This guide provides 21 essential facts for planning a trip to Santorini. It covers location, transport, weather, and seasonal advice to help travelers prepare for their visit to the island. Skip the queue at the Acropolis and beyond Headout sells timed-entry tickets and guided visits for Athens and the islands, with instant mobile delivery. Opens headout.com TI Partner offer Sunset cruises, wine tastings and day trips tickadoo curates small-group experiences on Santorini, Mykonos and Crete with local operators. Find experiences — tickadoo, opens in a new tab (affiliate link) Opens tickadoo.com Sunset cruises, wine tastings and day trips tickadoo curates small-group experiences on Santorini, Mykonos and Crete with local operators. Opens tickadoo.com OM Partner offer Best for ferries Compare Greek island ferries in one search Omio lists SeaJets, Blue Star and the regional operators side by side with live times and fares, so you can book the crossing that fits your day. Check ferry times and fares — Omio, opens in a new tab (affiliate link) Opens omio.com Compare Greek island ferries in one search Omio lists SeaJets, Blue Star and the regional operators side by side with live times and fares, so you can book the crossing that fits your day. Share this article Planning a trip to Santorini requires booking 6 to 8 months in advance. Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades, located in the Aegean Sea (southeastern Europe). You can reach it via a 45-minute flight from Athens or a 5-hour high-speed ferry. The island is divided into two distinct experiences: the expensive caldera cliffside (Oia, Fira, Imerovigli) famous for sunset views, and the budget-friendly eastern coast (Kamari, Perissa) famous for black-sand beaches. BEST HOTEL IN SANTORINI: San Antonio BUT ALSO CHECK: For Couples: Canaves Oia For Families: Nissia For Sunset Views: White Pearl For Honeymoon: Andronis With Private Pool: Katikies With Caldera Views: Perivolas Cave Hotel: Divine Cave Budget: Stelios Place In Oia: Canaves Epitome In Fira: Cosmopolitan In Imerovigli: Astra Suites In Perissa: Anastasia Princess In Kamari: Amara Suites Santorini is unlike any other Greek island, but it’s one of the best . Where to Stay in Santorini Best Hotels in Santorini Best Villas in Santorini Best Santorini Boat Tours It’s the most visited island in Greece , and it requires some proper planning and research to get the best hotel deals , do all the amazing things that the island offers, and make sure that your flights and ferries to Santorini are properly booked. VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW : Santorini is in Greece, Europe: Google Maps How to Get to Santorini: with a direct flight to Santorini (only from within Europe at the moment and only between April-November) or with a direct flight to Athens, Greece, and then a 5hrs/8hrs ferry or a direct 1hr flight from Athens to Santorini ( read the detailed guide ) How Far Ahead do I need to book hotels? At least 8 months. Santorini has become super popular, and if you want to visit it in high season (May-October), you must get prepared for high prices and sold-out hotels… Best Website to Book Ferries to Santorini or just check the timetables: Ferryhopper Where to Stay in Santorini: for the famous views, stay in Oia, Fira (capital town), Imerovigli, Firostefani, but for being closer to the beach, stay in Perissa, Perivolo , or Kamari (which is also usually less expensive) Where Are the Best Hotels in Santorini: the most impressive ones with the famous views are in Oia , Imerovigli , and Firostefani (but you will be 20 20-minute drive from any beach) Best Hotel in Santorini: San Antonio (wow!) Best Private Villa to rent in Santorini: Anteliz Villa When is the best time of the year to visit Santorini : July and August are super crowded, soit’s better to go in June or September when it’s still summer weather but slightly less crowded ( read my weather guide for Santorini ) What can I do in Santorini: beaches , wine-tasting , amazing Greek food, Greek island hopping (but there are hundreds of things to do in Santorini ) What’s the best advice you can give me for Santorini: rent a car or a motorbike! Local buses in Santorini are usually OK but can be unreliable and very crowded in the summer (July-August) Best Website to rent a car in Santorini: RentalCars Anything more you can tell me? Keep reading for more…! RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR GREECE: 🛏️ Booking.com is the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete (more than Airbnb!) ⛴️ Ferryhopper is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all Greek islands 🎫 Get Your Guide has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc) 🚗 Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options ✈️ Booking.com Flights has all the available flights to and from the Greek islands 🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com’s large and safe platform of available certified drivers Here is what you need to know about Santorini in detail: 1. What is Santorini? Santorini is a small Greek island that has become a popular travel destination worldwide. Many celebrities visit the island yearly, and it has some of the most unique and luxurious hotels on the planet. Santorini’s official Greek name is Thira or Thera, which is also called Σαντορίνη or Θήρα . You can read everything about Santorini’s fascinating history through the centuries here . 