3 Days in Santorini: The Ultimate Santorini Itinerary & Guide
Planning a trip to the Greek Islands and not sure how to fill your Santorini itinerary?
Santorini, with its iconic white-washed buildings perched against the deep blue Aegean Sea, is a postcard-perfect destination that beckons travelers from around the globe. If you’re able to, 3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend on this famous Greek Island!
In this 3-day Santorini itinerary, I cover everything you need to know about planning a trip to Santorini: including where to stay, how to get around, and what to do! From the sun-drenched caldera to the charming villages and pristine beaches, every moment is an opportunity to soak in the magic of this Greek island.
So keep reading if you are planning a trip to this epic island and are ready to immerse yourself in Greek culture, sunset views, and pristine landscapes!!
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How to Spend 3 Perfect Days on Santorini: The Ultimate Santorini Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Where is Santorini?
Before we get into this Santorini itinerary, let’s talk about where Santorini is and how to get there!
Santorini is located in the Cyclades Islands and is one of the most southern islands in the chain, 126 nautical miles from the capital of Athens on the mainland.
Santorini is one of the most popular islands in the Greek Islands, due to its famous, blue-domed churches that are spread across travel magazines and featured in tons of movies (anyone seen Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants?!)
Check out the below map to see where Santorini is in relation to the other famous Greek islands.
P.S. Planning a trip to the Greek Islands? Don’t miss my One Week Greek Islands Itinerary to help you plan your trip!
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. 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!
(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.)
If you’re traveling directly from Athens to Santorini, flying is a no brainer. There are tons of direct flights from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Santorini International Airport (JTR), most for less than $100 USD. The ferry from Athens to Santorini is loooong and totally not worth it!!
If you’re traveling from a different European country, you might be able to snag a direct flight straight into Santorini without even connecting in Athens! I flew directly from Paris (CDG) to Santorini on Air France, and it was a quick and easy flight!
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.
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: Oia is where we stayed while visiting Santorini, as it has the classic white-washed caldera views that you picture when you think of Greece. Oia is perched at the tip of the island and falls somewhere in between Fira and Imergovigli in terms of things to do. You won’t find many bars in Oia, but there are plenty of private cave houses to go around! 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! We stayed at Kaleidoscope Cave Houses and absolutely loved it!
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. I will touch on each below!
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 do run on a schedule which you can find online here: https://santorinisecrets.com/santorini-bus-schedule/
In fact, that website has tons of information on the Santorini bus system that I recommend reading! 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 vs. Cabs
There are cabs on the island, 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 Get Your Guide. 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 Get Your Guide 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
Since you only have 3 days in this Santorini itinerary, I highly recommend renting an ATV, scooter, or car to explore the island 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! 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.
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.
What to Pack for Santorini
I won’t list out my whole packing list for you, because that would be excessive right?! Instead, I’ll give you my must-haves for your trip to the Greek Islands and Santorini!!
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 one will also work.
2. Sunscreen: I will scream this from the mountain tops until I am blue in the face! If you are going to be outside, you need to wear sunscreen. Even if it’s cloudy!! If you hate the feeling of sunscreen, I highly recommend Supergoop! It’s my favorite brand ever (not sponsored) but I will recommend them forever. Their matte screen and unseen sunscreen are next level – you will forget you even have it on! So no excuses, wear your SPF and protect yourself from those harmful rays!
3. Floppy Hat: Again, having something to protect yourself from the sun is crucial! Bonus points if it can get wet like this one!
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 converter like this one 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!
Where to Eat on Santorini
Let me just start by saying that there are TONS of restaurants on the island of Santorini and we only ate at a fraction of them. But here are the four that really stood out to me on our trip and that you should absolutely add to your Santorini itinerary!
1. Sunset Ammoudi by Paraskevas – The little restaurant is right on the water and every table has an incredible view of the sunset. Also, the food was delicious. We had calamari, octopus, and other super fresh seafood. Just don’t forget to make a reservation.
2. Pitogyros in Oia – This tiny little restaurant in Oia was probably the best meal we had on the island.. AND it was the cheapest. Just off the main road in Oia, this restaurant is so low-key but SO good. Make sure to get there right when they open so you don’t have to wait!
3. Thalami Restaurant – We ate our first meal here, and I would definitely have returned if we had more time! The food was super yummy and the view was amazing. It was a little pricey but worth it in my opinion!
4. Melenio Cafe – If you have a sweet tooth, you absolutely need to visit this place. It is right on the main road in Oia and has a window where you can see right down into the bakery. The baklava from here was unreal. Also a great place for a quick breakfast!
Things to Do on Santorini
There is SO much to do on the island, which is why I recommend spending at least 3 days here. I
In the next section I’ll detail my Ultimate 3-Day Santorini itinerary, but first, here is a list of ALL the different things you can do in Santorini.
