Santorini (Fira) is a magical Greek island enveloped in mystery and charm. Often referred to as the “crown jewel of Greece,” Santorini continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the country, becoming one of the world’s top honeymoon spots.
Santorini has some of the most unique geographical characteristics of any other island in the world – it was literally formed by a series of catastrophic volcanic explosions over the course of thousands of years. The result is a wonderland of steep cliffs, ebony volcanic rocks and mesmerizing ocean views.
Check out our article: Top 6 Beaches in Santorini, Greece
We had the pleasure of traveling to Santorini in May 2013 to create a Davidsbeenhere Santorini Guide and Travel Episodes. After spending five unforgettable days here, we amassed a significant treasure trove of pictures and memories. Here is what we think, no, we know, are the top ten things to see and do in Santorini:
With easily the most opulent collection of properties throughout the island, Aqua Vista Hotels is a leader in Santorini’s hospitality industry. Five-star boutique accommodations, incredible caldera views and an excellent reputation in luxury travel make Aqua Vista Hotels your go-to source for finding the perfect hotel for your trip to Santorini. We recommend Adamant Suites in Fira and Above Blue Suites in the quaint Imerovigli Village.
Those of you who are arriving in Santorini by cruise ship and are interested in a private shore excursion, Omega Travel has tailor-made tours based on your interests – a great way to maximize your visit to Santorini. Their guide will meet you at the cable car exit point in Fira and can take you to do everything you’ll read about in this article plus more. Omega Travel also offers private tours of Santorini, whether you’re staying just a few days or two weeks. We love that their tours are 100% customizable and all their guests are transported in comfort and style (Mercedes Benz vans).
For centuries, the island has been a prominent producer of wine, but with a little entrepreneurial spirit, Donkey Brewery was born. The three brews, Yellow, Red, and Crazy, have caught the attention of local and international beer enthusiasts alike. Donkey beers have now become some of the most sought-after brews in Greece. Stop by the brewery for a quick tour and delicious sampling of Donkey Brewery’s products. We like Crazy Donkey the best!
When you think of Santorini, what comes to mind? If you pictured whitewashed houses with blue shutters, then you must be imagining the beautiful village of Oia. Perched on the northwest edge of the caldera, Oia is a maze of narrow streets, renovated cave houses and small squares. This town used to be a cluster of seamen houses, but now hosts thousands of tourists each year wanting to experience its breathtaking ocean views and take photos of one of the most iconic landscapes in all of Greece.
This black pebble beach is framed by the jagged cliffs of Mesa Vouno and Profitis Ilias Mountains, as well as the crystalline waters of the Aegean. The Kamari Beach seafront promenade features a plethora of dining and shopping options. Walk up and down this bustling avenue, or find your perfect chill spot under a thatched umbrella. We suggest Nichteri Restaurant for a sampling of authentic local cuisine in a charming setting just steps from the beach.
Santorini is known for its sun and sea, but it also has a fascinating history as well! Click here to watch the video of this intriguing archaeological site that is often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Aegean.”
Donkeys and Santorini go together like pigeons and the Piazza San Marco. They’re an integral part of the local tourism scene, providing tourists much-appreciated rides up and down the 588 steps leading down to the old harbor of Fira. There are hundreds of donkeys and mules lined up along the way. The cost is 5 Euros per person one-way. Please note, that all those donkeys means there are droppings everywhere, so you may want to watch your step. For sensitive noses, there is the funicular, which costs the same and takes about three minutes in either direction.
The island of Santorini has a long history in viniculture, with the indigenous white Assyrtiko grape being the dominant variety. Wine production on the island dates back to Roman times, but particularly flourished under Venetian control during the Middle Ages. Visitors have plenty of dry whites, roses and reds to sample at the island’s best wineries. We suggest Sigalas and Gaia Wineries for their clean, comfortable facilities and good selection of wines.
Book your Santorini Winery Tour today!
It’s not every day you find Michelin-star worthy food in a tiny, unassuming village, but we sure did. Head to the traditional village of Pyrgos to dine at one of the island’s premiere restaurants, Selene. Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time so that you don’t miss out on Selene’s scrumptious five-star menu of Mediterranean delights. Top quality ingredients, innovative cooking techniques and elegant presentations make Selene well worth the short drive from Fira. Selene in two words: must try!
