7 Days in Santorini, Greece: Travel Guide

A destination that’s been on my bucket list for the longest time, is Santorini. It’s a beautiful Greek island, located in the southern Aegean Sea. Santorini, or ‘Thira’ (its official name – or classic Greek ‘Thera’) is a very small island, but it’s absolutely stunning. I spent a week on this Greek island, and I wanted to share my experience with you. I’ve put together this travel guide to spending 7 days in Santorini, Greece. Hopefully it’ll give you lots of inspiration, and help you plan your trip.

Santorini is just as beautiful as it looks in the photos, except better, because you’re THERE. We travelled in early September, and it was hot and sunny the entire week. The one thing I didn’t expect was just how windy it would be! I probably spent around 90% of the time with my hair up in a bun. Definitely not a complaint, but something to be aware of if you have long hair like myself…

 

SANTORINI, GREECE TRAVEL GUIDE

 

How to Get There

We booked our flights with British Airways, which cost £248 each (return). This included our hand luggage and a checked bag (23kg) each. We booked the flights directly with BA, and the hotel separately, as it was the cheapest option. This price also included a complimentary round-trip transfer between the airport and hotel. You can always pre-book your transfers online before you travel, or get a taxi from outside the airport.

We flew from London Heathrow (LHR) into Santorini Airport (JTR), which took around 4 hours. We departed London at 10:10am, and landed around 4:15pm (local time). Coming back, we departed at 5:10pm, and landed back in London around 7:10pm (again, local time). This gave us our first evening in Santorini when we arrived, and most of the afternoon on our return date.

 

Where to Stay

We stayed at the beautiful Petit Palace Suites, located in Fira. It’s a lovely boutique hotel, 5.5 miles from Santorini Airport – only a 10/15 minute drive away. The location was ideal, as it’s in a quiet area, but still close to Fira town centre. If you want to be closer to the hustle and bustle, then staying in Oia may be a better option.

We stayed at this hotel for 7 nights, and it cost roughly £850 each. Santorini is quite an expensive destination, but I thought it was a good price for what was included. Upon arrival, we were given a glass of champagne, which was lovely. The facilities were excellent, and the price also included breakfast each morning. The rooms were cleaned daily, and ours even included a whirlpool bathtub!

We placed our breakfast order with reception each evening. There’s a wide range of breakfast options available (I loved the omelettes), and it was easy to order and choose what time to eat the following morning. The staff were brilliant and attentive, and everything felt organised.

Also included in the price was a complimentary massage each, and a private pool, which I definitely made use of! It was the ideal way to start our relaxing holiday. I loved staying at this hotel, and the views are incredible from every part of it. The ocean views and sunsets looked breathtaking, every single day.

The only thing I’d mention (and I imagine it would be the same for most hotels in Santorini), is the stairs. There are lots of small, steep steps all around the hotel, which may be an issue for some people. I took my time walking up and down, but it’s something worth knowing before you arrive!

Address: Petit Palace Suites, Fira, 84700 Santorini, Greece

 

Getting Around

Walk

As with any destination, often the best way to get around is on foot. Especially for places like Oia, where it would be the only option. It’s such a busy place, filled with tourists, and the paths are very narrow and uneven. Santorini is a small island, so lots of places are accessible by walking.

Rent a Car

Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore the whole island, as it offers complete flexibility. Walking from Fira to Oia would take a couple of hours, but by car, it’s only 20 minutes. The roads are quite narrow with lots of bends, so be careful! But driving is a great option to explore more of the island at your own pace.

Bus (Free Shuttle!)

Our hotel offered a free bus shuttle service between the hotel and Fira town centre, which was really useful. If your hotel doesn’t offer this option, then an inexpensive way to travel around Santorini is by local bus. The price depends on where you want to go, but it’s one of the cheapest ways to get around the island.

Taxi

If you want to go from one side of the island to the other, but you don’t want to drive, getting a taxi is an option. Uber doesn’t operate in Santorini, but there are local taxis you can pay for instead. It’ll be more expensive than a bus, but more private, so it depends on your budget and what you want to go for.

Rent a Quad Bike

If you’re a little more adventurous, then you can rent a quad bike. It’s not really for me, but it’s a quick way to get around. Make sure you choose a reputable company, wear a helmet, and stay safe!

 

What to Do & See

Explore Oia

Top Tip: Oia is a small, traditional village, and many tourists visit for its sunset views. As a result, there’s limited space, so I’d recommend either arriving at the viewpoints early (an hour or more), or stay in a nearby hotel with sunset views. It can also get very hot in the summer months, with minimal shade, so be aware!

Oia is probably best known for its sunsets, which makes this one of the most crowded parts of Santorini. We chose to stay in a quieter part of the island, but if you’re looking to stay in Oia, you’d only need a couple of days there. We actually left before the sunset, as it was way too busy. I imagine the sunset is beautiful from any part of the island, so it’s your choice where to experience it from. Sunsets in Fira are just as stunning!

We rented a car and drove to Oia from our hotel, which took around 25 minutes. When we arrived, it was extremely busy with tourists, so we only spent a few hours here one afternoon. It’s somewhere I’ve dreamed of visiting, and I’m glad that I did, but it’s a bit overwhelming with the amount of people in such a small area.

When most people think of Santorini and picture the island in their head, it’s more than likely they think of Oia. I couldn’t write this Santorini, Greece travel guide without mentioning Oia. It’s probably the most well-known part of the island, and it’s an absolutely breathtaking part of the world. I would definitely recommend a visit to Oia during your trip, even just for a few hours, like I did!

