Is Santorini worth it? Is Santorini expensive? And everything else you need to know before you go

Santorini is an incredibly popular holiday destination that sun lovers flock to each year, but you might be wonder is Santorini worth it? In this article we tackle some of the big questions like ‘is Santorini expensive’ and ‘what is there to do in Santorini’ to help you decide if this Greek Island is really worth your time.

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Before we answer the question ‘Is Santorini worth it’ here is some background

Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea, and forms part of the Cyclades Islands. The island’s population sits at around 15,500. In the summer months though tourists flock to Santorini with around 2 million visitors arriving every year.

Santorini is a volcanic island although the volcano is considered dormant. That doesn’t mean that it won’t erupt again, but thankfully it is monitored closely so you are safe visiting! The volcanic soil gives the island a unique landscape, and its surprisingly popular for wine, cherry tomatoes, and white aubergines.

Is Santorini expensive?

One of the first questions we often hear when people are trying to decide if Santorini is worth it tends to be is Santorini expensive. Admittedly we did find Santorini expensive but there were a few reasons for this. For starters there is the whole idea of demand and supply, with high tourist numbers pushing up prices. Hotels can be be pricey in Santorini, especially if you are wanting to stay in the picturesque tourist hotspots of Oia and Fira. If you choose to stay a little further out in places like Kamari then you can find much better deals.

The other reason that we found Santorini expensive was because there was no public transport. Or at least not a lot of public transport. So getting from Kamari to the other side of the island or places like Oia will either need to be done through an organised tour, by renting a car, or by taxi. Taxi’s are scarce so your best bet is to rent a car or book a tour. These options can be costly which is something to keep in mind when visiting.

Food isn’t too expensive in Santorini, and we were lucky that our hotel did a buffet breakfast that was included in the price each morning. On average a dinner for 2 cost us around €60 – €70 which included cocktails or wine, so not too bad. Cocktail prices for us were on par with say London or Manchester which we are very much used to.

Do I need cash in Santorini?

You don’t need to carry a lot of cash with you in Santorini, as most places do accept card payment. We do recommend carrying some cash with you though as not all shops will let you pay with card. This is more an issue with smaller shops as they often have a minimum amount for card payments.

Some restaurants also don’t allow you to tip using your card, so if you have had great service and want to tip your waiter you need to do this with cash.

What language do they speak in Santorini?

The official language spoken in Santorini is Greek. Don’t worry if you haven’t brushed up on your Greek language though because English is widely spoken. Santorini is a massive tourist island so you will get around just fine speaking English.

Is Santorini easy to get to?

Santorini is easy to get to, particularly in the summer months, with several direct flights from European countries arriving daily. We flew with Jet2 who fly there from airports across the UK. For a list of flights to Santorini with Jet2 you can have a look at their website.

If you end up booking a package holiday with a company like Jet2 for example, you also get transfers included as part of your holiday. When we arrived at the airport in Santorini we were directed to a coach and we were taken straight to our hotel.

How long should I spend in Santorini?

You might be wondering ‘is Santorini worth it’ for a short trip. For us we found that 4 days in Santorini was a perfect amount of time to get to grips with the island. It gave us enough time to see the key tourist attractions, each a lot of incredible food, and even allowed us time to lounge on the beach. If relaxation is your thing you might want to stay an extra 2 or 3 days just so you aren’t rushed.

Is Santorini safe?

Santorini is definitely one of the safer European destinations we have visited. I don’t know if it is because it is a tourist hotspot but there aren’t huge problems in Santorini with organised crime, violence or drugs for example. So yes it is generally a safe destination to visit. Of course you should always have your wits about you, especially if alcohol is involved, because nowhere in the world is 100% crime or accident free.

I would say one of the biggest issues with safety in Santorini is more about driving on the island. Be careful especially on the quad bikes. Many people rent these without paying enough attention to the road rules, and these tend to be involved in many accidents on the island, or at least this is what one of the locals told us when we visited.

Is Santorini worth it compared to other European destinations?

If you are looking for an island break so that you can watch some incredible sunsets, enjoy some great food, and sail along the caldera then Santorini is the place to be. It’s obviously a very different experience to your typical city break in Europe, and far more relaxed. It also has a unique vibe, in comparison to other European beach destinations like say Dubrovnik. It’s way more chilled and with it being an island is more cut off from the rest of Europe.

The biggest gripe with Santorini is the over tourism. But you will get this in popular European holiday spots like Dubrovnik, Rome, and even Venice. If it is unique and beautiful chances are most people are going to know about it.

Is Santorini worth it compared to other Greek Islands?

