3 Days in Santorini, Greece: Bucket List Itinerary
Santorini, Greece might be one of the most unique islands in the world! Santorini is a volcanic Greek island in the cyclades with white-washed villages nestled into the cliffs overlooking the caldera.
Santorini is known for its volcanic beaches, luxurious cave hotels, iconic white churches and blue domes, and stunning views of the caldera and Aegean Sea. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing luxurious vacation or adventure and sightseeing, Santorini, Greece has something for every traveler.
Although Santorini is known as the island of romance in Greece and popular among honeymooners, there is something on Santorini for every type of traveler. Adventurous travelers will enjoy hiking the trail from Fira to Oia and exploring black sand beaches. Travelers looking for a more relaxing vacation will love spending time at an infinity pool overlooking the caldera or sipping some iconic Santorini wine at Santo Wines.
Before we dive into this Santorini itinerary, let’s go over some important information you’ll need to know before your trip!
What to know before planning a trip to Santorini
Before you plan your trip to Santorini, there are a few factors you need to consider before you start to plan your itinerary. A few things to know are exactly how to get to the island, the best time to visit, and where to stay as there are several different villages to choose from when looking at hotels on Santorini!
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
Choosing the right time to visit Santorini is important because the island is actually closed for a large portion of the year! November through the beginning of April are considered the low season in the Greek Islands, and most hotels and restaurants on Santorini do not reopen until the end of April and beginning of May.
The high season in Santorini runs from June to August. This is when you can expect the highest temperatures and the largest crowds. Because of this, this is the most expensive time for flights and hotels in Santorini. This is also when you will see the most tourists on the islands and Santorini can get very crowded very fast with the narrow streets!
If you want to avoid crowds and high costs, I recommend traveling during the shoulder seasons, which run April/May and September/October in Santorini! This is right before and right after the peak season so you will still have nice weather without the summer rush.
How to get to Santorini
Getting to Santorini will depend on the destination you are traveling from. Ferries are the most popular form of transportation between the Greek Islands and also the most affordable options. Flights are another form of transportation but depending your starting destination, may not be worth the cost.
If you are traveling to Santorini from another Greek island in the cyclades, taking a ferry will likely be the best option. The time it will take to travel between Greek islands on the ferry will depend if you are taking a slow or fast ferry which will also impact pricing as the fast ferries are typically more expensive but worth it.
There are several ferry options when island hopping through the Greek islands but I personally recommend booking on SeaJets if it is an available option when you are looking to book. I took two separate ferries on my trip to Greece, one from Santorini to Mykonos and another from Mykonos to Athens and would definitely recommend. This is the most popular ferry brand in Greece and the ferries are nice with comfortable seats, restrooms, and a snack and drink bar. The only downside of taking the ferry is that they are almost always delayed, so make sure you do not book anything important on days you are traveling by ferry. My ferry from Santorini to Mykonos was delayed only by 30 minutes but my ferry from Mykonos to Athens ended up getting delayed by several hours so definitely something you want to keep in mind when booking.
CLICK HERE to browse all ferry options.
If you have just arrived in Greece and are traveling to Santorini from Athens, I would recommend spending the extra money to take a quick flight out of Athens airport. If you only have 3 days in Santorini, you don’t want to spend 5 hours of one of those days on a ferry when the flight is only 45 minutes. Aegean is the most popular airline in Greece but theres several different options to cater to every budget. I booked my flight from Athens to Santorini on Sky Express and it was pretty affordable at the time. CLICK HERE to browse flights from Athens to Santorini!
Where to Stay in Santorini
Santorini is a decently sized island which means there’s plenty of options on where to stay on your trip. Some of the most popular areas to stay in Santorini are Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia. You will probably recognize Oia, which is the most popular village on the island and the one you always see in pictures with the whitewashed buildings and blue domes. Because of its popularity, it’s also one of the more expensive areas to stay on the island. You will still get the same white buildings and blue domes in Fira and Imerovigli with slightly less crowds and costs.
