All the Things to Know About Santorini Before You Go | Greece Travel

Everything you need to know about Santorini before you book your dream trip.
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00:00 - Intro
00:13 - When to Visit Santorini
01:06 - Where to Stay in Santorini
02:44 - How to Get to Santorini
04:08 - What's the Weather Like in Santorini
05:27 - How to Get Around Santorini
06:45 - Where to Watch the Sunset
08:16 - Do I Need Restaurant Reservations
09:20 - Can I Go To Santorini Solo
10:16 - Practical Tips for Santorini

[@agirlandherpassport]

Check out my Santorini vlog, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKWlZmCPmtJ5nqs

[@nhrockaholic6038]

I am heading to Greece May of 2024. Your video. ‘S are helpful.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Glad to hear it!

[@christicook2238]

I traveled solo to Santorini in late September/early October. I had 2 restaurants in Oia who would not seat me for lunch (late afternoon) because I was a solo traveler. I ended up going back to the bus station because I was going to go back to Fira for lunch because I couldn’t get a table when I found the pizza 🍕 restaurant by the bus station in Oia. They were wonderful to me. I also wanted to go to the Greek Wedding Dinner Show in Fira and they wouldn’t take a reservation from me because I was a solo traveler. This was the ONLY place I had difficulties and I spent 3 weeks in Greece. BTW, I loved Athens and spent 9 days there because I love history.

[@agirlandherpassport]

That is so strange. Especially for the time of year. I’m so sorry. I have never experienced that or heard it. I hope the rest of the trip and restaurants were good to you!

[@juliesmith7823]

Pyrgos is an excellent village to stay in. Very peaceful with a lot to explore. We went during the month of September, which IS a perfect time to go! Transportation was not a problem. We just asked the hotel. We were able to go to the black sand beaches and then stayed one night in Oia. Had dinner down the stairs from Oia that you mentioned, to Amoudi Bay to watch the sunset. It was perfect! Made the reservation for Taverna Katina (which was excellent!) before we left the U.S. and we had a table next to the sea. We walked down all of those stairs but took a taxi back up! So many islands to explore. Really interesting to hear about your experiences on the different islands (Tinos, Ios...).

[@agirlandherpassport]

I love Pyrgos! Glad you had a good time.

[@irmacruz7771]

Excellent video thank you!

[@NataliaBeth]

I love all of your videos! Always so helpful and giving great advice and information, keep it up.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you!

[@johnm8891]

We stayed in Fira last October. Was wonderful. Rented an Air bnb perched on a cliff. Wasn't exactly cheap but well worth it.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Yeah it’s not cheap but I am glad you thought it was worth it!

[@alpha_2_agonist]

Oh I miss Santorini. I haven't been there since 2017. Thank you I plan to try make a trip to Santorini in the fall. Thank you so much for all your suggestions!! :)

[@agirlandherpassport]

You’re welcome!

[@B400]

I might consider going in October for a week. Thank you.

[@agirlandherpassport]

You're welcome! I love Greece in October.

[@kathybastianelli6982]

We were there in May 2022 and stayed on the Kamari beach side. Super low key. Quick ride, maybe 10-15 minutes to Fira on a scooter.

[@agirlandherpassport]

May is also good. I went in May 2021 and it was fabulous.

[@kathyt221]

Great video. Going to Santorini in June. Cannot wait as haven’t been back to Greece in 4 years. Imerovigli isn’t hard to say at all. It’s phonetic. The I is pronounced I as in igloo. So it’s I-MERO-VIG-LI

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thanks! Enjoy it. For some reason I can’t wrap my brain around it. Haha

[@shulingguan5954]

Your videos are the best! Thanks so much! Which car rental service would you recommend?

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you! In Santorini, Pyrgos Car Rental. They can deliver your car to you and take you to the port or airport when you leave!

[@shulingguan5954]

@@agirlandherpassport thank you so much!!!

[@welltravelledlife]

We got sandblasted on the beach in October. But we loved not fighting the crowds.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Well that doesn’t happen every year. Winds change a lot from year to year.

[@welltravelledlife]

@@agirlandherpassport Absolutely true, and we'd go back in the fall again - for sure!

