The DL: One of the most popular islands thanks to the town of Oia in Santorini. Santorini is actually called the island of Thera, so when booking or traveling you may see this listed out instead of Santorini. My guide focuses mostly on Oia. An island that was re established after a volcano eruption thousands of years ago, which pretty much everyone still talks about. Santorini is know for its stunning architecture, geography and picturesque town of Oia. The water here is dark and there are really no beaches which was shocking to me, hence the City being built high up.
We stayed here for 4 days 3 nights and it was more than enough time. It was just the two of us, my husband and I. Lots of the areas are very touristy, there are Americans everywhere and we didn’t see that on other islands. Many of the Greeks don’t live here they actually just come to work here for the tourist season. This is also a cruise ship stop so the towns become really popular in the day. Higher priced food and less local than some of the smaller islands but views that you cannot get on any other island.
We visited Santorini after being in Greece about 10 days, it was the middle of our 3 week Greece trip and we were looking to relax. This is the perfect location for that. It is for sure an island you must see but it was a one and done spot for us and we preferred the more local islands. I would recommend going off season if you can (we went in mid September and it was still wall to wall everywhere. I cannot imagine peak season June – August). Also be sure to check out my Santorini Highlight on my instagram!
Things to know about Santorini:
Santorini Tips Listed Here as Well:
1. Stay in Oia if you want the experience you see in the photos online with the Caldera views and City on a Hill
2. The steps can be brutal – 275+ to get down to Ammoudi bay – ride a donkey, get a cab, save yourself, and probably a good amount of steps to get to your villa or hotel so pack your shoes accordingly (not a lot of heels were seen)
3. A lot of Santorini is spread out so if you want to leave Oia plan on 20-40 minute trip to the next area – you will need a car or atv. It takes about 40 min from the port or airport to get to Oia.
4. The sunsets live up to the hype – The best way to see them is with a dinner or drink reservation to avoid crowds
5. Invest in your hotel, this has been the island where we stayed the most at our hotel and just enjoyed the amazing views, not much of a nightlife in Oia.
6. There is no real beaches most are made of volcanic rock and hard to get to and the water is darker here, so stay somewhere with a hot tub or pool.
7. Didn’t feel as local as some of the other islands we visited you can tell they are used to Americans but hospitality was top notch.
How to Get to Santorini:
Most popular is Ferry or Airport are the two options on how to get here, I would chose the cheapest and most direct. Especially in the summer the ferry is insanely packed so plan to pack light if you are traveling in between islands. The most important thing to do is book private car or have your hotel handle transportation when you get in, trying to find a taxi or ride service getting off the ferry or airport would be a nightmare and way more expensive (make sure to have cash for this either way).
Where to Stay in Oia:
We stayed at Nostos Apartments it was family run and a little dream. We had a full apartment, which includes breakfast on the balcony and felt like we were living there as local. No one was walking by and it was very private since it was off the main Oia road. Make sure you have access to a pool and views of Oia and the water no matter what you do. Also there are a lot of steps most likely to your hotel in Oia, your hotel will handle the luggage but packing light is ideal.
Santorini is extremely expensive no matter what time of year you go.
- For splurge options: Canaves Oia Epitome, Andronis Arcadia, Grace Hotel, Cavo Tagoo
- For mid range options: Nostos Apartments
- For discount options: Stay outside of Oia or check airbnb
What to Do in Santorini:
- Visit a Greek vineyard – they are very dry and dusty looking, nothing like the green wineries you think of in Italy or California but the wine is great especially dry whites and sweet red. I would plan to do a wine tour that picks you up and drops you off for convince some are very out of the way and a pretty good drive. Also if its a windy day some that are high on the cliff will not be ideal.
- Attend a local Cooking Class
- Visit the churches, there are 450+. Some to check out: Santorini Catholic Cathedral; Panagia Mesiani Church; St John the Theologian Church; Anastasi Church; Three Bells of Fira
- Jet ski to volcano – start from perivolos beach with a tour group, they last a few hours
- Professional photo session – one of the most popular things to do in the City. Flytographer is a good option and usually most affordable.
- Spend morning hiking the trail from Fira to Oia (or the opposite). It takes about 3 hours and not easy but people love the views and experience.
- Walk and shop the Oia Caldera area – there are some local shops but expect a lot of touristy shops
- Go cliff jumping or hike down to Amoudi Bay to get close to the water and see fisherman bring in fresh catch, also plan to eat down here.
- Visit the red or black sand beaches by either a boat tour or hiking trails, you will need transit to get here and plan a good amount of time
- ATV adventures – set up a tour and explore the island or cruise around on your own. Oia is pretty pedestrian and not a lot of cars.
- Boat Tour – Other boat tours we looked at – My Blue Cruises, Santorini Yachts, Sailing Santorini but we went with Caldera Yachting.
Where to Eat in Oia
Here is a google map of other recommendations below are places we went and I would recommend again:
Breakfast | Coffee
- Vitrin cafe – breakfast waffles
- Mezzo coffee
- Passaggio
- Luno (top left)
Lunch
- Roka – no amazing view, and no frills but feels local and food was delish loved the goat cheese stuffed eggplant, hidden down a little path
- Skiza Cafe – if you need a break from Greek food but they have the best Greek dessert out of your whole trip (Galaktoboureko) for sure and this is a cheap eats with water views
- Meletini – greek tapas, rooftop (middle photo above)
- Pita Gyro – cheap eats
Sunset | Dinner
- Ambrosia – get a rest or ask to sit out side
- Pacman at Andronis – one of our favorites and out of the way a bit (top right photo)
- Ammoundi Fish Tavern- we ate here at sunset
- Meletini – greek tapas, rooftop for sunset
Cocktails
- Fino – more of a restaurant but got cocktails here
- Hassapiko – cocktails or coffee
- Tramanto all day lounge – espresso martinis
- Naos – pretty instagrammable
Photo Spots:
- Literally anywhere in Oia, I think I took 10,000 photos. Wander down the little alleyways to get less crowded shots. There will be a long wait for the blue dome you always see on instagram so plan ahead.
3 Day Itinerary:
Day 1
- Arrive in the morning and head straight to your hotel
- Grab a quick lunch – Pita Gyros or sit down at Meletini
- Hang at hotel pool or explore downtown Oia
- Get ready for the evening. The Oia castle is popular sunset viewing spot will be really crowded so instead we made a reservation at Amoudi Bay during sunset. The walk can be a lot of steps so plan ahead or get a ride down but you have the same view with no crowds.
- Gelato at Lolitos or night cap at Tramanto Lounge
- Santorini shuts down pretty early compared to other islands, not really known for its nightlife.
Day 2
- Coffee – Passiogio or Luno
- Hotel pool in the morning
- Lunch in town Roka or Skiza Cafe
- Afternoon adventure (atv tour, winery, visit the Akrotiri archaeological site, boat tour, photo session, visit the capital town Fira etc.)
- Dinner – we did Andronis Pacman at sunset and love it
Day 3
- We did the morning boat tour with Caldera Yachting and loved it. It was 4 hours and we had fresh cooked lunch on the boat, got to tour the whole island, see hidden beaches, and swim in the ocean.
- Afternoon – keep it low key and explore the town. Walk down the hidden pathways and explore the area and take lots of photos
- Dinner go somewhere with a view on your list!
- Pack up for an early morning check out and on to the next island!
Check out some of my other Greek Island Guides like Mykonos or my personal favorite Paros.
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