So by now you’ve probably noticed that in Greece it’s all about the food. For a fabulous sunset to accompany your traditional seafood meze dishes, head down to Dimitris Taverna in Amoudi Port. From here, you’ll have the best views of the old port as you watch the sun dip down behind the bobbling fishing boats. Fresh fish, local wine and sea views… what could be better? Be sure to call ahead to reserve a table close to the water.
Santorini’s unique landscape is best appreciated from the water. Split the cost with your travel buddies and hit the waves on a luxury catamaran by Santorini Sailing. A sailing tour will reveal multihued rock formations, stunning private beaches, and incredible views of the whitewashed towns perched high on the caldera. Stop for a swimming break and enjoy the plentiful seafood lunch prepared by the crew. This all-inclusive experience is the ultimate way to experience Santorini!
Need a taxi transfer from the port, hotel or airport? Book your taxi transfer here!
So there you have our list of top ten things to see and do in Santorini. If you think we left anything out, we would love to get your feedback! Leave us a question or comment below.
A special thanks to Aqua Vista Hotels, Santorini Sailing and Vazeos Rent A Car.
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Michael says:
Hi, you do not comment on Fira at all. Is it not worth mentioning?
My wife and i will have a few hours off a liner next month. We thought of visiting Oia then Fira to make sure that we are near our ship and therefore be on time for its departure.
Kaitlyn says:
Thank you for the great info regarding Santorini!! I also wanted to see if you have been to Mykonos and if you had any suggestions?? We will be staying in Santorini for 3 days and Mykonos for 3 days, thanks so much!!
Romi says:
Hi David
After our wedding in April, we will fly to Santorini the next day from Singapore. My colleague said, the people there does not really welcome
Asian? Is it true? I hope it not as I’m looking forward to my honeymoon.
Romi
Shan says:
Hi there David.. We will be in Santorini from 1 June to 3 June. would like your recommendation for booking our stay, travel around, venues that you would recommend?
Hena Ahmed says:
Hi David
Me and my husband are coming in April to Santorini staying at Thira. I was wondering what sort of activities or places to visit you would recommend? I wanted to see old towns and nice shopping centres for gifts for family. What would you suggest? And what beaches are really good. I also wanted to ask about the hot springs? What do you do there?
Thanks!
Hena
sarah says:
Love the article!!
We’re visiting Mykonos for 3 days and travelling by boat to Santorini for 4 days in June. Is there a good hotel in Fira to stay in with a low budget?
We want to gain time by discovering most of Santorini by 4 days if it’s possible and enough. What are the best activities and sites to do in 4 days? And I heard about cliff jumping, is it present in Santorini?
Thank you in advance. looking forward for your reply. 🙂
David says:
Hi Sarah,
I don’t know about the low budget hotels, but I would recommend renting an apartment on AirBnB. You can do all the activities on this list in four days and still have extra time.
Anis Ahmed says:
Hi,
Fantastic article and even more interesting are all the comments from the people who have visited. My wife and I are coming in April for 7days. How do we go about organising our to do list? Should we book our activities online prior to coming or book once we are there? Also how much do you think we will spend if we are to do one activity per day?
Thanks
David says:
Hi Anis,
Thanks for writing me. It really depends on the activity. The most expensive one is Santorini Sailing. You can do one per day but I would suggest trying to do 3 per day. You should book most of them in advance.
yassi says:
would you let us know how much money we should bring to do this list 🙂
Brad says:
Hi there David. Your blog is very informative. We will be in Santorini from 1 Sept. to the 12th. We are mature, but pretty social people, and would like your recommendation for meeting like minded couples. So many tourist locations, others on vacation tend not to engage strangers. Are there particular venues that you would recommend?
Rafael Irizarry says:
Hello David My wife and I are going to Greece in March and I’m nervous this is the second time we have been out of the country and I want to make sure its a great experience. My wife wants to do the wine tours but she also wants to go to Athens. How possible is it to get there in a day. we will be there for 8 days.
Bethkissbang says:
Hi David, Thanks for the reply. We have finally finalised our itinerary to Folegandros and Milos. 🙂
Do you think it is an absolute “MUST” to do wine tour in santorini? Do you think its worth it?
