Gathering the gems worth your time…
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…
Introduction quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
At a glance
- Best time to go
- Any time — the weather is kind all year
- Getting around
- Bus · Bicycle · Boat
- Vetted picks
- 26 places to see, do, eat, and stay
- Real coverage
- 8 vetted creator sources
AI insights
Computed from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and YouTube view counts on this page
The most-viewed guide here is "Oι ΕΙΚΟΝΕΣ με τον Τάσο Δούση ταξιδεύουν στη Σαντορίνη - Μέρος 1ο" by Tasos Dousis (169K views) — a solid first watch.
Tasos Dousis and BALILI are creators from here, not a visiting channel — worth watching for what the guidebooks skip.
Getting around: by bus, by bicycle, by boat and 2 more — the section below has the details straight from Wikivoyage.
5 of the places below list a real price from their own source — worth a scan before you budget the trip.
How these 26 picks are sourced
2 of 26 are named by a second, independent source — Santorini Secrets — and each card names its own. The remaining 24 rest on the reference article alone: we list them because Wikivoyage or Wikipedia documents them, not because anyone else vouched for them. We also watched 8 creator videos, 2 of them from local channels rather than visiting ones. 24 of the 26 descriptions are quoted word for word from Wikivoyage under CC BY-SA rather than written by us, as is the introduction above — each of those cards says so. What we add is the checking, the corroboration above, and the choice of which places are worth your time at all.What we can't promise is that it's still true. Venues close, hours and prices change, and we don't re-check them — a place here closed for good and sat on this page for a year before anyone noticed. The insights are AI-written from these sources and can be wrong too. Confirm anything you'd be sorry to be wrong about before you set out. Terms.
Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
Oι ΕΙΚΟΝΕΣ με τον Τάσο Δούση ταξιδεύουν στη Σαντορίνη - Μέρος 1ο
Tasos Dousis · 169K viewsLocalel
Greek Islands: Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes
Rick Steves' Europe · 6.8M views
Επιβίωσα με 100€ για 24 ώρες στη Σαντορίνη
BALILI · 67K viewsLocalel
![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]
Greece Explained · 320K views
SANTORINI TRAVEL GUIDE & COST 🇬🇷 GREECE
Jumping Places · 173K views
Santorini, Greece: Idyllic Oia - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
Rick Steves' Europe · 119K views
Cruising Travel Skills: Santorini, Greece - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
Rick Steves' Europe · 35K views
Santorini Travel Guide - All you NEED to know for 2023 inc prices
Parks Travel Guide · 23K views
Best time to go
Best window: Any time — the weather is kind all year
Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Aug
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Oct
Nov
Dec
IdealGoodOkayOff-season
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
La Ponta Castle
Single source· 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Red Beach
Single sourcesouth of Akrotiri· Free
A popular bathing spot, with colourful sand composed of pulverised black and red volcanic rock.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Skaros Rock
Single sourceA 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Catholic Church of the Dormition (The Three Bells of Fira)
Single source· 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Roger Tourte Exposition
Single sourceExhibition 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Dominican Convent
Single sourceFounded in 1595, it is the oldest Catholic nunnery in Greece, but the current building dates from 1864.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
What to do
Cave Santorini Spa
Single sourceSpa built in a 500-year-old residence partially underground, keeping the temperature at a constant 17 °C.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Kokkalo
Single source25 Martiou Street
Restaurant offering cooking courses to teach yourself how to cook Greek cuisine the traditional way.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
The White Door Theatro
Single sourceTheatre famous for its play The Greek Wedding, a comedy set in 1940s Greece.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Palea Kameni
Single sourceThe youngest island of the archipelago, "Old Burnt Island" has a single inhabitant, Sostice Arvanitis, who is a goat herder and keeper on the island.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Fira - Oia Hike
Single source· 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Agiou Mina Street
Single sourceThis 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
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. Single source means the opposite, said plainly: the reference article lists it and nothing else we checked does.
Selene
Worth itAlso recommended by Santorini Secrets
Long-established (since 1986) fine-dining restaurant championing Santorini produce and Assyrtiko wines.
Vetted sources
Lauda
Worth itAlso recommended by Santorini Secrets
Oia's first restaurant, opened in 1971, now helmed by Michelin-starred chef Emmanuel Renaut.
Vetted sources
Parea
Single sourcetwo 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
To Ouzeri
Single sourceat the Fabrika shopping centre, next to the Cathedral
George and Iordana, the owners, welcome warmly all their guests.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Alali
Single sourceEpar. Dromos Akrotiriou Kaldera
A culinary experience with a great view over the caldera. Expensive restaurant, but good choice for romantic dates.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Katsaboo
Single sourceAgiou Athabaskan 101
Great Greek restaurant but a bit on the pricey side. Try the feta with sesame and honey.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Panorama
Single sourceGreek cuisine with, as the name suggests, a nice view over the caldera.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Falafeland
Single sourceFalafel and healthy food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Apanemo Hotel
Single sourceOffers 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…
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Athina Suites
Single sourceA short walk from downtown. Mounted on a rock top. Offers a panoramic view of the Caldera cliff and the volcano.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Avant Garde Suites
Single sourceDesign all suite hotel with private heated jacuzzi offering magnificent views over the Caldera and the Volcano.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Anteliz Hotel and Suites
Single sourceMarkou Nomikou 89
Four-star hotel on the top of the cliff ridge along the Caldera path, overlooking the Caldera Gulf
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Anita's Villa
Single source· 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.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Panorama Hotel
Single sourceThe hotel on the caldera faces the sea and the volcanoes. 12 studios, one Greek villa and one honeymoon suite.
Description quoted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA
Vetted sources
Build your day
Pick the places you want in Santorini, Greece and we will put them on a map in an order that does not cross the city twice.
Where to next
Nearby cities in Greece we’ve vetted too.
- NaxosThe largest and most fertile Cycladic island, home to the marble Portara gateway and quieter mountain villages.
- ParosCycladic island balancing Parikia's marble-paved lanes with the windsurfing beaches of Naousa.
- MilosVolcanic island with lunar-white Sarakiniko rock formations and the multicolored fishing village of Klima.
- MykonosWhitewashed Cycladic town famed for its windmills, and the beach-club nightlife of Psarou and Paradise Beach.
- Crete/ChaniaVenetian harbor town on Greece's largest island, gateway to the Samaria Gorge and Cretan mountain cuisine.
- HydraCar-free Saronic Gulf island of stone mansions climbing from a horseshoe harbor, reached by donkey and water taxi.
Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.