If you are a Mamma Mia fanatic like myself, then any Island in Greece has been on your bucketlist for as long as you can remember. After a few years of travel, we finally decided to pull the plug and plan a small Euro trip to some of the most sought after locations in Greece, specifically Santorini!
In this travel guide we will taking you through a complete travel guide to the magical island of Santorini. We will be sharing things to do, places to visit, where to stay and all the best places to eat.
Let’s get into it!
Things To Know Before You Visit Santorini
Language
Santorini’s official language is Greek! However, Santorini is a highly trafficked Island by tourists from all over the world. If you speak English, then you should be able to communicate with just about everyone on the Island.
Currency
Greece’s official currency is the Euro and is the only cash currency that is accepted. Many establishments in Santorini will accept all major credit cards, but it is best to keep some cash with you as well.
Outlets
Greece uses Type C and F, which are outlets found in the majority of European countries. However, if you are traveling from North America, you will require an adapter. We have linked the ones that we bring with us when we travel here!
Tipping
Tipping is not generally required in Greece. However, we did find that tourists often presented some kind of tip at the end of a meal if they enjoyed their service. 10-15% is perfect!
Best Time To Visit Santorini
Peak Season
Peak season in Santorini falls between end of June to end of August. This is when you will have the largest crowds, higher prices for hotels and tours, and the hottest weather. During peak season in Santorini, all shops and restaurants will be open and operating a full capacity.
shoulder Season
Shoulder season in Santorini falls between May to early June and September to early October. This is when you will still have warm weather and great swimming temperatures, but less crowds. You may find that not all shops and restaurants are open, or running at full capacity.
However, we traveled to Santorini during September and we found it to be quite busy, and the majority of restaurants and shops were still open! If you speak with locals, they will all tell you September is the best time to visit!
Off Season
Since Santorini is primarily a summer vacation spot, during the months of late October to end of April, the majority of shops and restaurants are closed for the season.
How To Get Around Santorini
Local Bus
We have visited SO many places where local transportation is so hard to use. BUT the public bus system in Santorini is a well oiled machine and is so easy to use, like dummy proof. The main bus terminal is located in the city of Thira. There is a bus schedule posted on the wall of the information centre. If you are confused as to which bus to take or what time the bus arrives, just ask the person sitting behind the glass. They are very helpful and speak great English. We HIGHLY recommend utilizing the local bus in Santorini.
The local bus is around 2.30 euro and the ticket is purchased after you get onto the bus. For more information about the local bus and it’s schedules, visit their website here.
There are buses that go to and from each town and village, as well as the port and the airport. Each bus has storage for luggage underneath the bus. We used the city bus to get to and from every hotel we stayed at, as well as the Port for the ferry!
Taxi
There are quite a few Taxi’s throughout the Island of Greece. The main taxi stand is located next to the bus station in Thira. There are no set fares in Greece, so be sure to ask about a price prior to getting into the car. We rarely used a Taxi because the bus system was so easy and convenient. We also found there were not many available during peak hours.
Rental
We spoke to quite a few locals that urged us not to rent a scooter if you are not comfortable riding one. We did see quite a lot of ATV rentals that would be great to have if you plan on visiting some near by towns.
Where To Stay
Santorini is a moderately sized Island with small towns throughout, each with their own unique character and draw for visiting. We are going to share a few recommendations for places to stay in a few different towns and villages on the Island!
Oia
Pronounced “EE-AA”, this is the town that you will most likely see on Santorini post cards. Famous for the stunning blue roof churches and vast caldera, this town is a very popular place to stay for luxury vacations. There are some truly beautiful resorts in Oia that have stunning plunge pools looking out over the sea and the cascade of buildings below. Here are two hotels we think you should consider in Oia!
Canaves Oia Suites
Located in the heart of Oia, this stunning resort is the epitome of luxury! This hotel is a perfect mix of rustic charm you would expect from a Greek hotel, mixed with modern luxuries. Each suites has their own private plunge pool looking out over the caldera below. This place is truly magical and would be a great place to stay in Oia! Read more here!
Katikies Santorini
Also located on the Main Street of Oia, this Resort is one of the leading Resort chains in Greece. With stunning properties on various islands, Katikies Santorini knows how to do luxury well. With modern rooms, luxury finishes and plunge pools with some of the best sunset views in Oia, this would make a great escape in the heart of Oia! Read more here.
