One of my favorite places to travel in Europe is Greece. Max and I spent a month traveling through the Greek Islands. We were absolutely blown away by Santorini as it’s absolutely spectacular. The island is such a special place with dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea. In addition, white washed buildings fill the impressive cliffs, it’s captivating. Located within the Cyclades Islands of Greece, Santorini is well connected to several other popular islands in Greece as well as hidden gems. After spending some time on the island, I’ve put together a Santorini 3 day itinerary to help you plan your trip!
Continue reading for a complete 3 day travel guide to Santorini which includes how to get to the island, where to stay, and when to visit. Of course, I’ll also include the best things to do in Santorini Greece. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, I’m happy to help!
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GETTING THERE
As one of the most popular islands to travel to Greece, Santorini is well connected! The quickest way to travel from Athens to Santorini is by flying on a quick 50 minute flight. This is the quicker route but likely the more expensive route especially during the summer months.
From Athens, the ferry to Santorini is close to 8 hours making it a pretty long trek. Ferries are reasonably priced and run frequently since there are a lot of ferry companies to chose from. To break up this long journey, consider adding a few other islands in the cyclades to this Santorini 3 day itinerary. Amongst the most popular stops are Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos. From these islands, Santorini is pretty quick trip.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GREECE
Like most of the Greek Islands and Europe in general, I recommend visiting late May through mid June, or in September and October. It tends to be less touristy during the shoulder season than peak season. As a result, the hotel prices are lower which is a great perk. The Greece weather is hot enough to enjoy the beach and swim in the sea so it’s the perfect time to visit! If you prefer hiking and sightseeing, visit between October and May as the weather will be cooler. The best time to go to Greece really depends on what activities you want to do during your trip.
If you’re planning a trip to Greece, make sure to grab the travel planners I’ve created for Greece. There are a total of 10 templates. Eight of the templates list suggestions and travel tips for the most popular cities (or islands) in Greece. There is also a place for you to add your travel information as well as blank templates. I’ve linked them below!
HOTELS IN SANTORINI GREECE
The best place to base yourself in Santorini is between Fira and Oia. They’re the most popular towns on the island and a great base for your stay. Both towns are absolutely spectacular filled with incredible views, restaurants, and shopping. The towns are well connected since they’re only 6 miles from one another. Accomodation on the island is quite pricey but, Fira Santorini tends to be cheaper than Oia. This Santorini travel guide is based on a stay in Fira but can be done from Oia as well!
GETTING AROUND
This Santorini 3 day itinerary is based around public transportation since that’s how we traveled the island. The island of Santorini is relatively small so it’s easy to travel around. You can rent a car/ scooter or rely on public transportation. If you plan on renting a car or scooter make sure to have an International Drivers License. Greece requires foreign drivers to have an International Drivers License. Most rental companies will still rent vehicles without an International Drivers License. However, if you get pulled over, you run the risk of a hefty fine by local authorities. The buses in Santorini are consistent and easy to use. You can take a bus from the ferry port as well as many towns scattered throughout the island. During our stay, the only route we had trouble with was Oia and Fira. The line for the bus was super long because there was only one bus running. Once the bus filled up, it left, meaning we had to wait awhile.
BUDGET TRAVEL
Budget travel is possible in Santorini! Here are a few tips to keep your budget in check.
- If you arrive via ferry, I recommend taking the local bus from the ferry port. You can also use the local bus to travel throughout the island.
- You’ll pay a pretty penny at restaurants along the water. If you’re on a budget there are a handful of inexpensive restaurants in Fira. Gyros are generally about 2.5 euro which is a great option for a budget traveler!
- The best thing about Santorini; the views are free so take advantage of them!
DAY 1: WANDER & WINE TASTING
As I mentioned, this Santorini travel guide is based on a stay in Fira however, the same itinerary works from Oia. Spend your first morning on the island wandering the streets of Fira.
The streets of Fira are chock-full of restaurants and cute shops. However, what truly makes wandering the streets of Fira incredible is the view. As you wander the cobblestone path, you’ll have spectacular views of whitewashed building. Looking beyond the whitewashed buildings is a panoramic view of the Santorini Caldera. The combination between whitewashed buildings and view of the Caldera is breathtaking. This is why I recommend starting your first morning in Fira. It will give you all the feels of Santorini!
