Santorini Travel Guide
When to Visit Santorini
Peak Season (July-August):
High temperatures and prices
Hotels, viewpoints, and beaches will be packed
Shoulder Seasons (Late April-June, September-October):
Caldera edges and the east coast are a bit quieter
Sunny weather but also nice for swimming
Sea temperatures warm up nicely in the fall
Winter (November-March):
Fewer crowds and lower prices
Great views but really not all available spots are open
How Long to Stay
Short Stay (3 Days):
Experience caldera-edge views
Do a boat tour and hang at the beaches
Comb wine-tasting
Services from Athens' port of Piraeus, Crete and other Cycladic islands
By Air:
All year round flights from Athens
Direct summer flights from Europe
On the Island:
Bus services - packed in summer
Rent a car, moped, or ATV
Walking is the best way to get around clifftop towns
Top Things to Do in Santorini
Take in the Views:
Circuit of the caldera rim, Fira to Oia, 10.5kms, approx 4 hours
Sunset Spots:
Best in Oia
Uncover History:
Akrotiri ancient Minoan city
Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira
Taste Local Produce :
Taste wines, especially sharp dry whites and Vinsanto
Visit local vineyards and taste wines
Take a Tour
Popular options include volcanic-island cruises to Nea Kameni and Palia Kameni
Winery tours, archaeology tours, and sunset-gazing
On a Shoestring
Accommodation
Caldera rim hotels: expensive but excellent views
Midrange options in Fira and Firostefani
Budget: hostels and camp sites in Fira
Beach resorts, such as those in Perissa and Kamari, are another budget option
Give me everything from very budget gyros ( Eu5-7) to upmarket dining
Activities such as walking trails and sunset watching are free
Sample Prices in 2019:
Dorm bed in Fira (July): €50
Double room in a guesthouse: €120-€160 per night
Gyros: €5-€7
Big meal: €25
Bottle of beer: €4
Boat tours: €50-€100 per person
Bus: €1.80-€2.50
Taxi airport to Fira: €15
Resorts with black-sand beaches include Kamari and Perissa
Black-sand beaches
Beaches along the south coast are particularly unusual, including the Red Beach
Area of Red Beach
Interior villages provide a taste of traditional life and good eating; examples are Pyrgos
