If you’re planning your first trip to Greece, you might be considering a trip to Santorini. Santorini is arguably the most popular of the Greek islands, known for its iconic blue-domed buildings and breathtaking sunset views. When my girlfriends and I were brainstorming locations to celebrate our 10-years of friendship, we knew Santorini would be the perfect getaway and we were not disappointed.
- Why Visit Santorini
- Planning Your Santorini Itinerary: Quick Tips
- The Best 5 Says in Santorini Itinerary
- Day 1 in Santorini- Explore Fira
- Day 2 in Santorini – Seas the Day
- Day 3 in Santorini – Explore Oia
- Day 4 in Santorini: Relax & Fine-Dining
- Day 5 in Santorini: Learn About Santorini History
- Where to Stay in Santorini
- How to Adjust this Santorini Itinerary
- How to Get to Santorini
- Getting Around Santorini
- What to Eat in Santorini
- Best Time to Visit Santorini
- Frequently Asked Questions When Planning a Santorini Itinerary
This is the 5 days in Santorini itinerary we followed that includes sightseeing, activities, and tons of relaxation. You’ll also find maps for each day, alternative itineraries, and other helpful tips to help you plan your next island vacation.
This post may contain affiliate links for highly recommended products or services that I want to share with you!
Why Visit Santorini
With its blue-domed churches, white-washed buildings, and stunning sunsets, it’s no wonder why Santorini is one of the most photographed places in the world. If you’re looking for a place to relax, have some wine, and be surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, there’s no place like Santorini.
Outside of hiking the caldera and watching the sunset, we didn’t find much else to do that we’d consider must-do activities that are especially unique to Santorini. In fact, you’ll find more history, better beaches, and tastier food (except for tomatoes and wine) elsewhere in Greece. I don’t regret spending 5 days in Santorini and the island is 100% worth visiting if you’re looking for spectacular views but I can understand why many people say they prefer other islands for things to see, do, and eat.
Planning Your Santorini Itinerary: Quick Tips
🏡 Best hotels in santorini
- Luxury Hotel Pick in Oia: Canaves Oia Suites (⭐️ 9.6)
- Luxury Hotel Pick in Fira: Athina Luxury Suites (⭐️9.2)
- Mid-Range Hotel Pick in Oia: Oia Suites (⭐️9.5)
- Mid-Range Hotel Pick in Fira: Enigma Suites (⭐️9.8)
🛥️ BEST GUIDED TOURS IN SANTORINI
- 🔥 TOP TIP: Set appropriate expectations. Come to Santorini so you can slow down, unwind, and soak in the gorgeous views of the caldera and the Santorini sunset. Consider visiting other nearby islands if you’re looking for vast historical ruins, the best Greek food, or a secluded escape.
- ✈️ Flying into Santorini Airport? Ask your hotel if they offer an airport transfer.
The Best 5 Says in Santorini Itinerary
Here’s an overview of things to do in this Santorini Itinerary:
🚶🏻♀️ Day 1: Explore Fira
⛵ Day 2: Sunset Cruise on a Private Catamaran
🌅 Day 3: Hike Fira to Oia + Catch Sunset in Oia
🏖️ Day 4: Perissa Beach + Fine Dining at Selene’s
📜 Day 5: Visit Akritori + Red Sand Beach
The itinerary below assumes Fira as your starting point and homebase on the island. If you’re staying in Oia on your first day, choose events from Day 3 of this itinerary as your Day 1.
Day 1 in Santorini- Explore Fira
Spend the first day of your trip exploring Fira (also known as Thira/Thera), the capital of the island. The main highlights from Day 1 of this Santorini Itinerary are:
Things to Do in Fira Map: Lucky’s Souvlaki → Three Bells of Fira→ Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral → V Lounge Cafe
1. Eat at Lucky’s Souvlaki in the heart of Fira
Start your day wandering the streets and alleys of Fira. While you’re in the central square, be sure to check out Lucky’s Souvlaki. A local favorite (recommended by our hotel manager), Lucky’s serves pita wraps with your choice of protein and is topped with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and french fries. I ordered the gyro wrap twice on the trip because it was so good. The pita is chewy and doesn’t break apart when you bite into it, and the gyro meat was heavy but not overly greasy. At less than €5 per wrap, Lucky’s makes for a cheap and tasty afternoon bite.