Fira (Also known as Thira)
Fira is the main city on the island of Santorini. With the largest footprint, the hub of transportation, and a mecca of locally owned shops and restaurants, Fira is a great place to have a home base when visiting the Island. We had the pleasure of staying in Fira during our stay in Santorini and we absolutely loved it!
Villa Bordeaux
This incredible boutique hotel is located in arguably one of the most perfect places in the Island of Santorini. Just below all of the hustle and bustle of Fira is each room with magnificent views of the Caldera and epic views of the sunset. All unobstructed. Each room has access to the breathtaking infinity pool located on the lowest level of the hotel for optimal privacy. The hotel also offers some incredible meals made by the in house chef. We highly recommend staying at Villa Bordeaux if you are traveling to Santorini. Read more here!
Delion View hotel
If you are looking for a hotel that provides great service, is family owned and does not break the bank, then this is the perfect place to stay in Fira! With spacious clean rooms, great terrace views of the Caldera, and a great location in the heart of Fira, this would be a great economical option when visiting Santorini. Read more here
Imerovigli
Imerovigli is a quiet town located just 20 minutes away from Thira and is packed with charm! If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the typical tourist crowds in Santorini, than a stay in Imerovigli would be a great option!
Stella Rocca A Mare
Stella Rocca A Mare is a stunning hotel located on the cliff side of Imerovigli. This hotel has spacious suites with modern finishes while maintaining Greek charm, and each room is outfitted with a plunge pool overlooking the sea. There is an incredible restaurant onsite that serves all meals throughout the day. And there is a larger pool for all guests to use in the main reception area.
We loved this hotel! The rooms were so modern, and we loved that it was tucked away in Imerovigli, so we could explore all day and come back to a quiet town without the mass crowds! Read more here!
Santorini: Things To Do
Like we said above, Santorini is a moderately sized island that has many different towns and villages with various reasons to visit each! We spent a total of 4 days on the Island of Santorini which we think is plenty of time to see some of the incredible sights this Island has to offer. During that time we saw the must see tourist sights and we also explored some smaller villages. Below are some suggestions of things to do in Santorini that we think you shouldn’t miss!
Fira to Oia Walk
Considered one of the top things to do in Santorini, the Fira to Oia walk is a must do activity! This walk is mostly flat, with only a few short uphill climbs. It can easily be done by people of various fitness levels. We highly recommend doing this in the early morning as there is no shade on this hike. The walk itself is 6.5 Miles long and is quite easy to follow. It will take you less than 2 hours to get from the Capitol City to Oia.
We walked from our hotel in Imerovigli to Oia in the early morning and loved the views. Make sure to bring some water and sunscreen, there is no shade on this hike and it can get quite hot throughout the day.
Explore Imerovigli
Even if you are not staying in the quaint town, Imerovigli has a few places to explore and is absolutely worth a visit! There is a beautiful blue roof church located in the midst of town which is a great place to take in the sunrise and sunset. You can also hike down to Skaros Rock where you will find some of the most breath taking views of the Caldera and also a hidden white church! To get to Imerovigli, you can take the public bus from Fira! It stops just outside of the center of town.
Ammoudi Bay
This is one of our favorite places on the Island of Santorini. We are not fond of big crowds and this little spot was the perfect sanctuary to escape the chaos in Oia. Ammoudi Bay is located below Oia and is a great place to spend the afternoon. There are quite a few restaurants serving fresh fish and octopus at the harbor. You can also rent a small boat here to explore around the Island. If you walk to the left and follow the path to the end you find a great place to swim for the afternoon!
Perissa Beach
If you are looking for a great place to spend an afternoon in the sun away from large crowds, then Perissa Beach is where we recommend going. You can take the public bus from Fira to Perissa from the bus station. Along the beach you will find a variety of restaurants that offer free beach chairs and wifi if you purchase food and drinks during the day. The stretch of beach is quite long and there are many shops for souvenirs, as well as restaurants and bars! The beach is quite rocky so make sure to wear sandals that you can wear into the water.