2. Where is Santorini on a Map? Santorini is in Greece and is located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 miles) southeast of the Greek mainland. It is the southernmost island of the Cyclades group in Greece, Europe ( see it on Google Maps ): 3. Where To Stay in Santorini ? You have to choose what you want from your trip to Santorini and what is a priority for you. You have two options: Amazing, famous Santorini views (super expensive but not near the beaches) or Being close to the famous Santorini beaches (much cheaper, but you won’t have the famous views you see all over Instagram ) You can read my super detailed guide: Where to Stay in Santorini Booking.com is the best site to book hotels for Santorini (and it’s the one that even the Greeks use…). It is super safe, with real reviews and even the possibility to cancel your booking if you change your mind. Suppose you want the unique views of the caldera and the volcano that Santorini is famous for. In that case, you should stay at Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia…and pay the price, as these are super expensive hotels. Get prepared for 3-4 figures per night, but also expect to have one of the best views in the world with celebrity-style services. These are the Top 20 Most Luxurious Hotels of Santorini. These are the 10 Best Hotels in Oia. Recently, some very impressive hotels have also been built in Akrotiri village . None of these towns is close to the sea, though. All the hotels there hang from a massive cliff; most have spectacular views and stunning swimming pools. Unfortunately, there is no access to a beach. However, if you don’t want to stay in any of the places you’ve seen in the tourist guides and you want to relax by the sea, you can stay in the towns of Kamari , Perivolos , or Perissa . These beachside towns of Santorini have excellent hotels at much more reasonable prices. If you stay at a beach hotel in Santorini , you get more for your money, but you don’t have the amazing volcano views and sunsets (which you can visit anytime you want, by the way…). I also recommend looking at the picturesque villages of Emporio and Pyrgos . Pyrgos has some very nice views on the other side of the island (not the caldera and the volcano, though), and you will enjoy some unique sunsets away from the tourist crowds. If you are a family with kids, I strongly recommend staying at Kamari Beach . It is the best for kids, with many amenities, restaurants within walking distance, and a massive beach that can be every kid’s dream! Best Cheap Hotel in Santorini: Stelios Place Best Hotel in Imerovigli: Grace Santorini Best Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras Collection Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites Best Hotel in Perissa Beach: Anastasia Princess Best Hotel in Perivolos beach: Orabel Suites This is the rule of thumb to remember for when searching for the best area to stay in Santorini: Fira: the capital of the island, nightclubs, shops, restaurants, and buzz Firostefani: very secluded and relaxing, but still very close to Fira for shops, etc Oia : most famous and probably the most romantic place to stay in Santorini. There are few shops and no nightlife, but a relaxing atmosphere and fantastic restaurants. Expect tons of tourist masses, though, who are everywhere during sunset (on roofs, streets, walls, etc. ). Imerovigli : offers amazing views of the caldera, is quiet, is not touristic, and is still close to Fira, where all the buzz and shopping are . Perissa , Perivolos , Kamari : no views of the volcano but walking distance to the best beaches of Santorini . 