While in Fira, you can also walk or take the cable car from Fira to the Old Port. The cable car is 5 euro each way. Alternatively, you can walk over 500 steps down to the port. I’m generally all for walking but, donkey droppings cover the steps…and I’ll leave it at that. My husband and I found this unpleasant so decided not to walk it.
Incredible wineries fill the island of Santorini! If you enjoy wine, make sure to go wine tasting throughout your stay. With a prime view of the Sea, Santo Wines is the most popular winery on the island. The Santorini winery is known for their white wines which are excellent!
If you’re looking for an off the beaten path option, head to Mesa Gonia. We went wine tasting in this area and there are a few wineries within walking distance of one another. Most of the wineries are pretty mellow since it’s outside the touristy area. My favorite winery was Argyros. If you enjoy beer, Santorini Brewing Company, is next door. The brewery is small and you’re able to sample the beers but can’t drink inside. The owners are friendly so it’s a great spot to check out.
If you prefer tours, there are a handful of tours you can book online.
DAY 2 : FIRA TO OIA
On the second day of your Santorini 3 day itinerary, I recommend hiking between Fira and Oia; it’s a can’t miss! The cliffside views are absolutely breathtaking. The path technically begins in Fira where you’ll start on a cobblestone path through town. From Fira, you’ll pass through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli. At this point, you can continue on the path or take a detour to Skaros Rock. If you want to hike to Skaros Rock, set aside about an hour. We added Skaros Rock onto our hike and loved it. Finally, you’ll head toward Oia where somehow the views get better and better!
The path from Fira to Oia is easy to follow as there is signage. However, you can still get lost. For ease, put the path into Google Maps and follow the walking path directions. The path switches between cobblestone and dirt with a decent incline in both directions.
The trail from Fira to Oia is 10 kilometers (excluding Skaros Rock). It’s hard to say how long it will take to hike between the two villages as there are a number of photo ops along the way. For this reason, I recommend setting aside 3-5 hours for the hike (again, excluding Skaros Rock). It’s hard not to stop for photos every few minutes with views overlooking the caldera!
Travel Tips to hiking from Fira To Oia:
- Wear appropriate shoes for hiking.
- Start the hike early as there isn’t any shade along the trail.
- Bring water!
- If you don’t have cell service, download the app Maps.me. You’ll be able to use walking directions without service.
After a long morning of hiking, you’ll arrive to Oia, the most spectacular place in Santorni! The views are unlike anywhere. White washed buildings along the cliffside overlooking the island, it’s absolutely breathtaking! Take your time wandering the streets of Oia. Above all, soak in the views as well as charming shops in town. Grab a bite to eat with a view before sunset. For sunset, you’ll want a prime spot since the town is most recognized for their incredible sunsets. The streets can get busy so I recommend enjoying sunset on the staircase leading to Amoudi Bay.
Travel Tip: If you’re based in Fira, the bus from Oia to Fira is very busy after sunset. Taxis are be expensive so I recommend waiting it out unless you have a rental. If you have a rental, take the bus from Oia to Fira early in the day to grab your car and drive back.
DAY 3: BOAT TOUR
Go on a boat tour on your last day in Santorini. With so much to see on the island, a boat tour is one of the best ways to see it all! Luckily, there are a handful of tours to chose from which range in price. Most companies offer a morning as well as late afternoon sunset cruise. While there are a variety of tours, most stop at the Red Beach, White Beach, Hot Springs, and the lighthouse. A lot of the tours include, a delicious greek meal, white wine, and soft drinks.
It’s worth noting, not all tours end with a sunset in Oia. If this is important to you, double check the route before booking the tour!
Aside from the boat tour, keep your last day fairly open to soak in your final views of Santorini!
Travel Tip: I recommend booking in advance especially during peak season.
Tour Information:
And there you have it, an epic Santorini 3 day itinerary! The island is filled with the best Greece has to offer. Amazing food, white washed buildings and even better views. It’s a must stop on a Greece vacation!
Headed on a European Vacation to the Greek Islands? Here are a few articles to help plan your trip!
Safe Travels,
Sarah :)
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