A Perfect Santorini Itinerary: 3 Days in Santorini, Greece!

Santorini, Greece is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever traveled to, no questions asked.

You’ve likely seen photos of blue-domed churches and white buildings perched on the edge of a cliff while researching your trip to the Greek Islands.

Believe me when I say, the pictures of Santorini do not do it justice.

I will never forget the moment we stepped out of the taxi and walked along the cobblestone pathway to our hotel in Oia (the tip of the island). My jaw was on the floor immediately, and I kept saying “WOW” the entire day.

We spent 3 days in Santorini, (my first time in the Greek Islands), and it was the perfect introduction! This was part of a longer, 7 day trip to Santorini + Milos.

Our time in Santorini included swimming in the sea and a bit of hiking, but also plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beaches, the food, and the wine!

I’ve detailed everything we did, plus some extra improvements I would make to our itinerary if we were to do it all again (because I did learn some lessons along the way).

While there’s no question that Santorini is one of the busiest and most expensive of the Greek islands, it’s absolutely worth visiting. Let me show you why!

Day 1: Explore Oia & Ammoudi Bay + Sunset dinner

Late Morning: Arrive in Santorini and Explore Oia

This itinerary assumes you have arrived in Santorini the night before (or early-ish in the morning) so you have close to a full first day for exploring!

We landed in Santorini around 10am (my best friend flew in from Athens and I flew in from Paris). Luckily, we were able to check in early to our dreamy cave house room in Oia, drop our bags off, and immediately start wandering!

(If you aren’t staying in Oia, you can check out the area around your hotel before heading up to Oia for the rest of the day).

Once you arrive in Oia, grab a late lunch at Thalami Restaurant for epic views of the sea and delicious, traditional Greek food. We had a hummus plate here that I am still dreaming about.

Or, if you have an earlier start to the day, grab a spanakopita (Greek pastry) and a Freddo cappuccino at Melenio Cafe.

After your meal, spend the day exploring the dreamy town of Oia. There’s a reason it’s the most famous village on the island, thanks to the gorgeous views of the sea beyond the stacked white houses and hotels on the cliffside.

The main pathways of Oia are pedestrian only. You can wander and get lost in the many alleyways that are lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels, and take in the incredible views.

You’ll find lots of charming boutiques selling handmade jewelry, linen clothing, and local art, great for souvenirs!

Note: I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll be climbing stairs and walking on cobblestone streets throughout the day. I loved wearing my waterproof Reef sandals!

Afternoon: Cliff Jumping at Ammoudi Bay

In the afternoon, once the crowds start to pick up and the sun gets strong, it’s time to head down to Ammoudi Bay!

Ammoudi Bay is a small fishing port tucked underneath the town of Oia, right on the water!

To get here from Oia, you can either walk the 300 steps down below Oia Castle, which are steep but doable for anyone in relatively good shape. The other option is to take a taxi down, which can be pricey!

We chose to take the stairs down, and we actually made this trip multiple times! We did pass some people riding donkeys up and down the path, but did not want to do this ourselves for ethical reasons.

Once you arrive in Ammoudi Bay, you’ll be greeted with blue-green water, fishing boats, and a few taverns (which you will enjoy later).

For now, head left through the Sunset Ammoudi Restaurant and walk the path along the cliffside.

After about 5 minutes of walking the ledge along the water , you’ll reach a swimming area next to a church. Across the bay, you’ll see a large rocky outcrop in the water where you can actually jump off into the sea!

Spend the afternoon swimming in the sea, enjoying the gorgeous Greece weather, and if you are brave enough, jumping off the cliff!!

The swim across was moderately challenging, so I wouldn’t recommend it for children or those who are not good at swimming.

Evening: Sunset Dinner at Sunset Ammoudi

To end your first day in Santorini, head back towards the restaurants in Ammoudi and have an incredible dinner as you watch the sun sink into the sea.

(We brought a change of clothes with us and changed in the bathroom before dinner, so that we didn’t have to climb those steps again!)

I highly recommend making a reservation in advance for dinner, especially if you are visiting during peak summer months and want to eat during sunset!

The owner of our hotel was kind enough to call for us and make a reservation at Sunset Ammoudi Tavern, which is right on the water and has octopus drying out in the sun in front of the restaurant.

We enjoyed a lovely bottle of Greek wine and fresh seafood (including octopus, calamari, and more!) as the sun set right in front of us.