4. When Is The Best Time to Visit Santorini? The high season in Santorini starts in April and ends in October. The island is bustling during these months, but especially in July, August, and September, you will feel the tourist masses… Read Also: Santorini Weather Guide: What To Expect Every Month I have visited the island in so many different periods and months within a year, and I figured out what could be the best time to enjoy the most of the island: The best time to visit Santorini is late September or early October! The weather will still be fine and not too hot (around 25-30 °C), the sea waters will still be warm (from the summer heat), and most tourists will be gone! Happy Days! That doesn’t mean there is nobody on the island. Remember: it’s still Santorini! June is also a perfect month to visit Santorini because it’s still early summer, the weather is fantastic (though it can get pretty hot with more than 35C sometimes), and the enormous masses of tourists haven’t arrived yet. I wouldn’t recommend May, though, because even though the weather is still perfect, the sea water will be chilly, and you may not enjoy the beach that much. Read Also: The Best Time To Visit Santorini In terms of how crowded the island will be, here is a rough guide : January : 10% crowded – ( Low Season – many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed, beaches will be empty, but the island is not “dead”) February : 10% crowded – ( Low Season – many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed, beaches will be empty, but the island is not “dead”) March : 20% crowded – ( Low Season –but slightly more people start to visit the island as the high season approaches, many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed or just about to open, beaches will probably be empty, but the island is not “dead”) April : 40% crowded – ( High Season – the beginning of the high season and most restaurants, beach bars, cafes, and businesses open in April as it is also the Greek Easter , and lots of Greeks visit the island to start preparing for the high season) May : 70% crowded – ( High Season – All of the businesses of the island will be 100% open and operational, but the island is still not complete, the beaches are getting busier every day, and the weather is excellent) June : 90% crowded – ( High Season – almost at full capacity but not yet super busy…everything will be open and super fun!) July: 100% crowded – ( High Season – the heart of the high season and when the island gets super busy and crowded, but still you will have a great time while the weather is super hot – do expect to spend most of your time on the beach or the swimming pool – not as busy as in August though) August: 110% crowded – ( High Season – the busiest month for Santorini, try to avoid if possible because everything becomes more complicated and takes more time) September : 90% crowded – ( High Season – it will still feel like the long tail of August some times, but it will get less busy at the end of the month – weather still feels like summer! See also below) October : 70% crowded ( High Season – the weather gets colder, but you can still possibly enjoy a swim in the sea or the pool – for many of the businesses, October is their last operational month) November: 30% crowded ( Low Season – the early days of winter and the month where the weather gets considerably colder – many businesses, hotels, and restaurants might be closed) December: 10% crowded ( Low Season – the heart of the low season and one of the coldest months in Santorini, no swimming, many closed businesses, but always a fantastic landscape and wild beauty) 5. How To Get To Santorini? If you live anywhere outside of Europe (and definuitely if you are from the US) you have to fly to Athens first (the capital of Greece) and then take either a 40 mins flight from Athens to Santorini or a 5 to 8 hours ferry (there is a slow/cheap ferry and a faster/more expensive ferry from Athens to Santorini). Read Also: How to Get From Athens to Santorini Read Also: How To Get From Athens to Mykonos If you live in Europe, there are direct flights from some European cities to Santorini. Most of these direct flights run seasonally between May and October, as this is Santorini’s hot season. If you take a direct flight to Santorini, you won’t see Athens, the biggest Greek city and undoubtedly the city with the most archaeological and cultural interest in Greece and Europe. If you are already in Athens, you can just book your ferry tickets to Santorini from Ferryhopper . In my honest opinion, a ferry can be nice if it’s your first time in Greece, as you get to see the beautiful blue waters of the Aegean Sea, but you will be wasting 5-8 hours on the boat, which you could better spend on Santorini. Best Website to Book Ferry Boat Tickets: Ferryhopper 6. How To Book Flight and Ferry tickets to Santorini? Booking.com Flights has all the available flight options for Santorini . It will show you all the available flights from Athens to Santorini or any other major European city to Santorini. Santorini’s airport code is JTR (Santorini’s official name is Thira or Thera). You can use the Ferryhopper website to reach Santorini by ferry , which provides updated prices and schedules for all ferries connecting Athens with Santorini . Best Website to Book Ferry Boat Tickets: Ferryhopper Best Website for Flights to Santorini: Booking.com Flights (Airport Code: JTR) 7. Are There Any Direct Flights to Santorini? There are no direct flights to Santorini from