Santorini has long been a bucket list destination for us, and with good reason. It is one of the most beautiful of the Greek Islands with so much natural beauty. But with this beauty like we mentioned above comes a lot of tourists. We knew this going in to Santorini, and we were prepared for it. If you are expecting a quiet low key holiday then maybe choose one of the lesser known Greek Islands like Milos.

Can I use public transport in Santorini?

One thing that we were not prepared for when visiting Santorini was the lack of public transport options. There are buses that service the island but these are more like coaches as opposed to public transport that you might be used to at home. Bus stops are limited depending on which part of the island you are staying on, and if you are trying to get to Oia then you will more than likely need to change buses in Fira.

Bus schedules are also a little unreliable. We stayed in Kamari, and really struggled with getting public transport from here. In the end we kind of gave up and just ended up booking day tours to get us around the island.

What is there to do in Santorini?

You might be wondering is Santorini worth visiting for the attractions alone? The tourist attractions and activities are a huge part of any holiday and Santorini does have a lot to see and do. Here are some of our top suggestions on things to do when visiting.

Visit Oia

Oia is pretty much the quintessential postcard image of Santorini. It’s a village that has some incredible caldera views, and those gorgeous whitewashed cave style buildings along the rugged cliff edges. It’s also incredibly popular with tourists so can be a little overwhelming particularly at sunset.

Visit Fira

For a more laid back experience head to Fira. You still get those beautiful whitewashed cliffside buildings with stunning caldera views, but there is more room to walk around and explore compared to Oia.

Visit Pyrgos

Even more low key is Pyrgos, a stunning village where you can get lost in the walkways filled with blue and white buildings. It’s a great place for souvenir shopping, and if you make it to the top of the village you get some panoramic views of the island.

Red Beach

Located near Akrotiri the Red Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Santorini. The unique red colouring is caused by the red pulverised volcanic rock in the area. One thing to note is the beach itself is actually closed, and this is due to risks of landslides and falling rocks. People do tend to ignore this but it’s best viewed from either the nearby lookout point or from a boat.

Black Beach

Santorini is famous for its unique beaches. Don’t expect golden sand here though. As mentioned above Santorini is highly volcanic. In 1600 BC there was a large volcanic eruption that left the island covered in volcanic ash, lava and pumice. This is why the beaches here have black rocky shorelines. If you want to experience the black beaches the best spots are Kamari, Perissa and Perivolos.

Akrotiri Archeological Site

This is the perfect place for history buffs, and was home to a Minoan settlement until the 16th Century BC when a volcanic eruption caused the site to be buried in ash.

Do a wine tour

We had no idea before visiting Santorini, that it would be a wine lovers paradise. A wine tour is a must in Santorini because you get to taste some fantastic wines, and learn how the grapes grow in this unique climate.

Cruise the caldera on a catamaran

One of the best things to do in Santorini is to do a boat cruise on the caldera. There are different tour options that you can do that range from private tours, to small groups.

Prophet Elias Monastery

If you are looking for one of the best viewpoints in Santorini then you should add a visit to the Prophet Elias Monastery to your itinerary. Located close to Pyrgos, the Monastery is actually the highest point of Santorini.

Watch the sunset

Another must in Santorini is watching the sunset. The island truly has some of the best sunsets we have ever experienced. Oia and Fira are probably the best places to go to watch the sunset – and if you do go you will see that it is no secret.

Is Santorini worth visiting for solo travellers?

You probably have it in your head that Santorini is a classic couples destination, but it’s also totally doable for solo travellers too. It’s a relatively safe place to visit so solo travellers shouldn’t have much issue. It’s not a massive party island which is something to keep in mind so if you are wanting to meet people on a night out you may end up surrounded by couples. But if you want a relaxed break to just chill out, and don’t mind your own company Santorini is perfect.

Is Santorini worth visiting for couples?

Santorini is marketed as the ultimate couples destination, and it really is perfect if you are going on a romantic break. It’s easy to escape in your own world with the beautiful scenery, stunning sunsets, and cosy bars and restaurants. There are also a number of hotels you can pick in Santorini that are for adults only in case you want to be away from noisy families.

Is Santorini worth visiting for families?

Santorini is also an excellent family destination, although if you are visiting with younger children you might want to stay away from the couple centric Oia. If you stay somewhere like Kamari for instance you have some gorgeous beaches to lounge around as a family. A lot of hotels have pools that you can enjoy as a family, and there are many activities you can enjoy together.

Is Santorini worth it for a beach holiday?

