Santorini Holiday: 11 important things to know

For many, Santorini is the epitome of Greece. White sugar cube houses and blue church domes complete the picture-postcard image of this volcanic island. To ensure that your Santorini holiday is a success, we have compiled 11 pieces of important information to help you plan your trip.

Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece. 17,400 inhabitants live on the former volcano. Due to the impressive landscape and fascinating architecture, Santorini is considered by many visitors to be the most beautiful island in Greece.

Holidaymakers rave about the pretty white picture-book villages Fira, Oia and Imerovigli. The picturesque villages, with their striking architecture, are located directly on the steep cliffs of the volcanic crater occupied by the sea. Here are our 11 tips for your trip to Santorini:

#1 Where is the island of Santorini?

The island of Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea, more precisely in the South Aegean, a part of the Mediterranean Sea. Santorini is part of the Cyclades archipelago, which also includes Mykonos. Immediate neighboring islands are Ios, Anafi and Sikinos. Due to its location, Santorini is ideal for Island hopping in Greece.

#2 Does Santorini have an airport?

Santorini International Airport is called Kratikos Aerolimenas Santorinis or simply Santorini Airport (JTR). It is located near the village of Monolithos in the east of the island.

From Germany, there are some direct flights to Santorini. Flights are offered by Lufthansa, EasyJet, Condor and Eurowings, among others. From the airport or port on Santorini, you can take a private transfer to your accommodation via GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the private transfer service*

How long does it take to fly to the island of Santorini?

• Berlin to Santorini Flight time: approx. 2 hours and 50 minutes
• Frankfurt to Santorini Flight time: approx. 2 hours and 55 minutes
• Munich to Santorini Flight time: approx. 2 hours and 25 minutes

→ On Skyscanner* you find the best flight offers for Santorini: Cheap flights*

#3 How big is the island of Santorini?

Santorini Island has a length of 18 km and a width of 12 km. With an area of 76.2 km², Santorini is one of the smaller Greek islands. Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, is five times larger than Santorini.

Nevertheless, it takes you about 45 minutes by car to get from north to south on Santorini. You can also explore the island by scooter or quad. Even mountain bikers get their money’s worth on the volcanic island. We like to book cheap rental cars via the portal Discover Cars*:

➲ To the rental car booking*

#4 Are there beautiful beaches on Santorini?

Although Santorini is not a classic bathing island, there are some beautiful beaches. Due to the volcanic origin of Santorini, all beaches are made of dark sand or gravel. The volcanic beaches are mainly concentrated on the east and south coasts of Santorini.

Beautiful beaches on Santorini

• Vlychada Beach
• Beach at Cape Koloumpos
• Kamari Beach
• Perissa Black Sand Beach
• Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos)
• White Beach
• Mesa Pigadia Beach

The picturesque landscape of Santorini can also be explored wonderfully from the sea. You can book unforgettable sailboat or catamaran tours along the coast directly via GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the catamaran tour incl. BBQ*

➲ To the sailing trip to Nea Kameni*

#5 What is the capital of Santorini?

Santorini’s capital is called Fira (pronounced Thira). Fira is located almost in the center of the island and has about 1,600 inhabitants. The pretty village is located directly on the steep cliff of the volcanic crater and is home to countless restaurants and shops. In summer, Fira is visited by numerous cruise tourists.

#6 For whom is a Santorini holiday suitable?

Santorini is a real dream destination for many; anyone looking for the typical Greece from the travel brochure will find it here. However, more than a million holidaymakers make a pilgrimage to the island every year. In addition, there are tens of thousands of cruise ship tourists. If you are looking for peace and relaxation, you will not be happy on Santorini. We would also not recommend the island to newcomers to Greece.

Nevertheless, Santorini is fantastically beautiful! Both the picturesque white villages and the volcanic landscape are convincing. The alleys of Oia and Fira are teeming with selfie freaks and Insta nerds. If you don’t mind watching the sunset with thousands of other people, then Santorini is the place for you.