After dinner, enjoy the beautiful evening views and twinkling lights of Santorini as you make your way back to your hotel!

We spent our first evening soaking in our balcony hot tub, one of the best perks of staying at Kaleidoscope Cave Houses!

Day 2: Unique Beaches+ Winery or Cooking Class

Morning: Black and Red Sand Beaches

On your second day in Santorini, it’s time to explore the rest of the island beyond Oia!!

The itinerary for today will be much easier to accomplish if you have your own mode of transportation. However, you can get around (although slowly) with the public bus system, or via taxis (although they’re pricey).

We personally used the bus system during our time in Santorini and it added a lot of extra (wasted) time to our itinerary, so I really regret not renting an ATV or a car! (More on this in the How to Get Around Santorini section of this blog post!).

To start your day, head down to the southeast side of the island to experience one of the two famous black sand beaches on the island: Kamari or Perissa. You can also visit both since they are right next to each other!

Note: These beaches are not like the beaches on Milos with white sand or small pebbles. These are black sand (but more like small rock) beaches. Bring water shoes!

We chose to visit Kamari during our trip, which had plenty of chairs with umbrellas right on the beach. The chairs were free to sit on as long as you order something from the restaurant, so we had lunch right on the beach!

There are also restaurants with tables nearby if you prefer a sit-down lunch.

Spent your morning soaking in the sun, swimming in the crystal clear water, and eating French fries. Paradise, right?!

✈️ Quick tip on getting to Santorini: US travelers almost always connect through Athens (or another European hub first). My Passport to Confidence guide has a full section on booking international flights, including when to search, how to use Google Flights price calendar, and how to save money. Just $7, instant download!

Afternoon: Akrotiri Archaeological Site and Lighthouse

In the early afternoon, continue exploring the island by heading to the southern tip of Santorini. Here, you’ll find a few landmarks to explore.

Two beaches in one day might sound crazy, but I recommend you head over to the famous Red Sand Beach too! We skipped this, and I still regret it because it looks SO cool.

The hike down to Red Beach is a bit steep, so wear comfortable shoes!

Not far from the Red Sand Beach you’ll find the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, one of the best preserved ancient settlements in the Aegean. This ancient Minoan city, preserved under volcanic ash, offers a fascinating look into life in Santorini over 3,500 years ago.

You can explore the site on your own for, but most people recommend a guided tour to learn about the history from a local!

If you have your own vehicle, another great stop in the area is the Akrotiri Lighthouse, which offers incredible views of the Aegean Sea from the southern tip of Santorini.

Evening: Traditional Santorini Wineries

To wrap up your second day, head to one (or more) of the traditional Greek wineries on the island.

Santorini is known for its Assyrtiko wine, a crisp and mineral-rich white wine that pairs perfectly with the island’s seafood.

There are many wineries on Santorini to choose from. (This is also one of my recommended things to do on Milos, in case you can’t fit it into your Santorini itinerary!)

One of the most famous is Santo Wines, which is located in the middle of the island above the port. Here, you can taste a variety of wines and watch the sunset!

Pro Tip: Make a reservation ahead of time, especially if you plan to visit during peak season. Arriving around an hour before sunset gives you enough time to enjoy the tasting and take in the golden hour views.

Or, another option is to book a guided winery tour, which will take you to several local and family-owned wineries around the island and includes tastings at each!

Or, if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path (and local), this cooking class on a family farm looks amazing! You’ll get to cook seasonal Greek food using ingredients from the family’s garden and local recipes, while also tasting Greek wine!

I will definitely be booking this tour when I return to Santorini!

Day 3: Fira to Oia Hike + Sunset Catamaran

Morning: Fira to Oia Hike

On your last day in Santorini, I highly recommend conquering the Fira to Oia hike, one of the most scenic trails in Greece!!

This hike offers jaw-dropping views of the caldera, charming white-washed villages, and the sparkling blue sea stretching as far as the eye can see.

It’s about a 10 km (6 mile) trek and can take anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on how often you stop to take in the views (which you will—trust me!).

Note: If hiking isn’t your thing, I got you! Check out my guide on the top things to do in Oia, Santorini for more ideas.

You can do the hike from Oia to Fira or from Fira to Oia. I recommend the latter for the best views! We took an early morning bus to Fira so that we would end in Oia for lunch!

Along the hike, you’ll pass through smaller towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli, two gorgeous villages with fewer crowds but equally stunning views. You can also extend the hike by taking a detour to climb Skaros Rock.

