Santorini
Santorini, in a few days
Santorini means white houses clinging to the rim of the caldera, the sunset over Oia that everyone waits for, and beaches of black volcanic sand. It is at its best outside the peak season.
- Day by day
- D1 Day 1 2 things
- D2 Day 2 1 thing
- D3 Day 3 2 things
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
Day by day
Day 1
- Morning · Fira free · about 2 hThe island capital on the caldera rim, with the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, and a cable car or steps down to the old port.
- Evening · Sunset at Oia free · about 2 hCrowds gather on the castle ruins at the northern tip to watch the sun drop into the sea; arrive well before it goes down.
Day 2
- Morning · The caldera · half a dayThe flooded crater of a Bronze Age eruption; boats cross to the Nea Kameni volcano and the warm springs off Palea Kameni.
Day 3
- Morning · The black-sand beaches free · half a dayKamari and Perissa on the east and south-east coasts, with dark volcanic sand that gets very hot underfoot by midday.
- Late afternoon · The island's vineyards · about 1 h 30Assyrtiko vines trained into low baskets against the wind, and a sweet Vinsanto made from sun-dried grapes, tasted at the wineries.
Worth sorting before you go
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
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Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Souvlaki and gyros: grilled skewers and wrapped sandwiches, cheap and on every corner.
- Moussaka: aubergine, minced meat and béchamel, baked and served warm rather than hot.
- Greek salad: tomato, feta, olives and olive oil, and no lettuce in it.
- Grilled octopus: eaten on the harbour with a glass of ouzo.
- Baklava and loukoumades: layered pastry and fried dough, both soaked in honey.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Tavernas with photographs on the menu and a man outside waving you in, near the Acropolis above all: overpriced.
- Ask the price of fish by the kilo before you order. It is sold by weight, and the bill surprises people.
- Book summer ferries early, and treat the timetable as an intention rather than a promise.
- Carry cash. Small islands and village tavernas do not always take cards.
Words that help
English ↔ Greek
| English | Greek |
|---|---|
| Hello | Γειά σας (yiá sas) |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ (efharistó) |
| Please | Παρακαλώ (parakaló) |
| Yes | Ναι (ne) |
| No | Όχι (óhi) |
| Excuse me | Συγγνώμη (signómi) |
| Goodbye | Αντίο (andío) |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (miláte angliká) |
| I don't understand | Δεν καταλαβαίνω (den katalavéno) |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κάνει; (póso káni) |
| Where are the toilets? | Πού είναι οι τουαλέτες; (pou íne i tualétes) |
| The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ (ton logariazmó) |
| Help! | Βοήθεια! (voíthia) |
| Cheers! | Εις υγείαν! (is iyían) |
The practical page
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/santorini
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.