The Ultimate Santorini Travel Guide
Santorini, Greece is considered one of the top dream destinations in the world— and it lives up to that billing! From the sweeping caldera views, the gorgeous sunsets and the iconic blue and white Cycladic buildings, Santorini is a magical place that would make anybody’s jaw drop in absolute awe.
I loved my trip to Santorini… but I’m glad I did it SMART. This trip could’ve easily been a lot less magical, as it’s all too easy to get pummeled by the relentless hordes of tourists, or bled dry by overpriced hotels in the most popular areas. Thanks to my obsessive research, I was able to enjoy the best Santorini has to offer without any of that happening. Read on for smart tips on where to stay, getting there & around, and my recommendations on what to do & where to eat in Santorini,
Where to Stay
When choosing accommodations in Santorini, I asked myself a crucial question— “How can I have the FULL quintessential Santorini experience without dealing with tourist crowds and spending tons of money?” I intensively researched the following options and listed the pros & cons of each area, so that you can decide which area is a best fit for you!
Imerovigli
Imerovigli, a small town right in between the two main tourist hubs, is my top recommendation for where to stay in Santorini. It’s a great option for those looking for a romantic and/or relaxing getaway but still want to be close by the major hubs.
Pros
Great central spot to explore both sides of island
Located right in between the two tourist hubs Fira and Oia, a short distance from both.
Pro-tip: You can split the famous Fira-Oia caldera hike into two parts, planning individual day trips to Oia and Fira using Imerovigli as a home base
Gorgeous caldera and sunset views you can have to yourself
Zero crowds
Luxurious boutique hotels available that are more affordable and private than Oia
Quiet, peaceful area
Cons:
A lot less lively— this isn’t the place if you’re looking for great entertainment or nightlife
Restaurants are spread out and not easy to walk to
Though more inexpensive than Oia, this isn’t the most cost-effective option
A gorgeous view of caldera at dusk on a rooftop of a hotel in Imerovigli
Pyrgos
Pyrgos is a quaint, romantic Greek village complete with gorgeous blue & white cycladic architecture. This hidden gem is located further inland, but still a short drive from the tourist hubs. I spent the second half of my Santorini trip in this area and I highly recommend it for those who are interested in an authentic Greek experience.
Pros:
Picturesque setting with the best historically preserved cycladic blue & white buildings on the island. The narrow medieval white-washed labyrinths are similar to those in Oia. Best of all, you won’t have to wade through crowds!
Perfect place for taking your Instagram photos without having to fight the crowds.
Gorgeous sunset and panoramic views of both sides of the island
Luxurious hotels right outside of the central village along the caldera have breathtaking views and are very affordable .
My hotel suite had a giant private patio complete with a jacuzzi, facing a jaw-dropping view of the caldera and sunset. It was less than a third of the price for similar amenities that hotels in Oia offered.
Authentic Greek village life experience
Budget-friendly options
Cons:
Further inland and not centrally located
Not a large of variety of restaurants or entertainment options
The jacuzzi and the view from our private patio at our hotel suite in Pyrgos
Fira
Fira is one of the two main tourist hubs in Santorini. The town is brimming with many lively shops, great restaurants & bars. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a convenient central location to easily access all parts of the island, and are looking for a livelier setting. However, it’s definitely not as pretty as the other areas. Due to personal preferences, I opted out of staying in Fira, but it’s a convenient and budget-friendly option.
Pros:
Large variety of shops, great restaurants & bars within walking distance of each other.
Plenty of excursions and any rental or excursion agency you’d need within close range
Central location, great home base to explore other parts of the island
Budget-friendly options
Cons:
Views of the caldera and the city itself are not as beautiful as other areas
Not as congested as Oia but still very busy & packed with tourists at certain times
Oia
Others will tell you staying in Oia is essential for the ultimate Santorini experience, but I disagree. You can’t get anywhere without shuffling alongside hoards of people in the narrow passageways. I went during the off season and Oia was still packed to the brim with people. Oia was also steeply more expensive than any other area I visited. It was wonderful to visit and see the views it had to offer, however, a day trip was more than enough for me. Anything more than that I think I would’ve gone crazy. This is the only area that I personally wouldn’t recommend staying in.
