31/3/2020 Santorini Travel Guide – Updated for 2020

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Santorini, Greece
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Updated: February 15, 2020

Santorini is a popular holiday destination in Greece. It’s part of the Cycladic island group, and
located 200 km southeast of Athens, 150 km south of Mykonos, and 140 km north of Crete. Its
most popular tourist towns are Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli which offer spectacular views of the
caldera (the crater created after a devastating volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC).
Santorini has a population of 15,500 and a land area of 76 square miles (a little bigger than
Manhattan). The length of the island is 16 km and its width varies from 1 to 5 km. It takes about
45 minutes to drive from one end of Santorini to the other. Flights to Santorini take 4 hours from
London, 3.5 hours from Paris, 2 hours from Rome, and 1 hour from Athens. There are no direct
flights to Santorini from the USA, Canada, or Australia.

The 2020 Santorini Travel Guide

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The view from Oia into the Santorini caldera.

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Santorini – Cave Hotels

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Santorini Holidays – Planning A Trip

Athens to Santorini by Ferry
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Crete to Santorini by Ferry
Santorini – How To Get There
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Day Trips to Santorini
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Where is Santorini?
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Santorini Airport
Santorini Taxis
Santorini Photos
Is Santorini Safe?
1, 2, 3, and 7 Days in Santorini
Fira Hotels
Oia Hotels
Imerovigli Hotels
Firostefani Hotels
Perissa & Perivolos Hotels
Kamari Hotels

Santorini Hotel Reviews

Aria Suites and Villas – Fira
Athina Luxury Suites – Fira
Celestia Grand Villas – Near Fira
Cosmopolitan Suites – Fira

Anteliz Suites – Firostefani

Belvedere Suites – Firostefani
The Tsitouras Collection – Firostefani
Homeric Poems – Firostefani

Above Blue Suites – Imerovigli

Absolute Bliss – Imerovigli
Aenaon Villas – Imerovigli
Andronis Concept Wellness – Imerovigli
Astra Suites – Imerovigli
Cavo Tagoo – Imerovigli
Chromata Santorini – Imerovigli
Grace Hotel Santorini – Imerovigli
Heliotopos Hotel – Imerovigli
Honeymoon Petra Villas – Imerovigli
Iconic Santorini – Imerovigli
Remezzo Villas – Imerovigli
San Antonio – Imerovigli

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Santorini Princess – Imerovigli

Sophia Suites – Imerovigli

270 Oia’s View – Oia

Andronis Boutique Hotel – Oia
Andronis Luxury Suites – Oia
Anemomilos Hotel and Villas – Oia
Canaves Hotel – Oia
Canaves Suites – Oia
Elysian Suites – Oia
Esperas Santorini – Oia
Gabbiano Apartments – Oia
Ikies Traditional Houses – Oia
Katikies – Oia
Kirini Santorini – Oia
Maregio Suites – Oia
Myst Boutique Hotel – Oia
Mystique Hotel – Oia
Mythique Villas – Oia
Oia Castle Luxury Suites – Oia
Perivolas Hotel – Oia
Santo Maris Oia – Oia
White Pearl Villas – Oia
Zoe Aegeas Traditional Houses – Oia

Tamarix del Mar Suites – Kamari

Meltemi Village – Perissa
Istoria Hotel – Perivolos
Carpe Diem – Pyrgos
Vedema Resort – Megalochori
Santorini Princess Presidential Suites – Akrotiri

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Where Is Santorini?

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Santorini is an island in Greece, located in the Aegean Sea, 200 km southeast of Athens, 150
km south of Mykonos, and 140 km north of Crete. Flights to Santorini take 4 hours from
London, 3.5 hours from Paris, 2 hours from Rome, and 1 hour from Athens.

How Big Is Santorini?

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Santorini has a population of 15,500 and a land area of 76 sq. miles (an area a little bigger
than Manhattan). The length of the island is 16 km and its width varies from 1 to 5 km. It takes
45 minutes to drive from one end of Santorini to the other.

How To Get To Santorini

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Santorini is connected by direct ferry to Athens (5 to 7 hours) and the islands of Naxos, Paros,
Ios, Milos, Folegandros, Mykonos, and Crete (1 to 3 hours). Flights from Athens to Santorini
take less than 1 hour, direct flights from western Europe (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome,
Venice) take 2 to 4 hours.

When Is The Best Time To Go To

Santorini?

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The best time to visit Santorini for good weather, boat tours, swimming, sunbathing, and
nightlife is from June to September. If beach time and hot weather are not a necessity and
you’re more interested in sightseeing, history, hiking, and exploring then late March, April, May,
October, and early November are also great.

How Was Santorini Created?

Santorini is what remains from a massive volcanic eruption 3600 years ago. The eruption
destroyed all settlements and created the caldera. The caldera is a lagoon of sea water
surrounded on 3 sides by the steep cliffs of Santorini and on the 4th side by the island of
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Thirassia (which was part of Santorini before the eruption). The current volcano (on the island
of Nea Kameni) sits in the middle of the caldera. It’s active but presently not at risk of erupting.

What Are The Main Towns In

Santorini?

The towns of Fira, Oia, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Akrotiri cling to the 300m cliffs and have
magical views of the caldera and volcano to the west. The beach towns of Kamari, Perissa,
Perivolos, and Agios Georgios are on the east and south sides of the island (not the caldera).

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For most travelers, the best place to stay in Santorini is along the caldera.

What Is The Best Place To Stay In

Santorini?

The best places to stay in Santorini are the villages of Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani.
These towns are located on the Santorini caldera and have incredible views of the volcano, sea,
and sunset. All of these towns are on the west side of Santorini.

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What To Do In Santorini?
The best things to do on Santorini include hiking the incredible caldera foot path, touring
wineries, doing a boat tour of the caldera (with volcano hike/hot spring swimming/sunset), and
visiting the island’s small charming villages. There is a vibrant nightlife with everything from
wine bars to dance clubs but it’s never rowdy and the club scene is easily avoided if you’re not
interested.

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How Many Days In Santorini?

Stay a minimum of 2 nights and 1 full day. But there’s so much to see and do that it’s easy to
fill 5 to 7 days. If possible, do one boat tour, one wine tour, hike the Fira to Oia footpath,
explore the villages of Pyrgos and Emporio, and visit the historical sites of Akrotiri and Ancient
Thira. You’ll also want plenty of time to wander the cobblestoned lanes and alleys of Fira, Oia,
and Imerovigli. Then there’s nightlife and all the great places to eat on Santorini.

Saving Money In Santorini

Santorini is known for 5-star luxury hotels, great restaurants, and high-end shopping but it’s
easy to visit Santorini on a modest budget. There are no all inclusive resorts or all inclusive
holidays or vacation packages so the key to saving money is to choose hotels and restaurants
not directly on the caldera. Enjoying the incredible views is free and cheap hotels in Santorini
are plentiful, good value, and good quality.

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