2. Walk Along Fira Caldera Clifftop
Venture up any of the side streets and weave through the alleys as you make your way up to the top of town. Once you’re at the top, walk along the caldera and enjoy endless views of whitewashed buildings staggered adopt the cliffs. Stop at the Three Bells of Fira – a Greek Catholic Church – to take a picture of the blue-domed building against the backdrop of the sea. Or, head towards the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, Fira’s most recognizable building and a classic example of Greek Orthodox church architecture.
Grab dinner at any one of the many restaurants near the cathedral and then head to a nearby rooftop bar to end the day while watching the sunset. We had initially planned to go to V Lounge Cafe but were too jetlagged to make it until sunset (which doesn’t happen until after 8 PM in May!).
⌛TIME SPENT: 4-5 hours
📍ADDRESS: Lucky’s Souvlaki l Three Bells of Fira l Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral l V Lounge Cafe
Day 2 in Santorini – Seas the Day
For Day 2, start your day with breakfast, more exploration of Fira, and then spend the rest of the day on the water.
1. Have Breakfast with a View
Head back in the direction of the Orthodox Cathedral and have breakfast with a view at Iriana Cafe. The cafe is part of the Iriana Hotel, a beautiful white building with balcony views overlooking the volcano and the Aegean Sea. Starting at 8 AM, they offer quite the breakfast spread that includes eggs, baked goods, pancakes, and Greek honey and yogurt. I especially liked the pancakes and all the pastries with Greek honey and yogurt.
⌛TIME SPENT: 2-3 hours
📍ADDRESS: Iiana Apartments & Suites
2. Take a Sunset Cruise
After breakfast, spend a few hours strolling through the streets and shops of Fira before heading back to the hotel to prepare for your sunset cruise which will give you a whole different appreciation of the island.
How to Pick a Santorini Sunset Cruise
My friends and I knew we wanted to do a sunset cruise but found that there were too many choices and variances in price, duration, and quality. We decided to wait until we got to our hotel to get a local recommendation. Our hotel manager was gracious enough to walk us through some key factors to consider when picking a tour that I’ve listed here:
- Sightseeing is similar across tour companies: Day tours will generally include a stop to explore the volcano while sunset tours will take you to a few small beaches and hot springs. All tours usually provide the option for swimming and snorkeling year-round but you likely will only go in the water if you’re visiting between June and September. The only exception to this is if you book a private tour, in which case you can ask the captain to take you to specific spots on the island.
- Sailboat tours are long: Tours range between half-day (4-5 hours) or full-day (8+ hours) and can run longer than expected. Even though our tour was considered a half-day tour, we were on the water for almost 8 hours because of the late sunset in May. It is extremely uncommon to find tours that run less than 5 hours and the ones we found weren’t highly recommended.
- Prices vary dramatically depending on services, privacy, and boat type: While the price won’t change what you see, it will greatly dictate the type of experience you can expect. Budget tours are cheaper but may not include hotel pick-up/drop-off or meals. You’re also sailing on a sailboat which is less stable than a catamaran and accommodates bigger group sizes. In contrast, you’ll sail on a catamaran as part of a semi-private tour with a smaller group size (our tour had 9 people, including the 2 crew members). The most luxurious option is a private tour that comes with better amenities/services on a really nice boat.
Santorini Sunset Cruise REVIEW
After learning about the different types of tours, our hotel manager booked us a semi-private sunset tour through Dream Cruises that cost about €150 per person. The price includes hotel snacks, drinks, meals, and hotel pick-up and drop-off. We sailed around the island for almost 8 hours, stopping at a few beaches and hot springs before anchoring for sunset. Since it was too cold to swim, we spent most of our time sunbathing on deck until it was time for sunset. Sunsets in Greece are otherworldly and there are simply not enough words to describe how magical it was to see the sun dip into the water.
💡TIP: While we had a great experience with Dream Cruises, they received a fair number of negative reviews on Tripadvisor. Here’s another Santorini Sunset Caldera Catamaran Cruise Tour that is the most highly recommended!
⌛TIME SPENT: 7-8 hours
📍ADDRESS: Hotel Pick-Up
Day 3 in Santorini – Explore Oia
Day 3 is by far the most action-packed day, which starts with the hike from Fira to Oia. You’ll then spend the afternoon exploring Oia before watching the most beautiful sunset.
