Santorini
Oct. 2012 & Sept. 2016 (4D3N): For the ease of planning, I have combined the highlights from my 2012 and 2016 Santorini visits into one. In 2012, Santorini was our first stop after flying 10+ hours from NYC. After spending 3 nights in Santorini, we went to Paros and Mykonos before flying home from Athens. In 2016, we choose Greece as our honeymoon destination where we visited Milos, Folegandros, Santorini and Athens. If you choose Santorini as your first Greek island, you can catch a small plane from Athens to save on travel time. Greek ferry system make it easy to get between all the islands.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1
- Fly into Santorini airport or ferry from other islands
- Pick up car rental from Motor Inn* (if you can't rent a car, you can take buses from Fira to major tourist sights)
- Check in @ Petit Palace (top end) or Loizos Stylish Residence (budget)
- Pool time
- Drive around the southern part of Santorini:
- Akrotiri Archaeological Site (suggested duration 1 hr)
- Red Beach (if it is too crowded, just take a picture and go to Perissa or kamari)
- Light house
- Walk around Megalochori village
- Palia Kameni Cocktail Bar* for sunset (send me a message for the owner's name to make reservation)
- Dinner @ Naoussa tavern*
- Walk around shops in Fira
Day 2
- Hike to Imerovigli* (I suggest stopping at Imerovigli and turn back to Fira, the hike from Imerovigli to Oia is not as nice; suggested duration 3.5 hrs):
- Walk through the shopping district in Fira
- Firostefani
- Church of Agios Theodori
- Climb the Skaros (must do! Bring good shoes and water)
- 5:30pm: Drive to Oia:
- Take pictures of the blue dome (look for the alley next to Minerali)
- Walk down 214 steps to Ammoudi Bay
- Dinner & sunset view at Sunset* or Katina* (share a freshly caught fish)
- Walk up the road to Oia town (or take taxi)
Day 3
- Enjoy a morning swim @ hotel Pool
- Visit Pyrgos:
- Cultural Village
- Prophet Elias Monastery (top of Pyrgos village)
- Santo Winery
- Drive to Perissa
- Black sandy beaches
- Lunch @ Mermaid
- Return car @ Airport or Ferry to other islands
Other points of interest & food
- Kamari beach
- Armeni Beach (286 steps)
- Sigalas Winery
- Lunch @ Metaxi Mas Tavern
- Dinner @ Aktaion or Parea Tavren
- Breakfast @ Cafe Galini (with caldera view)
Tips
- Greeks tend to eat late so you can easily find restaurants that open past 9pm
- Find a hotel in Fira if it is your first visit to Santorini as it is situated in the middle of the island for ease of getting around
- Avoid going to Greece in Aug. as the Greeks are also on holiday during the month of August (high season and very expensive hotel prices)
