Everything To Know Before You Go:
Where is Santorini?
Santorini is one of the 6,000 Greek islands. It’s located in the Aegean Sea. In the 16th Century BC, a volcano (the Caldera) devastated it and shaped the hillsides into what they are today. It’s a 30 minute flight from Athens.
Pack light. We flew Aegean Airlines and they charge for bags. My regular American standard carry-on was considered oversized and I had to pay. Check current costs here and see bag sizes below. If you know you have a “large” bag, pay ahead of time in their app when you check in and it will cost you less than if you pay at the gate.
Where Is Nearest Airport?
The Santorini airport is JTR, also known as Thira Airport. It takes about 25 – 30 minutes to get from the airport to Oia. If you fly, plan extra time for the return trip. The Santorini airport (JTR) is in the process of being remodeled and was disorganized. You have to wait in multiple lines to enter, even before getting to the security line.
You don’t need to rent a car. Is there Uber in Santorni? No. We mostly walked in Santorini and later went to Fira for an afternoon via bus. The buses are great. Cost was €1.80.
Where Should You Stay?
There are two main areas: Oia (pronounced ee-ya) and Fira. Oia is on the northwest tip and is the place to go to see the church domes and the white buildings. Basically it’s the postcard (or Instagram) Santorini you’re probably expecting! It’s stunning. It’s very walkable (cars can’t even fit down the main walkways and streets are narrow. And the sunsets are STUNNING!
Speaking of narrow walkways and sunsets, on any given day, there can be 15,000 tourists who are visiting by cruise for the day. The streets become super crowded and at night, it seems like everyone on the island flocks to the western point to watch the sunset. Beware and plan accordingly.
- Oia and Fira are the two main towns in Santorini.
- Stay in Oia if you want to be near the action and the beautiful sunsets and churches.
- The sunsets in Oia are absolutely amazing. And they draw CROWDS.
- There are lots of new properties that were being built along the hillsides of other areas throughout the island. I’m sure they’re going to be beautiful, but they were far from everything.
If you like to be close to everything and avoid having to take some form of transportation every day, I’d recommend staying in or within walking distance to Oia. Note that it can be pricey. I’d love to stay at the Canaves.
How Long Should You Stay?
We stayed for 3 nights. In my opinion, that was plenty of time to see the island.
Is It Easy To Get Around Without Knowing Greek?
Yes. As a popular tourist destination, everyone seems to speak English to some degree. Menus are also in English. If you have any knowledge of the Greek alphabet, that will definitely help though.
What’s The Best Way To Experience Santorini?
The best way to experience Santorini is by boat or by foot!
By boat:
We booked a day catamaran cruise with Santorini Yachting Club. The cruise was a great way to see the island. It cost $208 for two for 3 hours and stopped multiple times at different swim spots. We had booked the one that went to the Caldera, but ended up on the wrong boat. All the sailing boats pick up at the same beach (which is not the same place they drop off, FYI). They served lunch (Greek barbecue) and it was really good. There are at least three other companies you can book. We chose this one specifically because of the Caldera stop, but oh well. It was still a highlight of the trip and the swimming was so relaxing.
By foot:
- Walk through Oia
- Check out the cute shops
- Go to church
What is the Evil Eye All The Shops Sell?
The Evil Eye is the blue circular eye-like glass that you’ll see all over Greece (and throughout the world). It’s an ancient symbol believed to ward off evil from jealous onlookers and is common throughout the Mediterranean.
Is Santorini like Positano or Capri?
Yes and no.
Yes: All are small costal areas in the Mediterranean. Both Santorini and Capri are islands. All three are relaxing. All are built into cliffsides and have windy roads.
No: Capri is much closer to the mainland via ferry; Santorini is faster reached via flight. Santorini is much less expensive and more laid back. I found Capri to be more fun and exciting. Capri is the most glamorous of the three and definitely caters to the wealthy, with plenty of designer shops (Chanel, Dior, Gucci, etc.) and high-end accommodations and restaurants. Positano is also glamorous, but as a small town built into a hillside, its accommodations are limited and due to its popularity on Instagram, it’s crowded by tourists. Despite the towns and popularity of Santorini, it felt the most laid back.
