{"id":60559,"date":"2026-06-02T20:20:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/santorini-for-3-days\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T21:43:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T18:43:34","slug":"santorini-for-3-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/santorini-for-3-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Santorini – what to do on the island in three days"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is what you can manage to see in Santorini in a full three days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Santorini if you want to fit in as much as possible in three days<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u20ac100 per night in high season).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s best to stay in Fira<\/strong> (the capital) or nearby. Fira\u2019s central location will save you precious time while traveling around the island\u2014all buses leave from here for different villages on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get a detailed guide to the different towns of the island and hotel options in each:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Stay in Santorini \u2013 Best Places and Accommodation Options<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Day 1 – Arrival and Santorini’s Caldera Towns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drop your things at the hotel (arrange this in advance), grab a snack at a caf\u00e9 where they make delicious gyros (in Fira I recommend PitaGram Santorini<\/strong> – located in central Fira<\/a>), or have a coffee with tasty pastries at the bakery-caf\u00e9 Milopetra<\/strong> (located here<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then go strolling along the caldera, enjoying Santorini’s white buildings and the blue sea water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day and Afternoon<\/strong> – Fira, Firostefani and the Old Port<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stroll around the center of Fira after lunch to get to know this lively town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can start your tour with the Orthodox Cathedral<\/strong>, which towers over the caldera with its tall white dome. Visit the church interior and admire the decoration of the ceiling and walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Continue wandering through the cobbled Caldera<\/strong> streets and walk along the Gold Street<\/strong>, named after its many jewelry shops, and climb up to Firostefani<\/strong>\u2014a suburb of Fira that offers the most amazing view of the Caldera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking down the caldera, follow the signs pointing to the stairs to get to the Old Port<\/strong>. During the day, tourists are taken up and down these steps on donkeys and mules. For \u20ac10 they travel up from the port. But it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u20ac10 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you reach Fira, the evening lights will begin to shine\u2014the town will become more glamorous, but this beauty is worth seeing with your own eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evening – Dinner and Sunset Walk in Fira<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a long day, have dinner at sunset with a caldera view. For example, in Fira. Be sure to book a table in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2: Santorini – Catamaran Cruise and Wine Tasting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morning<\/strong> – Caldera Cruise by Boat or Catamaran<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most companies offer similar tours, so just choose one of the certified tours\u2014the prices are more or less the same everywhere. The main determining factor that significantly affects the price will be whether it’s a group<\/strong> or private<\/strong> tour, and the maximum group size. Here it’s up to you to decide what is most comfortable and what amount you\u2019re counting on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Santorini\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can choose from several different routes, for example, to the volcano island Palea Kameni<\/strong> with a stop at the hot springs and the neighboring island of Thirasia. Or choose the southern port of Vlychada<\/strong> as a starting point, from which you can see or stop at the Red Beach<\/strong>, where you can dip in the cool water and walk on the warm red sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also explore sea caves and rock formations near the historic Venetian Lighthouse<\/strong> under the Indian Rocks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n