Popular Pages
• Most Popular Towns in Santorini
• Most Picturesque Coastlines in Santorini
• Top hotels in Santorini
• Some hotels in Santorini offer private pool amenities.
• Some accommodations with memorable sunset perspectives
• Top Tours & Activities
• Highly Recommended Eateries
• Winery tours on Santorini
• Top Boat Excursions
Santorini is the most spectacular island in all of Greece and one of Europe`s geologic treasures. The five towns of Fira,Oia,Imerovigli,Firostefani, and Akrotiri sit high above the caldera and offer tremendous perspectives looking down into the crater created from a monumental volcanic blast in the 16th century BC. What is left standing is an incredible sight and a magical setting perfect for island treks,pools with endless views,luxurious lodgings,wineries perched on cliffs, and dreamy sunset meals. With an area of 76 square kilometers, Santorini is a little larger than Manhattan Island in New York.
Table of Contents
The 2024 Santorini Travel Guide
- Skip to our Santorini Questions
Santorini Basics
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- When to Go to Santorini
- Santorini Area Charts
- Videos showing highlights of Santorini
- This webpage discusses the safety of traveling to Santorini.
- Fira versus Oia?
- Comparing two popular Greek island destinations
Santorini Hotels
- Finest Accommodations in Santorini
- Inexpensive accommodation options
- Accommodations located near the coastline
- Top-Tier Accommodations in Santorini
- Top Villas & Rentals
- Best boutique style lodgings
- Best Lodgings for Families
- Lodgings with Caldera Scenery
- Recommended honeymoon hotels
- Most Popular Shores and Coastal Towns
- Accommodations with Panoramic Evening Views
- Cavern Hotels
- Accommodations on Santorini suitable for guests with limited mobility.
- notable hotel features on Santorini
- Inexpensive Hotels with Caldera View
- All-inclusive Lodgings
- Fira Accommodations
- Hotels in Oia
- Lodgings in Imerovigli
- Accommodations in Firostefani
- Accommodations in Perissa and Perivolos
- Hotels in Kamari
- Accommodations in Megalochori village on Santorini.
- Kamari Hotels
- Accommodations at Akrotiri
- Short-Term Rentals on Airbnb in Santorini
- Where to Reside in Koh Samu
Santorini Activities
- Most popular activities
- Top-Rated Dining Establishments
- prime recreational locations and activities after dark
- Wineries & Wine Experiences
- Naxos – Things to Do
- Hiking trail between Fira and Oia villages
- Skaros Rock Trail
- Guided excursions on foot around Santorini
- Traveling to Santorini with Children
- Private Excursions in Santorini
- Guided photography experiences
- Boat Tours
- Jet Ski Experience
- Inexpensive Hotels in Santorini with Caldera Views
- Open-air movie theater in Kamari
- Ancient Ruins of Akrotiri
- Details about Ammoudi Bay on Santorini
- Scenic overlooks on Santorini
- Coloring Representations of Santorini
Santorini Trip Planning
- The whereabouts of Santorini?
- Methods of Reaching Santorini Island
- Planning a Santorini Vacation
- Where to Stay in Santorini for First Time Visitors
- Guide to the Ferry Port in Santorini
- Airport guidance
- Getting Around by Coach
- Accommodations with Private Pools
- Transportation services available on Santorini Island
- Travel between Athens and Santorini by ferry
- Travel between Mykonos and Santorini by Ferry
- Traveling between Crete and Santorini via ferry
- Santorini helicopter tours and transfers
- Day trips from Santorini
- Travel Planning Services for Santorini
- Santorini vacation packages with multiple options
- Wedding celebrations and social gatherings on the Greek island of Santorini are described at this link
- Cruise trips to Santorini
- Excursions for Santorini cruise ship visitors
- Proposed agendas for 1, 2, 3, & 7 days visiting Santorini
Latest Articles & My Travel Newsletter
Frequently Asked Questions about Santorini
Additionally, please see:
See Also: Greece: Tips & Information for First-Timers
Where is Santorini?
Santorini is an island located in the Aegean Sea, 200 km southeast of Athens, 150 km south of Mykonos, and 140 km north of Crete. Flights to Santorini take approximately 4 hours from London, 3.5 hours from Paris, 2 hours from Rome, and 1 hour from Athens. There are no direct flights to Santorini from locations in the USA, Canada, or Australia.
