A Useful Santorini Travel Guide: Tips for First-Timers
This site contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Associates Program. At no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission off these links. They help fund this blog. Thanks for your support! See my Disclosure Policy for more info.
Santorini! The quintessential image of a Greek Island! With its brilliant blue domes and its stark white-washed walls, it’s no wonder so many are interested in visiting! Whether this is your fifth or first visit to the island, this ultimate Santorini travel guide is here to help with all your burning questions!
Is Santorini Worth the Hype?
Yes! It is most certainly worth the hype. Aside from National Geographic saying it has the best sunset in the world—particularly in Oia—it has so much more to offer.
Yes, the coastal town on the northwestern tip of Santorini, with its views over the caldera, is lovely. Still, Santorini also has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in beaches, history, food, or wine!
Santorini Travel Guide for First-Timers
How to Get to Santorini
If you’re arriving in Greece from abroad, Athens is probably your most cost-effective entry point since it’s the country’s capital.
However, if you’re traveling from a neighboring country, unfortunately, going straight to Santorini usually isn’t an option as you’ll likely still have to fly through Athens to get there.
The best way to go from Athens to Santorini, in my opinion, is by airplane. Although you can also go by ferry. I’ll expand on the pros and cons below.
By Ferry
Ferries are a popular option for island hopping in Greece, but they are much slower than flights. Additionally, they can experience delays or cancellations, whereas flights tend to be more frequent.
If you experience seasickness or suspect you might, this likely isn’t the best transportation option for you, especially since summer seas can become quite rough.
If you are taking a car with you, a pro is that you can take it on the ferry for an additional cost.
By Air
Flying is often faster and cheaper most of the time.
We flew on Aegean Airlines for all transfers.
Please be aware that this airline charges for checked luggage. My aunt and cousin opted for carry-ons, so we didn’t incur any charges for them. However, my mom and I chose to check our bags, resulting in additional fees for us.
Athens to Santorini
By air: 1 hour
Average price is $100
By ferry: 5 hours and 30 minutes on average
Average price of a foot passenger is $190
How to Get Around Santorini + Map
The cheapest way to get around Santorini is on their buses called “KTEL Buses.”
Tickets for KTEL buses can be bought directly on the bus with cash. Local buses allow travel from any location on the island to another. However, most journeys require a transfer in Fira, where all buses start and end their routes (which is one of the reasons why I chose to book a hotel there, but more on that below).
Here, you can find their scheduled times and routes.
Throughout the year, 23 public buses are in operation. In Summer, there are several bus routes, while in winter, there is only a limited selection. If you travel in winter, keep in mind that using Uber or a taxi might be necessary for you to get somewhere at a specific time. It’s worth noting that KTEL Buses can be pretty crowded during the summer months.
Transportation in Santorini After Hours
When my family and I landed in Santorini, it was just short of midnight, so I had arranged a pick-up with the hotel, as the KTEL Buses weren’t running at that hour.
If you are also landing early or very late, know this: The buses start running after 7 a.m. and end around 9 p.m.
Aside from contacting your accommodation, you can book a taxi and Uber in Santorini.
Book Transportation:
Where’s Best to Stay in Santorini?
Oia
Likely, the first place you’ve thought of staying is in Oia. It is a popular spot as it’s the quintessential image of the island.
However, that means it’s more expensive. But if you’re dying to stay there, I say go for it! It’s gorgeous, and many hotels have hot tubs or pools in that area, which is perfect if you’re going in the hot summer months.
Fira
I recommend staying in Fira (Thera) as it’s cheaper but centrally located, and while it’s not Oia, it still has many charms.
As I mentioned previously, Fira is where the main bus hub is which makes it a great place to stay since you’ll have easy access to all of the island from there.
It also has wonderful views of the caldera, shopping, bars, and museums—a little something for everyone.
My family and I stayed at Villa Soula, which was perfect for our group of four. One of their large room was able to accommodate us all.
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, luggage storage (which we used since our departure was late on the final day), a very helpful concierge who answered all our questions, a terrace, and a pool that we definitely enjoyed in the heat!
They also have scooter/moped rentals, bicycle rentals, hiking trails, and horse riding nearby. We didn’t participate in any of these activities, but it’s good to know they’re available if you’re a bit more sporty than we were!
From the hotel, we were able to walk up the hill to the main area of Fira, which includes attractions and activities such as the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, Plateia Theotokopoulou, and a view of the caldera.
