SantoriniTravel Guide
A volcanic island in the Aegean born of one of history's greatest eruptions. The caldera, the whitewashed houses and the blue domes of Oia have made it one of the most photographed places on earth.
Is Santorini right for you?
May–June, September–October
It depends where you stand. There is a cheap version and an expensive one — the guides below say which is which.
We publish a multi-day route for this one.
Our editors pick it for a trip with one other person.
May–June, September–October
Mixed
Typical cost profile for visitors
- Mykonos120 km
an easy day trip · both good in May, June, September · a different price level (luxury)
- Crete120 km
a short hop — comfortable overland · both good in May, June, September
- Athens230 km
a short hop — comfortable overland · both good in May, June, September · a different price level (mid)
- Rhodes250 km
a short hop — comfortable overland · both good in May, June, September
MykonosFinding Santorini
Reading Santorini
Santorini, place by place
Everything below is named in one of our own stories about Santorini. The line under each is the sentence that recommended it, and the link goes to the piece it came from.
Where to stay
The areas and addresses our writers put first
James Ting
Oia
Oia is the most beautiful and the most expensive, and it is also the most congested and the furthest from everywhere else.
orva studio
Imerovigli
Imerovigli sits at the highest point of the rim, has the same view with a fraction of the foot traffic, and puts Skaros Rock directly beneath you.
Firostefani
SantoriniFirostefani is the quiet compromise: caldera views, a short walk into Fira, and rates that are usually noticeably gentler than Oia's.
Fira
SantoriniIt is the noisiest option and the most practical one, particularly if you are not renting a car, because essentially every bus on the island starts or ends here.
Pyrgos and Megalochori
SantoriniPyrgos and Megalochori are inland villages with no caldera view, real daily life, far lower prices and excellent food.
Kamari and Perissa
SantoriniKamari and Perissa are the beach bases — cheapest, easiest with children, well connected by bus, and entirely without the cliff drama.
Fira and Firostefani
SantoriniFira is the island's capital: cable car to the old port, museums, shops, and the only real nightlife on the rim.
What to see
The things that justify the trip
Raphael Lopes
Ammoudi Bay
It lies about 300 steps below Oia, a fishing harbour of red rock and a handful of waterside tavernas — Katina, Ammoudi Fish Tavern, Dimitris and Sunset by Ammoudi among them.
Things to do
Walks, tours and days out we would book again
Fira–Oia walk
SantoriniThe Fira–Oia walk is the best thing you can do here for free.
Sights & experiences
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
landmarkA Minoan town buried in volcanic ash ~3,600 years ago and excavated nearly intact.
Akrotiri, Santorini
Ammoudi Bay
viewpointA tiny fishing harbor below Oia with waterside fish tavernas.
Oia, Santorini
What we'd do in Santorini
See and do
- The villages most visitors never reach
Pyrgos is the highest village on the island, wound around the ruins of a Venetian castle, and the climb through its lanes to the top is short and almost always uncrowded.
Read: Santorini: The Complete Guide to Greece's Most Photographed Island
Eat and drink
- PDO status
Santorini fava holds EU protected designation of origin status
Read: A Market-to-Table Day of Eating on Santorini - Wine grape
Assyrtiko, grown in low basket-shaped vines that shelter the fruit from wind
Read: A Market-to-Table Day of Eating on Santorini
Where to stay
- Imerovigli — the connoisseur's rim
The highest village on the caldera, Imerovigli sees the same sunset as Oia without the crush.
Read: The Storied Hotels of Santorini: Village by Village Along the CalderaCheck ratesad · Booking.com - Kamari and Perissa — the black-sand answer
On the island's flat eastern shore, the volcanic black-sand resorts of Kamari and Perissa run on a completely different economy: beachfront tavernas, sun loungers, family-run hotels at a fraction of caldera prices.
Read: The Storied Hotels of Santorini: Village by Village Along the CalderaCheck ratesad · Booking.com - Pyrgos — the inland secret
Santorini's former capital sits on a hill in the island's center, a spiral of lanes climbing to a Venetian castle with views over the whole island.
Read: The Storied Hotels of Santorini: Village by Village Along the CalderaCheck ratesad · Booking.com
Practical essentials for Greece
Euro (EUR)
Greek; English is widely spoken in Athens, Thessaloniki and across the islands
Type C/F, 230V 50Hz
Blue Star, SeaJets and the other ferry lines connect the islands, and city transport is local: in Athens it is the rechargeable Ath.ena ticket or card bought at machines and kiosks, not a contactless bank card.
Rounding up or 5–10% in a restaurant is normal; card terminals now prompt for a tip, but there is no obligation to add one.
Safe on the mainland including Athens and Thessaloniki, but on Santorini, Mykonos and many islands the supply is desalinated and locals drink bottled.
Right-hand side; a UK or EU photocard licence is accepted, though hire companies often insist on an International Driving Permit.
112 (general); 100 police, 166 ambulance, 199 fire
Country-level guidance, checked against official sources. Currency, fares and entry rules change — confirm anything time-critical before you travel.
Turkey
Cyprus
Montenegro
Romania
Italy