Cheers!
bethkissbang says:
My husband and I are heading to Greece for our honeymoon end of may til June 11. Its good to read list of things to do and I will definitely have to check out some winery tour. We will spend 5 nights in santorini alone and planning to hop to Naxos and Mykonos. I realised that it is fairly difficult to remember name of the island because they are so unique. Are most local speaks English? I’m quite nervous not knowing if it will be difficult to communicate with local in case we are lost somewhere or need directions.
Cheers,
Beth.
David says:
Hi Beth, sounds like a great itinerary. Congrats on your recent wedding! In my experience Santorini is very touristic so you probably won’t have a problem getting by with speaking English at your hotel, at restaurants and shops. Same goes for Mykonos. I haven’t been to Naxos so I can’t say for sure, but if you’re planning to sightsee on your own in any of the island, I strongly suggest a good road map (gas stations sell them or stop by the tourist information office to get one). That way, you’ll always have it on hand and even if a local needs to give you directions and doesn’t speak English well, they can help point the way on the map. I doubt you’ll have any issues getting around. Greeks are generally always willing to help and are very friendly/ welcoming. Enjoy your trip!!
Bee says:
Thanks!
Bee says:
Hello,
I am planning a trip for three days to Greece. I wanted to stay in a hotel in Athens and have one day in Athens, fly to Santorini for one day, and maybe sail to a different island for the last day. Is this worthwhile? Do I need more time in any of these places? What are the main things to see? Should we stay overnight in Santorini or come back at night to Athens? What do you think?
Thank you!
David says:
Hi Bee, thanks for stopping by. I definitely think you should stay in Santorini and try to see more of it instead of fitting in a second island because you having limited time and wouldn’t want to waste time flying to another island that you won’t really see in depth. Santorini is by far one of the most beautiful in Greece and there is so much to do as you can see in this article.
I would spend a day in Athens to see the main sites then fly to Santorini and get a wonderful table with a sunset view for dinner, wake up in the morning and keep sightseeing. The last day you should fly straight to Athens to catch your flight home.
Lisa says:
Hi david
Me and my fiancee have just decided to have our honeymoon in santorini:))
We have 7 days
What hotels suites 4 stars or 5 can u recommend us there
And what places should we visit
Thank u in advance
diana says:
i will be going Greece from 7-13th november 2015, see online that many shops/boat trip will be closed after october is it true?is the boat to volcano and hot spring from Fira will not be available nov?Thank u very much for ur sharing:)
David says:
Hi Diana,
Thanks for writing me. Yes I do think most shops and restaurants will be closed for winter. I would call Santorini Sailing and find out if they are still doing tours in November. Let me know how it goes.
Rahul says:
Hi David I am planning to visit Santorini soon. Is it safe if I travel alone. I will be hiring a car there and want to do most of the things you mentioned. I have only seen the place in pictures and will be visiting there from India. Can u suggest something
David says:
Its extremely safe! Do everything I said on the list and that should be enough for a three day visit. Also getting around by car is easy because there are two main roads.
Debbi says:
Would a very kind person take me there?? I am half Greek and I have never had the opportunity to go. It would be a truly wonderful blessing. Thank you for reading.
Gerty says:
Hi, a friend and I will have 2 or 3 days to visit Santorini. May I ask which area you most recommend? I heard Inverogil is lovely but Fira or Oia may be better? Also, will we need a car? Thank you
David says:
Hi Gerty, thanks for your comment. There are a lot of comments above that I recommend you check out. Personally, I think Fira/ Oia are better if you have limited time. Have a great trip!
Stavros says:
Thank you for the tips and to write down this great recommendations.
To remember al the beautiful places and receive Santorini at your doorstep I would recommend the luxury parcel from http://elladalane.com
a fantastic and authentic selection of Greek products from Santorini and the Cyclades
Dimitris Apostolidis says:
At Amoudi bay I recommend the Katina Fish Tavern. You can take a Discover Santorini Tour from Omega Travel. Last stop is amoudi bay for sunset and dinner. http://www.omegatravel.gr
Xhil says:
Hi from albania
After a week, i am going to santorini for my honeymoon.
These tips seem very useful
Can’t wait to get there & to.explore ever cm of this island 🙂
David says:
Thanks for stopping by! That trip sounds incredible. Safe travels!
Donna says:
Hi David,
I’m planning to go to Santorini in the next month, and wonder if there is a possibility of hopping over to Athens for a day or so. Are there low fares available for short flights that would make this possible? Thanks for the great tips here!