the USA, Canada, or Australia. However, there are direct flights to Santorini from almost all major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, and Rome. VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The direct flights from major European cities to Santorini DO NOT RUN ALL YEAR ROUND, but only between May and October, usually. If you are visiting Santorini in the low season (November-April,) you might only have the option to fly to Athens and then take a 45-minute flight to Santorini (check Booking.com Flights for all the available options) So, your options are: Fly to a major European city and then take a direct flight to Santorini (check Booking.com Flights ) Fly to Athens (Greece’s capital) and then take either a 5-8 hour ferry (book it here) or a direct 45-minute flight to Santorini ( book it here ) 8. What Is The Caldera? Santorini is a volcanic island—an active volcano! Thousands of years ago, the centre of the island collapsed into the sea, creating a unique open-sea lagoon. Caldera is the sea lagoon that has been created since then. Here is a fantastic video showing what happened: If you want to stay in an area overlooking the caldera and the famous volcano views with the fantastic sunsets, then you should stay at one of the following areas: VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW: If you stay at Perissa, Perivolos, or Kamari, you won’t have the famous views, but you will be close to the beaches. If you have a Caldera view, you won’t be close to the beaches. Unfortunately, you cannot have both in Santorini! 9. How Many Days Should You Spend in Santorini? Santorini is a relatively small Greek island , but there are so many things to see and do that there will never be enough time ! That applies to many of the best islands in Greece , too, as they are all amazing destinations. My suggestion is that no matter how many days you will spend in Greece or on the Greek islands in particular, try to spend 50% of your time in Santorini. In reality, you need at least 4 nights in Santorini. Read Also: How Many Days Do You Really Need in Santorini? So, if you want to stay 10 days in Greece, try to spend at least 5 days in Santorini and then visit other Greek islands. You won’t regret it… Is a Day Trip from Athens to Santorini possible? Yes, it is. Also, a day trip from Athens to Cairo is possible, to check the pyramids. That doesn’t mean you should do it, though! Jokes aside, there is no point in rushing such a day trip. It will be extremely tiring and expensive, and in the end, you will have only ticked a box on your to-do list. If possible, take things easy and enjoy every trip you make. If you only have one day spare, exploring more of Athens is better than visiting Santorini in a rush. There are also other amazing day trips you can do from Athens. For example, you can see small islands that are a one-hour ferry trip from Athens (like Hydra, Spetses, or Poros). These are all lovely places and perfect locations for a day trip from Athens. 10. Santorini or Mykonos ? This is a dilemma that people have. They are both amazing islands, but: Mykonos is quite a party island with charming, long sandy beaches (no sandy beaches in Santorini, unfortunately). It’s been a celebrity holiday destination since the 1960s, and some of Europe’s best summer clubs and bars are there. It is a very beautiful place indeed, and it can also be a family-friendly and relaxing place. You don’t have to go to the parties and the clubs. Honestly, think of Mykonos as the “Ibiza of Greece,” even though some quiet areas are on the island. Santorini is a completely different place. A more romantic one. A more relaxing one. It’s where you will drink excellent wine, but you won’t necessarily get drunk! However, there is still some serious nightlife in Santorini as well. You can also read my detailed comparison: Mykonos or Santorini . Read Also: How To Get From Santorini to Mykonos So, to sum it up: If you only have 3-4 days for the Greek islands, then spend all of them in Santorini

If it’s your first time in Greece, then try to visit both, but give priority to Santorini, as the landscape is unique If you want golden sand beaches, then Mykonos has much better beaches than Santorini If you wish to proper clubbing and nightlife, then Mykonos is much better than Santorini (though Santorini’s nightlife is really good too) If you want to be closer to Athens, then Mykonos is closer to Athens If you want to be surrounded by world-class celebrities, then Mykonos is your place If you are interested in shopping, then Mykonos is better If you want to have more options in restaurants, then Mykonos is better If you only care about adventurous things to do , then Santorini is your place If you are interested in excellent wine and wineries, then Santorini is your place If you want a more romantic place, then Santorini is