In this post about what to see in Santorini, as we did with the posts about what to see in Mykonos, what to see in Naxos and what to see in Paros, we want to make a summary of all the details and aspects that we believe are most important and should be taken into account, to travel to Santorini, one of the best Greek Islands, as well as one of the most visited and touristic, which despite the first doubts, has ended up being one of our favourite places of this trip to Greece in 32 days.
As we have been 4 full days, plus the days of transfers and, as we have done with the previous islands, we have preferred to make a single post, instead of a day by day, in which to compile all the data to organize the trip to Santorini and above all, make the most of one of the places to see in Greece essential.
What to do in SantoriniHow to get to Santorini
Ferry: One of the most convenient and most used ways to get to Santorini, either from Athens or another island, is undoubtedly the ferry.
In our case, when making this transfer from another island, we took a ferry from Paros to Santorini, with which you can make this journey between 2-3 hours, depending on the ferry you book, for about 60 euros per person and 50 euros for the rental car in Greece, in case you travel with this type of transport.
Note that you can book your ferry around the Greek islands here, considering that prices vary greatly, depending on the time of year, the type of ferry you choose and even the time of day you choose.
Ferry to Santorini
- Plane: Another option for travelling to Santorini is to fly into the airport. As with Mykonos, in this case, you can find direct flights, so this can be a great option, considering that the prices are usually very reasonable, not exceeding 50 euros per person on many occasions.
- Excursion/Tour: Although you can get to Santorini on your own, if you want to see more of the island you can book this Santorini Getaway of 2 or more days, this 4-day getaway to Mykonos and Santorini or this Aegean Islands Cruise.
If you want to make the transfer from Athens we recommend you to read this post about how to get from Athens to Santorini.
Ferry to Santorini
As we mentioned before, one of the best options to travel to Santorini, especially if you are on another island, according to our experience in this Greece on your own, is undoubtedly to opt for the ferry through the Greek Islands.
You can find much more information about this specific transfer in the post we wrote about the ferry from Paros to Mykonos or this one about how to get from Mykonos to Santorini.
Keep in mind that if you arrive in Santorini by ferry you will arrive at the new port of Fira, one of the most famous locations on the island, so if you don't have a rental car in Santorini to get to your accommodation or around the island, you can arrange it directly here at one of the locals, or take a bus or taxi to take you to your accommodation and once there, assess the different options that exist in the localities.
How to get to SantoriniBest time to travel to Santorini
As it happens with the rest of the islands that we have visited in this trip, according to our experience, the best time to travel to Santorini includes spring and autumn, as well as the months of June, July and August, taking into account that these last ones are already included in the high season, so besides finding the island more crowded, any type of service is usually much more expensive.
Bearing this in mind, it is advisable if you come in summer to book your accommodation in Santorini in advance, as well as your rental car and even the ferry, as availability is usually more limited during these months.
Oía in Santorini
More practical information to prepare your trip to Greece
- Greek Islands Tour in 7 days
- Guide to Santorini
- 10 must-see places to visit in Greece
- Top tips for travelling to Greece
- Top 10 Greek Islands
- 10 tips for travelling to the Greek Islands
How many days are necessary to visit Santorini?
Taking into account all the places to see and things to do in Santorini, we would recommend you to spend at least 3-4 days on the island, so you can enjoy it and above all, experience it with some peace and quiet, something that we believe is very necessary, as it is usually very crowded and you will appreciate having a few hours of peace and quiet.
If you have the time, you can also do the trek from Fira to Oia and the Skaros Rock trek in Imerogivli, two hikes that we believe will show you another perspective of the island, less crowded but just as incredible, if not more so.
Views of OiaBest hotel in SantoriniWhere do I stay?
Something to keep in mind when organising a trip to the most famous Greek island, is the place to stay, because although the distances are short, being in one place or another, can be decisive when visiting and getting to know the places to visit in Santorini.
