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.
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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.
I personally recommend booking on SeaJets when possible. This is the most popular ferry brand in Greece and the ferries are nice with comfortable seats, restrooms, and a snack and drink bar. 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. 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.
If you only have 3 days in Santorini, I personally recommend staying in Oia. Oia is popular 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.
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.
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!
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!
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: Wine Tour
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. This is the perfect amount of time to have a slow morning before getting picked up for your tour!
If you want to have the best gyro’s in Santorini, make a stop at Pitogyro in Oia before heading out on your wine tour!
Explore Santorini Wine Tours HERE
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!
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!
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!
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!
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