If you just want a beach holiday and that is all we wouldn’t recommend Santorini. It can be really expensive and overcrowded and probably not worth it unless you want to experience the island as a whole. That being said there are some beautiful beaches in Santorini, but they might not be what you are used to. They are quite rocky so if you are wanting to relax by the water you definitely will need to hire a lounger to be comfortable.

Is Santorini worth it for foodies?

If you are a foodie Santorini is the place for you. The whole island is full of incredible culinary delights and due to its volcanic soil has some of the best tomatoes we have ever tasted. Despite the island being catered to tourists you will find some good quality Mediterranean foods at many of the tavernas on the island.

Make sure you try the Fava, which is one of the islands most famous dishes. It’s sort of a greek version of hummus. Tomatokeftedes are another must try which are tomato fritters made from the flavoursome island produce. Wherever you go in Santorini you are bound to find some great food.

Is Santorini worth it for the nightlife?

From our experience we didn’t think Santorini was a massive party island by any stretch, but that could also be because we aren’t really into that kind of thing. If you are though, make sure you stay in Fira, or Kamari, as this is where a lot of clubs are concentrated. Oia has a great nightlife if you are after something a bit more low key with a number of lounge bars to spend your evening in.

And if you are wondering what the legal drinking age in Greece is, and if you can drink on your holiday here is a handy guide.

Is Santorini worth visiting for nature lovers?

You might be wondering is Santorini worth visiting for nature lovers, and the answer is yes and no. Yes because the unique caldera setting, rocky beaches, and arid landscape make Santorini an incredibly interesting place to visit in terms of nature. The no is more in relation to the overcrowded element of Santorini. If you are wanting to be at one with nature, or to enjoy a quiet and relaxing day enjoying the elements it will probably be you, and a couple other thousand tourists who have the same idea.

That’s not to say it is all bad. If you are a nature lover Santorini is great, particularly because of the volcanic element. You can even climb an active volcano and swim in the natural hot-springs. Just don’t expect to do it alone is all we are saying.

Is Santorini worth it for history buffs?

If you are into history you might be wondering if Santorini is worth it for you? There are some elements that history buffs will love. For instance the caldera and its formation is really fascinating. You also have the Akrotiri Archeological Site which reminds us a lot of Pompeii. If you love seeing how ancient civilisations lived, as well as fascinating architecture then Santorini is indeed a great place to visit.

Is Santorini worth visiting in the summer?

Santorini really peaks in the summer months. The island becomes crowded with tourists, trying to experience the island paradise. Temperatures range between 25-30 degrees Celsius, and it does get quite humid. The whole tourist industry is geared around the summer months, making it the best time to visit the island.

Is Santorini worth visiting in the winter?

Winter in Santorini will be a completely different experience to the popular summer months. The streets of Oia and Fira are virtually deserted, which is great in some ways, but you should remember that this also means that a lot of places are closed. There are also less flights available in the winter months.

Don’t expect a beach holiday or to sail around the caldera at this time of year either. Winters in Santorini can be quite cool averaging between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.

What to pack when visiting Santorini?

Apart from your standard holiday packing list here are some must haves on your trip to Santorini:

• Comfy shoes – heels are not great with the cobbled and steep walkways.
• Swimwear is a must pack but don’t worry about towels – most hotels provide these for you.
• If you are planning to swim in the volcanic springs bring darker swimwear to avoid staining.
• Protect yourself from the sun and pack things likes hats, suncream, sunglasses etc.
• Cotton/ light coloured clothing is a must.
• Mosquito repellant is a must!

What should I know before visiting Santorini?

Here are some final tips for visiting Santorini to help you decide is Santorini worth it!

• Book any restaurants that you really want to eat at well in advance. This is particularly important in tourist hotspots like Oia.
• If you want to watch the sunset at a bar or restaurant then book this well in advance in Oia or Fira.
• Check the cruise ship schedules when visiting places like Oia or Fira. It’s better to visit these places when there are less cruise ships docked as they get really overcrowded.
• Don’t drink the tap water in Santorini – you will need to buy bottled water.
• Don’t flush toilet roll either as this will clog the narrow pipes.

So Is Santorini worth it?

Hopefully this article has provided you with plenty of information on visiting Santorini. But you might still be wondering is Santorini worth it? We happen to think it is. Yes Santorini is expensive, and yes it has become a victim of its own success with swarms of tourists flocking here each year. But it is also an incredibly unique place to visit, and honestly there is so much more to Santorini than the tourist friendly cliffs of Oia or Fira. You have gorgeous beaches, an incredible caldera, and those heavenly sunsets that make Santorini such a special place to visit.

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