That said, it is important to be aware that most accommodation in Santorini has high prices, especially if you are looking for options overlooking the caldera. That's why, especially if you're travelling in high season, book well in advance to avoid cost overruns. When it comes to experiencing the luxury of this place, a stay at a luxurious 5 star hotel Santorini on www.greece-santorini-hotels.net is the perfect complement to the island's enchanting allure. Santorini is renowned for its stunning sunsets, pristine beaches, and iconic white-washed buildings perched on cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. The island boasts a range of exceptional 5-star hotels that offer world-class amenities, impeccable service, and awe-inspiring views. From the renowned Grace Santorini, with its infinity pool and minimalist elegance, to the opulent Canaves Oia Suites, known for its cave-style accommodations and private plunge pools, these hotels provide an indulgent retreat for travelers seeking a luxurious stay. The combination of impeccable hospitality, luxurious accommodations, and the island's natural beauty ensures that a 5-star hotel in Santorini will elevate any visit to this idyllic Greek paradise.
- Firostefani: This small village, next to Fira, is one of the best places to stay in Santorini, as in addition to having a wide range of catering services at different prices, you can find accommodation with very good value for money.
In our case we stayed at Sunset Hotel, which was excellent value for money. Other excellent options are Villa Ilias, Hotel Mylos or Alta Vista Suites.
Terrace of Gaby Apartments
- Fira: Another of the most popular areas for accommodation in Santorini is Fira. Next to the previous one, this would be one of the most affordable options, below Oia, which is usually the most expensive.
In our experience, if you have a car, staying in Fira or Firostefani is not only cheaper, but also quieter, as Oia is usually quite crowded, as it is a stopover for all travellers and cruise passengers arriving on the island.
- Oia: Undoubtedly the most outstanding and most expensive location on Santorini. In our case, we believe that unless you are coming to enjoy the accommodation, it is not necessary to spend the high prices that these accommodations tend to have, especially in high season.
In Fira or Firostefani you can find excellent options with views of the Caldera, at more reasonable prices, although logically and independently of this, it is best to look at the options, as there may always be an offer or option that fits what you are looking for.
Another option in Santorini is to stay in an AirBnb flat, with excellent options especially in the Oia area.
For more information on the best hotels or Santorini family resorts you can check out where to stay in Santorini.
Renting a car in Santorini
Although in Santorini, as in the rest of the islands, there is public transport and in this case at a very reasonable price, having a rental car is undoubtedly a good idea, as this way you will be able to enjoy total freedom of timetables and movements.
Also, as in the rest of the islands, you can opt for a motorbike or quad bike, options that are very common in the Greek islands and can also be a very good alternative.
Roads of SantoriniBus in Santorini
In Santorini, we had the experience of using the public bus from Oia to Firostefani, after trekking, and we have to say that it is a very valid option, both for the price and for the amount of routes it covers.
The only downside is that in high season, in places like Oia or Fira, you may have to wait a long time, as the buses tend to fill up very easily.
Santorini Bus
Santorini Bus TimetablesWhat to see in Santorini in Greece
Although later we will leave you several recommended routes around Santorini, depending on the days you have to visit the island, first we want to leave you a selection of things to see and do in Santorini, so you can get to know this incredible island knowing several details, to make it more comfortable and above all, optimal.
Oía
A meeting point for all travellers arriving to Santorini, Oia, known as Pano Meria by the locals, has become in recent years a less peaceful place than probably expected, due to the proliferation of accommodation, one of the best sunsets in the world, and the current Instagram craze, which has put the blue domes that dot the cliffs in the spotlight, as the target of many of its photos.
Oía
Built on the side of the cliff, with incredible views of the Caldera, a stroll through its streets is a must, as it is here that you will find the main attraction of the town, increasingly saturated with restaurants and shops, which coexist with many of its houses, carved into the rock, which today have been converted into luxury accommodation, where you cannot miss the small terrace with a pool of blue waters, which compete in beauty with the waters of the Caldera, on the horizon.
Main street of Oia
Although, as we said, the best thing to do in Oia is to wander through its streets, looking for nooks and crannies and little shops, we are sure that you will also want to take the typical photo of yourself with the characteristic blue domes of the Greek Orthodox churches dotted along the cliffs in the background.
Before going into the details, it should be noted that access to these churches is forbidden, as is climbing on the roofs or domes. In many cases, to reach them, you have to cross private areas, even jumping over walls or access gates. In most of them you will see that there are multiple prohibition signs, as we have reached a point where the photo has more value than education or security, so even in some of the most famous spots, there are now people watching that no one enters the restricted access, either because they are private or for security reasons.
