[takeaways] • The five best places to visit in Santorini are Oia village, Fira town, Red Beach, the Akrotiri archaeological site, and Imerovigli.
• September and October are the sweet spot for visiting — sea and air temperatures are still warm, crowds thin out, and most attractions remain open.
• Do not drink tap water in Santorini — always use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing.
• If you visit in summer, take the heat seriously — always carry high-SPF sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Renting a car is the most efficient way to get around the island — KTEL buses are a reliable public transport alternative. [/takeaways]
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, incredible sunset spots, and luxury hotels. It's also home to what many travellers regard as the iconic Greek look — stunning blue waters and pristine whitewashed architecture. A fabulous romantic getaway that's also great for families.
As part of our ongoing exploration of the best that Greece has to offer, we've put together this quick but detailed Santorini travel guide. It covers the best reasons why you might want to make this particular island the focal point of any future Mediterranean getaway — and a great launching point for building your own itinerary.
Santorini travel guide overview
Santorini is one of the best-known island destinations in Greece thanks to its romantic atmosphere and incredible exploration activities. If you wanted to build an itinerary purely around Santorini, it could look either laid-back and breezy or adventurous and high-octane — or a little of both.
As with other destinations in our Greece itinerary, Santorini is packed full of history, sandy walks, and tourist spots. It is not the quietest of the islands nor the busiest, but it remains both relaxing and invigorating depending on how you structure your time.
We recommend checking out Santorini before other Greek islands largely for the incredible beaches and its spectacular wine tours — great for couples to enjoy before watching the sun go down over the sea. That said, your own unique adventure here is likely to look quite different from the next person's — so do take our recommendations as a starting point and follow your own path as much as possible.
Best places to visit in Santorini
It was genuinely difficult to narrow down our favourite spots into just five. The SIMOVO team recommends Oia village, Fira town, Red Beach, the Akrotiri archaeological site, and Imerovigli — at the very least — on your next trip to Santorini.
[numbered title="Oia Village" pill="Best sunset views"]Picture-perfect streets, traditional shops, and the famous castle of Agios Nikolaos — the best vantage point for Santorini's legendary sunsets. Plenty of luxury and traditional accommodation to base yourself here.[/numbered] [numbered title="Fira Town" pill="Bars and boutiques"]Santorini's buzzing capital — clubs, bars, boutiques, galleries, and tavernas all in one place. More tourist-heavy than the rest of the island, but a lively contrast to the quieter villages.[/numbered] [numbered title="Red Beach" pill="Volcanic red grains"]A rugged and dramatic beach of near-red volcanic grains — worth the effort for the views and photo opportunities. Great for diving and snorkelling despite its modest size.[/numbered] [numbered title="Akrotiri" pill="Ancient archaeological site"]One of the most important archaeological sites in all of Greece — the buried ruins of a thriving ancient town, with frescoes and ancient building sites to walk through. Close to Red Beach.[/numbered] [numbered title="Imerovigli" pill="Quieter sunset spot"]Easy access to the majestic Skaros Rock and spectacular island sunset views — without as much of the tourist crowd. The best choice if you want Santorini's magic with fewer people around.[/numbered]
Oia village
Oia is a picturesque village that gives you a front-row seat for 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 base yourself, with a good range of luxury and traditional accommodation.
Fira town
Fira is where things can get a little touristy at times — but you have access to clubs, bars, boutiques, galleries, stores, and tavernas all in one compact area. It's a lovely little metropolis that you might not be expecting from this otherwise delicate island, and a great contrast to the quieter spots further along the caldera.
Red Beach
Red Beach is so-called because the volcanic grains here are almost red in colour. It's a slightly rugged trip to reach it, but absolutely worth it for the dramatic views and photo opportunities. The volcanic rock is truly breathtaking, and while it might not be the biggest beach on the island, it's excellent for diving and snorkelling.
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. Thought to be the ruins of a town buried millennia ago by a natural disaster, you can walk through frescoes, ancient building sites, and remarkably preserved structures. Akrotiri was once one of the most thriving settlements in the Aegean — its story is extraordinary.
Imerovigli
Imerovigli is another of Santorini's most beautiful village scenes, offering easy access to the majestic Skaros Rock and spectacular sunset views over the caldera — without quite as much of the tourist crowd. If you'd prefer to experience the magic of Santorini with fewer people around, head here before Oia.