The final stretch of the hike to Oia is the most challenging and is not well protected from the sun, which is why you should start this hike as early as possible before it gets too hot!

You’ll want to bring water, sunscreen, and sneakers or hiking boots. I did the hike in low-top converse, which I wouldn’t recommend!

Once you arrive back in Oia, reward yourself with a delicious (and cheap) lunch at Pito Gyros, which typically opens around 12pm. Arrive just before opening to avoid long lines!

We actually ate here twice during our 3 days in Santorini because it was THAT good!! Don’t miss this spot.

Afternoon & Evening: Relaxation and a Sunset Catamaran Cruise

After you hike, spend your afternoon recovering and relaxing however you want!

We knew we needed to jump in the water after our hike. Because our hotel didn’t have a pool, we visited the Lioyerma Lounge Cafe, which has a pool you can use by renting one of their lounge chairs. The views here were incredible!

In the late afternoon, it’s time to end your last night in Santorini by seeing it from the water on a sunset catamaran cruise!! Most cruises leave from Ammoudi Bay, which is convenient if you are staying in Oia.

After boarding, you’ll cruise down the coast of Santorini and see iconic spots like Mesa Pigadia, White Beach, and Red Beach. On board, you’ll also have access to an open bar plus a delicious BBQ dinner!

This is the perfect way to spend your last night in Santorini, soaking in the beauty of the Greek Islands from the sea!

We actually missed this during our time in Santorini because we waited too long to book and were doing a boat tour on Milos instead, and I am still regretting it!! So don’t make the same mistake I did!

Know Before You Go: Visiting Santorini for the First Time

That’s a wrap on my 3 Day Santorini itinerary! However, if this is your first time visiting, I’m sure you have even more questions about this tiny Greek island.

Below I’ll cover some other frequently asked questions for visiting Santorini, including where to stay, how to get around, and more!

How to Get to Santorini

How you get to Santorini will depend on where you’re starting from, your budget, and general preferences! Your two primary options are to fly or take a ferry.

If you are traveling from a nearby island like Milos or Naxos or Paros, taking a ferry might be your best bet (I use FerryHopper to get tickets for Greek ferries!). Unfortunately, while a lot of the main islands have their own airports, there are not many direct flights between the islands.

For example, if you want to fly from Milos to Santorini, you have to first fly from Milos to Athens and then from Athens to Santorini. The cost for a ferry ticket will probably be around the same as the flight, so it is totally up to you! (I cover the pros and cons of each in more detail in my How to Get to Milos guide).

We booked the ferry because it was cheaper and faster, but our ferry ended up getting delayed 2 hours, so part of me wishes we had just flown.

Where to Stay On Santorini

The island of Santorini is fairly spread out, but most people stay on the northwestern side in one of the main villages of Oia, Imerovigli, or Fira! Here’s a quick breakdown of these three areas so you can determine which is best for you!

1. Fira: The capital of the island, Fira is bustling with nightlife, restaurants, and activities! You’re close to the airport, port, and some epic beaches on the opposite side of the island. Fira has tons to do and is best for people who are looking to be in the middle of the action!

2. Imergovigli: Imergovigli is nestled high up on the hill in between Fira and Oia. If you’re looking for quiet and ultimate relaxation, Imergovigli is the spot for you. It’s most popular for honeymooners! You can’t beat the views in Imergovigli.

3. Oia: Where we stayed!. Oia is perched at the tip of the island and is extremely popular with cruise ship crowds and at sunset. You won’t find many bars in Oia, but there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. I recommend staying in Oia if you’re on the hunt for the best views and want to watch the sunset every night. Just know, it will be busy!

In terms of where to stay, there are hundreds of hotels for every budget type. If you’re looking for that epic caldera view with the white houses, your best bet is in Oia, but you will pay extra for it!

Read more about the different areas and hotel options in my full guide on Where to Stay in Santorini!

How to Get Around Santorini

The island of Santorini is about 30 square miles, which sounds small! But as you can see on a map, the main areas like Oia and Fira are pretty spread out from each other!

So, if you are looking to see and do as much as possible in this Santorini itinerary, you will need a method of transportation to get around the island.

There are 4 main ways to get around: private transfers, cabs, rental vehicle, or public buses.

Public Buses

Buses are the cheapest but the slowest method of transportation on the island. Each one-way ticket will typically cost ~$2 USD, which you really can’t beat. All buses start and end in the main town of Fira.