If you still want to take a photo, what we did was to go very early, at 6am, as we wanted to see Oía without people and wait in the area of the domes, where you can't go in, for an owner to pass by and ask permission to take a photo.
The two times we did so, they gave it to us without any problems, asking us to close the doors on the way out. From what we saw, from 8-9 in the morning it is impossible to do this, as there are queues to take a photo from the outside, as the area is already under surveillance.
Oía
Blue domes of Oía
The first thing you should know is that there are 2 blue domes, which are the most famous and most of the photos you will see are of them, but from different perspectives. In the first one, you can see two domes and a kind of small bell tower, also blue, and in the other perspective, you can see the blue domes, with a pink camparium.
We leave you the location of the perfect places to have both views. In case you are not sure, don't worry as most travellers go there, so you will find the right spot.
Map of the location to see the Blue Domes
Sunrise in Oia
Domes of Oia in Santorini
Oia Castle
Another of Oia's best-known landmarks, especially at sunset, is the castle, which you can reach after crossing the network of small streets that seem to protect it from the crowds that tend to form every day at sunset.
If you come at that time of day, we recommend you arrive here about 45 minutes in advance, as there are usually a lot of people at this point, and leave about 15-30 minutes after the crowds start to leave the place.
This will allow you to enjoy it more calmly and, most importantly, not get overwhelmed, as there are days when it seems impossible to have so many people in one place on Santorini.
Oia Castle
Sunset from Oia Castle
Another option, if you find Oia Castle very crowded, is to stay in the lower part of the castle, where there are usually not so many people and there is a bit more space, as well as on the surrounding trails.
Old Port of Oía
In addition to visiting Oia, we recommend a visit to the old port of Santorini, called Ommoudi, where you will find several highly recommended tavernas, as well as some fishing boats, which remind us of the past of this beautiful town, which in 1956 was devastated by the volcano and which little by little, recovered to show itself as we see it today.
Ommoudi
If you come to Oia by rental car, you can reach Ammounia by car, parking directly below or on the access road, on the verge, where cars are usually left, as the car park is too small for the people who visit this area of Oia.
Another option is to go down (and up) the 300 stairs from the Oía castle area that lead directly to the port. In this case, if you come here for lunch, one of the most recommended places to eat in Oia, remember that you will have to go up the stairs to get back to the Oia area.
Ommoudi
At this point we would like to comment that, as in Fira, there are donkeys that go up and down the stairs to carry tourists. Although we understand that this is a very personal view, we recommend you not to do it, as animals should not be involved in this kind of activities.
Oía Bus Station
Although we understand that this is not a point of tourist interest, we do believe that it is convenient to locate it (we leave it on the map below), as it is the place where the bus will drop you off and you will have to catch it again.
We recommend you check the timetables and arrive 15-20 minutes early, especially in high season, if you don't want to have to wait for 1 or 2 buses, as this route is usually full.
The price is 1.80 euros per person to go from Oia to Firostefani and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
Also note that right next door is Nikos Place Gril House, one of the most recommended restaurants, both for quality and price, as it is incredibly cheap for being in one of the most expensive places in Greece.
On the menu they have quite a few dishes of traditional Greek gastronomy and as we say, all at very reasonable prices. We ordered a chicken gyro and a kebab gyro, each for three euros plus a large bottle of water, soft drink and two coffees for 14 euros.
Nikos Place Gril House
Sunset in Oia
One of the most incredible moments you can experience in Oia is, without a doubt, its sunset. Although you can see it from various points, we recommend you do it from the area of Oia Castle, which we mentioned earlier, or from the viewpoint of the blue domes, which, although from a different perspective, has incredible views.
A good option to see the sunset if you don't have a car is to book this Excursion to Oia from Fira.
Oia SunsetSunset in Oia
On the day you come to see the sunset in Oia, we recommend that you extend your day a little and enjoy this small town after dark, when many of the town's most famous spots are deserted, giving way to leisure areas.
This is the perfect time to stroll through the network of small streets, while the caldera begins to splash with the lights of the boats and the cliff turns into a Christmas tree, with thousands of lights from the different accommodations in the area.
Night in Oía
Night in OiaMap of things to see in OiaFirostefani
Another of Santorini's most famous spots is the small village of Firostefani, located right next to Fira. Known for its more affordable accommodation, Firostefani is also the place where you can see one of the most famous images of Santorini, that of the Greek Orthodox church with the caldera in the background.