1. Hike from Fira to Oia
Fira to Oia Hike Map: Start from the Atlantis Hotel → Skaros Rock (landmark, optional detour) → Snack Shop (landmark, optional detour) → End at the Bus Station
💡TIP: While not well-marked, there is a clear path away from the main road that hugs the caldera. The only section where you’ll have to walk on the main road is near the Snack Shop but soon after you’ll find a junction where you turn left to continue walking along the caldera.
If you have time to do only one thing in Santorini, make it the Fira to Oia hike (or vice versa). The hike is along the caldera cliffside that connects Fira to Oia and is my favorite way of appreciating the island’s topography and architecture. The hike is ~7 miles and takes between 2-5 hours depending on how often you rest, take a detour, or stop for pictures. Santorini Dave has a thorough guide of the hike that includes trail markers and rest stops. Most of the hike is exposed so bring plenty of sunscreen and water.
⌛TIME SPENT: 3 hours
📍ADDRESS: Start: Atlantis Hotel l End: Bus Stop
2. Walk Around Oia & Down Ammoudi Bay
Things to Do in Oia Map: Souvlaki N’ Wrap → Meteor Cafe (temporarily closed) → Atlantis Books (temporarily closed) → Ammoudi Bay
We stopped for a quick bite to eat at Souvlaki N’ Wrap near the bus station after the hike. My friends liked the chicken gyro wraps at Lucky’s more but I actually thought the pork was more flavorful here. After lunch, we spent a few hours wandering the streets, browsing the shops, and taking a quick break at Meteor Cafe. We, unfortunately, didn’t get to go inside Atlantis Books, which was closed indefinitely during our trip. We also walked down to Ammoudi Bay for some fresh seafood.
⌛TIME SPENT: 4 hours
📍ADDRESS: Souvlaki N’ Wrap l Ammoudi Bay
3. Watch the Oia Sunset
We got to Oia Castle hours before sunset in order to get a good spot. From the castle, you will get a spectacular view of golden hour illuminating the white buildings on the cliffsides as the sun gradually dips below the horizon. Even though watching the sunset while sailing was calmer and unobstructed, the sunset in Oia is simply magical. I fully understand why the whole town claps every night once the sun disappears.
💡TIP: You will not see the sunset behind blue-domed buildings from Oia Castle. If sunset pictures with blue domes are what you’re after, you’ll want to navigate to this spot. We followed the EarthTrekkers guide on how to get to both sunset viewpoints and would highly recommend going to Oia Castle first for sunset, followed by the GPS location for blue hour.
⌛TIME SPENT: 2-3 hours
📍ADDRESS: Sunset: Oia Castle l Blue Hour: Photography Spot
Day 4 in Santorini: Relax & Fine-Dining
Relaxation was the theme of the day. We spent our last full day lounging at the beach and the evening dining at Selene.
1. Visit Perissa Beach
Perissa Beach is a long, black sand beach located on the southeastern side of the island. From Fira, there is a public bus that runs every hour that will take you to Perissa. The bus ride costs around €2 and takes about 20-30 minutes each way. We found that the buses generally follow the schedule but may leave a few minutes before or after so keep that in mind. The beach is a short walk from the bus station and is easily identified by the long stretch of black sand. Opposite the beach are restaurants and cafes that provide traditional Greek food and refreshments, along with complimentary use of their beach chairs and umbrellas. Neither the beach nor the food was especially memorable but it was a nice way to relax from the previous day.
⌛TIME SPENT: 4-5 hours (including transportation time)
📍ADDRESS: Perissa Beach
2. Dine at Selene
Dining at Selene was one of my favorite things we did on the trip (second only to watching the sunset). The restaurant is located in a beautiful 18th-century monastery and serves Greek cuisine with a modern twist. Our Full Moon prefixed dinner included 12 courses for €210 per person, all of which highlight Greek ingredients and flavors. The food was truly exceptional and some of my favorite bites were: “Gazing from Skaros Rock” / “Ode to Santorinian ‘Tomatokeftes’”/ “Terroir” / “Santorini Anhydrous Cherry Tomato” / “Santorini Pistachio Pallete”
Selene was not only the most memorable dining experience we had in Greece but also the perfect way to end our last full day in Santorini. I can still taste the sweetness of those tomatoes.