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise
- Fira to Oia Hike
- Tasting at a Greek Winery
- Volcano and Hot Springs Tour
- Cliff jump at the Castle of St Nicholas
- Seafood dinner in Ammoudi Bay
- Watch the sunset at Oia Castle
- Black or Red Sand beach
- Akrotiri Archaelogical Site
- Cable car ride
- Wander through the streets of Oia
- Visit the Akrotiri Lighthouse
- Hike to Skaros Rock
- Take a Greek cooking class
P.S. If you are looking to take the stress out of planning activities, I highly recommend checking out GetYourGuide! They offer tons of activities at varying price levels and take the stress out of researching different companies!
3 Day Santorini Itinerary
Alright, now that you know everything about visiting this epic island, let’s get into how I recommend spending 3 Days in Santorini!!
Day 1: Oia & Ammoudi Bay
Wander through the streets of Oia
This Santorini itinerary assumes you arrive on Day 0 (or early in the morning of Day 1), so you have a full 3 days in Santorini!
To kick off your first day, you will spend the day exploring the gorgeous village of Oia. If you’re not staying here, you’ll need to take a bus, ride your ATV, or grab a cab to the tip of the island.
Spend your morning wandering around the streets of Oia, taking in the gorgeous views of the caldera and the sprawling Aegean Sea.
If you want to take epic photos of those blue-domed churches, I recommend waking up as early as possible, for the best lighting and the smallest crowds.
Once your feet get tired, grab some lunch at one of the many incredible restaurants in Oia – bonus points if it has a view of the ocean! Our first lunch was at Thalami Restaurant, which was absolutely incredible!
Go for a Swim at Ammoudi Bay
In the afternoon, it’s time to head down to the ocean and cool off. Make your way towards Oia Castle, and then follow the many steps down to Ammoudi Bay!
Ammoudi Bay is a small port at the very tip of the island, home to some of the most incredible seafood restaurants on the island (which you will eat at later!). But for now, you’ll walk past Ammoudi Bay towards Agios Nikolaos, a small church on the cliff’s edge.
Across from the church is a small rocky outcrop with a ledge to jump off of straight into the sea!! If you don’t feel like jumping, that’s okay! This is still an incredible area to sunbathe and swim in the sea! Just remember to bring a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes for dinner!
Once you’ve had your fill of the sun, head back to Ammoudi Bay and grab dinner at Sunset Ammoudi. I highly recommend making a reservation a day or two before your trip, as this place gets extremely busy, especially at sunset! Making a reservation will guarantee you a table.
Plan to be there about an hour before the sun sets so you can watch the sun go down while you sip on a glass of wine and eat fresh Greek seafood! What is better than that?
Day 2: Beaches and a Wine Tasting
Today I recommend exploring other areas of the island besides Oia. To start, head to one of the epic beaches on the island! There are a few to choose from, but it’s important to note you won’t find any white sand beaches on Santorini. As a volcanic island, the beaches are rocky, and the sand is actually large pebbles!
I recommend first checking out one of the black sand beaches on the island – Perissa or Kamari. Or both if you want – they are right next to each other!
If you have your own method of transportation, I also recommend checking out the red sand beach, which is located in the Akrotiri village. While you’re there, you can also visit the Akrotiri Archaelogical site and the epic lighthouse!
In the afternoon, head to one of the many local wineries on the island. There are few to choose from scattered around the island, and most offer tours and tastings. Santo Wines is a popular one and a great place to watch the sunset!!
Day 3: Fira to Oia Hike and Sunset Catamaran Cruise
On your last full day in this Santorini itinerary, I recommend doing the epic Fira to Oia hike if you’re up for an adventure!! Approximately 6 miles, this hike is no cake walk but is so worth it – the views are epic!!
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can spend the day lounging by the pool, exploring Fira, or whatever you want! If you do want to tackle the hike, I recommend reading this article by Santorini Dave. It covers every step of the hike!!
P.S. If you start this hike first thing in the morning (recommended), you’ll end up back in Oia around noon, which is the perfect time to grab lunch at Pitogyros!
In the afternoon, it’s time to set sail on a sunset catamaran cruise along the island. You can find a ton of these on GetYourGuide (I recommend reserving in advance!).
Most will last a few hours and include some type of food, plus unlimited alcohol!! What’s better than sipping wine on a boat as you watch the sunset in Santorini? I can’t think of anything!!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my Ultimate 3-Day Santorini Itinerary! I hope this guide helps you feel more prepared for your trip and has convinced you that Santorini absolutely needs to be on your bucket list!
There is something so magical about this island, from its famed blue-domed churches to the dramatic landscapes to the incredible people, you wil never want to leave.
If you’re planning a trip to the Greek Islands, make sure to check out my One Week Greek Islands Itinerary and my Ultimate Milos Travel Guide!
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