If you only have 3 days in Santorini, I personally recommend staying in Oia. Oia is popular for a reason and is a must see for its incredible sunsets, churches, and blue domes. There is enough to do in Oia to keep you busy on your 3 days in Santorini and it is a very walkable area which I found to be convenient since transportation in Santorini can be pricey. If you have more than 3 days in Santorini, I recommend staying in a few locations to really experience the island!
Pro-Tip: If you want to save money on hotels on your next trip to Greece, try using credit card points! My favorite travel credit cards for booking hotels are the Chase Sapphire and Capitol One Venture cards!
In Oia you will find an endless amount of luxurious, white, cave hotels and Airbnb’s. During my 3 days in Santorini I stayed at Allure Breeze Suites, a luxury boutique hotel in Oia. This hotel was small with only 4 suites and amazing views of the caldera, private plunge pools, and breakfast included on your private balcony where you can watch the cruise ships come in each morning.
Oia Hotels: Charisma Suites, Andronis Arcadia, Canaves Oia Suites, Saint Santorini, Mystique by Marriott, Oia Suites, Old Castle, Olvos Luxury Suites
Fira & Imerovigli Hotels: Nobu, Andronis Concept, Cilon Suites, Grace Hotel, Enigma Suites, Athina Luxury Suites
How to get around in Santorini
Transportation in Santorini is widely available and the island is easy to get around. The villages are also very walkable and you really only need car transportation if you are traveling between different areas of the island.
The great thing about Santorini is that you can use the Uber app to call Ubers AND Taxis! There is also a local bus system that you can use for a more affordable price as taxis and Uber are pretty expensive in Santorini.
Personally, I do not think a car is necessary unless you plan on doing a lot of driving. I did not rent a car on my trip to Santorini and was perfectly fine using Uber and taxis for transportation. You can also rent ATV’s for a day if you want to explore the island a little more without having to worry about calling ubers and taxis at more remote destinations.
An Overview of the 3 Day Santorini Itinerary
Day One: Arrive in Santorini
- Arrive in Santorini and check into hotel
- Sunset at Oia Castle
- Rooftop dinner at Skiza Cafe
Day Two: Catamaran and Wine Tasting
- Morning catamaran cruise
- Back to Oia
- Sunset Wine Tasting
Day Three: Flying dress, Shopping, and Ammoudi Bay
- Morning flying dress photoshoot at blue domes
- Brunch in Oia
- Shopping in Oia
- Dinner at Ammoudi Bay
Day One: Travel Day
Day one will likely be mostly a travel day. Depending on where you’re traveling from, getting to Santorini can be a long process and you will then need to check into your hotel. It is around a 30 minute drive from the ferry port and the airport to Oia, so I recommend checking with your hotel to see if they offer any sort of shuttle or pick up service. Uber is available in Santorini but drivers were limited and typically had long wait times. Booking local taxis can also be done through the Uber app in Santorini!
After you’ve settled in at your hotel or accommodation, head over to Castle of Oia to catch your first famous Santorini sunset! If you are staying at a hotel or Airbnb in Oia, you should be able to easily walk over to the castle from your hotel!
Pro Tip: Oia (and Santorini in general) has tons of stairs and cobblestone streets with uneven ground. To be able to walk around comfortably, make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes!
Castle of Oia
Santorini is famous for it’s incredible sunsets. Every night around sunset, travelers around the island gather in Oia to see one of these sunsets. The most popular spot in Oia to watch the sunset is at the Castle of Oia. If you want to secure a spot at the castle to watch the sunset, it’s best to arrive around 45 minutes early, especially if it is during the high season.
Castle of Oia is arguably the best viewpoint in Oia and probably one of the best views on the whole island of Santorini as well! From the top of the castle you have unobstructed views of Oia, the Caldera, Ammoudi Bay, and the Three Blue Domes. Even if you can’t make it for sunset, the view is still worth it any time of day!
Dinner:
After you’ve witnessed one of Greece’s best sunsets, head to dinner in Oia. Oia has endless restaurants to choose from but I loved sitting upstairs at Skiza Cafe where you’ll get caldera views and good food & drinks!