David says:
Hi Donna, Thanks for leaving a comment and you’re welcome for the suggestions. The only two Greek regional airlines that I know of are Olympic and Aegean. They are actually the same company. Use the flex date option for cheaper fares. If your budget is tighter and you don’t mind taking more time to arrive to Athens, check out the high speed ferry schedules here: http://www.ferries.gr/hfd/
Diadema says:
Hi David,
I’m glad I came across your post couple weeks before our trip to Santorini! Can’t wait!
Quick question though, is ATV safe at all? We are staying at Perissa and want to use that as our mode of transportation.
Also, we’re thinking of doing a wine tasting at Santo Winery. Is it any good?
Thanks!
David says:
Hi and thanks for leaving a comment. I don’t recommend the ATV as a mode of travel if you’re planning on driving more than a few minutes from where you’re staying. I noticed a lot of tourists driving them and they didn’t have any protection against the harsh sun (it gets HOT) or the rain. Plus, the roads are steep/ inclined and there is poor visibility at night – An ATV won’t offer you any bodily protection in case of an accident. I think your best bet is to rent a car or arrange for transport through your hotel. I personally did not visit the Santo Winery but I did try their wines during my stay and they are delicious so I’m sure that a wine tasting there would be well worth it. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Laura says:
I am looking forward to a Santorini adventure next summer. Yes, I am planning ahead. The sights and experiences you have mentioned sound wonderful and doable during my planned stay. Is a rental car necessary? Are buses an option to get from town to town?
I am also considering a sailing trip around the islands (7 to 10 days), starting and ending in Santorini. Can you recommend a company? Would you recommend scuba diving around Santorini? or elsewhere? If so, can you recommend a dive center?
Thanks for your advice!
Jess says:
Hi David, thanks for your helpful article. I’m in Santorini now and working out what we must do. Did you go to the volcano? We were thinking of taking a tour there and to the hot springs but you haven’t mentioned it so I’m wondering if it is not worth going? Thanks in advance for any response.
David says:
Hi Jess, Thanks for stopping by and leaving us a comment. The volcano isn’t active anymore – it’s what formed Santorini’s caldera. I suggest taking a sailing tour with Santorini Sailing to go to the hot springs and to see the cliffs of the caldera, and also for a swim. Good luck let me know how it goes!
Susan says:
Hi. I was thinking of coming to Greece for my 1st time. We r sightseers not really beach people although we may have to enjoy one of the many beaches. We would like to fly I to Athens and spend 2 days there. Should we go to Santorini and My onos or r there other islands u would recommend.? We can do 7 to 10 days. Would a cruise be better?
David says:
Hi Susan, thanks for stopping by and leaving us a comment. I definitely recommend visiting Santorini – it’s such a spectacular island with unique cuisine, culture, and breathtaking views. I would suggest spending 3-4 nights in Santorini then going to Rhodes either by ferry or flight (stops in Athens). Rhodes is definitely an island that offers more than beach. It’s big and easy to navigate by car on one’s own (2 main roads). Rhodes has nature hiking, ancient sites, the beautiful medieval capital city and harbor, wine tours, etc. Check out some info about the island here:
https://davidsbeenhere.com/2013/11/13/touring-the-ancient-ruins-in-rhodes/
https://davidsbeenhere.com/2013/05/05/top-5-things-to-do-in-rhodes-sland-greece/
https://davidsbeenhere.com/2013/05/22/top-5-restaurants-in-rhodes-greece/
Hope this helps! If you end up going to Mykonos I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time, but sometimes it’s best to get away from all the tourist crowd 🙂
Best,
David
Roberto says:
hey David,
thank you so much for publishing the top ten to do’s.
I’m about to go for vacation with my lady next week and we will stay for 6 nights / 7 days.
We can’t wait for our trip to start and of course I’m trying to inform myself so that I can surprise my GF 😉
I will try to do all the top tens.
I’m already very excited about the sailing trip. Do you know if there are sunset sailing trips? What would you suggest to do? Is it better to buy those tickets in advance online or do you think it’s fine to do it when we are there?
And it would really appreciate, if you could suggest 3-5 nice restaurants with a nice view for lunch or dinner.
no matter which part of Santorini it is, bc I will rent a car for our stay.
as soon as i have some nice restaurants recommendations, i would try to make some reservations already.
