Most tourists come to Santorini for just one daylight day. But I recommend staying here for at least three days, or better yet, a week, to feel and see as much as possible.
Three days in Santorini already gives you the opportunity to explore the island and understand that it is not limited to just white buildings and sunsets in the hyped-up Oia. The island is actually more interesting than Instagram pictures online.
Here is what you can manage to see in Santorini in a full three days.
Where to stay in Santorini if you want to fit in as much as possible in three days
You can get to Santorini in two ways: by plane and by ferry. If your flight is in the morning, and you don’t want to lose a day, I recommend heading out to explore the island early in the morning.
This is an expensive island, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find decent deals. If you avoid the most popular places, or you don’t insist on staying with a caldera view only, you can find great accommodation at very reasonable prices (from €100 per night in high season).
Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands of Greece. When choosing accommodation on Santorini, be sure to pick a hotel or apartment in the center of the island. If you plan to use public buses, it’s best to stay in Fira (the capital) or nearby. Fira’s central location will save you precious time while traveling around the island—all buses leave from here for different villages on the island.
Get a detailed guide to the different towns of the island and hotel options in each:
Where to Stay in Santorini – Best Places and Accommodation Options
Day 1 – Arrival and Santorini’s Caldera Towns
Drop your things at the hotel (arrange this in advance), grab a snack at a café where they make delicious gyros (in Fira I recommend PitaGram Santorini – located in central Fira), or have a coffee with tasty pastries at the bakery-café Milopetra (located here).
And then go strolling along the caldera, enjoying Santorini’s white buildings and the blue sea water!
Day and Afternoon – Fira, Firostefani and the Old Port
Stroll around the center of Fira after lunch to get to know this lively town.
You can start your tour with the Orthodox Cathedral, which towers over the caldera with its tall white dome. Visit the church interior and admire the decoration of the ceiling and walls.
Continue wandering through the cobbled Caldera streets and walk along the Gold Street, named after its many jewelry shops, and climb up to Firostefani—a suburb of Fira that offers the most amazing view of the Caldera.
Walking down the caldera, follow the signs pointing to the stairs to get to the Old Port. During the day, tourists are taken up and down these steps on donkeys and mules. For €10 they travel up from the port. But it’s easy to walk down, and you get very beautiful views of the sea and the volcano that sits in the middle of the flooded caldera. In the evening you will see cruise liners weighing anchor and heading to the next Greek islands.
To get back up to Fira, there’s no need to tire the animals, let the donkeys rest. Instead, near the funicular station entrance, buy a ticket (costs €10 one-way) and proceed to the open carriage (which comfortably fits 4-6 people). The ride up is rather short, but truly interesting, as you get to see Fira and the caldera from a different angle.
When you reach Fira, the evening lights will begin to shine—the town will become more glamorous, but this beauty is worth seeing with your own eyes.
Evening – Dinner and Sunset Walk in Fira
After a long day, have dinner at sunset with a caldera view. For example, in Fira. Be sure to book a table in advance.
Day 2: Santorini – Catamaran Cruise and Wine Tasting
Morning – Caldera Cruise by Boat or Catamaran
On the second day of my trip, I set out on a caldera boat tour. You can book an affordable boat tour that lasts from 3 to 6 hours. Or book a private cruise on the caldera. In any case, this is an experience that is definitely worth having while in Santorini.
Most companies offer similar tours, so just choose one of the certified tours—the prices are more or less the same everywhere. The main determining factor that significantly affects the price will be whether it’s a group or private tour, and the maximum group size. Here it’s up to you to decide what is most comfortable and what amount you’re counting on.
You can choose from several different routes, for example, to the volcano island Palea Kameni with a stop at the hot springs and the neighboring island of Thirasia. Or choose the southern port of Vlychada as a starting point, from which you can see or stop at the Red Beach, where you can dip in the cool water and walk on the warm red sand.