Things to Do in Santorini
We’ve organized your journey to Santorini, including airport transportation and local travel options. Now, let’s explore what you’ll things to do in Santorini!
Akrotiri
Akrotiri is a Minoan Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed in the Theran eruption sometime in the 16th century BC and buried in volcanic ash.
Like Pompeii, the settlement was preserved under volcanic ash, allowing us to view ancient frescoes, artifacts, and artworks today. Consequently, it stands as one of the most significant prehistoric settlements in the Mediterranean from an archaeological viewpoint.
General admission tickets for Akrotiri cost €16, allowing you to explore the archaeological site at your own pace using a skip-the-line e-ticket.
Upon arrival, we met an archaeologist conducting a tour, prompting us to pay an extra fee for her expertise. If you’re as passionate about history as I am, it’s worth it, as otherwise, you’ll just be reading the informational plaques. That said, this is a personal choice rather than a must-do in Santorini.
Book Activities & Tours:
Red Beach
Santorini’s Red Beach features a unique color due to the island’s volcanic elements. This small yet lively beach is a fantastic spot for snorkeling.
You can arrive by car or bus, but I’d choose a boat next time. Why? Because it’s one hell of a place to get to!
A narrow trail, if I can call it that, is bordered by large rocks and leads to Red Beach. If you have any mobility issues, I highly discourage you from attempting this.
Be cautious if you’re wearing white or light-colored clothing, as the red sand can leave stains. Even swimming in a light-colored swimsuit can get stained.
If you visit, there’s a beach with umbrellas and sun beds but no bar, so bring your own food, drinks, and sunscreen! There’s a bar before the path begins that you can purchase from.
If I were to redo this, I’d choose a boat to visit the beach from the seaside. I recommend this highly in your Santorini travel guide. These tours often visit multiple popular beaches and even let you see the Volcano!
Book Activities & Tours:
Perissa Black Beach
Perissa Black Beach is covered in black sand due to the island’s volcanic activity, just like Red Beach. The eruptions that caused this are so unique that this type of black sandy beach can’t be found elsewhere in the Aegean.
Santorini has several black sand beaches, including Perivolos, Kamari, and Perissa. They offer umbrellas, sun beds, bars, and restaurants.
The cost is anywhere from €7 to €10 for two sun beds and an umbrella for the day. Some beach bars do offer the sunbeds for free, but that’s if you’re ordering food and/or drinks.
If you enjoy beach parties, some of these beaches host events, so be sure to check their calendars for the dates of your visit. Additionally, you can engage in water sports, including jet skiing and parasailing.
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera was a favorite destination on my Santorini trip!
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera highlights Akrotiri to illustrate Thira’s life and culture during the Prehistoric period, featuring art, pottery, artifacts, and frescos from this ancient civilization.
It’s a pretty cheap museum at only €6 during summer and €3 during winter. There is a special museum package for €15 that includes Ancient Thira, Akrotiri, and Museum of Prehistoric Thira, which is valid for 3 days.
Oia
Oia is a lovely place to stroll around, snap some pics, and grab a meal at sunset, which is precisely what we did (my restaurant recommendation is below).
You can, of course, also visit Oia during the day on a boat, or you can go during the day or evening as I did, which is what I recommend in this Santorini travel guide. That way, you can walk through town, visit the churches and stores, and get a feel for this charming town up close.
Book Activities & Tours:
Plateia Theotokopoulou
If you love to shop, visit Plateia Theotokopoulou (Theotokopoulou Square), Fira’s main square.
Plateia Theotokopoulou features numerous narrow streets where you can stroll down to discover shops. As the largest town in Santorini, it offers various items, including jewelry, souvenirs, and clothing, alongside a wonderful selection of cafes, restaurants, and bars.
If you have no interest in shopping, this is a good activity to skip!
A Night Out in Fira
My last recommendation in the things to do in Santorini section of this travel guide is to spend a night out in Fira. As previously mentioned, our hotel was in Fira, and we also had dinner there (more on both below). However, it was an entirely unique experience at night.
At night, the atmosphere becomes a lively party scene filled with energetic bars and music. I had a great time with my cousin during a girls’ night out! If that sounds like your kind of fun, I strongly recommend it!
One safety note: the drinks we had were STRONG! We went to the Tropical Bar and certainly got our money’s worth. If you’re looking for some safety tips, check out my first time traveling alone guide. Even if you aren’t solo, it’ll provide some solid advice.
