Let me tell you a secret about Santorini. I didn’t even want to go. You see, I’m a big fan of tropical jungles and beaches. When I saw the treeless terrain of Santorini in the photos, I imagined it to be rather dull and not very scenic.
I was utterly blown away after one day in Santorini. It was the exact opposite of what I expected and made it straight to the top of my ‘most scenic places’ list. The views along the Caldera are simply stunning. We had a good look around and found lots of cool stuff to do. Here are our top 10 Santorini Tips.
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Fly from Athens to Santorini
If you’re wondering how to get to Santorini, we say flying is the best option. Athens Airport is excellent; it’s modern and efficient. And the flight is super fast, taking not much more than an hour.
You do need to shop around and book in advance as they can get a little expensive, but at least you don’t have to spend a full day on a ferry. Meaning you can maximise your time on Santorini.
Be Prepared for Stairs
In my opinion, one of the best activities in Santorini is merely exploring the labyrinth of tiny laneways. These are plentiful in both Fira and Oia. You will find many fantastic viewing points and see many incredible sights along the way. But be warned. The tracks are steep, and the stairs are many.
Depending on your fitness, it might be a good idea to be in good shape before visiting Santorini. May I suggest a few trips to the gym to work out on the cross trainer and stair climber?
Airport Speed
When we returned to the airport to fly from Santorini to Athens, we were considering allowing 2.5 hours, like usual. As it was, we had to leave a couple of hours earlier due to check out time. Good thing because it took us almost 4 hours to get through the Santorini airport.
First, there was a line up outside the airport for an hour. Then the long claustrophobic 1.5-hour line to get inside the terminal. Then another 20-minute line at the ticket counter. Take my advice, leave early!
Buses are Cheap
Not only are buses affordable, but they are also excellent. Buses generally cost around 2 Euros per trip. They stop near most of the major attractions on the island, all leaving from the central bus station in Fira. That’s a great reason to stay in Fira if you’re planning on using public transport.
If you are on a tight budget, you can skip the expensive Santorini day tours. These can easily top 250 Euros for a day. Instead, you can take 2 Euro buses all over the island, and save yourself a small fortune.
Food is Expensive
Let me clarify this statement. Restaurants along the Caldera rim are costly. And with good reason. The views are breathtaking. Don’t get me wrong, and you won’t regret stopping off at one of these pricey restaurants. But unless you have money to burn, you should probably figure out some other option during your stay.
Find a Supermarket Early
Supermarkets are a great option for making your stay on Santorini way less expensive. Supermarkets are our travel hack, no matter where we go. The first or second day, locate the closest supermarket using Google Maps.
Put on an empty backpack and buy enough food for a few tasty home-cooked meals. Oh, and a large bottle of drinking water.
Supermarkets Sell Alcohol
The supermarkets tend to have expansive and well-stocked alcohol departments. Perfect for buying a bottle of local wine to accompany you through a stunning Santorini sunset.
Cruise Boats are Plentiful
We visited in peak season, and the cheaper cruise boats were still very easy to purchase tickets. There are many, many of these operating out of both Fira and Oia.
Sunset cruises are a different story. These attract a higher price tag and are the most popular of all Santorini cruises. You probably should book those a couple of days in advance to avoid disappointment — especially the semi-private catamaran cruises.
Stay on the Caldera Side
The caldera side is the western side of this crescent-shaped island. It’s no surprise that the best sunsets are on this side of the island. It’s also the side of the Caldera. The buildings on this site are a couple of hundred metres above sea level on top of the caldera cliff. So the views are stunning. But you will pay more here.
Catch a Caldera Sunset
The old castle in Oia is the most popular place in town to catch a sunset. The viewing platform here is one of the busiest of all Santorini tourist attractions. Little wonder, because you can find almost 270-degree panoramic views from here if you choose the best viewing platform. But this spot gets crazy busy each sunset. Caldera sunsets are at the top of the list of all Santorini must-see attractions.
Our sunsets were all viewed at Fira, where it is far less busy. The evenings are equally stunning, but you will not have the massive crowds.
Catch a Sunset Cruise
You should not miss a Santorini day cruise. But if you want the most romantic, most unforgettable sunset, then you had better book a sunset cruise. Meandering through the caldera islands, I couldn’t think of a better way to part with your holiday money. They are aren’t necessarily cheap but should be well within reach of most Santorini visitors.
So Much To Do in Santorini
We say forget about trying to see Santorini in a day. You will need at least 3 days to appreciate this magnificent island fully. You will never get around all the best places to visit in Santorini in a day. Take your time, savour the ambience, and enjoy Santorini!
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