Santorini travel guide: caldera villages, wine and boat trips
Santorini is a crescent-shaped volcanic island in the Cyclades, with villages on the rim of a flooded caldera, black and red beaches and vineyards on the plain. Three days cover the villages, a wine tasting, a beach and a boat trip. The one thing to know is that the villages differ a lot, so choose where to stay before anything else.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay on the caldera rim in Fira, Firostefani or Imerovigli, see Oia at sunset, and hire a car or scooter for one day.
- Where to stay
- Fira for transport and food, Imerovigli for quiet views, Oia for the sunset, Kamari or Perissa for beaches.
- How many days
- Three days for the main sights. Two is enough for a quick visit.
- Best time to go
- May to June and September to early October.
- Book ahead
- Caldera-view rooms, sunset dinners in Oia and boat trips in summer.
- From the airport
- Santorini airport is near Kamari, about 20 minutes by road from Fira. Taxis, buses and hotel transfers run to the villages.
Where to stay in Santorini, in brief
Fira
transport, food and first-timers
The island capital on the caldera rim, with the bus station, shops and many restaurants. The most practical base, and busy when cruise ships are in.
Firostefani and Imerovigli
quiet caldera views
Two villages on the rim north of Fira, joined by a path along the cliff. Imerovigli sits at the highest point. Quieter than Fira, with fewer restaurants and many steps.
Oia
sunsets and photography
The village at the northern tip, known for its sunsets. Beautiful and very crowded around sunset. Hotels and restaurants cost more here.
Kamari and Perissa
beaches and lower prices
Beach villages on the east coast, with black sand, tavernas and shallow water. No caldera views, but cheaper rooms and easy access to Ancient Thera and the airport.
Pyrgos
a quieter, traditional village
A hill village inland with a castle, narrow lanes and views over the island. Few hotels, a good base for a car and an evening away from the crowds.
Things to do in Santorini
Oia at sunset
The village at the northern tip is the place to watch the sunset. Arrive early to find a spot along the castle wall or the lanes.
Walk from Fira to Oia
A cliff path of about 10 km along the caldera rim, via Firostefani and Imerovigli. Start early and take water, because there is little shade.
Caldera boat trip
A boat trip to the volcano of Nea Kameni, the hot springs and the islet of Thirassia. Often combined with a sunset sail.
a few days ahead in summer
Ancient Akrotiri
A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption of the island's volcano, under a protective roof. A good first stop on the south coast.
Red Beach and Akrotiri lighthouse
A beach below red cliffs, and a lighthouse at the south west tip for sunset when Oia is full.
Winery tasting
Santorini's dry white Assyrtiko is grown in low basket-shaped vines. Several estates offer tastings with a view.
a day or two ahead, more in summer
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
A small museum in Fira with finds from Akrotiri, a good companion to the site.
Perissa and Kamari beaches
Black pebble and sand beaches on the east coast, with sunbeds and tavernas.
Pyrgos and Profitis Ilias
A hill village with a castle, and the highest point of the island with a monastery above it.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Santorini can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Santorini, and which to pick- Caldera-view hotel roomsseveral months ahead for summer
Rooms with a view are limited and fill first.
- Sunset dinner tables in Oiaa few days to weeks ahead in summer
Tables with a sunset view are the first to go.
What to skip in Santorini
- Oia in the middle of the day in July and August
The lanes are packed and shadeless. Go at sunrise or late afternoon, or watch the sunset from Imerovigli instead.
- Restaurants with a view and a generic menu
Viewpoint terraces often serve ordinary food at high prices. Go inland to Exo Gonia or Pyrgos, or eat by the sea at Vlychada, for better value.
Best time to visit Santorini
May to June and September to early October are best, with warm days, calm seas and fewer people than the peak. Swimming is comfortable from June to October.
July and August are hot and crowded, and rooms cost the most. Many hotels and restaurants close from November to March, and ferries run less often in winter.
- From the airport and the portTaxis, buses and hotel transfers meet flights and ferries. The ferry port at Athinios is about 20 minutes by road from Fira.
- BusesPublic buses run from Fira to Oia, Kamari, Perissa and Akrotiri. They are cheap and crowded in summer.
- Car, quad or scooterA hired car or scooter is the easiest way to reach wineries and beaches. Roads are narrow and parking in Oia is limited.
- TaxisTaxis are limited and often need booking ahead at busy times, especially for the evening in Oia.
Santorini in three days
- Day 1
Fira and the rim: the museum, the cliff path to Imerovigli and dinner with a view.
- Day 2
Akrotiri, Red Beach and a winery tasting, then sunset at the lighthouse.
- Day 3
A morning in Pyrgos, then Oia in the late afternoon for the sunset.
Day trips from Santorini
- Nea Kameni and ThirassiaA boat trip into the caldera to the volcano and the neighboring island, about half a day.
- IosA nearby island with a long sandy beach, reached by a fast ferry in about an hour in summer.
- NaxosA larger island with villages and long beaches, about 2 hours by fast ferry in summer.
Santorini: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Santorini?
Three days cover the main sights. Two works for a quick visit and four allows a boat trip and beach time.
Where should I stay in Santorini?
Fira for transport and food, Imerovigli for quiet, Oia for sunsets and Kamari or Perissa for beaches.
Is Santorini worth visiting?
Yes, for the caldera views, the villages and the wine. It is crowded and costly in July and August.
What is the best time to visit Santorini?
May to June and September to early October.
Is Santorini expensive?
Yes, especially in Oia and in summer. Fira and the beach villages cost less.
Do I need a car in Santorini?
Not essential. Buses and taxis cover the main villages, but a car or scooter helps for wineries and beaches.