Visiting Santorini – the most popular island in Greece
A view across the water from the Three Bells of Fira.
Santorini. The place the world wants to see.
We’ve all seen them. Those images of steep seaside hills covered in a maze of whitewashed towns clinging to their rocky foundations as they spill over the edge of the cliffs. Blue domes rest atop the buildings and far below, a vast ocean stretches out all the way to the horizon. This is Santorini.
Images of this place have become synonymous with the word ‘travel’ and can be found virtually everywhere, beckoning us to go on an unforgettable adventure. With dramatic views, extravagant resort properties and the most envy-inducing photo-ops, Santorini has secured its spot as the most popular island in Greece, and maybe the world.
Sitting on the rooftops near the Three Blue Domes of Oía.
What is Santorini known for?
One word — views. The Santorini we know today is actually the remains of an ancient volcano that erupted, leaving a half-moon crater that’s flooded by the sea. In some spots, the towns built along the rim sit nearly 1,000 feet above the water, giving the most incredible panoramic views we’ve ever seen.
Many properties are designed around this unique feature, and some even offer rooms with patios and private plunge pools where you can sit for hours just gazing into the distance. The prices are equally steep, but for good reason. These views will take your breath away.
Our pool at Heliotopos Hotel, Imerovigli with the town of Oía in the distance.
Dinner at Sunset Ammoudi below the town of Oía.
Other than taking in the views, you can also occupy plenty of time eating delicious Greek cuisine (just be sure to make reservations a few days ahead), trying Greek wineries, or visiting various landmarks throughout the many small villages.
As far as nightlife, there really isn’t any. The atmosphere is geared toward quiet relaxation, so if you’re interested in a party, you’re better off booking a stay in Mykonos.
Santorini does have beaches, but in our opinion, they just don’t bring the same sense of awe like being atop the cliffs. We definitely opted for pool days over beach days.
TIP: If your hotel doesn’t have a pool, you can pay for day-access at most properties and enjoy theirs for the afternoon.
Standing on the cliffs overlooking the town of Oía, Santorini.
How do you get to Santorini?
Santorini sits at the southern end of the popular Cyclades island region of Greece, about 190 miles from Athens (Google Earth it) and all visitors must arrive by boat or plane.
FLIGHTS: This is the method we chose. Though small, the island has an international airport. Our path took us directly from Los Angeles to Santorini with a layover in London. From the airport, you can rent a car, catch a taxi or arrange transport with your hotel to make the drive to where you are staying.
FERRY: Another popular option is to arrive by ferry boat. If you’re flying into Athens, the ferry ride will be a little over 5 hours. Another possibility is to arrive by ferry from a neighboring island if you’re visiting other islands in the area. Greek ferries are huge, fast, and efficient, but also a bit confusing for first-time travelers — a unique experience to say the least, but nothing you can’t handle.
CRUISE: Many Mediterranean cruises also make a pit stop in Santorini. Day tours and activities are available for cruise visitors, but should you choose to see Santorini this way, you might feel a bit rushed and frustrated amidst the massive crowds that overwhelm the tiny island during the midday arrivals.
The Kastro Oía Houses. A favorite photo-op in the town of Oía.
The blue domed churches of Oía. One of the most famous photo spots.
What are the top attractions in Santorini?
The most famous spot in Santorini is definitely the small village of Oía on the northern tip of the island. Its iconic blue domed churches are the most photographed scene on the entire island. An absolutely stunning location, this small town is certainly worth a visit, but just know that it is unbelievably crowded, especially during summer. To read about this photo spot and other less crowded options, see our post on Santorini photo ops.
Santorini’s rise in popularity post-instagram has created an influx of tourism that easily overwhelms the tiny island, especially when cruise ships dock. Oía seems to bare the brunt of these crowds, so if you do choose to stay there, plan to be shuffled about through crowded streets and experience people peering into your private patio and leaning over railings to get a selfie.
Lauren in a black dress on the roof of our hotel, right outside our private patio.
We opted to stay in Imerovigli, and after hearing about others experiences in Oía, we were very happy with our choice. Known as the “Balcony to the Aegean,” Imerovigli is centrally located and boasts the highest vistas in Santorini and far fewer crowds.
TO DO:
Beyond relaxing at your hotel property, here is a list of some other things to do in Santorini.
Watch sunset (beware crowds if you're in Oía)
Reserve a seaside dinner in Amoudi Bay
Book a sunset cruise on a catamaran
Rent an ATV and take a ride through the country
Hike the Fira to Oía trail
Visit ancient ruins at Akrotiri
See the traditional Greek village of Megalochori
Famous arched bell tower in the traditional Greek village of Megalochori.
Waterfront restaurants in Ammoudi Bay below the town of Oía.
Do you need a car in Santorini?
You actually don’t need a vehicle in Santorini if your plan is to stay around the resort and relax. There are plenty of shops and eateries within walking distance of most hotels — just be prepared for stairs. The terrain is extremely hilly, and you will be going up and down constantly. It’s definitely not a friendly place for those with any sort of mobility issue.
If you’re like us, and you do plan to venture beyond your hotel, we found Santorini to be relatively easy to navigate. Most of the towns are off the main highways and sit along the rim of the caldera. The roads are a bit tight through the towns, and at times you might have to dodge large buses full of cruise passengers, but we rented an ATV and had a blast motoring around the island. We visited the towns of Oía, Fira, Thera and Megalochori. Just be sure to reserve your vehicle before your trip, as they do book out.
Bell tower of the blue domed church in Imerovigli.
Chapel of St. John in Imerovigli with the town of Oía in the distance.
Is Santorini worth it?
For us, yes. Santorini was a must-see. Since Lauren is half-Greek we always dreamed of a trip to the Greek islands and Santorini with its iconic, post-card views topped the list. Though its popularity draws intense crowds, we found the towns in the early morning and evening much more manageable — their charm was not lost on us.
Santorini is very expensive, so be prepared to splurge a bit to get the most out of your trip. The island is all about those cliffside panoramas, so if you’re gonna go, we’d definitely suggest booking a hotel on the rim. In our opinion, if you’re not taking in the views, it’s not really worth the expense.
Overall, Santorini is just spectacular. The whitewashed towns and tight alleyways with unique shops and restaurants tucked into every corner create a place where there’s always more to discover. And ascending the cliffs to stare out across the Aegean is an unbelievable experience we’ll never forget. One that just can’t be replicated anywhere else.
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About Us
We’re Rob and Lauren — a designer & photographer duo passionate about travel. We hope you find some travel inspiration here and the courage to go book that dream vacation.
With so many beautiful places, we can’t help but feel that somewhere is always waiting to be discovered.
