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Santorini

Santorini travel guide

Greek island in the Aegean Sea

Flights from$928 round trip
Things to do62 experiences
Best time to visitApril to May and September to November
Nearest airportJTR · 3 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+2
Population17,430

About Santorini

Santorini, officially Thira or Thera, is a Greek island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from the mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago formed by the Santorini caldera. It is the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 mi2) and a 2021 census population of 15,480. The municipality of Santorini includes the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia, and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, Anydros, and Christiana. The total land area is 90 km2 (35 mi2). Santorini is part of the Thira regional unit.

Cheap flights to Santorini

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $928 from Dubai, travelling 2 Dec – 6 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$1,164 Oct $1,090 Nov $928 Dec $1,640 Jan $1,938 Feb $1,358 Mar $1,175 Apr $1,078 May $1,491 Jun $1,363 Jul $1,107 Aug $1,233 Sep

Airlines travellers compared most often: Brussels Airlines, Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Aegean Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Things to do in Santorini by type

62 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 16
  • 1-3 hours 9
  • Over 6 hours 8
  • Flexible 2
Good for
  • Families 5
  • Senior 4
  • Couples 4
  • Families with kids 3
  • Youth 2
  • Adult only 1
Ways to go
  • Private 30
  • Shore excursions 9
  • Small group 7
Browse all things to do in Santorini

Top experiences in Santorini

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 62 available.

Traditional Santorini: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias, Oia - Full-Day Bus Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Traditional Santorini: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias, Oia - Full-Day Bus Tour

  • 11 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $52 per adult

Santorini Classic Highlights Tour (Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos, Emporio, Sunset in Oia) with Wine tasting
Day Trips & Excursions

Santorini Classic Highlights Tour (Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos, Emporio, Sunset in Oia) with Wine tasting

  • 9 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $67 per adult

Caldera Panorama Sailing Tour - Small Group Tour
Cruise & Water Tours

Caldera Panorama Sailing Tour - Small Group Tour

  • 5 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $147 per adult

Prophet Elias Mountain, Akrotiri Excavations, Red Beach, Pyrgos and Oia - Private Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Prophet Elias Mountain, Akrotiri Excavations, Red Beach, Pyrgos and Oia - Private Tour

  • 6 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $227 per adult

Oia Sunset and Villages: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias - Full-Day Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Oia Sunset and Villages: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias - Full-Day Tour

  • 10 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $58 per adult

Best of Santorini: Oia, Megalochori, Red and Perivolos Beaches, Prophet Elias - Private Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Best of Santorini: Oia, Megalochori, Red and Perivolos Beaches, Prophet Elias - Private Tour

  • 1 day
  • Free cancellation

From $245 per adult

Ferry from Santorini to Piraeus Port - One-way Ticket
Transport & Rentals

Ferry from Santorini to Piraeus Port - One-way Ticket

  • 5.5 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $71 per adult

Akrotiri Prehistoric Town and Traditional Villages (Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio) - Private Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Akrotiri Prehistoric Town and Traditional Villages (Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio) - Private Tour

  • 4 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $339 per adult

Discover Three Bells, Megalochori Village, Perivolos Black Beach and Oia – Half-Day Private Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Discover Three Bells, Megalochori Village, Perivolos Black Beach and Oia – Half-Day Private Tour

  • 4 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $187 per adult

Akrotiri Visit with Lunch and Wine Tasting - Full-Day Tour
Gastronomy & nightlife

Akrotiri Visit with Lunch and Wine Tasting - Full-Day Tour

  • 8 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $372 per adult

Santorini Panorama - Private Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Santorini Panorama - Private Tour

  • 5 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $205 per adult

The Sip of Santorini Wine - Private Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

The Sip of Santorini Wine - Private Tour

  • 5 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $373 per adult

See all things to do in Santorini

Where to stay in Santorini

Popular hotels in Santorini, out of 1,119 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Santorini

Best time to visit Santorini

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santorini is April to May and September to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–81°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 56° – 62° 9
Feb 53° – 59° 7
Mar 57° – 65° 5
Apr 60° – 68° 6
May 64° – 74° 4
Jun 73° – 84° 0
Jul 77° – 87° 1
Aug 77° – 86° 1
Sep 74° – 81° 1
Oct 67° – 74° 3
Nov 62° – 68° 4
Dec 57° – 62° 12

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Know before you go

Currency
Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
Language
Greek
Calling code
+30
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Europe/AthensUTC+2
Capital
Athens

Upcoming public holidays in Greece

  • Christmas DayΧριστούγεννα
  • St. Stephen's DayΣύναξις Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας
  • New Year's DayΠρωτοχρονιά
  • EpiphanyΘεοφάνεια
  • Clean MondayΚαθαρά Δευτέρα
  • AnnunciationΕυαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Santorini

These are the airports closest to central Santorini. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • JTR Santorini (Thira) National Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
  • PAS Paros National Airport44 mi (72 km) from the city centre
  • JNX Naxos National Airport "Apollon"46 mi (74 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Santorini

KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing €2.00-2.80 one way (2025), depending on the route. This is probably the only cheap thing you'll find on the island considering the buses are comfy and air conditioned! Tickets can be purchased on the bus, with cash only — so bring some coins. The fare collector can (usually) make change.

By boat

Boats run between major coastal towns in the archipelago, notably between Fira, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and the old port of Thirassia. Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices in most of the ports. The ticket will list the port of departure, port of arrival, and the number of the vessel instead of its name. The vessel number is always printed on the lifeboats, when in doubt. A single journey between Fira and Thirassia starts at €10 (Apr 2022).

By car

Most of the people in Santorini are tourists, so road conditions are unsafe, with many people driving by the laws and conventions of nearly every country in the world. It takes about an hour to drive the island from end to end (from Exomytis to Oia).

By bicycle

The island is small enough to thoroughly explore by bicycle. Bicycle rentals are fairly hard to find — most places advertising "bike" rentals refer instead to motorbikes — but are available from Fira and Exomytis.

Santorini travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Santorini?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santorini is April to May and September to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–81°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

What is the weather like in Santorini?

July is usually the warmest month in Santorini, with average highs of 87°F (31°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 53°F (12°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 70 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Santorini?

Santorini (Thira) National Airport (JTR) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (5 km) from the centre of Santorini. Other nearby airports include Paros National Airport (PAS, 44 mi) and Naxos National Airport "Apollon" (JNX, 46 mi).

How much are flights to Santorini?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Santorini in the last 30 days was $928 from Dubai, travelling 2 Dec – 6 Dec. December is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $928.

What currency is used in Santorini?

Santorini uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.

What time zone is Santorini in?

Santorini uses the Europe/Athens time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Santorini?

KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing €2.00-2.80 one way (2025), depending on the route.

What are the top things to do in Santorini?

Popular experiences you can book in Santorini include Traditional Santorini: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias, Oia - Full-Day Bus Tour, Santorini Classic Highlights Tour (Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos, Emporio, Sunset in Oia) with Wine tasting and Caldera Panorama Sailing Tour - Small Group Tour. Destina Holidays offers 62 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Santorini?

The most popular types of experiences in Santorini are day trips & excursions (29), cruise & water tours (16), gastronomy & nightlife (14) and transport & rentals (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Santorini?

Popular areas for hotels in Santorini include Fira, Pyrgos and Megalochori. Well-reviewed options include Athina Luxury Suites and Senses Luxury Villa.

How many hotels can I book in Santorini?

Destina Holidays currently lists 1,119 properties in and around Santorini, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.