10 Things to Know Before Visiting Santorini: Travel Guide for First Timers

Heading to Santorini? In this travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to know before visiting Santorini, Greece, from when to go to where to stay.

Santorini, Greece is one of the most famous island destinations in the world. It features the iconic white washed buildings with beautiful blue domes looking out over the Aegean Sea. If it’s your first time heading to Greece and the Greek Isles, this Santorini travel guide for first timers will set you up with the basics you need to know before you go!

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

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1. The Official Language of Greece: Greek

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You are likely not surprised to learn that the official language in Santorini is Greek. However, there’s no need to worry if you aren’t fluent in Greek as the majority of locals on the island speak at least basic English. In fact, you’ll be impressed how many are fluent in English. There’s also a decent amount of German and French spoken around the island.

So even if you don’t speak Greek, you’ll be able to enjoy your trip to Santorini and communicate with the locals pretty easily. As always though, it never hurts to learn a few key phrases in the local language. To help get you started, the most common Greek greeting is “Hello”. In Greek it’s Γεια – pronounced “Ya”.

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2. The Currency of Greece: Euros

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As with all of Greece and a majority of Europe and the Schengen Area, the main currency in Santorini is Euros. Fortunately, credit cards are widely accepted in Greece, particularly in the tourist areas. This includes around Santorini.

While many places will take credit card, there are other items that will need to be paid for in cash. In Santorini, you’ll find plenty of ATMs and banks around the island to withdraw cash or exchange currency.

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3. Best Time to Visit Santorini

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Santorini is a popular travel destination. Unfortunately, this means the island can be very crowded and expensive. When you visit Santorini matters. It will impact your experience and your budget. Let’s break it down into the best months to visit Santorini.

Summer (June to September)

Summer is the busiest season in Santorini, bringing highly inflated prices. Don’t let that put you off. There is a reason this is the high season. The temperature lingers around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius), and it’s perfect to enjoy the pool at your accommodation or frequent the beaches of Santorini.

If you plan to visit Santorini in the summer, pack lots of reef-safe sunscreen and drink lots of water. The sun can be brutal, but it also causes perfect beach weather and the epic sunsets Santorini is known for.

Shoulder Seasons (April/May and October/November)

Considered by many as the best time to visit Santorini, the shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather without the hordes of tourists. You’ll still have moderate weather, averaging a high of 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius), but prices will be lower and you can wander the narrow walkways without the crowds.

The shoulder seasons have my recommendation as the best time to visit Santorini, even though it won’t be prime beach weather. To help hedge your bets, I’d aim for May or October to get some of the warmer summer weather in!

Winter (December to March)

The low tourist season for Santorini, winter can be a great time to visit. You’ll have less competition for hotel rooms and get to enjoy the stellar sunsets in Oia without the crowds. This can make winter desirable for those looking for a more intimate visit to Santorini.

However, if you’re thinking of visiting Santorini in winter, you should know that many places on the island are closed down for the off-season. This can limit your options of hotels, shops, and restaurants, but if that doesn’t bother you, pack some sweaters and plan your trip to Santorini!

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4. How to Stay Safe in Santorini

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Like much of Europe, Santorini is considered pretty safe with the exception of petty crime. Your biggest concerns will be pickpocketing and petty theft as you push through crowds in Oia or you head out for a swim at the beach. All in all, don’t worry too much about safety in Santorini.

Be alert but not paranoid, and you should be fine. Just use your common safety precautions like these 35 Critical Safety Tips for Travelers. Too add some reassurance, I always recommend traveling with travel insurance. It will cover you for theft, illness, cancellation of travel plans, and more.

Check out World Nomad’s for travel insurance to take the risk out of your trip.

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5. How to Get to Santorini

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There are two main ways to get from Athens to Santorini: Ferry or Plane. Whichever route you take, I recommend booking ahead – particularly if you’re visiting Santorini in the busy season.

Bluestar Ferries: The Slow Ferry

The Bluestar ferry from Athens to Santorini or Piraeus to Thira ferry ports takes about 8 hours. The ferry ticket to Santorini starts at ~45 euros. This is the most budget friendly way to get to Santorini from the mainland, and is a great option if you have the time.

Seajets Ferries: The Fast Ferry

The faster ferry to Santorini is run by Seajets. It will still take about 5 hours and will cost almost twice as much – right around 85 euros.

By Plane: Fly into Santorini’s Airport

Santorini does have a small airport you can fly into. The airport code for Santorini is JTR. This 40 minute flight can be as cheap as the slow ferry if you book it at the right time and for the right season. Make sure to check for flights to Santorini as soon as you book your trip to Greece to try and snag a great price!

Book your ferries using Let’s Ferry or search flights on Expedia.

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6. Getting around Santorini

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No matter where you’re staying in Santorini, take a day or two to explore outside the area you’re staying in. With Santorini only being about 30 square miles, it’s easy to navigate the island, and you’ll want to check out all the amazing things to do in Santorini.

Buses on Santorini

Buses are the cheapest way to get around Santorini. The main bus company is KTEL Santorini, and it offers both express services city to city and normal services that will make stops in villages along the way. Fira is the central hub for buses, so any bus you take will eventually end up in Fira.

In peak season and daytime hours there are additional buses running to minimize the wait time. But, July to September buses may be full and require additional wait time.

Find the latest bus schedules here and prices are available here.