[tip title="Visit Imerovigli for sunsets without the crowds"]Imerovigli offers the same dramatic caldera and sunset views as Oia but draws significantly fewer visitors. If you want a quieter experience of Santorini's most iconic scenery, prioritise Imerovigli — particularly in peak summer when Oia can get very busy.[/tip]
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. Most are still excellent for swimming, snorkelling, and other water sports.
We recommend Red Beach for its volcanic drama, Kamari Beach for its impressive mountain framing, Perivolos for its beach amenities and bars, and Vlychada for an eerily quiet stroll if you just want to soak up the Greek sun in peace.
[tip title="Head to Perivolos for the best beach amenities"]Perivolos is the most well-equipped of Santorini's beaches — with sun loungers, bars, and a relaxed atmosphere. It's the best choice if you want to spend a full day on the beach in comfort rather than the more rugged experience of Red Beach or Vlychada.[/tip]
Best time to visit Santorini
Santorini is gorgeous to explore all year round — the sun shines down on the island for the vast majority of the year. If you want to avoid the summer rush and save money on your next adventure, there's not much harm in travelling off-season.
[tip title="September and October are the ideal months"]A late summer to early autumn break in Santorini gives you access to still-warm sea temperatures, pleasant air temperatures, and notably fewer crowds. Most of the island's attractions remain open through September and October — it's the sweet spot between the height of summer and the quieter off-season.[/tip]
Santorini travel tips
Here are some quick-fire tips and tricks on how to make the most of your time on the island.
[warning]Santorini summers are genuinely hot — and the combination of sun, heat, and outdoor sightseeing can lead to heat exhaustion quickly. Always carry high-SPF sunscreen and keep hydrated throughout the day. Take shelter at midday where possible, particularly if you're exploring Red Beach or the Akrotiri site in the open sun.[/warning] [tip title="Use KTEL buses or rent a car to get around"]Getting around Santorini is straightforward with KTEL buses, which connect the main towns and beaches. If you're able to drive, renting a car gives you the most flexibility and is the most efficient way to reach the island's more rugged spots at your own pace.[/tip] [warning]Do not drink tap water in Santorini. Always use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing — tap water on the island is not suitable for consumption. Bottled water is widely and inexpensively available throughout Santorini.[/warning] [warning]If you plan to visit Santorini in winter, many hotels and resorts close for the season. Book accommodation well in advance and confirm opening dates before finalising your travel plans — availability on the island is significantly reduced outside of the main tourist season.[/warning] [faq] [q]What are the best places to visit in Santorini?[/q] [a]The five must-visit spots in Santorini are Oia village (iconic sunsets and architecture), Fira town (the lively capital with bars and boutiques), Red Beach (dramatic volcanic beach, great for snorkelling), the Akrotiri archaeological site (ancient ruins of a buried Aegean town), and Imerovigli (quieter sunset views over the caldera with access to Skaros Rock).[/a] [q]What are the best beaches in Santorini?[/q] [a]Santorini's best beaches include Red Beach (dramatic volcanic red grains, great for diving), Kamari Beach (black volcanic sand with impressive mountain framing), Perivolos (the best for amenities, sun loungers, and beach bars), and Vlychada (quiet and off the beaten track, ideal for a peaceful afternoon in the sun). Santorini's beaches are more dramatic and rugged than typical Mediterranean sandy beaches.[/a] [q]When is the best time to visit Santorini?[/q] [a]September and October are widely considered the best months — warm sea and air temperatures, significantly fewer tourists than peak summer, and most attractions still open. Spring (April to May) is also excellent for mild weather and lower prices. Summer is the busiest and most expensive period. Winter is the quietest but many hotels and resorts close, so availability is limited.[/a] [q]Is tap water safe to drink in Santorini?[/q] [a]No — tap water in Santorini is not suitable for drinking. Always use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing. Unlike mainland Greece and Athens, where tap water is generally safe, Santorini's island water supply requires bottled water as a precaution. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive throughout the island.[/a] [q]How do I get around Santorini?[/q] [a]KTEL buses connect Santorini's main towns, villages, and beaches and are a reliable and affordable option. Renting a car or ATV gives you the most flexibility and is the most efficient way to reach the island's more rugged spots such as Red Beach and Akrotiri. Taxis are available but can be expensive during peak season — book in advance where possible.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for Greece?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO Greece eSIM is one of the most practical things to sort before any Santorini trip. At $8.50 for 10GB over 30 days, it connects you to Greece's best available networks on landing, letting you navigate between villages, find restaurants, check beach conditions, and stay in touch — without roaming charges when you get home.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇬🇷" label="Greece" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/greece" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected across Santorini — no roaming charges[/esim]
