Best Places to Visit in Santorini, Greece

Santorini was on my bucket list for years — those white-and-blue houses I first saw on Instagram. I finally made it, and the island surprised me: it’s bigger and far more spread out than the photos suggest. So here are the places actually worth your time, how to see them cheaply, and my honest tips to skip the crowds.

How to get around Santorini

Santorini is spread out and taxis are painfully expensive, so sort out your transport first — it decides how much you’ll enjoy the rest.

• Public buses are cheap (about €2 a ride) but they nearly all run through Fira, the capital. There are almost no direct routes — to go from the airport to Kamari, for example, you take a bus to Fira first, then change. They run on fixed timings and fill up fast, so they can eat a big chunk of your day.
• Rent a scooter or ATV — this is the best way. I rode all over the island on mine and reached every spot on my own time. Book it online for a true 24-hour rental: it’s the same price as the walk-in shops, but you get free airport pick-up and drop-off and a full 24 hours instead of the shop’s shorter “day.” Carry your International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your licence.

💡 Full how-to: I've written a separate step-by-step on exactly where and how I booked mine — the website, the documents and the real prices — in my Santorini scooter rental guide.

The best places to visit in Santorini

After two days riding around, these are the four spots I’d tell any first-timer to keep — plus one beach to add if you have the time.

1. Oia — the famous blue domes

This is the Santorini you’ve seen everywhere: white houses stacked on the cliff, blue domes and the sunset. It’s genuinely stunning, and it’s the one place you cannot skip.

• Go early morning. By late morning it’s packed — you’ll wait 10–15 minutes in a line just to take a photo at the main spot. Early morning, or late evening for the sunset, is calmer and the light is far better.
• Skip the photo queue with this trick. The most famous viewpoint is a crowded private terrace. Walk a little past it and use the public staircase nearby — you get the same blue-dome view and the same photo, without the crowd. That one move saved us a long wait.
• Several Bollywood songs were shot here, so a lot of it will feel familiar.
• The market is lovely, but clothes and souvenirs cost more in Oia than anywhere else on the island — buy those in Kamari instead.

💡 My honest tip: if your budget allows, spend one night in Oia. It's the prettiest part of the island and you get the sunset without the day-trip crowds. Rooms here are pricier and book out early, so reserve ahead — I'd do it next time.

2. Fira — the capital, best for food and views

Fira is the island’s capital and my favourite for food and easy walking. You get the same white-washed cliffs and blue-sea views as Oia, but with a proper market and lots of places to eat at fairer prices.

• Don’t miss the Three Bells of Fira — a blue-domed Catholic church — and the three blue domes viewpoint. These are the classic postcard shots.
• It’s the best spot on the island to eat (see the veg food section below).
• Come early here too; the main viewpoints get crowded and very hot by midday.

3. Kamari Beach — black sand and nightlife

Kamari is a long black-sand beach, and the colour is real — it’s from an old volcanic eruption, not anything man-made. Set against the blue sea, it looks incredible.

• Know this before you go: it’s black sand mixed with small pebbles, so it’s hard to walk barefoot, and the water gets deep quickly. It’s fine for confident swimmers but tricky for everyone else — wear water shoes or slippers.
• Behind the beach is a big, lively market with fair prices — the best place on the island for souvenirs and fridge magnets. At night the whole strip turns into Santorini’s party area: cafés, restaurants and pubs.
• Ferries to the other Greek islands also leave from here.

⚠️ Good base, not a lazing beach: Kamari is a smart place to stay — cheaper rooms, a beach at your doorstep, nightlife, and it's close to the airport. Just come for the vibe, the market and the evenings, not for soft sand to sunbathe on.

4. Akrotiri village — the quiet, pretty side

If you want Santorini’s beauty without the crowds, go to Akrotiri, a small traditional village in the south. You get the same white-and-blue lanes as Oia, but most tourists skip it, so it’s calm and real — the little streets honestly reminded me of a village back home.

• There are sweet little cafés here. I had an authentic Greek vegetarian pizza at a restaurant right at the entrance of the village, with a sunset view and free parking next to it.
• Red Beach, one of Santorini’s most famous beaches with dramatic red volcanic cliffs, is just 1.2 km away. Go in daylight (we reached after dark and had to skip it) and pair it with the village.

Where to stay: Kamari or Oia?

• Kamari — cheaper rooms, a beach and a buzzing market at your doorstep, nightlife, and the closest area to the airport. This is where I stayed, and it’s excellent value. I booked this Airbnb right by Kamari Beach for €75 a night (2 people) — a big room with its own kitchen, and the property even has a swimming pool.
• Oia — the prettiest, most iconic part, with the best sunset. Rooms cost more and fill up fast, but one night here is special if you can fit it in.

One practical note wherever you stay: carry bottled water — tap water in Greece isn’t meant for drinking — and read recent reviews before you book, since service can vary a lot.

Vegetarian food in Santorini

Santorini is easy for vegetarians. Here’s what I ate and loved:

• Greek veg pizza in Akrotiri — thin, fresh and full of flavour (the cheese even tasted a bit like paneer).
• Vegetarian falafel wrap at Yogi, Fira — big enough for two to share, and cheap.
• Build-your-own ice cream in Fira — you pick a base and pile on your own toppings, then pay by weight. Fun, but keep an eye on the weight; ours came to about €11.

Tips before you go

• Rent a scooter or ATV and carry your IDP — the cheapest, easiest way to cover the island. Full how-to in my scooter rental guide.
• Start early at Oia and Fira to beat both the crowds and the midday heat.
• Bottled water only — tap water isn’t for drinking in Greece, so buy and refill.
• Free parking is everywhere — a rare treat in Europe; you’ll find it at every spot.
• Carry some cash for small shops, petrol and parking.
• Best time to visit: April–October, with May and September the sweet spot — warm, but fewer crowds and lower prices than peak summer.

That’s Santorini in a couple of easy days — the famous views, the quiet corners and the veg food, without spending a fortune. If this helped, come say hi on Instagram @travelerjyoti and tell me which spot you’d visit first!