Self Drive around Santorini: Car or ATV

To have the most flexibility for traveling around Santorini, plan to rent a car or rent an ATV. With your own transportation in Santorini, you can come and go as you want and get to places further off the beaten path.

Driving in Santorini is on the right side of the road, like in the US, but roads may be more narrow than you’re used to. The main challenge you’ll encounter is parking, particularly in Oia. It’s worth noting that it can be easier to park an ATV than a car. Since the prices can be similar for renting a car and an ATV, select the option that works best for you!

Learn more about exploring Santorini by ATV.

Taxis around Santorini

It is also possible to get from one part of Santorini to another by taxi, but there are only 25 taxis that serve the island, so a taxi may be difficult to come by. The main taxi service is Santorini Taxi and can be reached by phone at +30 2286 022555 or booked ahead of time online.

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7. Where to Stay in Santorini

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There are lots of great areas to use as your home base in Santorini, but what type of Santorini travel guide for first timers would this be if I didn’t point out that a stay in Oia is almost a rite of passage. It is the most touristy part of the island and by far the most expensive. It is also one of the most picturesque parts of the island.

Check out these incredible Oia hotels to see what types of luxury await you:

• Hyperion Oia Suites
• Andronis Arcadia Hotel
• Canaves Oia Boutique Hotel

Read more: 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Oia, Santorini: Where to Stay

Or, if you are looking for a more reasonable cost or a more local feel, I recommend you check out Fira or Perissa. They offer completely different vibes, which you can learn all about in Where to Stay in Santorini, Greece: Fira or Perissa?

Fira is the central hub of the island and features the whitewashed buildings clinging to the dramatic cliffs, like Oia, while Perissa has more of a beach town flare. If you have time, you may want to split your time between the two.

Learn more about staying in Fira and Perissa.

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8. What to Do in Santorini

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Santorini is full of wonderful activities. From watching the world famous sunset in Oia to horseback riding on the beaches, you’ll never be bored on the island. And, best of all, there are a lot of free things to do in Santorini to help you stay within your budget.

If it’s your first time in Santorini, you won’t want to miss out on the 5 best things to do in Santorini:

1. Take in the stunning sunset in Oia

2. Hike from Fira to Oia

3. Visit the beaches of Santorini: Red, white, and black sand beaches

4. Go wine tasting at the many wineries in Santorini

5. Take a sunset cruise in Santorini

For a full list of Santorini activities and details, read Top 25 Things to Do in Santorini, Greece.

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9. What to Eat in Santorini

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If you’re headed to the Greek Isles, you will not be disappointed by the food! In fact, it’s one of my favorite parts! Santorini offers amazing Greek food, and with the rich volcanic soil, you’ll find flavorful fruits, vegetables, and wine in the area. Some traditional Greek foods you should try include:

• Moussaka: A Greek style lasagna layered with eggplant, minced meat, spices, other vegetables, and bechamel sauce

• Traditional Greek salad: Typically includes tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions, olives, and feta cheese

• Dips: Consider fava – a bean puree dip, or tzatziki – a yogurt, garlic, and cucumber dip

• Baklava: A flaky filo pastry with layers of ground nuts and honey

• Gyro: Thinly sliced meat generally served in a pita – a great treat for after a few glasses of wine!

• Olives and olive oils

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10. The Cost of Visiting Santorini

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While Santorini is by no means a budget destination, you can make it an affordable trip at around $50/day, or you can take a luxury trip and spend far more. Here are some rough cost ideas to help first time visitors to Santorini budget.

Accommodations

There are backpacker friendly hostels all the way up to luxury 5 star hotels in Santorini. You can spend as low as $20 – 30/night or up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars each night.

The most affordable options tend to be on the southern side of the island in Perissa while the luxury accommodations are more equally spread out on the island. For the most fabulous views, I recommend checking out Oia on Santorini. It’s the city known for the best sunset in Santorini.

Search hotels in Santorini now.

Transportation

Once on the island, you can keep your transportation budget low by taking the bus as needed at around 2 euros per ride. Or, take taxis if your budget permits. If you are planning to travel around a lot, renting a car or ATV may be the right option for you. These can start as low at 25+ euros and go up from there – especially in peak season!

Remember to take into account the cost of getting to and from the island from Athens! The cheapest option is the slow ferry, as mentioned above, at 45+ euros each way.

Food

Food is another area where you can spend as much or as little as you want. Keep you food budget lower by visiting the supermarkets or grabbing inexpensive filling foods, like gyros. These can run as low as 4 euros if you find the right place.

Attractions

There are lots of excellent free activities in Santorini, or you can schedule tours and day trips as your budget permits. As with any budget trip, I still recommend splurging on activities that are “essentials” to the location to make the most of your time there.

Read more about visiting Santorini on a budget with 16 Money Saving Tips for Santorini.

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Additional Resources to Plan Your Trip to Greece

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This Santorini travel guide for first timers provides a lot of key information you need to know about Santorini for your trip, but don’t stop your planning here! Check out these other resources for more insights on Santorini.

• Top 25 Things to Do in Santorini
• How to Rent a Quad in SantoriniATV: One Day Quad Rental
• 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Oia, Santorini: Where to Stay
• Where to Stay in Santorini: Fira or Perissa?
• What to Expect of Mykonos, Greece
• One Week in Greece: A First Time Visitor’s Itinerary
• How to Spend 1 Day in Athens, Greece: An Itinerary for First Time Visitors

New to international travel? Here’s 9 Essential Things to Do Before Traveling Abroad.

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