If you plan to travel in Santorini, Greece, you might wonder how many days are enough to visit. In this article, I will provide some guidance on the most suitable area to stay in Santorini and the ideal length of time to spend there.
Welcome to Santorini, one of the best destinations on Europe! You’ll be surrounded by the stunning blue of the Aegean Sea, white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, hills, greenery, and a relaxed atmosphere. Island hopping is a popular activity, and you’re in for a treat when you visit this breathtakingly beautiful island.
A recommended amount of time to see the sights in Santorini is typically three days. However, you can also include beach days in between sightseeing and choose to extend your visit up to a week if you’d like. The decision is yours.
How many days do you need in Santorini?
The length of your stay in Santorini depends on your planned activities and personal preferences. Some may choose to stay only for a few days, while others may want to stay for a week or more to fully enjoy the island’s culture and beauty. It is ultimately your decision how many days you want to spend in Santorini.
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Are 2 days in Santorini enough?
You can see some of Santorini’s main attractions and get a feel for the island’s culture in just two days, but you may not have enough time to fully experience everything it has to offer. Santorini is a beautiful and unique destination with a rich history and breathtaking natural beauty. If you want to fully immerse yourself in its culture and history, it’s worth considering staying longer.
Are 4 days in Santorini too long?
Deciding how long to stay in Santorini depends on personal preference. While some people feel that four days is enough time to fully explore and enjoy the island, others may prefer a shorter stay. Ultimately, it is up to you to determine the ideal duration for your trip.
Are 5 days too long in Santorini?
If you’re planning to simply unwind on the island’s beaches and enjoy the sunsets, 5 days should be enough. But, if you want to explore the ancient ruins and visit different towns and villages, 5 days may not suffice. It’s recommended that you plan your activities in advance and allocate sufficient time based on your interests and priorities.
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What to Do & See in Santorini in 3 Days
Santorini offers many activities and sights. Here are some suggestions for things to do in Santorini:
Oia
Oia is a beautiful town located on the west coast of Santorini. It is characterized by its traditional white buildings, which spill over the cliffside and provide stunning views of the caldera bay. Oia is especially famous for its breathtaking sunset. The town is home to several blue-domed churches and narrow streets lined with tourist shops, restaurants, and cafes. There are many hotels in Oia, including boutique hotels that are formed from the tiered cliffside houses. However, keep in mind that the terrain is very steep.
In addition to the beautiful sunset views, Oia offers cultural attractions such as the Maritime Museum and Byzantine Museum of music instruments. You can also find several blue domed churches, including Agios Spiridonas (Saint Spyridon) and Anasteseos (the Church of the Resurrection), which make great photo spots. One of the most famous churches is the Greek Orthodox Panagia Platsani Church (Virgin Mary Platsani), which was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1956 on the grounds of the original church located within the walls of the Venetian Castle of Oia.
You may want to visit the Castle of Agios Nikolaos and Captains’ Houses, as they are also interesting locations. Additionally, from Oia, you can conveniently check out cave houses in Ammoudi Bay and Armeni Bay or participate in a hike to Imerovigli and Fira.
Fira
Fira is the largest city in Santorini and offers an array of options for tourists, including restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife, and breathtaking caldera views. Additionally, Fira is conveniently located near Firostefani and Imerovigli, as well as the international airport and Athinios port. As one of four major towns on Santorini’s West Coast, Fira provides spectacular views of the volcanic, island-filled caldera, and there are several beautiful and exclusive lodging options situated on the cliffside with stunning views.
Check out the Folklore Museum, Megaro Gyzi Museum, Archaeological Museum, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Santozeum, and Bellonio Cultural Center in Fira to explore history and culture. Additionally, Fira houses several religious sites, such as the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, the Catholic Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, and the Catholic Church of St. Stylianos.
Akrotiri
Akrotiri, located near Red Beach, is renowned for its ancient Minoan ruins that were destroyed by a volcanic eruption akin to Pompeii. Additionally, Akrotiri offers stunning views of the volcanic caldera bay, typical of Santorini. Several restaurants and tavernas are also present in the area. Akrotiri is an excellent spot for you if you enjoy historical sites and tranquil surroundings.
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera is located in Fira and features artifacts from excavations such as the Akrotiri Minoan site and the Ancient Thera.
Ancient Thera
Ancient Thera, the second most important archaeological site in Santorini after Ancient Akrotiri, is situated atop Mesa Vouno Mountain, between Perissa and Kamari’s renowned beaches.
Perissa Beach
Perissa Beach is a well-known beach in Santorini located at the bottom of Mesa Vouno Mountain. The beach has black lava sand, and the water is dark blue and clear. The beach is quite long and popular among backpackers and party-goers.
Nea Kameni
In the center of the Santorini caldera, you can find two small islands – Palea Kameni (Old Burnt Island) and Nea Kameni, also known as the volcano (Young Burnt Island). These islands are the youngest volcanic land in the Eastern Mediterranean. If you enjoy volcanoes and have sturdy walking boots, you can take a sunset tour on charter boats from Old Fira Port.
Imerovigli
Imerovigli, which is situated a short 20-minute walk north of Fira (the capital), offers a stunning view of the sunset over caldera bay. There are several attractions you can visit in Imerovigli, including the Venetian fortress of Skaros, the Church of Panagia Theoskepasti, the Ekklisia Theoskepasti hiking trail, the Santorini Wine Museum, and the Art Space Winery.
