I had dreamt about visiting Santorini for longer than I could remember so when the opportunity came for us to travel to Greece I couldn’t wait! We decided to spend our time hopping around to a number of places to really get the flavour of Greece which means we had 3 days in Santorini.
We chose to spend more time in Santorini than the other places we were visiting in Greece because there seemed to be much more to do on the island in general. Plus, we aren’t exactly party people (nor do we have tons of money) so spending more time on Mykonos didn’t necessarily sound as appealing.
In my opinion, 3 days was definitely enough time to have a bit of relaxation, touring around and enjoying the delicious food and wine.
I think what many people assume before starting their research on Santorini, is that the only place to visit is Oia. This is far from true as we discovered there are lots of really cool places to visit on the island. While the public transportation is fantastic getting you between the major cities, I would recommend booking a day tour to really view the rest of the island.
What to see
Of course, you will have to see the popular tourist sights while visiting Santorini but I would encourage you to go outside of the norm and see some of the lesser known spots. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Oia
I mean, you really can’t travel to Santorini without visiting its crown jewel: Oia. Grab that picture perfect Santorini sunset (we unfortunately didn’t get lucky) and take some photos of the infamous blue domes. Some of my favourite spots in Oia include: the Atlantis bookstore (if you’re a serious book lover), the 3 blue domes, and the Old Castle (for the sunset of course).
Fira
This is actually where we stayed during our time in Santorini. Before going I had never heard of this small town but it was actually really pretty. It’s slightly more modern than Oia and is filled with lots of shops perfect for getting souvenirs. I would highly recommend eating at the local Gyro shop if you’re looking for an unreal quick meal that’s super cheap as well! Fira also has a great gondola that can take you from the top to the water and some water views that could rival Oia.
Hike from Fira to Oia
While I’m confident I would never do this again, it was absolutely worth doing once. We started the trek first thing in the morning which was the best idea because it started to get really hot near the end of our hike. I would also strongly recommend you wear proper shoes and bring water with you! It’s not an overly difficult hike but there are parts that are a bit tricky so I wouldn’t recommend people with mobility issues or small children take on this hike. It took us just over 2 and a half hours – but there were lots of photo stops in between!
Prophet Elias Monastery
You’ll need a car or at least a tour guide to get you up here as it’s pretty far from Oia or Fira and quite the climb. While the monastery is cool, the spot is more worth visiting for the views. You can see almost the entire island of Santorini from the top if it’s a nice day, which will really give you an idea of how big the island is.
Red sand beach
One of the more well-known spots in Santorini is the Red sand beach. It’s located on the southern part of the island and is accessible with whatever vehicle you are driving. There’s a free parking lot you can use and it’s a quick walk to the viewing point from there. WARNING: Do not lay on the beach. There are mudslides that happen fairly regularly from above where people lay on the beach and it’s actually really dangers. There are signs everywhere that say this but people still lie down there. Don’t be one of those people.
White beach
Located not too far from the Red beach, you’ll find the White beach. The names are pretty obvious but it’s a cool spot to go and see. The cliffs behind the beach have been weathered by wind and have really cool divots and holes in them because of it. It’s also not very popular with tourists so it’s a great place to lay out in the sun if you’re not a fan of crowds.
Emporio
If you do only one thing outside of Oia and Fira during your 3 days in Santorini, make this a priority. This little village is extremely unassuming from the outside but once you walk inside the walls you’ll be astonished. It truly took my breath away. The little twists and turns within the city walls could have easily had us lost if it weren’t for the guide we had through Santorini Best Tours. I don’t even think words can do the spot justice but I’ve definitely tried.
Kamari Beach (Black sand beach)
Another beach option in Santorini is Kamari Beach. Its black sand and numerous restaurants, hotels and clubs make it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. However, it’s also super hot! It was fairly busy while we were there but unlike the Red or White beach, there are things to do and places to eat so it’s a better option if you’re looking to stay there for the day.
Where to eat
This is a bit of a hard one to put together because I really don’t think you could go wrong with the majority of the restaurants or places to eat in Greece. They are all just so delicious!
Lucky’s Souvlakis
We ended up eating here more times during our 3 days in Santorini for two reasons: the food was unreal and it was cheap. The stand is in central Fira and offers some of the most mouthwatering Gyro you’ve probably ever had in your whole life.
Enigma Cafe
We didn’t really end up eating here but it is a great spot to grab a glass of wine and catch the sunset. They do come over with some snacks if you’re peckish but post yourself up here close to sunset and enjoy the views!
Ifestioni restaurant
This fine dining restaurant is pretty unassuming from the front as it’s located inside the Aressana hotel but you will not be disappointed! First of all the views during the day are gorgeous and second of all, the food is unreal! The chef takes on a bit of a modern and high-end take on classic Greek food that appeals to any palette! Definitely try the tartar or lamb dish.
Lotza
This family owned restaurant was packed when we walked in, which as most people know this means the food must be good! If I’m being honest, it wasn’t the best food we had in Santorini but it definitely beats any Greek food you can get at home! Plus the atmosphere was great.
Where to stay
This was one of the toughest things to decide because Fira is cheaper and has beautiful hotels but staying in Oia means you’ll be in the thick of the action. At the end of the day we chose to stay in Fira because we could get more for our money and the town itself was also really cute.
Luxury: Aressana Hotel | $350 / night: We loved staying here during our time in Santorini. It was steps from the bus station which took us right into Oia, it was steps from the main town of Fira and it was a beautiful facility. The pool is the perfect spot for relaxing after a day of touring around.
Mid-range: Atlantis Hotel | $175 / night: The Atlantis is also a great spot as it’s located right across the street from the Aressana. If you can ask for a room facing the water, the views will blow you away!
Budget: Ptolemeos Pension | $65 / night: You won’t find a better deal than this in such a good location. If you don’t plan on spending a ton of time in the hotel then this spot would be a great cheap option for you!
*This post contains affiliate links which means we might make a bit of money should you purchase through the links provided. It’s at no additional cost to you