Where to Eat in Santorini with a View
Before I dig into my restaurant recommendations, note that you likely need a reservation, as getting a table, particularly during sunset, can be troublesome.
I went shortly after COVID and it wasn’t packed, but I know travel to Greece has grown since so I strongly recommend this as one of my top tips on this Santorini travel guide.
Pelekanos Restaurant
Located in Oia, we took a taxi to the Pelekanos Restaurant. After the taxi dropped us off, we only had a short walk to the restaurant. Oia is primarily pedestrian, featuring only narrow, walkable pathways.
From the terrace at Pelekanos, you can see a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the entire caldera and island.
We went in September, so I made our dinner reservation for 6 pm. This allowed us to enjoy some time admiring Oia before the sunset. We then had dinner and drinks while watching the sunset over the water. Remember that this timing will vary based on the season.
Be aware that reaching the terrace of this restaurant requires climbing a steep staircase in case you have any mobility issues.
Fanari Restaurant Fira
Fanari in Fira is another excellent place to catch the sunset. Originally an old family bakery with more than a century of history, it now operates as a restaurant.
Fanari takes pride in being a privately owned establishment at the Caldera, providing “creative” twists on traditional flavors. It features local ingredients and highlights the cuisine of Santorini.
Packing Essentials
I’m not going to list everything; that’s what my How to Pack Light for Europe post is for, but I will note some differences from that list that you may need during your trip to Santorini.
Sunscreen: The sun was intense on Red Beach in Santorini! Based on my experiences, Greek islands typically lack shade, making sunscreen essential!
Water Bottle: It can get pretty hot during the summer; even when we were there in September, it was pretty warm, so please remember to hydrate!
Hat: I’ve experienced sunburn in the past, and it’s unpleasant. Therefore, along with sunscreen, I strongly suggest wearing a hat to avoid getting a lobster-like scalp, face, or shoulders.
Non-white Clothing: As I mentioned above, the red sand of Red Beach can stain your clothing. So, I highly recommend not wearing white there, but especially a white swimsuit while in Santorini.
Dramamine: If you take the ferry to get to Santorini, you may want to bring Dramamine in case you get seasick.
Shoes with Flat Bottoms: Since Santorini has so many cobblestone streets, wearing heeled boots or high heels will likely only cause trouble, possibly even a broken ankle. I found flat-bottomed platform sandals (these are a similar pair) for nights when I wanted to dress up. Otherwise, I was in sandals or sneakers. I’d even toss in a pair of insoles!
Santorini Travel Guide FAQs
How many days do you need for Santorini?
I would recommend at least 3 days in Santorini. This will give you the best opportunity to explore the island and experience its history, beaches, and food! If you want to tack on a fourth day, then I’d recommend also checking out at least one of Santorini’s wineries.
Is everything walkable in Santorini?
Santorini isn’t largely walkable if you’re thinking you’ll be walking from one part of the island to another. However, if you’re considering if Oia or Fira is walkable, the answer is yes. Once you’ve made your way to a section of Santorini, I found it to be easy to navigate.
What is the best way to get around Santorini?
The best way to get around Santorini is on the buses I mentioned, called “KTEL Buses.” They are efficient and affordable and get you to all the main areas on the island.
Best time of year to visit Santorini Greece?
As you’re likely looking to spend some time on the beach, the best time to visit Santorini is spring, summer, or fall. However, the shoulder season, spring and fall, is cheaper than the high season, which is the summer. So, if you want to save money, I highly recommend visiting during the shoulder season. In winter, most hotels and shops are closed.
Can you drink the water in Santorini?
Santorini has no natural drinking water source, so most of its tap water comes from desalinated ocean water. Although it is technically safe to drink, Santorini’s tap water is brackish, and the water supply system may not always be dependable. Many locals suggest bottled water, as tap water often has an unpleasant taste.
Final Thoughts on this Santorini Travel Guide
Overall, I really enjoyed visiting Santorini with my family! It had a nice mix of history, which I heartily enjoyed, and relaxing beaches for them.
Have questions about this Santorini travel guide? Drop them in the comments below!
Looking for More Greece Tips?
Header Photo by Philip Jahn on Unsplash
Want to remember this? Pin this A Useful Santorini Travel Guide: Tips for First-Timers article to your favorite Pinterest board!