This church is right next to Gaby Apartments, where we stayed in Santorini and which has become one of our favourite accommodations in the world, as it has one of the best views in the world.
FirostefaniFira
Known for being one of the must-see stops in Santorini, Fira is also one of travellers' favourite places to stay as it tends to be more affordable than Oia as well as having many places to eat out.
Find out more about Firostefani and Fira, as well as our suggested route here.
FiraImerovigli
This small village, located next to Firostefani, is known for the famous Skaros trek, after which you will arrive at Ekklisia Theoskepasti, a beautiful church in what we would say is the most incredible location we have ever seen.
Although the village doesn't have much to see, just for the hike, which won't take you more than an hour, it's worth a stop, as it's one of the must-see places in Santorini.
We will talk about this hike later, in the section on things to do in Santorini.
ImerovigliPyrgos
This small village is a perfect stop on any route through the interior of Santorini, to get to know that other more local aspect, which has been somewhat lost in places like Oia or Fira that have surrendered to tourism, forgetting in a certain way the more traditional aspect that villages like Pyrgos still preserve.
Although it is worth spending a few hours here, if you have visited Naxos or Paros, we have to say that this small town is not so attractive, although it is true that it is beautiful and worth a visit.
Pyrgos
PyrgosMegalochori
Only 2 kilometres by car from Pyrgos we find this small village, also in the interior of Santorini, which is highly recommendable to visit on a route through all the tourist spots in the interior of the island.
As in the rest of the villages on the Greek islands, we recommend you look for the car park, which is signposted and usually located at the entrance to the village. It's free and, although it's usually on the outskirts, it's still very close to the main tourist attractions.
Megalochori
MegalochoriAkrotori
This small village of Santorini is another recommended visit if you come to this part of the island, especially to combine with the Red Beach and a visit to the ancient Akrotiri, the most important archaeological site of the island, which is known as the Greek Pompeii, since you can see the remains of the city, which was buried under the ashes after the eruption of the volcano of Santorini.
The entrance fee is 12 euros per person and you can leave your car in the car park just opposite for 4 euros.
If you don't have a car, you can book this tour from Fira with an English speaking guide.
Akrotiri
Details of AkrotiriVothonas
This small village in the interior of the island of Santorini is known for its churches, which seem to be carved into the rock, as well as its houses. Although in our experience we wouldn't go as far as to say it's a must-see, we do think that if you're in the area and have time, it's worth a stop to discover these traditional villages of the island, which you won't be able to see in the Oia area.
VothonasEmporium
Emporio is arguably Santorini's least known inland village and yet, for us at least, it's the one we've enjoyed the most.
Note that you can park in the village centre area for free, in the main square, from where you can then walk through the narrow streets to the historic centre, where the traditional houses are located.
Emporio
Emporio
If you can, don't miss a stop at To Kafenedaki tou Emboriou, a small café where you can try the best baklava in the world.
Akrotiri Lighthouse in Santorini
At one end of the island of Santorini we find the Akrotiri lighthouse, a perfect place to enjoy the sunset, although we, due to lack of time, preferred to do it from Fira, Firostefani and Oia.
You can drive to almost the end of the road and then walk about 100 metres to the lighthouse. Although the views are really excellent, we think it is much more worthwhile to go to a viewpoint just before it, about 500 metres away, from where you have a full perspective of the Caldera.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
Views from the Akrotiri LighthouseMap of the places to see in Santorini in GreeceSantorini Beaches
Another of the attractions and places to see in Santorini are its beaches. Although without reaching the level of those we saw in Naxos, Paros or Mykonos, we believe that depending on the days you have to visit the island, they can be part of a perfect plan, combining some of them with a route through some of the villages in the interior of the island.
Red Beach
We could say that this is the most touristic and best known beach on Santorini, as well as being the most curious, because it is red. Yes, you heard right. The colour of its sand is red, as is the wall that protects it, making it a truly unique image that contrasts with the blue of its waters and which has made it one of the most visited places to see in Santorini.
Red Beach
In our experience, this beach is not particularly comfortable for a full day, as it is usually very unprotected from the wind, so we recommend that you come to see it, take a swim and continue your route inland or to another beach.
