Santorini
Santorini is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, known for its stunning volcanic landscape, whitewashed villages, and breathtaking sunsets. It's famous for its caldera, a large, water-filled volcanic crater, and the dramatic cliffs topped with traditional blue-domed churches and houses. Santorini is also renowned for its unique beaches, including the Red Beach and black sand beaches, as well as its local wines. The island’s history is deeply tied to one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history—the Minoan eruption around 1600 BCE—which devastated the island and may have contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization on Crete. Ancient Akrotiri, a remarkably well-preserved Bronze Age settlement buried in volcanic ash, offers a glimpse into life before the eruption and has drawn comparisons to Pompeii.
💡Santorini: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: most European countries plus Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Santorini International Airport (JTR)
💬 Language: Greek, but English is widely spoken
🏷️ Price Level: It is said that Greece is about 30% cheaper than the US
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Greece US$ 5.68
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best months to visit are April to May and September to October
🚘 Transportation: buses and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Greece uses type C and F plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US
🛜 WiFi: widely available in cafes and restaurants
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: Tipping is customary but modest; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants. A small change is appreciated by taxi drivers, hotel staff, and café staff.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Port of Athinios, Santorini 84700, Greece (tender port)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ To pay for a bus in Santorini, you'll need to pay in cash directly to the driver or a ticket collector. Tickets are not sold in advance or online, and each journey requires a separate ticket. You can pay when you board the bus, or sometimes at busy stops before boarding, especially at the main bus station in Fira.
✈️ Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located around 3 miles (5 km) from the main village, Fira. The most budget-friendly option is the public bus that leaves right outside the arrivals terminal. The trip takes around 10 minutes and costs about 2 EUR, payable in cash to the driver. If heading to other villages like Oia or Kamari, a transfer is needed at the main bus station in Fira.
🚇 To get from Santorini's cruise port, which is a tender port, to Fira, the main town, there are two main options: the cable car or walking the stairs. The cable car is the most common and efficient way, taking only a few minutes to ascend. Alternatively, you can walk the 600+ steps up the cliffside, but it's a physically demanding climb. Tickets can be purchased at the base of the cable car station, and prices are around 6-10 EUR per person, one way, depending on the season.
🚌 While there is no hop-on-hop-off bus, the regular public bus connects most towns and villages, with Fira serving as the central hub.
⭐️ Top Sights in Santorini
"The entire island of Santorini is actually a volcanic rock."
📸 Oia Village: Oia, located on the northwestern tip of Santorini, Greece, is a picturesque village carved into the cliffs overlooking the caldera. It is renowned for its stunning whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and breathtaking sunset views over the Aegean Sea. To fully experience Oia, you can wander its charming, labyrinth-like streets, browse unique boutiques and art galleries, capture iconic photos of the blue domes against the caldera backdrop, and witness the world-famous sunset from spots like the Castle of Oia or a cliffside restaurant. You can also visit the Naval Maritime Museum to learn about the island's history, descend the Oia steps to Ammoudi Bay for fresh seafood and swimming, or take a catamaran tour from Ammoudi to explore the caldera and surrounding islands. For relaxation, there are charming cafes, bars, and restaurants with stunning views. A hike to Ammoudi Bay or a visit to nearby Katharos Beach offers opportunities for swimming and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Additionally, you can visit the local winery, Domaine Sigalas, for a wine tasting experience.
📸 Fira: Fira, the capital of Santorini, is a picturesque town dramatically perched on the edge of the island's caldera, offering breathtaking views of the volcano and the Aegean Sea. It's a vibrant hub with charming streets, whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, boutiques, and various restaurants, bars, and cafes, especially those perched along the cliffside for stunning sunset views. Things to do include exploring the archaeological treasures at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, taking the cable car or walking the 588 steps down to the Old Port for unique caldera views and access to boat tours to the volcanic islands and hot springs, browsing local markets for souvenirs, and enjoying the town's lively nightlife. The Fira to Oia hiking trail is also a must-do for panoramic views along the caldera rim. Overall, Fira offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and lively entertainment.