If you’ve been dreaming of visiting Santorini for a long time, then we recommend stopping by in the off-season. In April and October, for example, there is not quite as much going on as in summer. Nevertheless, many restaurants and shops are already / still open and the weather on Santorini will remain relatively stable and mostly sunny.

#7 Do you have experience with a Santorini vacation?

We have visited the island of Santorini in November. The journey was by ferry. Santorini showed a completely different side during this travel season. Crowded alleys, selfie-crazy tourists or deafening noise? Not at all! Only a few people spend their Santorini holidays during this time.

Oia and Fira seemed contemplative, almost peaceful. There was a hint of originality in the air. Locals confirmed the picture of summer and the existing mass tourism on the island. For a relaxed Santorini holiday we can warmly recommend late autumn (end of September to November) or the months of March and April.

#8 How do I find good and cheap Santorini hotels?

The Cycladic island offers beautiful boutique hotels for holidays on Santorini, especially in the higher price category. The further away the hotels are from the volcanic crater, the cheaper they are. Imerovigli and Oia are for us personally the most beautiful places directly on the crater rim. If you don’t have a room with a sea view, you can save a lot.

A unique accommodation option on the island are the Santorini Cave Houses. These are cave-like shelters, some of which were built in former pumice stone caves. Especially for honeymooners, these accommodations, usually with their own pool or jacuzzi, are a real dream! Our recommendations for Santorini are:

• Homeric Poems (Booking.com)*
• Canaves Oia (Booking.com)*
• Terra Nera Suites (Booking.com)*
• Enigma Suites (Booking.com)*
• Apanemo Hotel (Booking.com)*

→ On Booking.com* you can find many hotels on Santorini and you can see them on a map:

Located directly on the volcanic crater, the good and inexpensive accommodation options on Santorini are quickly booked up. Luxury hotels, family hotels, apartments and cave houses are spread all over the island. The price differences between low and high season are extreme, it is advisable to compare the prices carefully:

➲ To beautiful hotels on Booking.com*

#9 Do you have any tips for beautiful Santorini holiday homes?

In addition to all the package tourism, there are also numerous holiday homes on Santorini. Especially in the south it is quieter, here individualists feel at home right away. Supermarkets and shops can be found in almost all villages. There is even a Lidl for price-conscious self-caterers.

The restaurants in Oia and Fira are very expensive, the location on the edge of the volcano alone is paid for by guests. In the hinterland around Messaria there are also taverns with moderate prices, where you are still welcomed with a good portion of hospitality. On Booking.com* you can choose a beautiful Santorini holiday home:

➲ To fantastic holiday homes*

#10 Are there package tours and all-inclusive for Santorini?

If you are looking for a package holiday to Santorini, the towns of Perissa and Kamari are the first places to consider. In the coastal town of Kamari, with its miles of black sand beach, a number of all-inclusive hotels have settled. Even in Fira and Oia you can find hotels for package tours. A comparison on the portal Check24* is worthwhile:

➲ To cheap package tours*

#11 Do you have any more travel tips for Santorini vacation?

The villages of Oia and Fira are very busy during the summer months. If you are looking for a little more privacy on your Santorini holiday, we recommend a Hotel in Imerovigli and Firostefani or directly in the hinterland. If you can, you should definitely avoid summer as a travel time. Personally, we can recommend a stay in October or November.

These quite original villages are also very cozy: Emporio, Megalochori, Pyrgos and Akrotiri. They are not yet so heavily occupied by tourism and still offer beautiful accommodation.

Like Mykonos Santorini is considered a popular destination for two or three days. Much too short, we think! Because the island has some beautiful sights to offer and is worth a longer stay, especially in the low season.

The bizarre volcanic landscape invites you to extensive hikes. You can even explore Santorini by mountain bike. We particularly liked the still quite unspoilt Akrotiri peninsula in the south.

Santorini Youtube Video

Impressions of the island can be found in the video by Robert Polasek © :

→ More Travel tips for Santorini can be found here:

• Our highlights in Santorini
• Santorini Tours & Excursions
• Best Santorini Hotels
• Oia in Santorini – 11 important tips

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