Thank you again and stay healty 🙂
David says:
Hi Roberto,
Thanks for stopping by and sorry for the late response to your comment. So glad to hear you’re headed to Santorini (if you’re not already there). Santorini Sailing does offer sunset tours, which I think can be booked a just couple days in advance. Some great restaurants I would suggest (besides the ones in this article) are:
-Nichteri in Kamari Beach (great for lunch with beach views)
-1500 BC in Fira (lunch or dinner)/ it’s pricy
-Skala Restaurant in Oia (go for lunch, great view) not too expensive
-Federini in Oia (great romantic restaurant for dinner/ has good views) Good selection of local dishes
I would suggest you make reservations, especially for dinner and make sure to ask for table with a view.
ENJOY!
Belinda says:
Hi Dave , we are leaving for Santorini in afew days for a week there. Although I’m English I live at the foot of Mt. Etna in Sicily and I’m so looking forward to seeing how the coastline there compares with the volcanic beaches and coast in Sicily (Eolian islands in particular). We aren’t really interested in the black beaches there as we have many here, although we must take a peek ;-)……but the rest I imagine to be fascinating. Have you had the chance to make comparisons yourself?
David says:
Not with Sicily, but I’ve been to several beaches in Spain and Greece and must say that Santorini’s beaches aren’t the best in the Mediterranean/ Aegean but they are worth visiting if not to cool off from the heat. If you have beautiful beaches at home, I would suggest taking advantage of Santorini’s other attractions like its vineyards, historical sites, excellent shopping, and beautiful vistas. Thanks again for dropping by! Enjoy your trip.
Nika says:
Hi David,
I’m glad I found your article because I’m going to visit Santorini for 12 days next month. I’ve been looking for some places to visit, already. Since I have a lot of time to explore Santorini, could you please give me some more tips on where to go? 🙂
David says:
Hi Nika, Thanks for dropping by. You can find all our suggestions on our Kindle guide: http://www.amazon.com/Santorini-Greece-Island-Travel-Guide-ebook/dp/B00FY5CLTY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438189105&sr=8-1&keywords=davidsbeenhere+santorini
Safe trip!!!
Lynda wik says:
Hi David
I and my sisters are taking a cruise in October, ending in Athens for three days. Since no islands are included on the cruise, we thought we should extend a couple of days. Wr think Santorini. Is this a good choice and how to get there from Athens? We are all over 65 but very active. Anything you offer is appreciated
David says:
Hi Lynda,
Thanks for writing me. To get from Athens to Santorini I would recommend flying with Aegean Airlines. Its a very short 25 minute flight. To really experience Santorini I would suggest 4 nights. Stay in Fira because it is in the center of the island. To get around the island you will need a car or hire a driver. What are you looking to do/see? Ancient ruins, beautiful villages, wineries?
Susan Murphy says:
Hi David! Fabulous article. I can’t wait to explore. I arrive on August 11th on a cruise ship. Unfortunately the ship arrives at 1:30 and departs at 10pm. I am traveling with my husband and my three daughters ages 20, 16 & 16 we love to explore and would like to see as much as we can. Can you suggest an itinerary and the best way to get from place to place? We would like to eat lunch and dinner on the island. We love Food and we love to explore. If you could incorporate the donkeys in that would be great too! I think that the girls would get a kick out of it!
Yana says:
You can also go horse riding from Megalochori to Theros’ beach. It’s just amazing!! 😉
henry says:
hey i am going to be in santorini the 19 of july on a cruise. we arrive at 7am and depart at 6 will it be possible to see most the island on short time? i kind have an itinerary already planned out starting by renting a vehicle and driving to akrotiri archaeology site. spend few hours there go to red beach for an hour at least to take a dip in the water eide top of pyrgos mountain and go to oia and spend time there along caltera rim. and of course have lunch somewhere. you think i can do this in the little time i will have? thanks for your help and your article is great i wrote down some of your suggestions
David says:
Hi Henry, you will be rushing with so little time. I would say speed up Akrotiri. I don’t think you need more then one full hour there. Head to Red Beach, then to Pyrgo and eat at Selene Gourmet for lunch from there head back to Fira and catch the cruise. My top ten takes three full days. Thanks again for writing us!
