Destination guide
Santorini
Greece
Santorini is an archipelago of 5 volcanic islands in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of mainland Greece. It used to be a single island, but was obliterated around 1600 BCE by an enormous volcanic explosion that destroyed the earliest settlements on the former…
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AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
When walking along the caldera rim, especially on Agiou Mina Street, wear sturdy sneakers rather than sandals or heels; the cobblestones and cliffside steps are unforgiving, and you will need to dodge donkey traffic.
If you plan to hike the famous 11-kilometer crater rim path, walk from Oia toward Fira to experience a slightly easier descent, or start early in the morning to avoid the peak heat on the exposed trail.
Avoid the tavernas built directly into the caves at Red Beach for food or facilities, as they lack standard infrastructure like running water; carry hand sanitizer and plan your meals for more developed areas.
Skip the unreliable bicycle rentals, as the island is not built for cycling; use the public KTEL bus service to travel between towns, as it is the most consistent and budget-friendly way to navigate the island's often chaotic road conditions.
Seek out local eateries like Parea or To Ouzeri for traditional dishes like moussaka or Ouzo meatballs, which provide a more authentic and affordable experience compared to the high-priced, view-focused restaurants along the main tourist strips.
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Oι ΕΙΚΟΝΕΣ με τον Τάσο Δούση ταξιδεύουν στη Σαντορίνη - Μέρος 1ο
Greek Islands: Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes
Επιβίωσα με 100€ για 24 ώρες στη Σαντορίνη
![Santorini Beginner’s Guide [ALL THE BASICS in 5 min]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QPpHQwNspgw/hqdefault.jpg)
Santorini Beginner’s Guide [ALL THE BASICS in 5 min]
SANTORINI TRAVEL GUIDE & COST 🇬🇷 GREECE
Santorini, Greece: Idyllic Oia - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
Cruising Travel Skills: Santorini, Greece - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
Santorini Travel Guide - All you NEED to know for 2023 inc prices
Best time to go
Best window: October–May
Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By bus
KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing one way (2025), depending on the route. This is probably the only cheap thing you'll find on the island considering the buses are comfy and air conditioned!
By bicycle
The island is small enough to thoroughly explore by bicycle. Bicycle rentals are fairly hard to find — most places advertising "bike" rentals refer instead to motorbikes — but are available from Fira and Exomytis. Santorini is not at all bicycle-friendly.
By boat
Boats run between major coastal towns in the archipelago, notably between Fira, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and the old port of Thirassia. Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices in most of the ports.
By car
Most of the people in Santorini are tourists, so road conditions are unsafe, with many people driving by the laws and conventions of nearly every country in the world. It takes about an hour to drive the island from end to end (from Exomytis to Oia).
By foot
In Santorini, you shall find pathways paved mostly with cobblestones and steps at the cliffside, so it is not the best place for heels or non-comfortable shoes. A pair of sneakers or comfy walking shoes will be ideal during your strolls around the island.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Archaeological Museum of Thera
· Cheap
It houses artefacts from Proto-Cycladic culture of the 3rd millennium BC, and continues on to the Classical period.
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Faros Lighthouse
· Free
An 19th century lighthouse at the far south-western tip of Thira, built by the French in 1892 making it one of the oldest in Greece. Its operation was suspended during the Second World War but recommissioned by the Greek Navy in 1945.
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La Ponta Castle
· Free
Ruins of a Venetian castle in the centre of Akrotiri. The Republic of Venice, occupied Thira in 1207, and soon constructed this fortress, along with several other fortifications and watchtowers across the island.
Red Beach
south of Akrotiri· Free
A popular bathing spot, with colourful sand composed of pulverised black and red volcanic rock. The unstable volcanic rock is prone to landslides however, and parts of the beach are occasionally inaccessible due to landslide risks.