Best Food I Ate In Santorini:
- Orange Cake and Chocolate Mascapone at Melenio Bakery (YUM! The best pastries EVER! I WOUDL EAT THESE EVERY DAY IF I COULD!)
- Greek Salad at Pelekanos Loukas
- Greek gyros (yee-ros, like heros) at Pitogyros (went there three times because it was quick and easy to grab and go)
- Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) They don’t look appealing to the unknowing eye, but they are so good and healthy.
- Tzatziki
- Greek Fries
- Fresh fruit smoothie at Sun Spirit Bar
The Best Restaurants For Sunset Views (That We Experienced):
- Any restaurants that face west will be great for the sunset. Make reservations and get there early.
- Sun Spirit Bar: Such a lovely spot (perfect for the sunset! Get there EARLY, like two hours before.) Great fresh fruit smoothies. Also tried the famed Santorini wine. Didn’t like it.
- Pelekanos Loukas
- Oia Gefsis had a great view, but the food was subpar and overpriced.
How Can I Avoid The Crowds?
The best time to experience Santorini is in the morning. Get up early (6:00 – 9:00) and get out and explore. The streets will be empty and shops will be just setting up and it’ll be peaceful and serene.
Visit during a shoulder season.
Avoid going to Oia during the sunset or view it from a sunset cruise.
Should I Rent A Car? Is There Uber?
No and no. We didn’t rent a car. We took a group shuttle van from the airport. You can book this ahead of time. The roads were extremely windy and the driver was driving pretty quickly though them, so be warned if you get car sick that it may not be a smooth ride. I don’t get car sick, but it was during this ride that I got sharp pains in my lower right abdomen (I thought it’s appendix-related, but luckily it wasn’t) I still don’t know what it was, but it really bothered me for the first day we were there. Honestly I was super worried I was having appendicitis.
Should I Book A Catamaran?
Yes. Boating around the island is totally worth it. You can book a catamaran day cruise or sunset cruise and they’ll drive you all around the island for 3 hours, stopping in specific spots so you can get out and swim. This was such a fun experience for us. We did the day tour and were able to see the variety of beaches by boat.
On our boat tour, the first stop was at a hot spring. Note that it’s sulfur (super smelly!) and can dye your swimwear orange. I didn’t swim there! We stopped at three other spots and each stop was for about 30 – 45 minutes. Another note: We had booked a tour that included a stop at the volcano (the caldera), but they had put us on the wrong boat. It worked out fine in the end, but just an FYI. Many of the boats load at the same beach.
What Are The Beaches Like?
The beaches on Santorini aren’t large and are mostly pebbly. Going swimming by boat is much more enjoyable. Also Red Beach is super dangerous. It’s a hike (~300 steps) to the beach and there are large boulders that can and do fall. The boat captain was warning us about it.
What Else Should I Know?
There is a bakery called Melenio and it was fantastic. I found it by chance. I was walking by and stopped to get something one night and ended up trying the Orange Cake (Portokalopita). It was a mix of orange and honey and was delicious. I came back the next day for more, and picked up a few more cakes as well. I have been to many bakeries in my life, including to one in Paris a few days after this and this one takes the cake (pun intended). People call it the best bakery ever and it’s a popular bakery for wedding cakes for Santorini weddings. Read the TripAdvisor reviews.
Next door to the bakery is a bookstore, Atlantis Books. It was opened in 2002 when the owners (who were tourists) realized there were no other bookstores on Santorini! They have TONS of first-edition signed copies of many famous books. The interior is like a little hideout library and has a great vibe, and there is a great rooftop where you can enjoy a book or eat your Melenio pastries.
There is a volcanic ruin in Fira. It’s the archeological site in Akrotiri near Red Beach known as Greece’s Pompeii (it’s similar, but much small). We went there by bus and only spent about 40 minutes there so that we could catch the next bus back.
Oh and one more thing about Santorini: There are cats EVERYWHERE on the island and they are SO CUTE.