📸 Red Beach and Black Sand Beaches: Red Beach in Santorini is named for its striking red cliffs and dark red sand, a unique geological feature caused by oxidized iron from the nearby volcano. Black Sand Beaches, like Perissa, Perivolos, and Kamari, are also a result of Santorini's volcanic history, with sand composed of pulverized volcanic rock and lava fragments. Both beaches offer a unique experience of Santorini's volcanic landscape, with Red Beach offering dramatic scenery and snorkeling opportunities near fascinating rock formations, while Black Sand Beaches are known for their organized amenities, variety of water sports, and lively atmosphere, particularly at Perissa and Perivolos, which are also known for their beach parties and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can admire the scenic views from the headland at Red Beach or venture onto the beach itself, while at the Black Sand Beaches, one can relax under umbrellas, enjoy watersports like jet skiing and parasailing, or simply soak in the unique volcanic landscape.
📸 Hiking Trail from Fira to Oia: The Fira to Oia hike on Santorini is a popular 6.5-mile trail along the caldera rim, offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea and volcanic landscape. The hike typically takes 2-3 hours and can be done in either direction, though walking from Fira to Oia is generally recommended for its slightly downhill path and the rewarding arrival in Oia.
📸 Pyrgos Village: Pyrgos Kallistis, or simply Pyrgos, is a village on the island of Santorini, nestled on the slopes of Mount Profitis Ilias, offering panoramic views of the island. It's recognized as one of Santorini's best-preserved medieval villages, characterized by its traditional Cycladic architecture, including whitewashed houses and narrow, labyrinthine streets. Originally serving as a monastery, the Venetians transformed it into a fortified settlement with a castle (Kasteli) to defend against pirates. Today, Pyrgos is considered a "hidden gem" of Santorini, providing a tranquil escape from the crowded tourist hotspots while retaining its authentic Greek island charm.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Santorini's cuisine boasts a rich history rooted in its unique volcanic soil and climate, which yields distinctive agricultural products. For thousands of years, the inhabitants of Santorini have focused on pure natural flavors like Fava beans (yellow split peas), a staple crop cultivated for over 3,500 years, with findings suggesting its consumption in the ancient settlement of Akrotiri around 1500 BC. The island also relies on local cherry tomatoes, introduced in the 18th century and known for their small size and intense sweetness.
🍽️ Tomatokeftedes: Tomatokeftedes, also known as Santorini Tomato Fritters, are a popular traditional dish from the Greek island of Santorini. They are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that showcases the flavor of the island's unique and prized cherry tomatoes.
🍽️ Fava me koukia: Santorini Fava me koukia is a traditional Greek dish. It is made from a unique type of yellow split pea, known as Lathyrus clymenum, specifically cultivated on the island of Santorini for over 3,500 years. The volcanic soil and climate of Santorini are believed to give this variety a unique consistency and flavor. It is often served as a dip or spread, similar to hummus.
🍽️ Melitzanosalata: Melitzanosalata is a classic Greek eggplant dip or salad made from roasted or grilled eggplant, garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and sometimes parsley, red onion, and vinegar. It is known for its smoky flavor, which comes from charring the eggplant skin during roasting. This dip, whose name translates to "eggplant salad," is a popular mezze (appetizer) often served with warm pita bread or other crusty bread. Melitzanosalata has a rustic, chunky texture and is simpler than Middle Eastern eggplant dips like baba ghanoush, which typically includes tahini.
🍽️ Melitinia: Melitinia are traditional sweet cheese pastries from Santorini, often enjoyed during Easter and other special occasions. They are known for their delicate, handmade dough and a sweet, aromatic filling typically made with fresh unsalted cheese, sugar, and mastic. While they require artistic skill to create with their intricate pleats, they are a beloved part of the island's culinary heritage and can be found in traditional bakeries across Santorini.
🥤Assyrtiko: Santorini Assyrtiko is a renowned white wine from the Greek island of Santorini, known for its crisp acidity, intense minerality, and unique saline character. Grown in the island's volcanic soil, it produces wines with notes of citrus, herbs, and a distinctive flinty or smoky undertone. Assyrtiko is also known for retaining its high acidity even in hot, dry climates, making it a versatile and age-worthy white wine. It pairs beautifully with seafood, particularly shellfish and dishes featuring feta cheese or lemon.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🚕 Uber