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Skaros Rock
A large rock promontory with the remains of a Venetian Castle built in 1207 by Marco Sanudo, the ruler of all the Cyclades at that time. The castle was continuously inhabited throughout the Medieval Age because it provided protection…
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Catholic Church of the Dormition (The Three Bells of Fira)
· Free
This church famed for its iconic three bells, blue dome, and picturesque views which make it one of the most photographed places on the island. The history dates back to the mid-17th century when two cave churches were built into the-then…
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Roger Tourte Exposition
Exhibition of work by French artist J.R. Tourte, who moved to Greece before the outbreak of the Second World War and toured the Cyclades until his death in 1972.
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Dominican Convent
Founded in 1595, it is the oldest Catholic nunnery in Greece, but the current building dates from 1864. The church was consecrated in 1825 as the Church of the Virgin of the Rosary, but was severely damaged during the 1956 earthquake and…
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Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
· Free
Cathedral built in 1827, traditionally styled with an outside courtyard space and nicely decorated interior. It was heavily damaged by the 1956 earthquake but subsequently restored to its former glory.
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What to do
Cave Santorini Spa
Spa built in a 500-year-old residence partially underground, keeping the temperature at a constant 17 °C.
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Kokkalo
25 Martiou Street
Restaurant offering cooking courses to teach yourself how to cook Greek cuisine the traditional way.
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The White Door Theatro
Theatre famous for its play The Greek Wedding, a comedy set in 1940s Greece.
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Palea Kameni
The youngest island of the archipelago, "Old Burnt Island" has a single inhabitant, Sostice Arvanitis, who is a goat herder and keeper on the island.
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Fira - Oia Hike
· Free
By far the most spectacular hike on Thira is the 11 km trail along the crater rim to Oia. It offers some breathtaking views over the caldera, and the other islands of the archipelago.
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Agiou Mina Street
This street goes along the crater rim through Fira, from the south part of town to the cable car. It provides the stunning views of Fira that you came to see.
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What to eat
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Selene
Worth itAlso recommended by Santorini Secrets
Long-established (since 1986) fine-dining restaurant championing Santorini produce and Assyrtiko wines.
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Lauda
Worth itAlso recommended by Santorini Secrets
Oia's first restaurant, opened in 1971, now helmed by Michelin-starred chef Emmanuel Renaut.
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Parea
two blocks from Theotokopoulou square on M. Danezi street
Offers a wide range of cheap, tasty food including salads, sandwiches, moussaka, a variety of gyros, pizza, spaghetti, omelets, and both savory and dessert crepes.
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To Ouzeri
at the Fabrika shopping centre, next to the Cathedral
George and Iordana, the owners, welcome warmly all their guests. You will find a great variety of traditional Greek dishes using the local products of Santorini, Greek salad, green salad with Chorotyri, Mousaka, Ouzo meatballs…
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Alali
Epar. Dromos Akrotiriou Kaldera
A culinary experience with a great view over the caldera. Expensive restaurant, but good choice for romantic dates.
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Katsaboo
Agiou Athabaskan 101
Great Greek restaurant but a bit on the pricey side. Try the feta with sesame and honey.
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Panorama
Greek cuisine with, as the name suggests, a nice view over the caldera.
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Falafeland
Falafel and healthy food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
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Where to stay
Apanemo Hotel
Offers bed and breakfast accommodation. This is an amazing hotel. The rooms are immaculate and nicely decorated with stunning views. There is a 3-level infinity pool that looks out over the caldera view toward Fira.
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Anita's Villa
· Expensive
Anita's Villa is a small volcano-view traditional accommodation of simply yet comfortable studios, at the edge of the cliff side of the caldera at Imerovigli.
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Athina Suites
A short walk from downtown. Mounted on a rock top. Offers a panoramic view of the Caldera cliff and the volcano.
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Avant Garde Suites
Design all suite hotel with private heated jacuzzi offering magnificent views over the Caldera and the Volcano.
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Anteliz Hotel and Suites
Markou Nomikou 89
Four-star hotel on the top of the cliff ridge along the Caldera path, overlooking the Caldera Gulf
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Panorama Hotel
The hotel on the caldera faces the sea and the volcanoes. 12 studios, one Greek villa and one honeymoon suite.
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.