.
Where to Stay in Perissa
*Prices are estimates and will vary based on the time of year.
5 Star under $400 | Santo Mangata Boutique Hotel
5 Star under $300 | Aqua Blue Hotel
Kamari Beach
Another black sand beach in Santorini is Kamari Beach. While I didn’t stay here, I did visit and spent an afternoon relaxing on the beach. This area has more restaurants and a boardwalk feel, but Greek style. There are little shops and plenty of accommodation options as well!
Where to Stay in Kamari
*Prices are estimates and will vary based on the time of year.
5 Star under $300 | Cavo Bianco Boutique Hotel
3 Star under $200 | Santellini Hotel
Budget under $60 | Join Us
Akrotiri
This part of Santorini is one of the quietest! There are some restaurants and depending where you stay, they would be within walking distance.
If you want a quieter place to stay, this area is worth checking out! It’s very rural, but has great views of the caldera!
Where to Stay in Akrotiri
*Prices are estimates and will vary based on the time of year.
5 Star under $250 | Acroterra Rosa Luxury Suites and Spa
3 Star under $300 | Apanemo Hotel
Approx $100 | Hotel Mathios Village
Santorini’s Walking Paths
Fira to Oia
There is a famous walk from Fira to Oia. While I didn’t complete the entire walk, I did enjoy part of it because as you can guess, the views are amazing!
There’s a cute little snack shop on the way, should you commit to doing this. If you’re in Santorini during the summer, definitely consider this a morning or evening activity.
However, when I was there in May, the weather was beautiful! Just wear a hat and sunscreen as the walk will take several hours or more depending how often you stop to take photos.
Skaros Rock
The walk to Skaros Rock can feel more like a hike, with its uneven steps. I did not have time to complete this during my trip to Santorini, but it will be on my list for when I return.
The reviewers mention it’s a worthwhile hike and of course they say, the views are worth it!
Perissa to Kamari
Completing this entire Perissa to Kamari hike with the added detour to Ancient Thera is over 6 miles. It will take several hours as well!
However, you can just climb to the sunrise viewpoint. Most reviewers state it’s an easy hike, but one reviewer drove to the top for the sunrise as they believed it was too intense in the dark.
Driving Times and Transportation Options
Now that we’ve divided Santorini into walkable areas, let’s talk about how to get to and from these regions and approximately how long it will take.
Transport Options
If you don’t rent a car at the airport, you can take a taxi or organize transport through your accommodation. This is the easiest and most expensive option.
There is also a bus system in Santorini that is very affordable! While this is budget friendly, it’s not as convenient. All buses connect in Fira, so you have to connect there regardless of where you are going. For instance, to get from the airport to Oia, you will have to change buses in Fira.
Renting a car or scooter is also an option! For scooters, you will need a motorcyle license (at least that was the case when I was there)! After driving the ATV around, I can agree that is a solid move on Santorini’s part.
It’s also worth noting that most cars in Europe are manual, so if you need an automatic car definitely reserve it in advance. I’d recommend reserving regardless of the time of year you are traveling to Santorini.
If you’re from the US, you won’t need an International Driver’s License in Santorini. However, when I went to rent a car in Tinos, I did need an IDP. Just keep that in mind if you plan to island hop.
Transport Options I Chose
From the airport, my friend and I just split the taxi fare. Once at our accommodation, the host helped us to organize ATV rentals. When it was time to leave, we organized transport to the airport through our accommodation as they were wonderful hosts!
Taking the bus is definitely the most cost effective, but we never took it. I like the freedom of having my own vehicle, so I enjoyed the ATV.
I will say the taxi at the airport and transport through the accommodation were very high considering how short the drive times! However, gas prices on an island are usually more costly, so this might be the main cause.
Driving Times
The below times are approximate and will vary based on traffic. They will also vary based on vehicle type. For example, ATVs will take longer than a car.
From Santorini Airport to
Fira: 8 minutes
Oia: 24 minutes
Kamari: 11 minutes
Perissa Beach: 21 minutes
Perivolos Beach: 20 minutes
Akrotiri: 18 minutes
From Oia to
Fira: 20 minutes
Kamari Beach: 28 minutes
Perissa Beach: 36 minutes
Perivolos Beach: 35 minutes
Akrotiri: 33 minutes
Considerations for Your Santorini Trip
Avoid Peak Season
Santorini is incredibly crowded during peak season! While I love shoulder seasons in general, they are definitely the best time to visit Santorini! April, May, September and October see beautiful weather and less crowds!
Is Santorini walkable during peak season? Of course, the landscape doesn’t change, but Oia and Fira’s small streets full of people will certainly dampen my experience! Oh and another benefit of the shoulder season is lower prices!
Is Santorini Walkable Easily?
The southern end of Santorini is mostly flat and overall feels easier to walk around. However, Oia is a must when in Santorini! Once you get to Oia and Fira, the hills are not super steep and the steps are not bad, but it is more challenging to walk around.
This is important to note, especially if you are nursing an injury or just not as mobile at the moment. Santorini might feel a bit more challenging in that case!
FAQ
Can you get around Santorini without a car?
Yes! You can take a bus to all the major areas in Santorini. Additionally, you can book tours in Santorini, which will allow you to experience the island without having to worry.
Also, you can rent an ATV to get around, which is what I did. A scooter will require a motorcycle license, but not the ATV.
Can you get around Santorini on foot?
No. Santorini is too large to get around on foot. From Oia to Akrotiri, which are on opposite ends of the island, the drive will take about 35 minutes.
The various towns are walkable once you’re there!
Does Santorini have a lot of steps?
There are a lot of steps, but most are avoidable!
The steps from the docks up to Oia can be walked or you can ride a donkey. From old Santorini’s port to Fira, you have the same two options plus a cable car option!
I only found myself in the bottom of Oia’s steps once, when a tour dropped us off to watch the sunset. That was the only time in my four day trip!
Once you’re in Oia and Fira, there are steps but they are one or two at a time. There are no exhausting staircases once you’re in town.
Of course, if you plan to stay in Oia or Fira, you might encounter more steps! If you want to avoid that, consider staying in the southern end of the island.
Is Santorini Walkable?
I hope this guide was helpful in determining if Santorini is walkable by your standards. This island is dreamy with its dramatic and breathtaking views, so it’s definitely worth visiting!
Whether you end up in Santorini or other charming Greek islands, I hope you have the best trip!