your ideal destination 11. Best Greek Islands Near Santorini With all those international direct flights to Santorini, you can certainly use the island for some Greek island hopping! You can visit many Greek islands from Santorini, but not all are connected by ferry boat or flight, so you have to limit your options. Read Also: Best Greek Islands to Visit from Santorini These are the Greek islands you can visit from Santorini: Anafi (the only one where a day trip is possible) Ios (2hrs ferry from Santorini) Naxos (3 hrs ferry from Santorini) Mykonos (2 hrs ferry from Santorini) Folegandros (1 hr ferry from Santorini) Milos (2 hrs ferry from Santorini) Paros (2 hrs ferry from Santorini) Unfortunately, IT IS NOT ADVISABLE to visit the following islands from Santorini: Crete (it is a very big island and you need at least a week and a car to go around) Corfu (it’s on the other side of Greece, and you need to go through Athens and then take another flight) Zakynthos/Zante (same as Corfu) Rhodes (again, very far away and a pretty big island where you need to spend at least a week) Unfortunately, the only way to visit other Greek islands from Santorini (apart from a flight that runs only in the summer months between Santorini and Mykonos and not every day) is to take a ferry boat. The best way to plan your Greek island hopping is to check the ferry timetables online and then plan (it is also advisable to book the tickets online before you arrive in Santorini because they sell out in the hot summer season, May-September): Best Website to Book Ferry Boat tickets between Greek islands: Ferryhopper 12. Best Sunset Views in Santorini Santorini’s sunsets are famous all over the world. The Best Sunset Views are at the following locations, which overlook the caldera as well,l and if that is your priority, then you should stay at one of them: Remember that these areas are also the most expensive for accommodation and restaurants (for a good reason…). But if you just want to view the most amazing sunsets, then there are a few other spots with equally impressive views (with Google Maps links to find them): Franco’s Cafe Pyrgos Katharos Lounge Prophet Ilias Mountain Famous heart-shaped rock Tranquilo Beach Bar 13. How To Rent A Quad in Santorini? Driving a quad in Santorini is an extremely fun activity, and it gives you more flexibility than taking the local Santorini bus . But you have to be aware that it is not the safest thing to drive. Driving an ATV (or quad, as they call it) requires extreme caution, especially during the summer months in Santorini, when the island is super crowded. 14. Money in Santorini. Do I Need Cash? There is no shortage of ATM cash machines where your VISA and Mastercard can be accepted to withdraw money. You should always contact your bank to find out what the charges will be. VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW: 90% of the time, your credit or debit card will be accepted at the business you are paying, but cash is always the best way to pay in Greece and Santorini. You should always have some cash with you while in Santorini. The BEST THING you can do (that I have recently discovered) for travel money is to set up an account with Wise and just use their Mastercard. Wise is used worldwide by millions of people, and they have by far the best exchange rates compared to any bank. So, these are the things you should know about your money in Santorini: There are hundreds of ATMs, cash machines on Santorini, and you won’t have any issues withdrawing money (euros in particular); there is a daily limit, though, on how much you can withdraw from a cash machine Check with your bank what the charges will be for travel money (or check solutions like Wise or Revolut cards, which are super reliable and easy to use) You should always have some cash with yo,u as some businesses may have “broken card machines”… Card machines in Santorini (and in Greece) are chip and pin (not swipe) American Express IS NOT ACCEPTED IN GREECE 15. Can I move around with the local buses in Santorini? The local buses in Santorini are really good and are definitely the cheapest way to move around . Check the timetables for the local buses to all places around the island here . Some buses run throughout the island, a nd depending on where you go, the ticket costs from 1.80 euros to 2.80 euros (always pay with cash—no cards are accepted on the buses !). The central bus station of Santorini is in Fira, and it is here on Google Maps . Read Also: How To Get Around in Santorini Here is how long it takes for the local bus to get around the island: 16. How To Rent A Car in Santorini? Renting a car in Santorini will allow you to explore the island at your own pace, and it is also a much safer option than a quad . It is the advice I always give to people visiting the island for more than 2-3 days. The best website to