Playa Roja has a fairly large car park, where you can park for free and where there is a bar service a few metres before you get there and then at the end there are several beach bars where you can buy fast food and refreshments.
Please note that although access to Red Beach is fairly easy, there is a sandy path at the end, so if you're wearing flip-flops, it's important to take care to avoid slipping.
Red Beach SantoriniKhataros
This small beach located very close to Oia, approximately 2 kilometres away, is a small beach of black volcanic sand, which despite its location so close to the busy Oia, does not usually receive many visitors, so it can be perfect for an afternoon or a few hours on the beach.
At the top of the beach you will find a free dirt car park where you can leave your car and then walk along a short path that runs alongside a bar down to the beach.
KhatarosPerissa
This black sand beach is another of the places to see in Santorini and one of its most famous beaches, as it receives a large number of young people, who come to enjoy this area of the island with a more festive atmosphere than the well-known Oia or Fira.
PerissaKamari
13 kilometres by car from Perissa, as it is not possible to drive around the cliff, is also a black sand beach, which can be a perfect option if you prefer to escape from the sometimes crowded Perissa.
Map of the best beaches on SantoriniWhat to do in Santorini
In addition to all the places to see in Santorini that we have talked about above, there are some activities to do in Santorini that we would like to highlight and that we believe, are a perfect complement to the visit to the villages and beaches of the island.
The walk from Firostefani to Fira
This walk, which we mentioned earlier when we mentioned these two small villages, is undoubtedly one of the walks that you cannot miss in Santorini.
We recommend you to do it both during the day and at night, as you will be able to enjoy two totally different places, where the night seems to dress them up, at the edge of the cliff and with unforgettable views of the Caldera of Santorini.
FiraTrekking from Fira to Oia
Known to be one of the most recommended hikes in Santorini, if you have a morning, this is one of the things to do in Santorini that you can't miss. The recommended route is from Fira to Oia, which is approximately 10 kilometres, skirting the caldera with spectacular views, which are occasionally marred by the churches you come across along the way.
Trekking from Fira to Oia
Trekking from Fira to Oia
Keep in mind that the journey can be done in approximately 2:30 hours, although the average, if you do it calmly, is about 4-5 hours, stopping to take pictures, rest and above all, enjoy one of the most recommended things to do in Santorini.
Trekking from Fira to Oia
Trekking from Fira to Oia
You will see that the route passes through Imerogivli, where the Skaros rock is located, another of the most famous hikes in Santorini, which we will talk about next. Although it can be done perfectly well in conjunction with the Fira to Oia hike, extending the route by 2-3 kilometres and about an hour of walking, provided you have the time, we would recommend doing it in two mornings, so that you can enjoy both hikes separately.
Trekking from Fira to Oia
Trekking from Fira to Oia
If you are staying in Fira or Firostefani, you can return from Oia by bus for 1.80 euros per person. Buses leave from the main square in the town, which you can see on the map above, for a journey time of approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Tips for trekking from Fira to Oia
- The best advice we can give you for this trek from Fira to Oia is to leave very early in the morning. In our experience, it is best to leave at dawn, as this will avoid the hottest hours of the day.
- Bear in mind that the trail from Fira to Oia is approximately 10 kilometres long and will take about 4-5 hours to complete at your leisure. If you want to do it at a brisk pace, it will take you no more than 3 hours to complete the entire route.
- The walk is very manageable for anyone with an average level of fitness, so you don't have to worry. Although it is best to wear closed shoes, if you wear flip-flops, you won't have any problems, except for a couple of stretches where the path is sandy and rocky, so it can be a little uncomfortable.
Trekking from Fira to Oia
Trekking from Fira to Oia
- Remember to bring water and something to eat, as there is nowhere to buy food from Imerogivli to Oia.
- As we mentioned before, we did the Skaros trek and this one separately, as we think it is a much more relaxing way to see both places, although as we said, you can do both in the same day, spending an extra hour or so.
Trekking from Fira to Oia Trekking Skaros in Imerogivli
Another of the most famous hikes in Santorini is the one that takes place in Imerogivli and takes you to the impressive Ekklisia Theoskepasti, a church that appears by surprise, as it is not visible until you reach it and is one of the most incredible things to see in Santorini.