 

Visit Red Beach

Top Tip: Red Beach is unique, with stunning views, but it’s not safe to walk along (despite the people in these photos!) There’s a viewpoint that’s easily accessible from the car park (2 minute walk), where it’s safe to look at the beach/cliffs below. This isn’t the type of beach you’d expect to take your swimwear to…

Red Beach is one of the most iconic and recognisable beaches in Santorini, located close to Akrotiri village. As unusual as it is, it’s not somewhere you’d go to relax as you would on a ‘normal’ beach. There’s a real risk of falling rocks, so it’s strongly recommended that you don’t go onto the beach, but it’s still lovely to look at the red, volcanic cliffs that surround it.

We drove to Red Beach and parked in a little car park (just a short walk from the viewpoint area), where we were able to safely admire the view from above. There’s not a lot to do at Red Beach, other than take in the view, so as much as I’d recommend a short visit, I wouldn’t suggest going out of your way for it. If you have enough time, then it’s worth adding to your itinerary, but it’s not something you need to dedicate a whole day to. We found that 20/30 minutes was more than enough time at the viewpoint.

 

Ancient Thera Hike/Ruins

Top Tip: There’s a fee to pay before you can visit the archaeological site. It costs €4 per person (at the time of writing this – November 2019), which allows access to the Ancient Thera ruins. (You can find more information here, with updated prices.) They only accept cash, so make sure you take enough with you!

The site of Ancient Thera is located on the top of Mesa Vouno Mountain, 396 m above sea level. We drove to the top, then walked to the ruins. You can hike all the way from the bottom if you’d prefer, either from Kamari or Perissa. Alternatively, you could take a coach with a tour group if you don’t want to drive. Just be warned that the road up/down is very high, with lots of sharp twists and turns…

Once you reach the ancient site, you can explore the ruins, including: a theatre, gymnasium, temples, and a market. It’s worth a visit, but be prepared for lots of walking across uneven ground. Ensure you wear sensible shoes, like trainers. It’s also important to take water with you, as it can get very hot, and there isn’t anywhere to buy any once you’re at the top.

Another thing to mention is that it can get really windy at the top, so it’s worth putting your hair up before you start the hike. I also wouldn’t recommend this experience if you have a fear of heights, or if you don’t feel physically fit within yourself. It can be quite difficult in parts, and I had to stop every now and then to stop and breathe. The views from the top are insane though, and I really enjoyed it overall.

 

Old Port & Cable Car in Fira

Top Tip: The narrow streets around the Old Port can get really busy when the cruise ships are in town. Generally, they arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon, so you can plan your timings around the cruise timetables, if you’d rather visit at a quieter time.

The easiest (and most fun) way to reach the Old Port, is by cable car. It only takes a few minutes from top to bottom, and you can admire the views that surround you. I really enjoyed the cable car experience! The more traditional, yet often controversial way to travel between Fira town and the Old Port, is by donkey. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend this, on the basis I find it to be cruel, but the decision is ultimately yours. Another way to get up/down, is via 587 steps – maybe it would be better to walk down the steps, and back up in the cable car? I’ll leave it to you…

Once at the bottom, the Old Port is beautiful. The water is stunning, and even just sitting and admiring the view of the boats is a relaxing way to spend some time. There are a few little souvenir shops and restaurants that look out at the view of the port, and it’s a lovely place to sit and have a quiet drink.

If you do choose to use the cable cars, the price (I paid in September 2019) for a one-way ticket (they don’t offer a return option) is €6 for an adult, and €3 for a child. (You can find more information here, with updated prices.)

 

Go on a Sunset Cruise

Top Tip: Book in advance, especially during peak season, as it can get very busy! There are lots of companies to choose from, so do your research and choose one that suits your needs. (In terms of price, start/finish location, food included, etc.)

One of my favourite parts of the trip was the sunset cruise that we did on our last evening. It was everything you’d expect it to be, and the sunset views were breathtaking. Our cruise included food, and you could also buy drinks too. It took around 5 hours in total, and it was amazing. The boat was quite busy, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Our package also included a coach transfer to/from a nearby hotel – just a short walk from where we stayed.

It was the perfect way to end our trip, and I’d definitely recommend going on a sunset cruise whilst on the island. If you don’t have time for a sunset cruise, then you could always go during the day. Either way, the views are incredible, no matter what time of day you go – Santorini is stunning 24/7!

 

I also created a Santorini, Greece travel guide video diary (including the activities we did), which you can watch below!

 

Santorini Summary…

I had such a brilliant time in Santorini, and it’s the ideal destination to go to relax. As it’s such a small island, I think I managed to see and do most things, but I’d still like to return one day. (If there’s anything I didn’t mention that you’d recommend, then please let me know!) A week in Santorini was more than enough, and, being completely honest, you could probably see and do most things in a few days.

Santorini is an island hopping destination that many people explore for a couple of days, before travelling to the next Greek island. If I were to return, I think I’d do it this way next time. Personally, I like my holidays to have a mixture of activities and relaxation, and there’s only so much you can do in such a small place. We spread our activities out across the week, which meant we could relax a lot too. It was incredible, and it’s worth a visit for the sunsets and views alone! I hope this travel guide was useful for planning your trip to Santorini, Greece…

 

Is there anything from this Santorini, Greece travel guide you’d like to do?