Pros:
Great dining options within walking distance— the best seafood I had on the island!
Lots of high-end shopping, if you feel like splurging
The town has a steep, but walkable staircase down to the beautiful Ammoudi Bay where you can see the red volcanic rock cliffs
Gorgeous & iconic Santorini views (though you’ll have to fight the crowds to see them)
Cons:
Very congested. The crowds can be overwhelming at all times during the day, even during the off-season
Partially due to the fact many cruise ship passengers disembark here since many cruise lines stop here.
Dining, shopping and accommodations are more expensive than any other part of the island
Even if you spend the extra money to book a hotel room with a “private balcony” overlooking the caldera, it is not guaranteed to be private as there are many tourists that ignore the signs to keep out.
Getting There & Around
Getting There
Consider flying into Athens rather than straight to Santorini. International plane tickets are much more affordable that way. Santorini is only a short domestic flight away and tickets are inexpensive. This way, as an added bonus, you can spend a few days exploring Athens for more bang for your buck.
Getting Around
I’ve traveled to many places and I have to admit that getting around Santorini wasn’t the most intuitive, especially since there’s no Uber or Lyft there. Here are some of the transportation hacks and tips that I learned while I was there. (#4 was a game changer for me!)
1) Don’t bother with yellow taxis and buses. Yellow taxis are very few and far between on the island (apparently only a few dozen for the entire island!) Buses in the main hubs consist of extremely long lines and crowds to get on that’ll likely keep you from boarding your scheduled bus.
2) Rent a car. If you’re comfortable driving in new places, this is the best (and most cost-effective!) way to go. Be sure to book in advance if you want one with automatic transmission. Keep in mind they will be more expensive than those with standard transmission. The smaller the car, the better, so that you can more easily squeeze into tight parking spots.
3) Or, rent an ATV. For a cheaper option than a car, you can rent an ATV to explore the island during the day. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen and sunglasses! And yes, you’ll still need an international driver’s permit to drive one.
4) Contrary to popular belief, there are affordable private shuttle options! If you’re not comfortable driving in new places (Like me! I have driving anxiety) or just don’t want to go through the trouble of finding parking, this is the way to go. The private transfers that hotels arrange are usually significantly more expensive, so I recommend finding your own private shuttle company. Nowadays, there are plenty of reliable private shuttle companies of varying prices that you can call/text as if you were calling for a taxi. Santorini Transfer was the most affordable and reliable 24/7 service that I used. You can arrange rides ahead of time or just call whenever you need one. No matter where I was on the island, night or day, they always showed up promptly to take me where I needed to go.
What to do
These are my top 3 favorite excursions that I did in Santorini if you’re looking for adventures that are worth the time/money!
Fira-Oia Caldera Hike
The caldera hike was truly was one of the most uniquely beautiful hikes I have ever been on. The sweeping views of the caldera are absolutely jaw-dropping and incredibly rewarding. The total distance is 6.5 miles, but you can split it up into two days like I did if you stay in Imerovigli (which is right in between Fira and Oia). Just hike into Oia on one day and then to Fira on the other. This’ll allow you to take your time to enjoy the many spectacular views along the way and not rush it. You’ll also have ample time to explore both Fira and Oia and the little towns along each way, especially if you leave in the morning. Remember to wear a hat and sunscreen! The caldera hike can be very sunny and has very little shade along the way. You can either hike back or have a private transfer pick you up to take you back to where you are staying (this one is very affordable & reliable). You can also take a bus back if you don’t mind waiting in long lines and very crowded buses. Just don’t count on flagging down a taxi as they are very few and far between.
View of Skaros Rock, one of many landmarks you’ll see as you hike along the caldera
Pyrgos
Pyrgos is a small, quaint village with the best historically-preserved cycladic buildings and steep, medieval alleyways similar to those in Oia. As you wander around you’ll find plenty of boutique shops, wine bars and little family-run restaurants. This town gave me a nice little window into what traditional Greek life looks like. Best of all, no hoards of people! This is the best place to take your vacation pics without having to fight any crowds. For the most incredible sunset spot and great viewpoint of Pyrgos, head towards Penelope's Ouzeri, a traditional Greek restaurant where you can sip on some wine as you take in the view.