Day Two: Catamaran Cruise and Wine Tasting!
Morning: Take a morning Catamaran Cruise!
One thing about Santorini is the island is just as impressive when viewed from the water! There’s no better way to kick off your first full day in Santorini than by spending the morning on the water! There are many boat tours you can take in Santorini and since you only have 3 days in Santorini I recommend doing one that is only a few hours so you still have plenty of time for other activities!
This catamaran cruise offers morning and night tours! For this itinerary, you’ll want to take the morning cruise because you will be spending the evening at a winery.
This cruise costs $135 per person and you’ll get lunch, local wines and beer, snorkeling, and a trip to the hot springs and red and white sand beaches! This tour also comes with hotel transfers so you don’t have to worry about transportation!
Afternoon: Back to Oia or hotel
After your morning catamaran cruise, head back to your hotel to freshen up! The tour will most likely end in the afternoon around 3 PM. This is the perfect time to shower and get ready for the fun evening ahead.
If you are hungry and wanting a snack, walk over to Pitogryo’s in Oia for some of the best gyros in Santorini!
Evening/night: Sunset wine tour and wine tasting
If there’s one thing you have to do in Santorini, it’s a wine tour. Santorini is known for having unique tasting wines because of the volcanic soil on the island.
If you book a wine tour, make sure the tour ends at Santo Wines. Santo Wines is the most popular winery in Santorini and is a must visit one night during sunset. The winery sits high on the cliff and you can see the whole island of Santorini from the top of the winery. If you are a wine lover like me, it’s interesting to learn the way the grapes are grown in Santorini making the wines unique compared to other wines around the world!
Most wine tours in Santorini will take anywhere from 3-5 hours. If you have time, you could do a full day wine tour that will take you to several wineries around Santorini. If you only have 3 days in Santorini and are following this itinerary, I recommend sticking to doing a winery tour and tasting at Santo Wines around sunset. Santo Wines is a must visit winery in Santorini and catching a sunset from Santo Wines overlooking the whole island of Santorini is an experience you don’t want to miss!
Explore Santorini Wine Tours HERE
Best Wine Tours in Santorini:
Day Three: Exploring Oia and Ammoudi Bay
On the last of your 3 days in Santorini, you will have time to explore more of Oia and see everything this village has to offer such as the 3 Blue Domes and Ammoudi Bay.
Because Oia is built up in the cliffs, be prepared for A LOT of stairs. In order to explore Santorini to the fullest, it’s important to wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in. To be safe, I recommend going with closed toed shoes for most of your time in Santorini. Not only are there a lot of stairs, but it is mostly cobblestone and rocky streets. Check out my favorite shoes for traveling HERE!
Morning – Three Blue Domes Viewpoint
On the last morning of your 3 days in Santorini, wake up early to visit the Three Blue Domes Viewpoint.
The 3 blue domes are an iconic viewpoint on Santorini and are located in Oia. This is the perfect spot to get the ultimate Santorini Instagram photos. There’s actually 2 separate viewpoints. Google maps will take you to the first stop, then if you walk a little further you can find the spot pictured here in a hidden alleyway!
Both viewpoints of the domes are very popular and will get crowded the later it gets in the day. I got here around 8 am and there was already a line of about 10 people waiting to take their pictures!
If you want to go all out and get the best photos with the blue domes, try booking a flying dress photoshoot! This is a popular activity to do in Santorini and you’ve probably seen these photos all of social media.
The good thing about booking a photographer in Santorini is that they know all the best photo spots and sometimes they can even take you to spots you would not be allowed to access for photos if you were to go and take them on your own! These photoshoots typically begin early in the morning to beat the crowds and get the best lighting.
Want to book a flying dress shoot in Santorini? Try this one:
Mid-Morning to Early-Afternoon – Shopping in Oia
After you’ve finished at the 3 Blue Domes, it is time to explore Oia for the day! First, stop in one of the many cafes for a cappuccino & some breakfast!
Not only does Oia have amazing views, it’s also known for its high-end luxury boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries. This is the perfect time to explore Santorini’s most iconic village, do a some shopping, and get lost in the quaint streets while taking in the breathtaking views of Santorini and the Caldera.