⌛TIME SPENT: 3 hours
📍ADDRESS: Selene
Day 5 in Santorini: Learn About Santorini History
On your last day in Santorini, spend the day exploring the ruins of Akrotiri and the nearby red-sand beach.
1. Visit Akrotiri Ruins
Akrotiri was a wealthy, ancient city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 17th century BC. You can pay a small entrance fee (€12) to walk through the city ruins and learn about the prehistoric site inside a climate-controlled building. I did find it hard to feel fully immersed and had difficulty associating the ruins to key structures or artifacts when compared to other archaeological sites. Overall, I’d say it’s an interesting stop if you have time but by no means an absolute must-do activity.
⌛TIME SPENT: 1 hour
📍ADDRESS: Akrotiri
2. Walk to Red Beach
Just a short walk (~20-25 minutes) from the ruins, you’ll find Santorini’s Red Beach. Red Beach is a red sand beach that formed from repeated erosion caused by volcanic eruptions. It gets its namesake color from the iron and sulphuric elements that turn red when exposed to air. All of us were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful we found the landscape of the red cliffs that contrasted with the blue-green waters of the sea.
⌛TIME SPENT: 1-2 hours
📍ADDRESS: Red Beach
Where to Stay in Santorini
The three most popular towns to stay in while in Santorini are all on the west side of the island: Fira (also spelled as Thera or Thira), Oia, and Imerovigli. You’ll want to stay in any of these towns if you’re looking for views of the caldera, cliffs, and blue-domed buildings. Picking between the three depends on your budget, the activities you want to do, and the type of vibe you’re looking for.
Fira vs. Oia vs.Imerogivli
Oia is where you’ll find the famous blue domes and the most beautiful sunset views but hotels will be the most expensive here and it is always crowded. Fira has great cliffside views and is the liveliest town on the island. It generally is cheaper to stay in and better suited if you plan on visiting other places on the island as it’s the transportation center of the island. If you’re looking for something more secluded, Imerovigli is in between the two towns and is the least crowded of the three options.
For your first visit to Santorini, I’d recommend staying in Fira for the most flexibility. If you’re dead set on staying at a cave hotel for views of the blue-domed buildings, then you’ll want to stay in Oia. Note, based on pictures, I expected to see a lot more blue domes on the island than were actually present. Oia definitely had the most between Fira and Imerovigli but there weren’t that many. The island is still beautiful but keep your expectations tempered.
How to Adjust this Santorini Itinerary
There aren’t that many must-do activities on our itinerary so how much time you need depends on your desired pace. We spent most of our time wandering around aimlessly in constant awe of the architecture and colors of the island. I personally wouldn’t spend less than 3 days or more than 7 days on the island. If you have less time, I’d skip Perissa Beach and the Akritori ruins, both of which we found underwhelming. If you have more time, I’d spend 1 night in Oia or take a day trip out to another island.
Essential Things to Do in Santorini in One Day
If you only have one full day in Santorini, spend it in Oia. Explore the main village, have some seafood in Ammoudi Bay, and experience one of the most stunning sunsets of your life.
Two Days in Santorini
If you only have 2 days, spend one day in Fira and the other in Oia.
Three Days in Santorini
With 3 days in Santorini, you can do most of this itinerary with a few adjustments. I’d recommend consolidating things to do in Fira into one day and skipping Perissa Beach.
Five Days to One Week
If you have up to a week in Santorini, here are a few other things to do while you’re in Santorini:
- Tour a Santorini winery – I’m not a big drinker (and when I do it’s never wine) but the wine we had at Selene was lovely. It made me want to go on a wine tour to sample more while learning about the history of wine in Santorini.
- Explore a nearby island – There are many islands near Santorini, including Paros, Mykonos, and Corfu (there are more but these are the ones we would have been interested in visiting). However, near is a relative term and it seemed unlikely to go to any of these islands for just the day so we would have needed more time to spend at least 1 night.
- Spend a night in Oia – It was out of budget this trip but I’d love to come back and watch the sunrise in Oia.
How to Get to Santorini
You can get to Santorini either by plane or by ferry.
🛬 By Plane: If you’re coming from the US, there is no non-stop flight option to Santorini so you’ll need to transfer from at least 1 major city such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt.
