Santorini Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Santorini reveals one of the most extraordinary islands in the world, its remarkable volcanic caldera, the finest in the Mediterranean, ringed by the white-washed villages of Oia, Fira and Imerovigli perched on cliffs 300 metres above the Aegean Sea. The sunsets from Oia are among the most celebrated in the world. This route covers the essential Santorini experience: the extraordinary caldera walk from Fira to Oia, the remarkable ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri, the finest prehistoric site outside Crete, the extraordinary volcanic beaches of Perissa and Kamari, and the remarkable boat trip to the active volcanic island of Nea Kameni in the caldera.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Santorini Airport (JTR) or ferry from Athens (Piraeus)
Getting Around
ATV, scooter or local bus. Taxis available but expensive.
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 200 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking
DAY 1
FIRA, IMEROVIGLI AND OIA
MORNING
FIRA OLD TOWN AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Fira is the most extraordinary caldera-edge town in Santorini, its remarkable whitewashed buildings cascading down the cliff face 300 metres above the caldera giving the finest urban view in the Aegean. The Archaeological Museum of Thera contains the finest collection of Cycladic and Minoan objects from the island. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 30 min walk along caldera
MIDDAY
IMEROVIGLI AND SKAROS ROCK
Imerovigli is the highest point on the caldera rim, its remarkable position giving the finest panoramic view over the entire caldera from Fira to Oia. The extraordinary Skaros Rock, a medieval fortified settlement projecting from the cliff, gives the finest headland walk on the island with extraordinary views in all directions. Free to explore. Drive: 30 min walk or bus to Oia
AFTERNOON
OIA VILLAGE AT SUNSET
Oia is the most photographed village in Greece, its extraordinary blue-domed churches, white cave houses and dramatic position above the caldera creating the most iconic Mediterranean streetscape in the world. The sunset from the Oia castle ruins is one of the most celebrated in the world. Arrive 2 hours early for a good position. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary village of Firostefani between Fira and Imerovigli is the finest hidden caldera village on Santorini, its remarkable whitewashed architecture and caldera-edge position giving views as extraordinary as Oia with almost no tourists. The walk along the caldera path from Fira through Firostefani to Imerovigli is the finest 45-minute walk on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on the caldera, Fira Greek coffee and fresh pastries with the most extraordinary caldera view in Fira at sunrise. | Lunch: Taverna in Imerovigli Outstanding Greek lunch with extraordinary caldera views from the highest point on the rim. | Dinner: Restaurant in Oia after sunset Outstanding fresh seafood dinner in Oia after the extraordinary sunset. Book well ahead.
DAY 2
CALDERA WALK AND THE VOLCANO
MORNING
THE CALDERA WALK: FIRA TO OIA
The caldera walk from Fira to Oia is the most extraordinary coastal walk in Greece, its remarkable 10km path along the caldera rim passing through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli with extraordinary views over the caldera, the volcanic islands and the Aegean at every turn. The path ends at the castle ruins in Oia. Take water and sun protection. Moderate difficulty. Free. Drive: From Oia harbour
MIDDAY
BOAT TRIP TO NEA KAMENI VOLCANO
Nea Kameni is the most extraordinary volcanic island in the Aegean, its remarkable active lava surface still emitting sulphurous gases from the 1950 eruption. The boat trip from Ammoudi Bay below Oia visits the volcanic island for a crater walk and the extraordinary thermal hot springs of Palea Kameni where the sea runs warm and yellow. Approx 20 euros including swimming stop. Drive: Return to Oia
AFTERNOON
AMMOUDI BAY AND OIA
Ammoudi Bay below Oia is the most extraordinary small harbour in Santorini, its remarkable position directly below the caldera cliffs giving the finest seafood tavernas in the island with extraordinary views up to Oia above. The 300 steps down from Oia are steep but the setting is extraordinary. Donkeys provide the return journey for the less energetic. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Thirassia island opposite Oia across the caldera is the finest hidden destination in Santorini, its traditional fishing village of Manolas almost entirely unvisited and unchanged since the 1960s. The finest unspoilt Cycladic village experience from Santorini. Ferry from Ammoudi Bay, 20 minutes. Approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakery in Oia Outstanding fresh Greek pastries and coffee in the most beautiful village in Santorini. | Lunch: Taverna at Ammoudi Bay, below Oia The finest fresh octopus and seafood lunch at the extraordinary harbour directly below the caldera cliffs. | Dinner: Restaurant in Oia Outstanding dinner in Oia after the caldera walk. The finest local Assyrtiko white wine with fresh local fish.
