Santorini is a stunning destination that boasts breathtaking views. It should be on the bucket list of every traveler who loves nature, adventure, and every beauty! This island’s reputation for exquisite views, romantic sunsets, and sandy beaches is no joke.
What is the best time to visit Santorini?
While no time of the year is a bad time to visit the beautiful Santorini Island, the best time will depend on your traveling needs, interests, and preferences. Typically, travelers enjoy the most from May to October, given the weather and temperature are the most suitable in these months.
If you want to visit the island in the summer season, you may want to plan a trip in the months from June to September. The weather will be hot and sunny in these months, with July and August being the hottest months. If you are looking to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing at the beach, you should have these months in mind.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a peaceful trip when it is not crowded and the prices are low, consider visiting in April, May, or October.
Read more here.
Where should I stay in Santorini for the first time?
Santorini Island has several villages and spots that are famous for their wild, natural beauty.
However, one of the best places to stay in Santorini is the caldera edge. Built almost 330 meters above the sea level, it features whitewashed houses spread across the 16 km area featuring the extraordinary beauty of Oia, Fira, Firostefani, and Imerovigli. In the summer season, the whole place bathes in the magnificent sun rays. The view from this place is everything!
Depending on your budget and travel taste, explore which place is best for you to stay in Santorini on your first visit here.
How many days do I need to explore Santorini?
Ideally, a five-day trip is enough for exploring Santorini Island. You will have enough time to visit the top, must-see attractions as well as enjoy as many experiences as you can on the beautiful island.
For more details, read the section "How Many days in Santorini" on the article to get suggestions for your trip.
What are the top things to do in Santorini?
Featuring the remarkable volcanic feature, Caldera and stunning sunsets, Santorini is a must-visit island gifted with exceptional natural beauty and awe-inspiring attractions.
While it is considered as one of the top romantic destinations for newlyweds and couples, it actually offers a wide variety of activities and places for everyone to see, try, and explore.
Here is a list of the top 10 things to do and attractions to see in Santorini Island on your first visit.
Are credit/debit cards accepted in Santorini?
Most shops, restaurants/tavernas, and businesses in Santorini accept debit & credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard. Yet, it is always a good idea to have cash available when you head out, to smaller businesses, local markets, or just out-of-the-way places where not too many tourists have access, as cards might not be accepted.
Smaller businesses may also want to deal in cash for small transactions or have a minimum spend limit for card payments. It is also a good idea to check with your card provider when traveling abroad if your card has overseas transaction fees or charges.
Here is a more detailed guide regarding the banks, ATMs & currency exchange.
Getting around in Santorini
Getting around in Santorini Island is easy and not so expensive. You can move around by renting a car, motorbike, or quad or by taking a taxi or local bus.
All these modes of transportation will take you from the airport to Fira and the rest of Santorini Island with utmost convenience and reliability.
Read this guide for more details about how to get around in Santorini.
What type of cuisine will I find in Santorini?
Santorini is a gastronomic destination. The food served is unique, rich, and delicious with excellent taste and affordable prices.
One can find various cuisines on Santorini, such as Mediterranean, Italian, Chinese and more international or ethnic cuisines that will satisfy everyone’s tastes. Nevertheless, all travelers should try the Greek cuisine, the local in particular.
The local cuisine of Santorini is also known for appetizing creations and high-quality dishes. You can devour in your favorite food while enjoying the beautiful views and friendly atmosphere on the island. There are many restaurants, traditional Greek taverns and street food options available even late at night.
Read more about this gastronomic destination here.
Is the water drinkable?
Santorini Island has no source of natural drinking water. Although during the last years, seawater desalination plants have been installed and some of the houses on the island are connected to drinkable tap water, 50% of them are not connected to any water system. Moreover, there are homes that have installed large tanks on their roofs and rely entirely on the delivery of fresh water.
This means that when on the island, it is recommended that you do not rely on tap water for drinking but always purchase bottled water. Even if the place you are staying at is connected to the desalination system, the locals advise that you choose bottled water, as the taste of tap water is not very pleasant.
However, tap water can be used for washing up, brushing your teeth, or cooking. For cooking, it is especially safe if it is going to be boiled. Generally, bottled water is the safest choice during your stay on the island.
Know before you go
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Santorini is a small island of Greece, which is in the south east part of Europe. It is probably the most visited Greek island and one of the most popular travel destinations all over the world as it owns an extraordinary natural beauty that made it famous. There is some basic information you need to know before you visit Santorini.
• The official language is Greek but the majority of people can hold proper conversations in English and are friendly and eager to help. The staff in most businesses is fluent in English and probably in other languages too and mainly in hotels where French, German and other idioms are spoken as well. For this information, it is better to consult the website of each hotel.
• The currency of Santorini is the Euro (€), as in the rest of Greece. Across the island, there are ATMs and banks, where you can also exchange money.
• Like in most European countries, Greece uses the Type C electrical plug or Europlug so if you don’t have this electric type you will need an adaptor. The electric current is 220 volt.
• Keep in mind that Greece is a right-hand traffic country. Therefore you need to get used to this and be careful if you wish to rent a car. Moreover, if you travel from a non-European country you must obtain a European driving licence.
• Santorini is a developed island that provides all the necessary facilities for a hassle-free stay. Among other things, there is a hospital, health services and private doctors.