[@georgeklimes7604]

Nice video. I will say that Santorini was FAR better decades ago. I went in 1996 and then 2017. It was night and day. In 1996, there were pretty much old ladies (yiayias), donkeys, and goats. Very authentic with a few hotels (I stayed in one where the rooms were basically built into the cliff side). It was otherwise pretty wide open. Yes, people would come (usually on the bus) for the sunset and then leave, but that was it. When I went back in 2017, I saw lots of development, including high-end stores. More like DisneyWorld than the old Santorini. Lots of people (many of whom were pretty obnoxious) who came to take wedding photos in advance of their wedding (mostly being had somewhere else - like Dubai, China, India, etc). Tons of crowds - far more than in 1996. Prices were extremely high. As for Fira, it, too, was FAR more crowded and congested than in 1996. Lots of foreign stores and restaurants (like McDonald's!!! Why???). Huge boats with hundreds or maybe thousands of tourists. Clogged streets and more. This was in late June 2017. On the positive side, the views are special. We also paid for a several hour boat cruise on the caldera (including food and drink), and it stopped a few times so people who wanted to jump overboard could get in the water. Stunning views from the caldera itself. Well worth it. The boat we took had maybe 20 people on it. Smaller and more intimate. Stayed for the sunset. Then the boat came in. As you said, it is not cheap. I paid over $300 per night for a 400 square foot apartment, but it was right on the drag where tourists go to restaurants and stores (super close to the Hermes store - yes, Hermes!). I suggest going to Akrotiri if it is open. Incredible place. Supposedly might be the "lost city of Atlantis" (doubtful, but that's their claim). It's an active excavation site. Stunning. There are some great museums in Fira. When I was there in 2017, almost no tourists were in them. Which is sad and says a lot about the actual interest of the tourists in learning anything. But, hey, that's me. I flew in and out in 1996. In 2017, I took a ferry from Kos to there (took about 4 hours and got in way after midnight - the AirBnB owner had a man who picked us up upon arrival), and flew out to Athens when done. The airport has not changed much. Better but still small and needs some things. If one wants to see stunning views and is willing to either pay crazy prices, or want the views but are willing to sleep somewhere other than Oia and Fira, it's a great and relatively cheap experience. There are many Greek islands with stunning views and WAY cheaper prices. And, in most cases, they have nowhere near the crowds. But that caldera is special...

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thanks! Oh to have gone before mass tourism kicked in!

[@georgeklimes7604]

@@agirlandherpassport There were good numbers of tourists then, but it got WAY out of hand. The gaudy/tacky stuff made it even worse. You would have loved Oia back in 1996 even more than on your current trip. Far more authentic. Not like there aren't "authentic" Greeks there, of course. Then again, you might not have been able to go on your own given your apparent age! LOL

[@agirlandherpassport]

I’m sure it was still way less then. I was old enough but I doubt I even knew Greece existed. Lol. I was very focused on moving to New York.

[@georgeklimes7604]

@@agirlandherpassport Wow, I assumed you were under 18 in 1996, hence the comment! I wish I could say I was under 18 (or even 20 or 30) back then. LOL

[@agirlandherpassport]

Nope! I was over 18 but just. I’m much older than most people think.

[@orozcoaj69]

I went late September, it wasn’t too crowded. A bit windy but overall good weather. I was happy to have been since it is beautiful but I prefer other islands over Santorini 😊 I love your sunset picture 🤩 Wonderful tips as usual 🙌🏽👌🏽👏🏽

[@agirlandherpassport]

Perfect time! The wind keeps the heat down at least. You have to go once at least. Thanks!!

[@orozcoaj69]

@@agirlandherpassport I agree and knowing me, I might even go again and just do it a bit differently 😉

[@agirlandherpassport]

I loved it the second time. First time, I wasn’t a fan.

[@georgeklimes7604]

@@agirlandherpassport Why?

[@agirlandherpassport]

Went at early September and it was too crowded. I stayed in Oía which was a mistake.

[@walkaboutnewyork3413]

I am planning a two-week visit to Greece, with time at Crete, Santorini, and the mainland. We plan to fly to Athens, and immediately fly to Crete. We will rent a car at Heraklion airport (this location is closest to our B&B, Kamihis Farm). I am perplex how to return the car to the Heraklion airport, but then get to the ferry port to board the ferry to Santorini (plan to follow your advice to stop at Pyros; found the Art Hotel there). Please: what suggestions have you about returning the rental car at the Heraklion airport and getting to the Heraklion ferry dock?

[@agirlandherpassport]

You can take a taxi and I took a look at it looks like there is a bus from the airport to the port. You could also ask the car rental company if they have an office at the port you could return the car to. Some car rental companies on the islands have more than one office. They can also advise you on what is best.

