How to Visit Santorini in 3 Days

Traveling to the Cyclades and heading to the Santorini archipelago means embarking on a journey filled with sunshine, sea, beaches, and the iconic blue and white houses… Here’s a suggested itinerary for a 3-day visit to this enchanting island, true to its reputation!

Important Information to Know Before Visiting the Island:

What season? Off-season: April/May is perfect, with far fewer tourists than in summer.
How to get there? By plane from Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, or by ferry from Athens, Heraklion, Mykonos, or Paros…
Which ferry and company to choose? Seajets, Minoan Lines, Golden Star Ferries, and Blue Star Ferries.
How much does the ferry cost? Athens-Santorini: between €30 and €50, with a crossing time of 4 to 5 hours. From Mykonos, it takes 2 hours and costs between €40 and €80.
How many ferries per day? 6 ferries from Athens and 4 from Mykonos.

Santorini Its Volcanic Origin

It’s important to remember that the Santorini archipelago consists of 5 islands today and is crescent-shaped. This shape is due to its volcanic origins. Before the eruption of its volcano, Santorini was a single, round island. In 1600 BC, the volcano erupted, causing part of the island to disappear. Since then, the Santorini caldera with its high cliffs has formed. This impressive geological phenomenon results from the island collapsing into its center and the crater being submerged under water. This explosion dates back to the Minoan eruption, transforming the single island into 5 new ones: Thirassia, Aspronissi, Nea Kameni, Palea, and New Santorini.

Its Emblems

The donkey is one of the island’s emblems. However, donkey rides in Santorini are a highly controversial tradition, as most donkeys are overworked. Tourists use them to climb the many stairs instead of walking. In addition to carrying people, donkeys also carry tourists’ luggage. They are often left by their owners in the sun without water. I strongly advise against taking a donkey ride just for “fun” or a photo opportunity as they suffer! Many organizations are attempting to ban these tourist tours.

Cats are also emblematic of the island and Greece in general; they are everywhere! At every street corner, they will accompany you on your strolls. They seek affection, but most are quite wild! They also often pose for beautiful photos.

Places to Visit on the Island Oia

First, I recommend settling in Oia on your first day. It’s about a 1-hour bus ride from the airport. The town is located at the northwestern tip of the island. It is the white village with blue domes seen all over social media, overlooking the sea. I was worried it would be overrated and disappointing, but it truly is worth it. Its alleys are stunning and it’s a dreamlike place, very welcoming as well. However, there are many stairs, so be prepared to walk a bit! Don’t miss the small port of Oia, called Ammoudi, which can be reached by descending 300 steps. Once down, boats are available to take you across to Thirassia.

Oia Caldera

After that, feel free to visit the ruins of the castle; it’s the perfect spot for watching the sunset. However, I highly recommend staying there for at least one night. You can enjoy the sunset from your terrace (almost all rentals have one), savoring the moment as if it were just for you, all the way until nightfall. Indeed, the starry sky there is something special.

Good Tip: You absolutely must try the gyros (a Greek specialty) at Souvlaki n’Wrap, located right next to the Oia bus station. The gyros costs €3.50 and is the best on the island. For breakfast, with a terrace and breathtaking view, I recommend Melenio Café.

Fira

Fira is the all-white city! No blue on the roofs but there’s plenty of blue from the sea! It is the capital of the island, with about 1,600 inhabitants. Located in the center, it’s a 20-minute bus ride from Oia. There are many souvenir shops, restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea. The streets of Fira resemble those of Athens or Mykonos, adorned with famous pink bougainvilleas and cobblestones. You absolutely must visit the Orthodox cathedral, famous for its architecture and mosaic. It offers an incredible view of the Caldera and the submerged Santorini volcano: Nea Kameni.

White City of Fira (the Capital)

You will also likely see The Greek Wedding Show parading through the streets to promote their show. They perform this show every year on the island. The idea is to immerse the audience as if they were actual guests at a Greek wedding, which consists of music, dance, and breaking plates. You’ll even be invited to an appetizer with the dancers and actors. The Papadopoulos family is represented, living in an old 19th-century house, giving us a glimpse of Santorini in the 1940s.

Warning: It’s a unique experience for spectators but quite pricey: €65 for an adult and €50 for a child! It takes place every day after sunset. However, the sunset in Fira is particularly beautiful! There are several benches from which to admire it.

Karterados

Karterados is located 2 km from Fira, about a 20-25 minute walk! It’s a strategic place to stay on the island as it’s cheaper than Oia and Fira, yet less crowded. It’s a typical village, sheltered from mass tourism and remains quite authentic. First, check out its windmill, then you’ll love getting lost in its alleys, leading to the beautiful Greek Orthodox church, Ανάληψη Σωτήρως. But don’t forget to continue to the Church of Saint Christodoulos (Άγιος Χριστόδουλος). You can even climb the external stairs of the church for a panoramic view of all of Karterados.

You will also find many abandoned houses, and local kids interested in urban exploration often roam the streets, showing you places they think are “haunted and special”! Make sure to check out the 19th Century House—a place rich in history.

You can also rent a quad at Rent a Bike ATV in the center of Karterados, across from the Abatros Hotel. The owner is very friendly and speaks French! Rentals are available by the half-day or full day, and prices are reasonable. You will be pleasantly surprised because many merchants and locals make an effort to speak French to you! They certainly do not want to take advantage of us as tourists with scams.

Good Tip: For food, I suggest going to Jerry’s Food for a traditional breakfast! Then, across from the Karterados windmill, you’ll find “Φανούρης & Υιός,” also known as Grill House, for delicious Gyros, or the restaurant Meze House Maniemos for an authentic Greek meal. An adorable old gentleman will serve you, and you can feel that his cooking comes from the heart.

Kamari

Regarding the beaches, I recommend going to Kamari by bus from Karterados, which takes 20-25 minutes. You can visit this lovely town, quite different from the others, as it is surrounded by cliffs and mountains. One might feel as if they’re in the Canary Islands! The volcanic nature of the island is evident. There are no white and blue houses here, but rather a small town by the sea. It’s popular among tourists, but not as much as Perissa, which attracts families wanting to spend the day at the beach.

In Kamari, there are many bars and restaurants along the beach; it’s very pleasant to stroll there. The prices for drinks and cocktails in Kamari are not excessive! There are also beautiful hotels with interesting architectures. Moreover, it’s a good spot for the black sand beach, which is public. Sunbeds and umbrellas are free, which is nice as the Cyclades are known to be quite expensive. In Mykonos, for example, it’s very difficult to find public, free beaches.

Good Tip: If you have time, try the outdoor cinema in Kamari, nestled in a beautiful natural setting. It runs films from May until the end of October. All films are shown in their original version with Greek subtitles. The price for a screening is €10. It also hosts the Santorini Jazz Festival every July.