🛥️ By Ferry: If you’re already island hopping in Greece, there are a number of ports that will take you to Santorini. There are ferries that run between Athens and Santorini but the trip can take anywhere from 5-8 hours depending on which ferry you take. Also, options are limited if you’re traveling outside of peak season.
💡TIP: If connecting flights are super expensive or if you have a few days to spare, then I’d recommend staying at your connection point for 1-2 nights and then booking a budget airline to Santorini. We did this for our trip, which allowed us to spend a few days in Bristol before taking an EasyJet flight to Santorini. This tip only works depending on the flight paths available and price points but worth considering as part of your plans!
We really wanted to see both Athens and Santorini during our trip but it just wasn’t logistically feasible for a weeklong trip.
Getting Around Santorini
Personally, I find walking the best way to explore Santorini, especially the hike from Fira to Oia. I wouldn’t recommend renting a car or ATV unless you absolutely need to for accessibility reasons or because you’re a thrill-seeker. The island has a lot of narrow and winding roads that make driving challenging and most areas have limited parking. If you do need to get from one side of the island to another, there are taxis, Ubers, and buses available that are easy and reliable to use.
What to Eat in Santorini
Similar to other Greek islands, you’ll find options on every corner for fresh seafood, souvlaki, Greek salads, and more. But while in Santorini, you’ll want to try the foods listed below which are especially notable on the island:
- Fava: a traditional Santorinian dish made from mashed fava beans, usually ordered as an appetizer/side dish and served with bread
- Tomatokeftedes (& tomatoes from Santorini): tomato fritters made with home-grown tomatoes, onions, herbs, and feta. Tomatoes in Santorini are unlike any other tomatoes I’ve tried. They’re about the size of cherry tomatoes but are so sweet and flavorful. I usually don’t like tomatoes because they taste a bit sour but I loved all the ones I ate on the island.
- Wine: I’m the furthest thing from a wine-o but Santorini’s wine is deliciously fruity and sweet. I’m not a big drinker and wine normally gives me a headache but I absolutely loved the wine in Santorini, especially their well-known Vinsanto dessert wine. Even if you’re not a big drinker, I’d highly recommend having at least 1 glass of wine just to try.
Best Time to Visit Santorini
Weather-wise, the best time to visit Santorini is between June and August. The summer months are sunny and warm, which makes it ideal for swimming in the sea. It’s also the busiest so be prepared for endless crowds.
💡TIP: If you’re interested in spending time in Oia, I would strongly advise visiting during the winter or shoulder months. Oia is by far the most trafficked town on the island and has tons of people even in May. The streets are narrow, which adds to the town’s beauty but also means that you’re constantly bumping into people while walking.
Frequently Asked Questions When Planning a Santorini Itinerary
You’ll want at least 3 days to have enough time to explore Santorini’s highlights but you won’t need more than 7 days on the island (and that includes a few day trips to other islands). We felt like 5 days was a good amount of time to explore Santorini without feeling rushed.
It’s easy to walk around the main areas of Santorini (Fira, Oia, and Immerovigli). There are lots of paved stone streets through the mid towns, albeit hilly. The hiking path from Fira to Oia is also relatively well-maintained and probably the closest thing to a true trail. However, outside of Fira and Oia, you will need to take the bus or drive to other parts of the island like Akrotiri.
If you don’t want to hike between the two towns, there is a bus between Fira and Oia that runs regularly throughout the day in both directions (see Santorini Secrets for the most updated timetables). The bus generally takes about 20-25 minutes but there may be a line during peak season. Even in May, we chose to take an Uber because we didn’t want to wait in the bus line.
5 Days in Santorini Itinerary: Final Thoughts
From the breathtaking views, stunning sunsets, and historical sites, Santorini is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
To truly appreciate the island, spend some time exploring the narrow streets and the white houses perched on the cliffs of Fira. Or, consider hiking from Fira to Oia first thing in the morning and then prepare for an amazing sunset view from Oia Castle by the end of the day.
One of the best things to do is to take a boat tour on a private catamaran, which provides a great way to explore other parts of the caldera. Or spend the day indulging in a wine tasting tour where you can experience the island’s famous wine culture.
No matter what you end up doing, I hope you feel the same way about this beautiful island as I do. As usual, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions & I will always reply 😊
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