So, if you are staying in Oia and want to go somewhere other than Fira, you will need to take the bus from Oia to Fira, and then take another bus from Fira to your final destination!

The buses in Santorini do run on a schedule, but we found they were late quite often.

Our first experience with the bus was in Oia, and it was about 25 minutes behind schedule, so we ended up waiting about an hour for the bus since we arrived early.

The bus from Oia to Fira took about 25 minutes. But then we had to get off the bus and wait for the next bus to get to our final destination (Kamari Beach).

The main bus station in Fira is kind of a cluster.. There is no signage and you typically have to ask the drivers which bus is going where. If we had our own method of transportation, it probably would have taken us 30 minutes to get from Oia to the beach. Instead, it took about an hour and a half.

So overall, I would only recommend relying on the buses if you are staying in Fira (so you only have to worry about one transfer) and/or you are trying to save some money!

Private Transfers and Cabs

There are cabs on the island of Santorini, but they are pretty pricey.

For example, a cab from Oia (at the tip of the island) to the airport will run you about $50 USD! So relying on cabs every day would rack up very quickly.

Instead of cabs, we booked private transportation through GetYourGuide. They were cheaper than cabs and cheaper than what our hotel quoted us for the same trip.

For example, we paid $33USD for a private transfer for 2 from our hotel in Oia to the port. Our hotel quoted us $45USD for the same trip, so not too much more, but still much cheaper than a cab!! 

I highly recommend using GetYourGuide to book your transportation on the island if you do not want to rent a vehicle! Which brings me to the next section (and my most recommended).

My Recommendation: Private Rental

If you only have a few days on the island of Santorini, I highly recommend renting an ATV, scooter, or car to explore as much as possible. We did not do this on Santorini and I regret it!

If you’re nervous about driving in Greece, don’t be! We rented an ATV while on Milos and although I had never driven one before, we did not have any issues. The roads are well paved, signs are clear, and people drive safely.

If you don’t feel comfortable renting an ATV, you can rent a car, but you probably will need to know how to drive stick shift (there are limited automatics available)!

Another option is a scooter, however, I don’t recommend renting one if you have never driven one before. Scooters are fun but easier to crash and get injured on.

Overall, choose the method of transportation you feel most comfortable with!

And if you do rent a vehicle (even an ATV), you will need an International Driving Permit. This is a special license – your standard state driver’s license does not carry over. You can procure an IDP easily from AAA for just $20!

Best Time to Visit Santorini

Like most Greek islands, the main tourism season is from May – September, with July and August being the busiest (and hottest) months of the year.

We conquered this Santorini itinerary in early June and it felt like the island was just gearing up for tourism season. We had gorgeous weather – highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 60s.

Being from Florida, the water was a little chilly for me at this time, but not totally unbearable. However, I still highly recommend visiting in late May or early June!

As the summer progresses, the water and air temperatures warm up quite a bit, with July and August seeing average temperatures in the 100s. With the warmer weather comes tourists from around the world, so expect large crowds later in the summer, especially in August when most of Europe is off school and work!

Crowds die down as fall approaches, with temperatures dropping again. Winter is off-season in the Greek islands, with many businesses closing up, so it is not a great time to visit.

What to Pack for Santorini

Below are my must-haves for a trip to Santorini, but you can read more in my detailed guide on What to Pack for the Greek Islands!

1. Beach Cover Up / Kimono: You NEED something you can throw on after a long day in the sun! The sun in Greece is soo strong. I used my kimono a ton on our trip. It can double as a dress, a shirt, a towel, or a pillow! A lightweight, long sleeve shirt like this will also work.

2. Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a must for any trip to the Greek Islands. I recommend bringing some from home, as I bought overpriced sunscreen in Oia that was super thick and did not rub in well. My favorite brand is Supergoop or Blue Lizard!

3. Floppy Hat: Again, having something to protect yourself from the sun is crucial! Bonus points if you get a hat that can get wet!

4. Dramamine: If you are taking the ferry to or from Santorini, make sure to bring seasickness medicine, just in case!

5. Europe plug converter: If you’re traveling from the USA, you will need a plug converter to use your electronics!

6. Comfy sandals with straps: I purchased these Reef sandals before my trip to Greece and they were the bomb! They’re soo comfortable and they can get wet! They were perfect for the rocky beaches and the cliff jumping!

P.S. Make sure to grab my FREE Greek Islands Packing List too!