Complete Santorini Travel Guide for Visitors

There's a reason why Santorini ranks so highly as one of the best Greek islands among the SIMOVO crew - in fact, there are plenty of them! Santorini is an island crammed with adventure thanks to its rugged landscape, its incredible sunset spots, and its luxury hotels. The island is home to what many travelers probably regard as the iconic Greek look - stunning blue waters and pristine architecture. It's a fabulous romantic getaway that's great for families, too.

And, that's just the start. As part of our ongoing exploration into the best that Greece has to offer travelers from all over the world, we've put together a quick but detailed Santorini travel guide. This article explores some of the best reasons why you might want to make this particular island the focal point of any future Mediterranean getaway you have in mind.

Plus, consider it a great launching point for building your own itinerary - don't book those flights or rooms until you've read what we have to say!

Santorini travel guide overview

Santorini is one of the best-known island destinations surrounding Greece thanks to its romantic atmosphere and incredible exploration activities. In fact, if you wanted to build an itinerary purely around Santorini, it could look either laid-back and breezy or adventurous and high-octane. Or, you might choose to take a little bit of either option!

As with other destinations we discussed in our islands guide and in our Greece itinerary, Santorini is packed full of history, sandy walks, and tourist spots. It is not the quietest of the islands nor is it the busiest, but at the least, it remains both parts relaxing and invigorating depending on how you build your itinerary.

We recommend checking out Santorini before other Greek islands largely for the incredible beaches and its spectacular wine tours - great for couples to head out on before watching the sun go down over the sea.

That said, your own unique adventure in Santorini is likely to look different from the next person's. So, do take the advice and recommendations we offer in this guide as suggestions first and follow your own path as much as possible.

Best places to visit in Santorini

The old cliche is, of course, that there are just so many great places to visit in Santorini, it's impossible to talk about them all here. But believe us when we say it was genuinely difficult to narrow down our favorite spots into just five!

The SIMOVO team recommends you check out Oia village, Fira town, Red Beach, the Akrotiri archaeological site, and Imerovigli - at the very least - on your next trip to Santorini. Here's why.

Oia village

Oia is a picturesque village that gives you a great seat to view the famous Santorini sunsets, especially if you take the time to scale the castle of Agios Nikolaos. The streets here are picture-perfect, with delightful architecture and traditional shops. It's also a great place to set a base, with plenty of luxury and traditional accommodation.

Fira town

Fira is the place to go if you prefer your Greek holidays a little more exciting, you'll want to head to Santorini's famous capital. It's here where things can get a little touristy at times, but you have access to clubs, bars, boutiques, galleries, stores, and tavernas. It's a lovely little metropolis that you might not be expecting from this otherwise delicate island.

Red Beach

The Red Beach is so-called because, you guessed it, the grains here are almost red in color! It's a little bit of a rugged trip, but it's absolutely worth it for the amazing views and photo opportunities. The volcanic rock here is truly breathtaking, and while it might not be the biggest beach on the island, it's still great for diving and snorkeling.

Akrotiri archaeological site

Akrotiri is close to Red Beach and is arguably one of the most famous and important archaeological sites across the whole of Greece. It's thought to be the ruins of a town that was left buried millennia ago, and you can walk through frescoes, ancient building sites, and more. Akrotiri was once thought to be one of the most thriving towns in Santorini and Greece beyond - and a natural disaster brought it to ruin.

Imerovigli

Imerovigli is another of Santorini's most famous town scenes, offering easy access to the majestic Skaros Rock and providing a vantage point over the island sunsets without as much of a tourist crowd. If you'd prefer to see the sights of Santorini with only a fraction of the tourist chaos, head here first.

Best beaches in Santorini

Santorini's beaches aren't your typical tourist sandcastle spots - the best of them are rugged, dramatic, and offer incredible views across the sea beyond. That said, most are still great for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports activities.

We not only recommend Red Beach, but also Kamari Beach for its impressive mountain framing, Perivolos for its access to some of the best beach amenities and bars, and Vlychada for its eerily quiet stroll - it's great if you just want to soak up the best of the Greek sun.

Best time to visit Santorini

Santorini is, much like the rest of Greece, truly gorgeous to explore all year round. The sun shines down on the islands for the vast majority of the year, and for that reason, if you want to avoid the summer rush (and you're looking for cheap destinations or to save money on your next adventure), there's not much harm in traveling here off-season.

For example, we think that a late summer to early fall/autumn break away here will give you access to water that's still warm, a climate likewise, and fewer people rubbing shoulders. Plus, choosing a getaway some time in September to October will also mean that many of the attractions the island is known for will still be open.

Santorini travel tips

This wouldn't be a SIMOVO Santorini travel guide without at least some helpful tips and tricks on how to make the most of the island - so, let's close with some quick-fire must-dos.

• You're going to need an eSIM for Greece if you want to stay connected to the fastest and most reliable mobile internet while exploring Santorini. SIMOVO's eSIMs are prepaid, too, meaning you can browse and stream as much as you like without coming home to super-high roaming costs.
• If you decide a summer trip to Santorini is right for you, be prepared for things to get very hot indeed! It's crucial to stay hydrated and to make sure you have a high-SPF sunscreen to hand. Where possible, take shelter at midday or choose a spring or fall/autumn break instead if you can.
• Getting around the island is easy enough with public transport, thanks to KTEL buses. However, it's most efficient to rent a car if you're able to drive.
• Don't drink the tap water - you'll want to stick to the bottled kind to stay hydrated and to brush your teeth and wash with.
• If you choose to visit during winter, the weather is milder, but you're less likely to find hotels and resorts open. Book ahead as far in advance as you can!