How do I get to Santorini?
There are multiple daily Athens to Santorini ferries (4.5 to 6 hours by highspeed ferry). The islands of Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Folegandros, Mykonos, and Crete (1 to 3 hours) will have direct ferries from April to early November, and sometimes year-round for Naxos and Paros. Flights from Athens to Santorini take under 1 hour, direct flights from western Europe (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice) take 2 to 4 hours.
Santorini Ferry Port Video
How big is Santorini?
Santorini has a population of 15,500 and a land area of 76 square kilometers (an area a little larger than Manhattan). The length of the island is 16 km and its width varies from 1 to 5 km. It takes 45 minutes to drive from one end of Santorini to the other.
What is the best month to go to Santorini?
The most effective timeframe to visit Santorini for favorable climate, boat excursions, swimming, sunbathing, and nightlife is from June to September. If beach relaxation and hot temperatures are not essential and one is more interested in sightseeing historical sites, hiking, and exploration then late March, April, May, October, and early November are likewise beneficial.
What are the main towns in Santorini?
The towns of Fira, Oia, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Akrotiri cling to the 300m cliffs and have magical views of the caldera and volcano to the west. The beach towns of Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, and Agios Georgios are on the east and south sides of the island (not the caldera).
Do I need a car in Santorini?
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Where should I stay in Santorini?
Some of the finest areas to reside in Santorini are along the caldera in the towns of Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani. These locations provide incredible perspectives of the volcano, ocean, and sunset. All of these towns are on the western side of Santorini.
What are the best things to do in Santorini?
The most worthwhile activities on Santorini incorporate hiking along the incredible caldera footpath, touring wineries, taking a boat tour of the caldera (with volcano hike/hot spring swimming/sunset viewing), and visiting the island’s small charming villages. Nightlife has options ranging from wine bars to dance clubs but remains relaxed and the club scene is simple to avoid if uninterested.
How was Santorini created?
What remains of Santorini comes from a colossal volcanic eruption 3600 years ago. The explosion demolished all settlements and formed the caldera. The caldera is a bay of seawater enclosed on 3 sides by Santorini`s steep cliffs and on the 4th by the island of Thirassia (previously part of Santorini). The modern volcano (on the island of Nea Kameni) sits in the center of the caldera. It`s lively but currently not at risk of erupting. This is a good video about the Santorini volcano.
How many days should I spend in Santorini?
Staying a minimum of 2 days and 2 nights is advised. But there is so much to experience that it is easy to fill 5 to 7 days. When possible, participate in one boat tour, one wine tour, hike the path between Fira and Oia, explore the villages of Pyrgos and Emporio, and visit the historic locales of Akrotiri and Ancient Thera. You will also want ample time to wander the cobblestone lanes and alleys of Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli. Then there is nightlife and all the excellent dining destinations of Santorini.
What currency is used in Santorini?
Greece is part of the European Union, so the currency used in Santorini is the Euro (€). Most shops and restaurants on Santorini accept credit cards, but it is a wise idea to have some cash available for small purchases like bottled water and snacks. ATMs are easy to find in all of Santorini’s main towns.
Is Santorini expensive?
Santorini is renowned for luxurious 5-star hotels, exceptional restaurants, and high-end shopping but it`s possible to visit Santorini with a modest budget. All-inclusive resorts don`t exist on Santorini so the key to saving money is choosing lodging and dining away from the caldera. Appreciating the incredible views is gratis and affordable hotels in Santorini are abundant, good quality, and good value.
What towns and hotels have the best caldera views?
The villages of Fira,Firostefani,Imerovigli,Oia, and Akrotiri are situated on the cliff of Santorini and offer breathtaking views overlooking the volcanic caldera and the remains of the volcano below. While all the hotels in these towns may not provide direct caldera views, many do and those that don`t are still within close walking distance to appreciate the scenic vistas. Each location provides a distinctive angle and no single village can claim to boast definitively better perspectives than the others. Out of all of them, Imerovigli is typically praised for furnishing particularly beautiful sunsets but this topic continues to inspire contrasting opinions and each caldera town can make a fair case for showcasing the island`s finest overlooks.