DAY 3
AKROTIRI AND THE SOUTH
MORNING
THE ANCIENT MINOAN CITY OF AKROTIRI
Akrotiri is the most extraordinary prehistoric site in the Aegean, the remarkable Minoan city buried by the 1600 BC volcanic eruption and preserved like a Greek Pompeii. The extraordinary multi-storey buildings, streets, drainage systems and frescoes give the finest insight into the Bronze Age Aegean world in existence. The site is covered by a remarkable modern roof. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
RED BEACH AND AKROTIRI LIGHTHOUSE
Red Beach near Akrotiri is the most extraordinary beach in Santorini, its remarkable deep red and black volcanic cliffs rising directly from the vivid turquoise Aegean creating the most dramatic beach landscape in Greece. The extraordinary Akrotiri lighthouse at the southern tip of the island gives the finest view of the caldera from the south. Both are free to visit. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PERISSA AND KAMARI BLACK SAND BEACHES
Perissa and Kamari are the finest black sand beaches on Santorini, their remarkable volcanic black sand and crystal-clear Aegean waters giving the most unusual beach experience in Greece. The extraordinary Ancient Thera site on the ridge above Kamari, accessible by road or on foot, gives the finest ancient ruins on the island with extraordinary views over both beaches. Ancient Thera entry approx 4 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient site of Ancient Thera on the ridge of Mesa Vouno above Kamari is the finest hidden ancient site on Santorini, its remarkable Hellenistic and Roman ruins giving extraordinary 360-degree views over both the black sand beaches below and the caldera to the north. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Entry approx 4 euros. Walk or drive up from Kamari.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Akrotiri Early start for Akrotiri. The site is extraordinary in the morning before tour groups arrive. | Lunch: Taverna near Red Beach Outstanding grilled fish and local wine near the extraordinary volcanic cliffs of Red Beach. | Dinner: Taverna in Perissa or Kamari Outstanding dinner on the black sand beach. Fresh fish and local Santorini Assyrtiko wine at sunset.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Oia or Fira, Nights 1 to 2 Oia for atmosphere and sunsets. Fira for nightlife and transport links. Caldera-view rooms from 150 to 400 euros. Cave houses The extraordinary carved cave houses of Oia and Imerovigli are the finest accommodation in the Cyclades. Book months ahead. Budget option Perissa or Kamari on the east coast. Clean hotels from 50 to 100 euros. Bus to Fira takes 30 minutes.
Top Tips
1. Book accommodation 6 months ahead for July and August. Caldera-view rooms in Oia and Fira sell out by January for peak summer.
2. The Oia sunset viewpoint at the castle ruins fills 2 hours before sunset in summer. Arrive early or find a caldera-edge restaurant with a view.
3. Akrotiri is one of the finest ancient sites in Greece. Arrive at opening (8am) before the heat and tour groups make the covered site uncomfortable.
4. The caldera walk from Fira to Oia takes 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Start before 9am in summer to avoid the heat on the exposed clifftop path.
5. Santorini Assyrtiko wine is extraordinary. The volcanic soil and basket vines produce a mineral white wine unlike any other. Try it at a local winery.
6. Ammoudi Bay below Oia has the finest seafood tavernas on the island. The octopus grilled on the harbour wall is the finest lunch in the Cyclades.
Total Budget
100 to 200 euros/day