If you’re not much into shopping or just want to relax, this is a great time to find a pool to spend the afternoon!
Another great way to spend the mid-morning and afternoon if you don’t want to shop is to take a cooking class or a food tour! Greece has some of the best food and this is a great way to learn more about the Greek culture!
Try this traditional Greek cooking class!
Late Afternoon – Evening: Ammoudi Bay
A trip to Santorini is not complete without visiting Ammoudi Bay to experience the iconic red cliffs, views of the Aegean Sea, and fresh seafood. Ammoudi Bay is a small fishing port set at the bottom of the cliffs of Oia where you’ll walk down the 300 steps to get from top to bottom. If you aren’t feeling up to walking the steps, there’s also the option to take an Uber or taxi for around $35. Please be a responsible tourist and DO NOT ride the donkey’s down the steps at Ammoudi Bay or in Fira.
There are several seafood restaurants in Ammoudi Bay but I absolutely LOVED Sunset Ammoudi! This restaurant is the perfect way to end your 3 days in Santorini! Sunset Ammoudi is a popular spot to watch the sunset but you can visit at any time of day! I arrived at the restaurant around 3 pm and did not need a reservation. If you are planning to go at sunset or want to be sure to get a table by the water, it is best to make a reservation before you go!
Sunset Ammoudi had some of the best and freshest food that I had on my trip to Greece! The seafood at Sunset Ammoudi is so fresh that it comes right off the boats at Ammoudi Bay! You can even pick out your own fish for your meal. I had some great wine, a Greek salad, tomato fritters, and tuna tartar!
Pro-Tip: There is a walking path at the very end of Ammoudi Bay past all the restaurants near the cliffs. If you follow this path to the end, it will lead you to an area that has calmer waters that are perfect for swimming and cliff jumping!
Now that your 3 days in Santorini have come to end, hop on another ferry and head to your next greek island!
Planning to visit Greece and aren’t sure what to pack? CLICK HERE to get my full Greek Islands packing list!
FAQ
How many days in Santorini is enough?
In order to hit on the highlights on your trip to Santorini, I recommend staying anywhere from 3-4 days minimum but no more than a week. This should be enough time for you to see all the top attractions and get a good feel for the island. Although there is a lot to do in Santorini, you really only need a couple of days to see all the best things to do on the island.
What to do in Santorini for 3 days?
There are so many things to do in Santorini, even more than is included in this itinerary! Some of the best things to do in Santorini include visiting the blue domes and churches, seeing the black and red sand beaches, Oia Castle, wine tasting, Ammoudi Bay, Fira to Oia hike, climbing Skaros Rock, and visiting a beach club! If you’re looking for all the best things to do on your trip to Santorini, check out my guide for all the top Santorini attractions HERE
Is it worth spending two weeks in Santorini or should I visit other islands?
Personally, I would not spend more than a week in Santorini. This island is small and one week will be more than enough. If you’re heading to the Greek islands, I recommend visiting at least two. Santorini and Mykonos are good options to visit on your first trip to Greece. CLICK HERE to read my itinerary for Mykonos!
How many days do you need to visit Greece for the first time?
If your planning to visit Greece for the first time, I recommend anywhere from 7-10 days for your trip. If you’re coming from the US this will give you plenty of time to travel and visit several destinations in Greece. I spent 7 days on my first trip to Greece and was able to visit Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos during that time although I do wish I had an extra day or two to spend in Athens because it is such a big city with so many things to do!
How would you pick between Santorini and Mykonos for a vacation?
While Santorini and Mykonos are two of the most popular island destinations in Greece, they are both very different and hard to compare. If you can, I recommend visiting both Santorini and Mykonos on your trip to Greece. If you can only choose one, I would think about what kind of trip you are trying to have. Santorini is known as the romance island and is good for couples, honeymooners, and wine tasting. Mykonos is known as the party island and is good for anyone looking for nightlife, good food, beach resorts, and beach clubs.
Looking for more planning resources for Greece? Check out these guides!
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