book a car for Santorini is Rentalcars.com . It has all the available options, and almost all of the rental companies in Santorini now operate through that. It is safe and super reliable. Here are a few things to be aware of for driving in Santorini: Best Website to rent a car in Santorini: Rentalcars.com Driving in Santorini is on the right side of the road (like the USA) You need an international driver’s license for Santorini and Greece. If you have an EU license, you don’t need an international license, as an EU license is accepted everywhere in the EU. During the high season, renting a car can cost about 40-50 euros per day (a quad might also cost around 30-40 euros…). Driving in Santorini can be tricky for some people who are not used to narrow roads, but you shouldn’t worry about it too much. h Parking is an issue on the island (especially in the very touristic areas like Oia and Fira , where you could park far away from where you are going) DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! That applies to the wine tasting you might do while in Santorini. Better take the taxi or the local bus to go back home…(there are lots of police patrols all over the island too) 17. What Are The Best Boat Tours in Santorini ? A sunset or volcano cruise is easily one of the best things you can do on Santorini . I always advise people to do a half-day cruise, as the experience is amazing. Depending on which one you choose, you may get delicious seafood on board, you may get some tour guiding, you may hop off the active volcano (make sure you bring some trekking shoes and you may also swim at the hot volcanic springs! It’s also advisable to book well in advance online, as this guarantees you will get a ticket (especially during the summer months of June-September) These are the Best Sunset and Volcano Cruises you can book: 5-hr Catamaran Cruise Santorini Red Catamaran Cruise with Drinks and Meals 1-Day Volcano and Sunset Cruise Small Group Catamaran Cruise (morning or sunset) 18. What Are The Best Things To Do in Santorini ? The best thing about Santorini is that it offers many more things to do than Mykonos, for example, or other Greek islands. Read Also the Complete Guide: 31 Unique Things To Do in Santorini In a nutshell, the Best Things you can do in Santorini are: Visit Oia (and watch the famous sunset; you won’t be alone though…) Take a Wine Tour (like this one ) Take a Sunset or Volcano Cruise (like this one ) Hike from Fira to Oia Swim at one of the best beaches of Santorini Watch a movie under the stars at Kamari Open Air Cinema ( Google Maps ) Visit the Archaeological Prehistoric Ruins of Akrotiri ( Google Maps ) Explore the nightlife of Santorini Eat at the following restaurants: Mezzo (for the views), Metaksy Mas (for the food), Avocado (for the food), Aroma Avlis (for the winery), Erotokritos (for the bakery-not an actual restaurant!), Katina (for the fresh fish) Wander the streets of Fira for endless shopping Visit Ammoudi Bay Go on a Greek cooking class and wine tour 19. What Are The Best Wineries and Wine Tours in Santorini? Wine tasting and a guided wine tour are two of the best things you can do while on Santorini. These are the best wine tours of the island: Santorini Half-Day Wine Adventure Tour Santorini 4-hour Sunset Wine Tour Santorini Cooking Class and Wine Tour Though taking a guided tour is highly advisable, as you won’t waste much time searching for all the info and directions and will visit more than one winery without having to drive (driving and drinking wine is also not advisable…), you can certainly visit the best wineries of Santorini by yourself. Read Also Our Detailed Guide: Best Wineries of Santorini The best wineries of Santorini (with Google Maps links) are: Santowines Winery (if you only have time for one winery, then make it this one) Venetsanos Winery (the 2nd best choice) Estate Argyros Winery Domaine Sigalas Koutsoyannopoulos Winery and Wine Museum Art Space Winery Hadjidakis Winery Artemis Karmolegkos Winery Vassaltis Winery 20. Shopping in Santorini. Any good? If you want to shop, Fira town is the place to be. Hundreds of souveni r shops, art galleries, and traditional Greek products shops exist. Oia also has a selection of some very interesting art and handicraft shops. It also has this amazing bookstore, but unfortunately, as I found out, it has shut down recently. You will find big grocery stores and supermarkets outside the towns (mainly in Fira) and smaller ones inside the cities. 