Simon says:
Hey that’s a great list of things to do here in Santorini. I visit once a year and I must say I think you have missed out one of the most amazing things to do here. Watching the sunset from Oia, that brings more people than any other attraction on the island ?
David says:
Hi Simon, thanks for the kind words.. Yes sunset in Oia is a MUST!
Charisse says:
I’ll be there in two weeks, but am touring so It’s just 3 nights in each place- Santorini, Mykonos and Athens. I think I can squeeze in a lot of what you have listed for Santorini. Any suggestions for the other locations? Taking a “speed ferry” from place to place – will that provide the effect of the day sailing or should I still schedule that? Thanks.
David says:
I think you should still include that, but I suggest doing half day so you have enough time. That sounds like a great itinerary!
Gail says:
My fiancé and I are getting married here May 2016, our ceremony will be held in the Santo Winery. Having read everyone’s comments, we can’t wait to say “I Do” on this beautiful island.
Tuna says:
Hi,
Thank you for all these advises… Next week we will be there for three days. Can we make all your suggestions in three days?
David says:
Yes you can! The only thing that will take up most of your day one of the days is Santorini Sailing, but its a must because you will see Santorini in a different way.. From the sea!
Mustufa says:
athens ? how many days
David says:
I think 3 days is good, but if you are planning to do any day trips you probably should plan an extra day for each. Please feel free to check out our article to get some ideas for day trips: https://davidsbeenhere.com/2013/05/29/best-day-trips-from-athens-to-ancient-greek-sites/
Mustufa says:
i m planning to greece, i dont know how much should i give to what places.
i habe total 23 days out of which mostly 12 or 15 days are for italy so rest is for greece , how many days are enough to see santorini
David says:
Hi Mustafa, I think that 4-5 days is ideal so you can see a lot.
Eliza says:
Great stuff, we are planning to stay 5 nights and definitely renting a car as we always do thanks for the to do list 🙂
David says:
You’re welcome, Eliza. Enjoy your trip!
Shannon says:
Alright… it’s official. I’m going back to Santorini right this moment to knock the 8 things off I did not do when I was there. It’s a pretty special place though, wouldn’t you say, when I claim I’d be happy to live there having only done a handful of things on your list? 🙂 Love it. One of the most beautiful destinations I’ve been to in 30+ countries. Love, love, love. If you’re curious… here’s why I’m head over heels for this pretty place >>> http://wp.me/p3UGiL-uD
David says:
Thank you Shannon! Love the article 🙂 I just reposted it on facebook and twitter. Santorini is my favorite island destination period. Let me know if you need anymore tips.
AnneR says:
Hi there David! We are planning to visit Santorini this coming June for just a day & one night. Please help me to prioritize the places that we should visit first. I don’t want to waste your short time there. Thanks in advance! Looking forward for your reply. Happy to have this kind of blog it is indeed very helpful!
David says:
Hi Anna,
that’s too short! But if you have only a day I definitely recommend seeing Oia. Head up Nomikos street for shopping and beautiful caldera views. Have lunch at a restaurant with a view (I recommend restaurant Skala but there are many). Oia is neatly divided into two sections by the main street, Nomikos Street. On one side is the area facing the caldera. The adjacent side is home to the neighborhood of old captain’s houses, or kapetanospita, that were once the residencies of ship owners. Oia is also known for its seventy churches. All different shapes and sizes, they are sprinkled throughout Oia’s various districts. Highlights of religious architecture include St. George’s Church in the district of Perivola, and St. Spyridon and Panagia Matrona in the district of Finikia. Definitely walk through the picturesque district of Monastiri, which earned its name for the high volume of churches in the district.
Fira is the other must-see village and also the capital city of Santorini (about 20 minutes drive from Oia). To save time, don’t take a donkey or cable car to the port since there is really nothing to see down there.
You must try to make it to Ammoudi Port in the evening for a sunset dinner (reservations are a must!).
Judith Hernandez says:
I will be in Santorini in May with family and would like to inquire about taxi service. We will arrive in port from a cruise ship and would like to rent a taxi, see Oia, find a good restaurant and perhaps see another attraction. Is this a possibility?
