Of all the islands in Greece, Santorini was the one that truly stole my heart with it’s beautiful white washed walls and iconic blue topped domes. Although it has a reputation for being one of the more expensive islands to visit, it can still be done on a budget, especially if you choose to stay in Thira rather than Oia. Read on to find out all the spots you shouldn’t miss!
Planning your trip to Santorini
Currency: Euros (€)
Language: Greek, although English is widely spoken
Accommodation: We decided to stay in Thira rather than Oia since it’s far less crowded during the day and the bus route to Oia is straightforward. The hotels also tend to be a bit cheaper and it’s closer to the airport so slightly more relaxing on arrival.
Transport: Generally you can walk around all the places in Thira and Oia without the need of transport – it’s just getting from one to the other that requires a bit of thought. The journey from Thira to Oia is around 20mins and costs around 25 Euros by taxi or 1.60 Euros by bus. If you want to take the bus from Thira, walk to Thira centre and you’ll find a large parking area with taxis and coaches. The bus to Oia should be clearly sign posted. If you’re planning to stay in Oia for sunset, then just make sure you don’t miss the final bus back which is normally at 22:20!
Top Sights in Santorini
Thira
Coastal walk
One of the best ways of exploring Santorini and immersing yourself in its beautiful landscape is to go out walking! Don’t worry too much about which direction you’re headed and just delight in the beautiful views and hidden gems you come across on the way. If you’re heading from Thira you’re likely to find yourself on the main coastal pathway which is home to some of Thira’s best restaurants – all of which boast an amazing view of the sea and are prime sunset locations. So why not reserve your table for dinner on the way back (my favourites are Remvi Restaurant, Volkan on the Rocks and DA Costa)
Agios Theodoras/Three bells of Thira
Perhaps one of the most iconic views in Thira, The Three Bells of Thira (also known as the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church) are a must-see when in the area. Now you’re likely to walk past them when you’re walking around but to really take in their glory you need to see them from above! Click here for a step by step guide on how to get to the best viewpoint.
The Square & Old Port
About 15 minutes walk away is Thira’s main square and old port and a great way to see the more authentic side of Santorini (away from the crowds in Oia). Start off by exploring some of the shops and cafes and then make your way up to the monastery. After popping your head into the monastery, follow the signs to the cable car and hop down it for the best view of the port! (for only €6). Within a couple of minutes you’ll reach the old port at sea-level and be able to see everyone boarding the boats to travel to the nearby volcano.
If that doesn’t pick your fancy, why not check out the famous Kerabvolades Stairs! If you’re up for a challenge you can climb back up via the stairs, otherwise it’s a great excuse for a donkey ride up the cliffside. Again this costs around €6 but makes for an incredibly fun ride – especially if you have kids.
Hike from Thira to Imerovigli
Another incredible viewpoint, if you have the time and energy I’d recommend hiking from Thira to Imerovigli! To get there head back on the main road from Thiras-Oias but head the other way this time – going further up the cliff rather than down it towards the port. Follow this road until you get to a more residential area of Santorini and follow the smaller pathways until you reach the Αναστάσεως church which is framed by a now insta-famous pink tree. (click here for more details on how to get there)
Oia’s Blue Domes
By far the most iconic view of Santorini, Oia’s blue domes are an absolute must – they’re the ones you see on all the postcards, painting and all over instagram! However, they can be slightly difficult to find so for step by step instructions on how to get there click here.
Kasteli Agios Nikolaus
Around dinner time you might start to see huge crowds beginning to gather and head up to the Agios Nikolaus viewpoint and there’s a very simple reason why – it’s by far the best spot for sunset. Now it does get very crowded up there so I’d suggest heading pretty early to get a prime spot (at least half an hour before). Why not bring a takeaway pizza with you for you and your other half to eat while you watch the sunset.
Church of the Akathist Hymn of the Virgin Mary
Castle of Oia and Oia Houses: The castle of Oia isn’t just a great viewpoint – there are also a host of lovely cafes, restaurants and cute houses to explore. One of the most famous of these is the iconic orange “Kastro Oia Houses” building. We loved walking around this area, which actually leads down towards the sea,
Cute shops: There are a number of cute shops in Oia – we particularly loved the retro-looking Antlantis book store and the cafes by “Kastro Oia Houses”. Other popular cafes include: Passaggio coffee shop in Oia and Karma Restaurant for dinner (which has a lovely botanical vibe).
Views of the Windmill: Another iconic view of Santorini is its windmills! for the best views of the Windmills, head to Cavana View House and Golden Sunset Villas.
Best views in Santorini
Santorini is certainly not lacking in iconic viewpoints and quite often the best way to find them is just by meandering around and exploring the coastal pathways yourself. But if you’re on a tight schedule and want to make sure you don’t miss the iconic viewpoints make sure you head to Oia Bell Tower, The Windmills, The Castle of Oia, Imerovigli and The Three Bells of Thira.
Restaurants & Bars
Galini Cafe for brunch (Thira)
A wonderfully cute spot for brunch, Galini Cafe was an amazing find – it looks right out over the sea and is incredibly calm and atmospheric. Plus it serves some of the best eggs Royale and French toast on the island!
Probably my favourite restaurant of all time on the island, Remvi really stole my heart with it’s incredible terrace over the sea and sunset view. They specialise in fresh sea food – and I can’t recommend the calamari and grilled sea bass enough! Make sure to try their house wine and get a good spot in time for sunset!
This is another of the restaurants which overlooks the sea and would be gorgeous for sunset. It also is a great place to try some authentic Greek food – including a number of Greek Meze platters! It’s incredibly popular (and often appears as a suggestion in travel guides) and seems a bit more tranquil and “outdoorsy” than some of the other restaurants – so a good choice for one of those quieter days.
A quiet botanical restaurant right in the heart of Oia, Karma Restaurant is a beautiful place to eat and a wonderful escape from the crowds around Oia. They’re known for serving up some of the best traditional Greek food, meat and vegetarian options and are pretty reasonable with their pricing.