21. Is Santorini family and kids-friendly? Is it Safe? Santorini (and Greece) are extremely kid and family-friendly . The best thing you can do while visiting Santorini with kids is to stay closer to the beaches of Perissa , Perivolos , and Kamari , as they all have many amenities. The best thing a kid can do in Santorini is play at the beach, but you must be careful. The high temperatures of the Greek summer require extra skin protection. Also, the black sand beaches of Perissa and Kamari can get very hot during midday, so shoes or flip-flops must be worn at all times! Some of the most exclusive hotels in Santorini clearly state that they won’t accept kids, but it is always important to check that with your hotel if it’s unclear. You can stay at Firostefani or Fira and Oia, but I genuinely believe a kid would have much more fun if she were closer to the beach. The Best Family Hotels in Santorini are: Tsitouras Collection Aqua Blue Beach Hotel Tamarix Del Mar Santorini is safe , with little to almost zero crime overall, but you should always be careful wherever you travel. Common sense applies to everything and everywhere. So, there you have them. A trip to Santorini can be one of the most amazing experiences in your life, so you need to get well prepared, as it can also be costly. It’s extremely easy to book your flights, ferries, accommodation, and even the things you want to do on the island in advance. It is highly advisable to book everything before you arrive on the island, as Santorini has been in high demand for the last twenty years and will remain so forever. Hopefully, the tips above will help you plan your trip much better, but if you feel you are still in limbo, then make sure you visit our invaluable closed Facebook Group . Many people who have previously visited the island would be able to help you! How many days do you need for a trip to Santorini? You need a minimum of 3 full days to experience Santorini properly. This allows one day to explore the caldera towns (Oia and Fira), one day for a catamaran cruise or wine tasting, and one day to visit the black sand beaches (Kamari or Perissa) and the Akrotiri ruins. How much does a trip to Santorini cost? A mid-range trip to Santorini costs between €150 to €300 per person, per day. This includes a standard 3-star or 4-star hotel, local taverna meals, and public transport. A luxury trip staying in a caldera-view hotel with a private plunge pool will cost upwards of €800 to €1,500+ per night. What is the best month to visit Santorini? The best time to visit Santorini is late September or early October. The Aegean sea is still warm enough for swimming, the massive summer crowds have left, and hotel prices drop by 20% to 30% compared to the peak months of July and August. Do you need a car in Santorini? Renting a car is highly recommended if you want to explore the island freely, especially the beaches and wineries. While the KTEL public bus system is cheap and connects all major towns to the capital (Fira), the buses become extremely crowded and unreliable during July and August. Partner pick for this guide Skip the queue at the Acropolis and beyond Headout sells timed-entry tickets and guided visits for Athens and the islands, with instant mobile delivery. Instant e-tickets Free cancellation on most tours Plan Your Trip: Recommended Travel Partners We recommend these trusted resources to compare rates, read reviews, and secure bookings for your upcoming trip to Santorini and Greece: Best rates on hotels, luxury suites, and traditional caldera villas. Stay connected with local Greek eSIM data packages starting at just a few dollars. Top-rated sunset sailing cruises, wine tastings, and guided historic tours. Last updated: August 19, 2026 Turn this Santorini research into a trip plan Choose a useful next step for your dates, route and budget. Planning tools use estimates. Check current schedules, prices and availability before booking. Explore Santorini Discover all the amazing places to visit in Greece Love This Content? Get More Insider Tips! Join thousands of travelers getting our exclusive guides, hidden gems, and money-saving tips delivered straight to their inbox. Pavlos Inglesis Greek, born and raised in Athens. Expert on Greek culture, history, and traditions with insider knowledge of every Greek island and mainland region. Opens headout.com You Might Also Enjoy Athens vs Santorini: Which Is Better for Your Greece Trip? Athens vs Santorini comes down to city history versus island scenery. Here’s how they compare on attractions, beaches, nightlife, food, cost, transport, and who should visit each. Pyrgos vs Megalochori vs Fira: A Guide to Santorini’s Three Most Distinct Villages Stand in Fira at noon. Count the cruise ships in the caldera below — usually four to seven on a high-season Tuesday. Listen, and you’ll hear four languages on every step of the cable car queue. Twenty minutes inland, in a Pyrgos church courtyard at the same hour, the only sound is a cat stretching […] SeaJets Review: Is Greece’s Fast Sea Jet Ferry Worth the Price? SeaJets is fast, expensive, and sometimes frustrating. This SeaJets review explains when the ferry is worth booking, when to choose slower ferries, and what to expect on board.