Santorini: The World's Most Beautiful Sunset!
A 4-Day, 4-Night Self-Guided Travel Itinerary
1. When is the Best Time to Visit Santorini? ☀️
Most tourists flock to Santorini from May to October, with July and August being the peak season, bringing large crowds and very hot weather. In my opinion, the ideal time to visit Santorini is May-June or September-October when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists.
2. How to Get to Santorini? ✈️
✈️ By Plane: The flight from Athens to Santorini takes about 45 minutes, with numerous flights available daily. When I went, I flew from Rome to Santorini, snagging an early ticket with the budget airline Ryan Air for 30 euros each way. To get the best prices, book your tickets well in advance. Keep in mind that these budget airlines often have limited or no carry-on luggage allowances. Also, be sure to check in online before heading to the airport to avoid check-in fees at the airport, like we did (we didn't know and ended up paying 30 euros for airport check-in, the same price as the flight ticket!).
🚢 By Ferry from Athens to Santorini: Departs from Piraeus Port, takes about 7-8 hours, and costs between 35-60 euros for economy class.
3. Getting Around Santorini? 🚗
There are several transportation options to choose from, such as bus (I don't recommend it because the buses are infrequent and the schedules are unreliable), taxi, Uber, car, motorbike, or ATV.
Based on my experience, taking an Uber from the airport to your accommodation and then renting a car or motorbike to explore the island is the best approach. Car rentals average around 60 euros per day, while motorbike rentals range from 15-30 euros per day. If you want to explore Santorini's diverse terrain, renting an ATV is also a fun experience, with prices ranging from 25-90 euros per day depending on the engine size.
We stayed quite far from Fira and Oia to save money, so renting a car for transportation worked out great for us!
4. Where to Stay in Santorini? 🏠
As a popular tourist destination, accommodation prices in Santorini are very high, especially during peak season. If you can afford it, consider renting a room in Oia village, which offers stunning sunset views. A slightly cheaper option is Fira village, the hub for shopping, services, and restaurants.
We wanted to save money, so we rented a house in Akrotiri, where accommodation prices are much lower than in Oia and Fira. We paid only about 100 euros per night for an entire house for four people, with a beautiful sea view. Also, Akrotiri is very close to attractions such as Red Beach and the black sand beaches (Kamari & Perissa). It's also only about a 20-minute drive to Oia and Fira, which was very convenient.
5. What to Do in Santorini? 📍
- 🏘️ Oia Village: In my opinion, Oia is the most beautiful village in Santorini, with numerous picturesque spots, streets, and cafes featuring the iconic white and blue architecture adorned with vibrant red bougainvillea. Furthermore, this village boasts stunning sunset views, a must-see experience when visiting Santorini. Since it gets very crowded, arrive early to secure a good spot for watching the sunset.
- 🏙️ Fira Village: The capital of Thira island, the architecture and streets are equally beautiful. Fira has a famous photo spot: the Three Bells of Fira. You can also visit Fira Old Port, descend to the port, and hire a donkey or horse for a ride back up, which can be an enjoyable experience.
- 🏖️ Beaches: Red Beach, White Beach, Kamari, and Perissa are also places you should visit.
These are my personal tips for independent travel in Santorini. What are yours?
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