David says:
Hi Judith, this shouldn’t be a problem. Oia is a short drive from Fira, where most cruises come into. Taxis are a little pricy in Santorini, but if you are only going to be there for one day, it is probably the easiest way to get to/ from Oia. I recommend Skala restaurant in Oia because of the beautiful view, but there are tons of restaurants up and down the main pedestrian street. A few good options close to Oia include Sigalas Winery (book ahead for a tasting). Enjoy your trip!
Alex says:
Santorini is truly a beautiful island filled with exotic beaches and the local restaurants serves tourist amazing food . I am planning to visit Santorini during April 2015 with my family
Clifford Zimmerman says:
Kamari beach is a wonderful place to visit in Greece. The black pebble beach is an exotic destination for tourists.
David says:
Yes its a beautiful place and the food in the area is incredible! Thank you for commenting.
Rachel says:
We visited for 3 short days back in June of 2013 and didnt do any of this stuff! So glad we are returning this June for 5 days so we can attempt a good bit of these suggestions. I do have to say though, that renting a 4 wheeler and exploring the island and the beaches that way was extraordinary. And the Monolithos beach with its little cafe?! Heaven on earth!
David says:
Thanks for commenting Rachel. Yes this time try to do this all. The one thing I would recommend you have to do is Santorini Sailing. There is no better way to experience the island.
Anne says:
I am on my own and will have 48 hours on the ground in Santorini this coming weekend. What should I prioritize? Thanks!!
David says:
Hi Anne,
Thanks for dropping by! If you only have two days I suggest exploring Oia. Head up Nomikos street and having a great lunch there with a view of the caldera (I recommend restaurant Skala). You must try to make it to Ammoudi Port one evening for a sunset dinner (reservations are a must!). For the next day you could go sailing or go to Fira for more incredible views and do some shopping.
Pyrgos village is really close to Fira (about 4 miles) and a great day trip. You could check out the ruins of the old Venetian castle, get some panoramic shots of the island, and check out some of the traditional architecture. There’s so much to do! Wishing you had more time. Have a great weekend in Santorini!
Liz says:
We are in santorini right now, and will be using your TO DO list. Thx.very much 😉
Liz and rich
Pamela says:
Also see this about Santorini.. http://www.aperfectvacationhome.com/location/europe/greece/santorini/
David says:
Hi Liz, So glad you stopped by to read the article and share that you’re there! Santorini is wonderful and take pointers from the locals whenever you can… they always know best.
Nila says:
Hi David,
I am planning to go to Santorini for 5-7 days. Is it possible to stay in 1 place and visit all around? we want to make the most of 7 days, so need to work out best way to see all around the island and also make it comfortable. If so, which place would u recommend staying? Do we need to rent a car to drive, or are there any other options?
thanks
Nila
David says:
Hi Nila, Thanks for your comment! It is possible to stay in one place and see the whole island, and I think the number of days you are dedicating is perfect. When I was there I rented a car (the dune buggies and motorcycles seemed dangerous to me on the steep roads and definitely not convenient for night driving). It was by far the best decision we made because we could see everything on our own time. I would recommend staying in Fira because it’s the most central. Parking the car in old town Fira isn’t really possible since the streets are so narrow, but there is plenty of public parking in overnight parking lots just a short walk downhill from the old town. For hotels I would recommend anything by Aqua Vista or Anteliz Suites. Please let me know if you have any more questions. I would love to know how it goes for you!
Mark says:
Umm.. #8 … it should say seamen, not semen. Great list of Santori stuff to do, really helped me out in my research.
davidsbeenhere says:
Wow thank you Mark! We just fixed it. Don’t know how we missed that one.
Soothed in the City says:
Ooh, I’m heading here later in the year. Can’t wait now…especially for the wine tour!
davidsbeenhere says:
The wine tours are incredibly delicious! If you need anymore tips or suggestions please do not hesitate to ask
Tiffany says:
I absolutely loved my stay in Santorini. The donkey ride was different but really brought the experience full circle. Check out my stay there: http://theperfectporridge.com/. Thanks!
micheal says:
Excellent blog and great pictures! i think these top 10 things will be on my to do list when i plan my visit to Greece. If you do visit Dubai you can contact us Tours Dubai
davidsbeenhere says:
thanks Micheal! I emailed you btw, let me know if you got it.
Santorini Hotel says:
Very nice article although I would put “dinner in Ammoudi” at first place 🙂
davidsbeenhere says:
jajaja it was definitely one of the best restaurants and that sunset is amazing!