A first-timer's guide to Santorini, Greece

11.06.2024 - 17:15 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 11, 2024 • 7 min read

Santorini is the supermodel of the Greek islands, a head-turner whose face is instantly recognizable around the world: multicolored cliffs soar out of a sea-drowned volcanic crater, topped by whitewashed buildings.

With its reputation for dazzling panoramas, romantic sunsets and volcanic-sand beaches, it’s hardly surprising Santorini features on so many travelers’ bucket lists.

If you're planning to join the crowd, here’s your guide to Santorini to ensure your trip is one to remember.

Peak travel time to Santorini is July and August, when temperatures and prices peak, and hotels, viewpoints and beaches are packed with tourists. Cruise ships deposit thousands of day-trippers to join the holidaying throngs. For better or worse, the island can feel like a crowded party.

For those in-the-know, the shoulder seasons from late April to June and September to October are the best months to visit Santorini. Things are marginally quieter at the caldera edge, and considerably quieter on the east coast. From May to October the weather is reliably sunny, and swimming is possible. Sea temperatures are more favorable in fall compared to spring.

All that said, don’t discount a winter break, when crowds are scarce (and prices low) while the scenery is still breathtaking. However, note that not all tourist places are open in winter. Tourism season kicks off in earnest from Greek Orthodox Easter (approximately mid-April).

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Santorini can be expensive to visit (especially when you compare it to the lesser-hyped Greek islands), so your Santorini travel itinerary will depend on how far your budget stretches – and, in turn, this is highly dependent on what time of year you visit.

You need at least three days in Santorini to experience the best of the island – the caldera-edge views, a boat tour, some beach activity, and a dose of history and wine-tasting, too.

Frequent ferries and high-speed catamarans link Santorini with Athens’ main port of Piraeus, Crete and various Cycladic islands. Check OpenSeas for ferry timetables.

Santorini Airport has year-round flight connections with Athens, and direct summertime European connections.

On the island, bus services are decent, if crowded in summer. Lots of companies offer cars, mopeds and ATV four-wheeler bikes to rent. Walking is by far the best way to experience the caldera-edge clifftop towns.

The top activity on Santorini is to walk the caldera edge and admire the gob-smacking views. Walks in and around Fira are spectacular, particularly heading north to Firostefani and Imerovigli along the caldera-edge pathway.

Keep walking and you’ll eventually reach Oia – a popular pastime,