Santorini Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Santorini gives you the complete experience of the most dramatic island in Greece, its extraordinary caldera formed by the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history around 1600 BC. From the magnificent sunsets of Oia and the hidden villages of Pyrgos and Emporio to the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri, this is Greece at its most spectacular. This route covers the full Santorini experience: the extraordinary caldera walk, the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri, the remarkable volcanic beaches, the hidden hilltop villages of Pyrgos and Megalochori, the extraordinary winery tours of the Santorini wine region, and a boat trip to the active volcano and thermal springs in the caldera.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Santorini Airport (JTR) or ferry from Piraeus (8 hours)
Getting Around
ATV or scooter for freedom. Local buses connect main villages.
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 200 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some caldera walking
DAY 1
FIRA, FIROSTEFANI AND OIA
MORNING
FIRA OLD TOWN AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Fira is the most extraordinary caldera-edge town in Santorini, its whitewashed buildings cascading 300 metres above the caldera giving the finest urban view in the Aegean. The Archaeological Museum of Thera contains remarkable Cycladic and Minoan objects from the island including extraordinary prehistoric pottery. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk along caldera
MIDDAY
FIROSTEFANI AND IMEROVIGLI
Firostefani and Imerovigli are the finest hidden caldera villages on Santorini, their extraordinary whitewashed architecture and caldera-edge positions giving views as dramatic as Oia with far fewer tourists. The Skaros Rock at Imerovigli, a medieval fortified headland projecting from the cliff, gives the finest panoramic caldera view on the island. Free to explore. Drive: 45 min walk to Oia
AFTERNOON
OIA VILLAGE AND SUNSET
Oia is the most photographed village in Greece, its blue-domed churches and white cave houses above the caldera creating the most iconic Mediterranean streetscape. The sunset from the castle ruins is among the most celebrated in the world. Arrive 2 hours early for a good position at the viewpoint. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lighthouse of Oia at the far northern tip of the island beyond the village is the finest hidden sunset viewpoint on Santorini, its remarkable position above the sea giving extraordinary views over the caldera entrance with almost no other tourists. A 20-minute walk beyond the main Oia viewpoint. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sunrise coffee on the caldera, Fira Greek coffee with the most extraordinary caldera view in Fira at sunrise. | Lunch: Taverna in Firostefani Outstanding Greek lunch at the finest hidden caldera village on the island. | Dinner: Restaurant in Oia after sunset Outstanding Santorini dinner after the extraordinary sunset. Book well ahead.
DAY 2
THE CALDERA WALK
MORNING
THE CALDERA WALK: FIRA TO OIA
The caldera walk is the most extraordinary coastal walk in Greece, its 10km path along the rim passing Firostefani and Imerovigli with extraordinary caldera views at every turn. Starting from Fira, the path ends at the castle ruins in Oia. Take water and sun protection. Moderate difficulty, 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Free. Drive: From Ammoudi Bay below Oia
MIDDAY
AMMOUDI BAY
Ammoudi Bay is the most extraordinary small harbour in Santorini, its remarkable position directly below the caldera cliffs giving the finest seafood tavernas on the island with extraordinary views up to Oia. The 300 steps down from Oia are steep, the setting extraordinary. Swim from the rocks and take the donkeys back. Free to explore. Drive: Return to Oia
AFTERNOON
OIA EXPLORATION
Explore Oia at leisure away from the main caldera-edge path. The remarkable Maritime Museum gives the finest insight into Santorini's extraordinary seafaring history. The cave houses and blue-domed churches of the back streets are the finest photography on the island. The extraordinary Oia Castle ruins at sunset give the most celebrated view in Greece. Museum entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Thirassia island opposite Oia is the finest hidden destination in Santorini, its traditional fishing village of Manolas almost entirely unvisited and unchanged since the 1960s. The ferry from Ammoudi Bay takes 20 minutes. The finest unspoilt Cycladic village experience from Santorini. Ferry approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakery in Oia Fresh Greek pastries and coffee in the most beautiful village in Santorini. | Lunch: Fish taverna at Ammoudi Bay The finest fresh octopus and seafood directly below the extraordinary caldera cliffs. | Dinner: Restaurant in Oia Local Assyrtiko white wine with fresh fish. The finest wine and food pairing on the island.
DAY 3
VOLCANO AND CALDERA
MORNING
BOAT TRIP TO NEA KAMENI VOLCANO
Nea Kameni is the most extraordinary volcanic island in the Aegean, its active lava surface still emitting sulphurous gases from the 1950 eruption. The boat trip from Fira old port visits the volcanic island for a crater walk. The extraordinary views back to the caldera rim from the volcanic surface are unlike anything else in Greece. Approx 20 euros. Drive: Continue by boat
MIDDAY
PALEA KAMENI THERMAL SPRINGS AND THIRASSIA
The thermal hot springs of Palea Kameni beside Nea Kameni are the most extraordinary natural swimming experience in the caldera, the warm yellow-green sulphurous water creating a remarkable contrast with the deep blue Aegean. The boat trip continues to the extraordinary traditional island of Thirassia, the finest untouched Cycladic island accessible from Santorini. Included in boat trip. Drive: Return to Fira
AFTERNOON
FIRA TO OIA SUNSET WALK
The late afternoon walk north from Fira along the caldera path gives the finest evening light on the volcanic islands in the caldera. The extraordinary colours of the caldera at sunset, with the volcanic islands and the white villages of Oia catching the last light, create the most photographed view in Greece. Free walk, finish in Oia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary caldera-edge path between Imerovigli and the Skaros Rock headland at night, with the volcanic islands illuminated below and the Milky Way above, is the finest stargazing experience in the Cyclades. Santorini has very little light pollution on its western caldera edge. The Skaros path is safe and well-marked. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Fira before boat Early start for the volcano boat trip. The first departure gives the best experience before crowds. | Lunch: Lunch on Thirassia Outstanding traditional Greek taverna on the extraordinary untouched island opposite Santorini. | Dinner: Restaurant in Oia Outstanding dinner after watching the extraordinary sunset from the caldera walk.
