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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Santorini Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Greece – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in urban areas. However, many small shops and rural locations still prefer cash payments.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary in Greece. In restaurants, 5-10% is typical, though rounding up is also common. Tipping taxi drivers is customary, and small tips for hotel staff are appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is generally allowed in Greece, especially in designated areas or during festivals. However, it’s prohibited in some areas like public transport or near schools. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places. There are designated outdoor smoking areas in most restaurants and public buildings. |
| Easter (March/April) |
Easter is a significant religious holiday, and many businesses close. Popular for family gatherings and church services. |
|---|---|
| Assumption of Mary (August) |
A national holiday with parades and festivities. Expect crowded tourist areas and higher accommodation prices. |
| Christmas (December) |
Christmas celebrations take place in many towns and cities, with lively events, though many businesses close for the holiday. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Beat, TaxiBeat, Uber |
| Other: | Greece is a popular tourist destination, particularly in summer, so be prepared for high demand for accommodation and services during peak months. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Santorini, Greece
Most hotels, restaurants and shops close November to March, main season April to October
Meltemi winds July to August can disrupt ferries and make beaches rough
Cruise ships bring the biggest crowds to Oia and Fira from May to October, especially around midday
Don't miss
- 🌅 Watch the sunset from the iconic village of Oia
- 🥾 Hike the scenic Fira to Oia caldera-edge trail
- 🏖️ Relax on the black sands of Perissa Beach
- 🏛️ Explore the ancient ruins at Akrotiri archaeological site
- 🍷 Taste world-renowned Assyrtiko wines on a vineyard tour
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Santorini?
Santorini is famous for its jaw-dropping caldera views, charming villages like Oia and Fira and fascinating volcanic history. Whether you're exploring ancient ruins, sipping local wines or lounging on unique volcanic beaches, the island is a feast for the senses. However, keep in mind that it can get quite crowded and pricey, especially in peak season, so planning ahead is key.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Oia
Whitewashed houses cling to steep cliffs overlooking a deep blue Aegean Sea. Sunset views from the harbor are iconic, drawing photographers worldwide. Narrow streets host boutique shops and art galleries, while local taverns serve fresh seafood. -
2
Fira
Perched on Santorini's caldera, Fira offers breathtaking views and vibrant energy. This cliffside town features colorful architecture, bustling squares and stunning sunsets. It serves as a gateway to ancient ruins and world-class wine tasting experiences for visitors exploring the Aegean island.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Santorini Jazz Festival
-
Ifestia Festival (Volcano Festival)
-
Megaron Gyzi Festival
-
International Music Festival of Santorini
-
Feast of Panagia Episkopi
Knowledge before you go
- Book Oia sunset spots early to avoid massive crowds.
- Hike Fira to Oia trail at dawn for stunning caldera views without heat.
- Visit Akrotiri ruins with audio guide for ancient Minoan insights.
- Take boat tour to volcanic hot springs and Nea Kameni crater for unique swims.
How to travel to Santorini
You can fly into Santorini (Thira) International Airport (JTR) from Athens or various European cities. Alternatively, ferries from Piraeus, Athens and other Cycladic islands are a scenic option, arriving at Athinios Port.
Access summary
- From Santorini Airport (JTR): Airport bus or taxi to Fira, about 10–25 minutes.
- From Athens: Direct flights to JTR, usually around 40–60 minutes.
- From Piraeus: High-speed ferries to Santorini, typically about 4–5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Santorini
Santorini offers a range of accommodations, from luxury cliffside hotels in Oia to budget-friendly options in Fira and beachside stays in Kamari. Book early for the best spots, especially during the summer.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Santorini
Santorini can be explored by rental car, ATV or public buses, which connect main villages and beaches. Taxis are limited and often pricey, so arranging transport in advance is recommended during peak times.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Santorini are around 7% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Santorini is generally very safe for tourists, with low crime rates. However, watch your belongings in busy areas and be cautious on steep or narrow paths, especially in crowded spots like Oia.
Health & Medical
Santorini has medical facilities, clinics and pharmacies, though more complex medical needs might require a trip to Athens. It’s advisable to have travel insurance and any necessary medications with you.
Accessibility
While many hotels and tourist spots are accessible, the island’s hilly terrain and many stairs in places like Oia can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Plan accommodations and routes accordingly.
Tap water
Tap water in Santorini is not recommended for drinking due to high mineral content. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available and affordable. Use tap water only for washing and brushing teeth.
Packing recommendations for Santorini
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🩴
Flip-flops
🏖️
Beach towel
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
🛁
Quick-dry travel towel
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for cooler evenings
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Popular districts of Santorini
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