As with the previous one, we recommend you start the hike as early as possible, as when the sun gets hot the route becomes more complicated, especially the flight of stairs, which you will have to climb back up to get back to Imerovigli after skirting the rock.
Skaros Trekking in Imerogivli
Skaros Trekking in Imerogivli
Please note that this is a very easy walk, only tiring because of the stairs, so it can be done in flip-flops, just be careful on the last stretch, which is more slippery.
Once you get to the base of Skaros, bear in mind that there are two ways to get to the church; going up the stairs that go up to the rocks and that you can see perfectly well as you get closer, or going around the rock, following a path that, although it seems narrow from a distance, is perfectly feasible even if you have vertigo.
In our case, we went up the stairs and came back around the rock, a perfect option to enjoy both perspectives, which we believe is the best way to do it.
Skaros Trekking in Imerogivli
Although all along the route the views are impressive, the most spectacular is undoubtedly reaching Ekklisia Theoskepasti, one of the most incredible churches on the island, which has become, at least for us, one of the most impressive places to see in Santorini.
Ekklisia Theoskepasti
Ekklisia Theoskepasti
You will probably see people trying to get to the highest part of the rock, we didn't try it, but from what we saw, having to practically climb and not having any kind of protection, it is something we don't recommend, unless you have experience and above all, you don't have vertigo.
The hike can take you about an hour and a half, taking it easy or very easy.
As mentioned above, there are many people who do this hike together with the famous trek from Fira to Oia, although we recommend that if you have a couple of days, you do it separately, as this way you can do it in a more relaxed way.
Ekklisia TheoskepastiSunsets in Santorini
Another of the things to see and do in Santorini that you can't miss are the sunsets, which are said to be some of the best in the world, especially the one you see in Oia every day of the year.
Here are what we consider to be the three best options, which we are sure will not disappoint you. You can see the details of each of them in the explanation we have given above of the location.
Sunset at Firostefani
Sunset over Fira
Sunset in OiaMap of things to do in SantoriniSantorini Routes
The most important thing when organising a route around Santorini is to know how many days are necessary or adequate to be able to enjoy the places to see in Santorini in a relaxed way. As we mentioned before, in our experience, we would recommend 2-3 days, in order to combine a cultural route with a relaxing one, in which to be able to intersperse some visits to inland villages, with a day at the beach and a relaxing visit to the incredible Oia.
If it is not possible to have 3 days, with two days you can also see the most important and interesting parts of the island, focusing on Fira and Oia, as well as some of the most famous beaches.
1-day tour of Santorini
If your trip to Santorini is only one day, we recommend you to focus on Oia, and you can include in this day a trip to Fira or to the Red Beach, located very close to the first one.
Santorini 2-day route
If you have two days in Santorini, we recommend you to visit Oia and Fira for the second day, which you can dedicate to a tour of the inland villages of Santorini, including some of its most famous beaches.
If you want to do the trek from Fira to Oia, you could do it on the second day and take the opportunity to visit Oia after the trek or go in the afternoon to visit some of the villages in the interior of the island.
3-day route around Santorini
If you have 3 days, we would dedicate the first day to visit Oia and Fira, and on the mornings of the second and third day, we would do the hikes from Fira to Oia and Skaros in Imerogivli, and in the afternoons, take the opportunity to do a route through the interior of the island, combining it with a visit to one of the beaches.
OiaBest tours/excursions on the island of Santorini
Although you can perfectly visit the island and see all the places to see in Santorini on your own, if you want to know more about the island and its history, you can opt for one of the following excursions:
- Full Santorini Tour
- Excursion to Akrotiri, Red Beach and Oia
- Caldera boat trip
- Sunset boat trip with barbecue
- Sailing boat trip + Wine route
Best tours/excursions for travel to Santorini
As we explained in previous posts, it is perfectly feasible to visit any Greek island on your own, either by ferry or by plane, but if you are in Athens or any other island and want to learn more about Santorini and its history, you can opt for any of these tours to Santorini:
- Santorini 2 day or more day trip
- Santorini 4 day trip to Mykonos and Santorini
- Aegean islands cruise
- Santorini excursion from Naxos
- Santorini excursion from Paros
Oia
OiaTips for travelling to Santorini
- An important thing, especially when choosing accommodation, is to differentiate between Fira and Firostefani, as they are different places, although they are practically connected to each other, being next to each other.