Skaros Rock
Skaros Rock is a huge rock promontory situated in front of the village of Imerovigli on Santorini Island in the Aegean Sea. It was fortified during the 13th century by the Byzantine Empire. If you enjoy hiking and admiring scenic views of rugged coastlines, this spot is perfect for you!
Wine Tour in Santorini
Explore Santorini’s legendary wineries and traditional cellars on a tour. Discover the ancient vineyards and learn about how the volcanic soils influence wine-making on the island.
Megalochori
If you’re a wine lover, you should check out the central west area of Santorini. You’ll find three important wineries there: Boutari Winery, Gavalas Winery, and Antoniou Winery. Visiting these wineries allows you to learn about the history and production of wine-making on the island and try unique volcanic wine varieties.
Pyrgos
The location of the property is on the highest point of Santorini, providing fantastic views of the island. You can also find many vineyards in the surrounding area and some of these offer tours where you can learn about the production of Greece’s classic wine.
Profitis Ilias Monastery
Profitis Ilias Monastery is an ancient structure constructed in 1712, situated atop Mount Profitis Ilias, between Pyrgos and Kamari villages in Santorini. One can indulge in trekking and cherish the breathtaking scenery from the mountainous landscape.
Amoudi Bay
Below Oia lies Amoudi Bay, where you can relish delicious seafood and enjoy the beauty of white buildings constructed into the red slope of the Caldera cliff. You can conveniently reach the bay on foot by walking down about 300 steps from Oia, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
Experts tip:
My advice for visiting Santorini is to rent a car, ATV, or motorbike. Depending on local buses can be frustrating because of the long wait times and limited schedules. Renting your own mean of transportation can make a big difference in your holiday experience.
I rent a car whenever I travel to Greek islands because public transportation is unreliable and confusing outside of big cities. It’s not the most environmentally friendly option, but it’s necessary. If you can’t afford to rent a car for your entire trip, consider renting for 1-2 days. Renting a car, ATV, or motorbike typically costs 30-40 euros per day. Trust me, it’s worth it! DiscoverCars is the easiest way to choose your car while you are in Santorini.
What are the things to do for three days on this beautiful and sunny island?
Day 1: Hike from Fira to Oia or vice versa
The Fira to Oia Hike is moderately challenging and requires a full day. It takes about three hours to cover one way, and you can return by bus. The trail offers beautiful views of white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, pink flowers, and the coast. Don’t rush, and take your time to enjoy the scenery and capture great photos.
As you stroll along, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to stop and chat with locals. This is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the leisurely pace of life on Santorini and discover the cultural aspects of the island that are not overrun by tourism. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit one or more of Santorini’s wineries, where you can indulge in some delicious local meze. It’s a must-do!
Day 2: Get yourself at Amoudi Bay
If you’re feeling hot on a Greek Island, Amoudi Bay is the perfect place to cool down. People sunbathe on the rocks and dive into the clear water. This natural beauty is worth dedicating a full and relaxing day too.
Although it requires a bit of effort, it’s worth it to visit Amoudi Bay. You may need to ask a local for directions, as it’s hidden away. However, the only downside is that there are steep steps to climb, which may not be suitable for those who find it difficult. Apart from that, it’s definitely worth including Amoudi Bay on your list of places to visit. In this area, there are some great seafood restaurants, albeit small, that serve freshly caught food for you to enjoy. You also have the choice to view the sunset from either Ammoudi or Oia, both of which are amazing options that will provide you with many photo opportunities to take back home.
Day 3: Visit a real volcano and jump into hot springs
The island of Santorini is volcanic, which is why there are black sand beaches. A popular activity to do there is to hike around the active volcano. You can visit the neighboring island of Nea Kameni and then take a boat to jump into the hot springs, which have therapeutic effects.
Daily boat trips depart from Old Fira Port at an affordable price during the summer months. If you have the energy, take a trip to the Akrotiri archaeological site to appreciate the civilization that existed in Santorini before the Minoan Eruption. The site is similar to Pompeii and will offer a nostalgic experience.
3 Days in Santorini Itinerary
The next 3 days in Santorini will be full of activities, but it might also be tiring due to the draining effects of the sun. Nevertheless, you will be able to appreciate the island’s beauty before moving on to your next destination. It’s important not to spend too much time in one place, including Santorini, as it may lead to feeling weary and detract from its wonders.
The reason why Santorini Island is so famous worldwide will become clear once you see it. To embrace the true Santorini lifestyle, take things slowly as the locals do. Additionally, try to speak a few Greek words such as ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘please,’ and ‘goodbye’ to please the locals and make the most of your short visit.
During the summer months, many cruises and ferries visit Santorini daily, making transportation to and from this breathtaking natural wonder easy. However, saying goodbye may be the hardest part of the experience.
If you visit Santorini for a few days, you can think of it as a sample of what the island has to offer. This might be part of an island hopping trip, but you’ll probably want to come back and make more memories in this little piece of paradise. With all the information you have now, you’ll know which areas of the island are right for you. Just book your trip and enjoy your stay in the beautiful and unique Santorini!