You can also explore sea caves and rock formations near the historic Venetian Lighthouse under the Indian Rocks.
Evening – Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Sunset
Santorini has many unique wineries that produce exclusive varieties such as Assyrtiko, Nykteri and the famous sweet wine Vinsanto. Wine production here goes back thousands of years, approximately since the third millennium BC. And in the 19th century almost all sweet wines were brought from Santorini to Odessa.
Today, Santorini’s vineyards are part of Greece’s intangible cultural heritage thanks to unique geographical conditions and production methods—growing vines on volcanic lava.
There are many wineries in Santorini, but a few are easiest to reach. For example, the Santo Wines winery.
Usually, the experience starts with a tour of Santo Wines, which is located at different levels of the caldera, blending perfectly with the environment, the terraces of Santorini’s vineyards, and volcanic rock.
After the tour, go for the tasting—it’s best to book the tasting at sunset. You will be able to try excellent wines while watching the sun set over the Santorini caldera.
Day 3: Santorini’s Beaches and Ancient Ruins
Morning – Ancient Thira and Akrotiri
Santorini has a long history dating back to 10,000 BC. And it is in Santorini that there are several places where you can see ancient remnants of the Minoan culture.
Firstly, there are the ruins of the ancient city of Thira, located atop the hill Mesa Vouno. The ancient city holds artifacts dating to around 900 BC. There are some ceramic objects preserved in excellent condition thanks to burial rituals of those times. In addition to ceramics, various sculptures have also been found here.
The settlement itself has a wide boulevard, on which are located the Roman Forum, an ancient theater overlooking the Aegean Sea, a gymnasium, public parks, and Roman baths. In the past, the city also had a harbor, as well as two seaports, which were located in Kamari and Perissa.
After walking through Thira, head to the Akrotiri archaeological site and museum—the so-called Pompeii of Greece. Akrotiri was once a Minoan port town, with connections to mainland Greece, Egypt, and Syria. Even though the city was covered in ash after a volcanic eruption on the island in the 16th century BC, you can see the preserved settlement on the Akrotiri museum grounds. The museum area and ruins are covered by a bioclimatic roof and have paths suspended above the archaeological remains.
Akrotiri is also a very picturesque village that you must visit during your stay in Santorini. After you finish your museum tour, walk to the Red Beach. This volcanic beach has sand that is partly red mixed with black rocks—very beautiful!
Afternoon – Walk in Oia and Sunset Watching
Dedicate the second half of the day to the most beautiful village in Santorini—Oia. This picturesque town is full of white houses, blue domes, and sunny terraces, which are only outshone by the breathtaking views that offer some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
While here, stroll along the so-called Sunset Boulevard all the way to Oia Castle. Come here early to get the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
When the light fades and the starry sky slowly appears, order a glass of wine or a cocktail at the Sun Spirit bar, which is located near the windmills in Oia. This is a great place to watch the sunset with an amazing view of the caldera.
Day 4: Morning and Departure from the Island
Depending on when your flight or ferry departs, plan your last morning on Santorini. Buses to the airport start running from 6 am, and to the ferry port according to each ferry’s departure (the schedule changes daily—check it at the bus station in Fira).
If you have an evening flight or a ferry after lunch—it’s a good chance to enjoy one more morning on Santorini.
Start the day by visiting the picturesque village of Imerovigli, where you can take one last look at the caldera from the highest viewpoint on the island. And, in my opinion—the best sunset on the island, which will be without any crowds—just for you!
Useful articles and links:
- Port de Pollensa in Mallorca: a resort for those who love the sea, beauty and tranquility
- The best beaches of the Budva Riviera: from Budva to Sveti Stefan
- Santorini – Island Guide for Independent Visits
- Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast – Beaches, Hiking, Relaxing by the Sea
Car rental – Rentalcars.com
Green Card, Compulsory Car Insurance and Travel Insurance – HotlineFinance
Hotel booking and apartments – Booking.com