Catch the Sunrise in Oia
Want some of the most popular places in Oia to yourself and a few others? Visiting during the sunrise not only is quiet, but also offers some spectacular views of the most iconic locations in Oia! Make sure to visit the postcard famous Blue Dome’s at Anstasis Church at this time. There will be little to no line to see the most famous view in Oia.
Watch one of the most famous Sunset’s in the world
There is no denying that the sunset in Santorini is one of the most famous in the world. With Caldera views and skies that seem to light on fire as the sun goes down, there is truly no better place to watch the sun set. You can catch an incredible sunset from Fira (Thira, Imerovigli or Oia. Oia tends to be more crowded, so we chose to catch the sunset from Fira and Imerovigli! There are so many restaurants and bars that overlook the caldera and have incredible sunset views, but they fill up quick so we highly recommend making a reservation! If you are looking for a place to watch the sunset in Fira without being in a restaurant, we recommend finding the Donkey stairs! Anywhere near that location has a great view of the sunset.
Sail Around santorini
If you are looking for an unforgettable experience in Santorini, we recommend either renting a small boat for the afternoon, or joining a sailing tour. There are full day excursions and sunset cruises from many tour operators around the Island. You can book them online, or in person at various stands in Oia and Fira. Your hotel will likely also have a contact for a great sailing company.
Where To Eat In Santorini
There are so many different incredible restaurants throughout Santorini. We are going to focus on a few of our favorites in Oia and Fira as that is where the majority of visitors stay!
We also like to find restaurants that serve excellent food, are reasonably priced and offer a great atmosphere. There are quite a few restaurants in Fira and Oia that we feel take advantage of tourists and charge high prices due to their convenience and location but not quality of food.
Salt and Pepper
We had to start off this list with our favorite dining experience in Fira. This is a small restaurant located along one of the main roads and they are reservation only. Salt and Pepper is owned, managed and run but a retired husband and wife duo. Irene is the server and manager and her husband is the only cook in the kitchen. When you come here, you come for the experience of a home cooked meal that tastes like it came out of a 5 star kitchen. Irene makes sure you have enough to eat and also makes sure to take your photo with their digital camera as a way for them to remember all of their customers. They are a sweet couple who work tirelessly to make incredible Greek food. This is one place with think you cannot miss in Fira.
You can make a reservation via Facebook Messanger on their page here!
Cacio E pepe
This Italian restaurant is located in close proximity to the downtown of Fira. This highly reviewed restaurant offers some incredible homemade pasta and woodfire pizzas. They also have an extensive wine collection. They do not require a reservation but it is highly recommend as this place gets quite busy in the evenings.
Kapari Taverna
This hole in the wall spot was a local recommendation we received for great Greek Food with a great atmosphere. Located close to the downtown of Fira, this place is hidden behind walls of beautiful bougainvillea trees with bright pink flowers. Once inside, you will feel like you are in a Greek fairytale! The food was excellent and it felt like we were sitting in an enchanted garden. This is a hot spot for locals, so there may be a bit of a wait, but it was worth it!
Tropical Bar
Not a restaurant suggestion, but if you are looking for a great bar overlooking the sunset then this is it! With a small patio and interior it can get quite busy in here, but the views are incredible and the drinks are great. Later in the evening a DJ begins and the dance party starts. This was another local recommendation and we had so much fun here!
Paradox Thai Food and BAr
If you have a craving for Thai food (we always do) then make your way to Paradox in Oia. This hidden gem is located off of the main tourist strip and offers some incredible Thai dishes. We loved this place! The staff was so friendly and went above and beyond to make our meal great. We highly recommend the Red Curry and Pad Thai!
Ammoudi Fish Tavern
Located in Ammoudi Bay, this restaurant serves fresh seafood caught daily. Their menu differs based on the catches of the day and the season, but everything that we had here was delicious. The restaurants in Ammoudi Bay are a bit pricier as they are in a premium location in Oia, but we think you need to stop here for a great lunch before heading to the swimming point around the corner.
La Colline
Located inside Villa Bordeaux, this small restaurant offers the BEST view of the sunset in our opinion. This is a fine dining restaurant with an incredible french inspired menu. The dishes here are delicious and this would be a great restaurant for celebrating a special occasion while in Santorini or for a romantic dinner.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to plan a European getaway for the summer or fall, then we think Santorini is a must visit location!
Let us know your thoughts on this blog post! Have you been to Santorini before?
