Passes & Passports

When it comes to Greece, there’s no question that Santorini is among the most desired places in the country to visit. And rightfully so. With beautiful white and blue villages, and the stunning Caldera views, this Cycladic island is one that draws in millions of visitors from around the globe each summer. But with big crowds comes drawbacks that have diverted many to explore lesser traveled gems, such as Paros, Antiparos and Naxos (all having gained a huge rise in popularity in recent years). So is Santorini a thing of the past? Absolutely not. Despite the crowds, Santorini in my opinion remains a must-see if Greece is on your travel board (along with Athens. Yes, go to Athens). After spending five days exploring the island this past August, here are seven tips to enhance your first Santorini vacation.

Location, Location, Location: There are many beautiful places to stay on Santorini but the two most popular draws for tourists are Oia and Fira. Oia is known for its more upscale cliffside accommodations and shops, sunset views and has popular sights such as the ‘Three Blue Domes’ (the churches of Agios Spiridonas  and Anastaseos) and the steep steps down to Ammoudi Bay. It is probably the picture you see most when you see Santorini. Nights in Oia are more laid back, with people mostly filling up the main strip and restaurants to take in the beautiful sunset or a late evening stroll. On the contrary, Fira, the island’s capital, brings in crowds by day and has a very bustling nightlife scene. Fira is also the hub for the island’s public bus system. During days in peak season, both places are crammed as the island welcomes dozens of cruise ships each week, some days adding over 15,000 additional visitors to the island’s resident population of the same size. For our trip, we stayed in Oia and developed a routine that worked out great for us. The benefit of staying in Oia is that you can get up as early as you’d like (we are very early risers) to catch the sunrise, take a walk, enjoy the scenery and get those iconic photos before the crowds of tour buses and cruise passengers hit the area (it’s usually pretty packed by 10am). Once the crowds arrive, head back to relax at your cliffside pool or get out of Oia and see other towns and sites on the island. For alternative bases in the area, check out places like Firostefani and Imerovigli.

Explore the Island: There is far more to Santorini than Oia and Fira, so get out and explore! Places like Megalchori, Pyrgos, Akrotiri and Kamari all offer a glimpse into the history, landscape, culture and charm of Santorini. There are also many options for island excursions, from sunset cruises to vineyards and more. You can find a comprehensive list of Santorini excursions here (Note: As a Get Your Guide partner, a small commission is earned for any bookings made through the provided link.)

Use Public Transportation: Santorini has a pretty good public bus system that can save you hundreds in transportation. My son and I used the bus to explore different places around the island, including getting to the ferry port for our day trip to Paros. The fare was about 2 euros to get about anywhere and my son, who was 5, rode for free. From Oia to Fira was about a 25 minute ride and from there, you hop on to your connection. There are also buses to/from the airport, which is a huge cost savings (I wouldn’t try to Uber from the airport as the pricing can be insane and availability unreliable. Either book with a company ahead or take the bus). As for ATV rentals…I just wouldn’t.

Book your sunset dinners in advance: One of the most popular things to do when evening falls is take in the sunset and Santorini has no shortage of wonderful places to do so. From fine dining, to casual cafes, there are many options for this experience and your best bet will be to book in advance. For delicious authentic Greek food, try a visit to Aktaion in Firostefani. As the longest running establishment on the island, this modest family run restaurant serves up some amazing traditional dishes and the staff is just as wonderful as the food. It is a popular restaurant so I highly recommend reserving in advance. When booking, simply request a day when they have a good sunset reservation and view (they’ll know the times better than anyone).

Ditch the large luggage: I can’t stress the need for carry-on size luggage and backpacks enough. From the cliffside hotels to the hill top villages, you can expect many vertical climbs and steps just about anywhere you go (some locations even using donkeys to transport luggage). While your hotel will likely offer a porter, don’t expect them to enjoy carrying your five-piece 28-inch luggage up and down the dozens of stairs in the brutal heat anymore than you would (and depending on your arrival time, there may be no porter!). Just believe me on this one. Carry-on luggage.

Wear comfortable shoes: If my repeat mention of ‘cliffside’ and ‘hilltop’ aren’t enough, let me not forget to say ‘cobblestone’. Leave the heels! You don’t need them and quite frankly, will find yourself looking silly trying to navigate the cobblestone and inclines. It made me uncomfortable just to watch. Take your nicest pair/s of flat sandals for evenings and a comfortable pair of supportive sneakers for the day time. The rubber flip-flops should be left for the pool or beach (which is generally considered too casual for Europe anyways). Your overall experience will be better and your ankles will thank you later.

Consider the shoulder season: If you have some flexibility and are looking for a less crowded and more enjoyable experience, I would consider the shoulder season months of May/early June and Sept. During this time, the crowds are far less and prices (and heat index) are lower. Having gone the first week of August, the extreme heat made it difficult at times to really enjoy exploring (I drew the line after about 30 of the total 270+ steps down to Ammoudi Bay…that is absolutely not an Augusty thing to try).

Whatever your plans, Santorini is a stunning island that is still and certainly worth the visit!