- If you want to enjoy Oia without the crowds, one of the must-see places in Santorini, we recommend that you start touring it around 6-6:30 in the morning, as this will give you approximately 2 hours until most tourists start to arrive.
- Please note that it is currently forbidden to climb on the rooftops and many of the paths or stairways in Oia or Fira are privately owned. Some are signposted, but others are left to chance. Try to be responsible and don't go where it is signposted, even if you see tourists doing so.
Oía
- The structure of the coastal villages on Santorini deserves a special mention, as most of them have formed around the main road along the coast, with accommodation on the caldera side and shops inland.
- If you're looking for budget accommodation, it's best to look for it on the roadside or just outside the main town centre, as this is also where the cheapest cafes, restaurants and shops are located.
- Although Santorini may initially seem like a very expensive island, with accommodation easily costing around 1500 euros a night, you can also find very good accommodation for 100-150 euros a night, such as Gaby Apartments, with spectacular views of the Caldera.
- When it comes to restaurants, it is more difficult to find reasonably priced restaurants on Santorini, although if you stay away from the more touristy areas, you can find reasonably priced eateries. However, it is advisable to ask for the à la carte menu, as the appearance is often deceiving.
Breakfast in Oia
- Please note that if you are driving in Santorini, whether by car, motorbike or quad, the roads are quite narrow and winding, so even if you know the roads, it is important to drive with caution, especially at night, as they tend to be poorly lit.
Recommended restaurants in Santorini
- Taverna Romantica: This taverna is one of the most recommended restaurants in Fira and specialises in seafood. We ordered a fish and seafood combo for two people for 50 euros, which plus water, wine and coffee came to 61 euros.
The product is very good, the only bad thing is the staff, which although very pleasant is insufficient for the size of the restaurant, so to eat, being alone in the restaurant, as we went at 5 pm, after arriving by ferry from Paros to Santorini, we spent almost 3 hours.
Romantic Tavern
- Sunset Ammoudi: This is one of the most recommended restaurants in the old port of Oia, where besides the product, its main attraction is the spectacular views that you can get for lunch or dinner, especially if you can get a table on the seafront.
We ordered two starters plus two main courses, a sun-dried octopus and stuffed squid, plus water for 60.50 euros.
Eating in the Old Port
- Cacio e Pepe: This Italian restaurant in Fira, located on the main road, is one of the best options in town if you want to eat really delicious pasta.
We ordered a pasta al tartufo for 19,50 euros and a pecorino pasta for 14,50 euros, both of which are really spectacular.
Cacio e Pepe
- Simos Taverna Firostefani: This restaurant in Firostefani is one of the most recommended, both for lunch and dinner in the area. Although the place is quite big, it tends to fill up especially in the evening, so it is advisable to come early or make a reservation to make sure you have a table available.
We ordered two starters, spicy cheese and aubergine salad plus a chicken souvlaki and water for 25 euros.
Simos Taverna Firostefani
- Falafeland: This small restaurant in Fira is one of the best in town and is known for its excellent falafel. Although it has a couple of tables where you can eat, the most common thing to do is to take food to go and have a picnic while enjoying an amazing sunset in Fira.
We ordered a truly spectacular hummus and a Greek box, which includes falafel, Greek salad, plus baba ghannouj for 15 euros.
- Nikos Place Gril House: This restaurant, located right next to the bus station in Oia, is one of the most recommended restaurants, both for quality and price, as it is incredibly cheap for one of the most expensive places in Greece.
On the menu they have quite a few traditional Greek dishes and as we say, all at very reasonable prices. We ordered a chicken gyro and a kebab gyro, each for three euros plus a large bottle of water, soft drink and two coffees for 14 euros.
Gyro in Oía
- Pelekanos:
This restaurant in Oía is one of the most recommended on the island, as it has a terrace at the top perfect for watching the sunset, as well as excellent service and quality produce.
We ordered an aubergine salad, grilled halloumi, squid and octopus plus water and coffee for 52 euros.
Pelekanos
- To Kafenedaki tou Emboriou: This small café in the village of Emporio is one of the most recommended places in Santorini. If you visit this place, don't miss a stop here, as in addition to a super familiar attention, they have one of the best baklavas we have ever tasted.
For more recommendations you can check this post of the best restaurants to eat in Santorini.