DAY 4
AKROTIRI AND THE WINERIES
MORNING
THE ANCIENT MINOAN CITY OF AKROTIRI
Akrotiri is the most extraordinary prehistoric site in the Aegean, the Minoan city buried by the 1600 BC eruption and preserved like a Greek Pompeii. Multi-storey buildings, streets, drainage systems and frescoes give the finest insight into the Bronze Age Aegean. The site is covered by a remarkable modern roof structure. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
RED BEACH AND THE AKROTIRI LIGHTHOUSE
Red Beach near Akrotiri is the most extraordinary beach in Santorini, its deep red and black volcanic cliffs rising from vivid turquoise water creating the most dramatic beach landscape in Greece. The Akrotiri lighthouse at the southern tip gives the finest view of the caldera from the south. The extraordinary Mesa Gonia winery nearby is unmissable. Both free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MESA GONIA WINERIES
The Santorini wine region around Mesa Gonia and Megalochori produces the most extraordinary white wine in Greece, the remarkable Assyrtiko grape grown in basket-shaped vines on volcanic soil giving a wine unlike any other in the world. Domaine Sigalas and Santo Wines give the finest winery experiences with extraordinary caldera views. Tastings approx 15 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient site of Ancient Thera on the Mesa Vouno ridge above Kamari is the finest hidden ancient site on Santorini, its Hellenistic and Roman ruins giving extraordinary 360-degree views over the black sand beaches and caldera. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Entry approx 4 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Akrotiri Early start. Akrotiri is extraordinary in the morning before the tour groups arrive. | Lunch: Taverna near Red Beach Grilled fish and local wine near the extraordinary volcanic cliffs of Red Beach. | Dinner: Winery dinner at Santo Wines Outstanding dinner with Santorini Assyrtiko wine and extraordinary caldera sunset views.
DAY 5
HIDDEN VILLAGES AND BEACHES
MORNING
PYRGOS MEDIEVAL VILLAGE
Pyrgos is the most extraordinary medieval village in Santorini, its remarkable Venetian castle at the highest point of the island giving the finest 360-degree panoramic view of the entire island, the caldera, the Aegean and the surrounding Cycladic islands. The extraordinary Byzantine church of Christ of the Castle at the summit is the finest medieval building on the island. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
EMPORIO AND THE HIDDEN VILLAGES
Emporio is the most extraordinary fortified village in Santorini, its remarkable medieval kasteli, the finest surviving castle village on the island, giving an extraordinary insight into Santorini's Venetian and Ottoman past entirely unknown to most visitors. The remarkable traditional architecture, carved doorways and hidden courtyards make it the finest hidden heritage village on the island. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PERISSA BLACK SAND BEACH
Perissa is the finest black sand beach on Santorini, its remarkable volcanic black sand and crystal-clear water giving the most unusual beach experience in Greece. The extraordinary beach is backed by the dramatic cliff of Mesa Vouno. The extraordinary tavernas along the black sand beach give the finest casual lunch setting on the island. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venetian dovecotes of Mesaria village near the airport are the finest hidden architectural curiosity on Santorini, their remarkable triangular stone towers built by the Venetians in the 17th century for pigeon farming giving an extraordinary visual contrast with the typical Cycladic whitewash. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free to explore.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Pyrgos village Outstanding Greek coffee and pastries in the most extraordinary medieval village on Santorini. | Lunch: Taverna in Emporio Outstanding traditional Greek lunch in the finest hidden village on the island. | Dinner: Beachfront taverna, Perissa Outstanding dinner on the extraordinary black sand beach. Fresh fish and local Santorini wine.
Where To Stay
Oia, Nights 1 to 3 The finest caldera views and most extraordinary architecture. Cave houses from 200 to 600 euros. Book 6 months ahead. Fira, Nights 3 to 4 Best transport links and nightlife. Caldera-view hotels from 150 to 400 euros. More options than Oia. Budget option Perissa or Kamari on the east coast. Clean hotels from 50 to 100 euros. 30-minute bus to Fira.
Top Tips
1. Book accommodation 6 months ahead for summer. Caldera-view cave houses in Oia sell out by January. The off-season (April, October) is extraordinary.
2. The Oia sunset viewpoint fills 2 hours before sunset in July and August. Find a caldera-edge restaurant with a reserved view or arrive very early.
3. Akrotiri is one of the finest sites in Greece. Arrive at 8am opening to beat the heat and the tour groups. The covered site is hot by 11am.
4. The caldera walk Fira to Oia takes 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Start before 9am in summer. Take 2 litres of water and sun protection.
5. Santorini Assyrtiko wine is extraordinary. The volcanic soil and basket vine training produce a mineral white wine unlike any other in Greece.
6. Thirassia island opposite Oia is the finest hidden gem on Santorini: a traditional Cycladic island entirely unchanged by tourism. Ferry from Ammoudi Bay.
Total Budget
100 to 200 euros/day