The village is surrounded by many vineyards that are renowned for producing Assyrtiko white wines, including the most famous one— Santo Wines, a scenic winery located just outside of the historical area.
View of Pyrgos at sunset
Santorini Catamaran Tour
The catamaran cruise I took with Spiridakos Sailing Cruises was such a lovely time! If you’re a sunset lover like I am, they offer a tour at sunset. We set out on the Aegean Sea and enjoyed stunning views of Santorini from different vantage points along the caldera. They also made several stops along the way so you can swim in the sea, which I loved (though, I opted out of swimming during our stop at the “hot” springs, because of how muddy & sulfuric… and not-hot? the water was) The crew members were a ton of fun. The Greek food the crew made for us on the boat was really yummy and they serve you wine throughout your time on the boat. There were only about a dozen people on the boat that I was on, so there was plenty of space to lounge and enjoy the views. Here’s a link with more info if you’re interested.
Our view of the sunset on the Aegean Sea during our catamaran tour
Where to eat
Below is a list of my favorite eats during my trip! I’ve listed options located in different areas along the caldera at various price points. In addition to Greek food restaurants, I’ve also added some non-Greek food options, just in case you get weary of feta cheese and olives (I definitely did after staying in Greece for more than a week!)
Fly Away Creative $$$$
Location: Imerovigli, on rooftop of West East suites
What I loved about it: If you’re looking for a rooftop restaurant away from the crowds for a dreamy view of the Santorini sunset, this is perfect. The food & wine were pricey but so, SO delicious and the courses were very filling, especially for it being fine dining. Service is incredibly attentive and accommodating. Reservations required.
Every course that came out was an absolute artistic masterpiece
Sunset Ammoudi $$$
Location: Oia, Ammoudi Bay
What I loved about it: Fresh, perfectly cooked seafood. I got to choose the fish from their daily catch for them to cook up. Open-air establishment located right alongside the water in Ammoudi Bay. Beautiful views of the sea, nestled in between the red rock volcanic cliffs.
We enjoyed beers and excellent seafood at Sunset Ammoudi— a reward after a long day of hiking
Santorini Mou $$
Location: Oia
What I loved about it: Local, family-run establishment with authentic Greek taverna vibes. Absolutely delicious traditional dishes at reasonable prices for the area. Live Greek music and friendly service. Has a nice sunset view. Right on the outskirts of Oia— perfect for if you want to escape the sunset crowds that flock there.
China Famous Food $$
Location: Fira
What I loved about it: I know what you’re thinking, “Chinese food in Santorini? Is she serious?” Even while typing this, I’m just as surprised as you are about this place making it on my list. But seriously, as someone with Chinese heritage, I was very impressed at how authentic all of the dishes were. Wonderful option for a break from Greek food!
Cacio e Pepe $$
Location: Fira
What I loved about it: I went here TWICE during my trip because this place was so good! Everything from the fresh pasta (made in house), the wine and the dessert (especially the panna cotta) was absolutely exquisite. Very friendly service. Another great option if you want a reprieve from Mediterranean food!
Lucky’s Souvlaki $
Location: Fira
What I loved about it: Souvlaki is an absolute MUST when you’re in Greece. This place was my favorite in Santorini (though my absolute favorite for souvlaki was in Athens) A no-frills, locally owned joint with classic Greek Alpha beer on tap and mouthwatering gyros.
Expect a line coming out the door for Lucky’s Souvlaki but their gyros are well worth it!
Penelope's Ouzeri $$
Location: Pyrgos
What I loved about it: The Santorini sunset cast against the landscape of blue and white cycladic buildings in Pyrgos is a view that I’ll remember for a lifetime. Locally owned, family-run restaurant with authentic Greek yums made by Grandma Penelope!
Tomato fritters and other traditional Greek tapas at Penelope’s Ouzeri
Brusco $
Location: Pyrgos
What I loved about it: Where many Santorini locals go! Great place to grab coffee, breakfast/lunch, or a glass of wine on their shaded patio to people watch. Also, random, but the BEST banoffee pie that I’ve ever had.
My favorite little café in Pyrgos— great food, drinks and dessert and all at a very affordable price! It’s family-owned and operated
Thanks for reading my Santorini guide!
For more about my trip to Greece, visit my IG @alli.wren