[@KMan-ye2kp]

I have been binge watching your videos trying to plan a trip to Greece in May 2024 with 4 college aged young adults. I've watched all of your island videos. Originally I had planned to land in Athens and fly immediately to Santorini and I felt like in May this would be good to see it for a first time visit. But, if you had to pick, do you think Naxos (which I was planning to go to anyway after Santorini) and Paros or Naxos and Milos would be less crowded and still have beautiful views and sunsets and have enough hiking and beaches to keep everyone busy. I'm also concerned about the cost for 5 people staying in Santorini. I'm finding that picking the combination of islands is very hard to decide because I only want to go to 2 while still having time on the mainland and of course Athens at the end. I'm planning for 2 weeks to 17 days in Greece.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thank you! Any of your combinations will be good at that time of year. Santorini will be more crowded but not crazy unless it’s a cruise ship day. Milos might have limited ferry connections at that time of year so might be best to do Naxos and Milos if you definitely want Milos though. Naxos has tons to do so if it were me, I would do Santorini and Naxos.

[@KMan-ye2kp]

@@agirlandherpassport Thank you so much! Yes, Santorini and Naxos was my original plan so I'll stick with that. I'm loving your videos!

[@agirlandherpassport]

I think that will be great.

[@mariebrown9415]

Parking in Oia is problematic but there is a 2 tier paid lot in Oia . I worked a deal with them for $ 19/ day with in and out privileges with a gated swipe card. There is a smaller “ free” lot but you will get boxed in if you find a space and people triple park around sunset time and evenings. Not worth the hassle of a dent in a rental car. Budget in the paid lot . Well worth it. Sept 2023 6 nights Oia . Agree , you can see the Sunset at other less crowded locations including South locations near light house as well.

[@mariebrown9415]

😂Sept 2022 I meant to say. It was still crowded in Oia every evening especially on cruise ship days.

[@agirlandherpassport]

I didn’t know there was a paid lot in Oía. Do you know where? Thanks!

[@agirlandherpassport]

Cruise ships days are crazy crowded!

[@mariebrown9415]

@@agirlandherpassport I’m poor with road names up there but it is across the street from where the busses come into Oia, near the Hungry Donkey Restaurant. There is a parallel route into Oia along the beach route ( avoiding the cliff caldera side) The paid Parking lot is at that corner as you come up the hill . You can’t miss it on the left side of road. From parking there you cross the street and can walk into the many little paths into Oia on foot. The parking garage has nice wide marked spaces, safe, open 24 hrs/ day, person on duty , gated , and in my case they gave me a card I paid for for 6 days of unlimited / in/ out. Other people can park there also by hourly rate . They take credit cards and I think Euros . If that garage wasn’t there I would never keep a car up there because of the parking sit. There are other gravel lots up there but they are reserved only for the large Tourist busses and the signs say you can be fined or towed if you use them.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Thanks! I doubt there is a good street song anyway. This is super helpful.

[@johnsondoan294]

Ok quick question on the plumbing and toilet paper restrictions... and please forgive if this is too graphic, but when you wipe for #2, you just put that in a trash bin next to the toilet? doesnt that stink up the bathroom? any tips on that?

[@agirlandherpassport]

Yes that is what you do. No, it is closed and lined. And most places take it out daily especially in hotels and restaurants.

[@victorianovoselski4411]

Any thoughts on boat trips? I have a wedding in Crete and then was going to go to Santorini before going back to Athens. I keep seeing catamaran trips during the day and evening. Worth it?

[@agirlandherpassport]

I love them. Lots of people like to do them in Santorini to watch the sunset.

[@victorianovoselski4411]

Thank you! I'm excited to go.

[@shaulkirsch1263]

I still prefer ATHENS, however, have lots of fun 🙏😊

[@agirlandherpassport]

I know Athens is your first love!!

[@christicook2238]

Same! I loved Athens! Spent 9 days there.

[@spiromandes252]

2:35 Oh, the massacre! Haha, Tiffany, you inadvertently time-warped me to the summers of the mid-1990s. There was a hit song called "Sto Imerovigli" by a campy singer/songwriter named Christos Kyriazis who affectedly sounded like an old man but was still popular in the day (even among the young). Anyway, it was near Igoumenitsa, and we'd bounce from pub to pub till about 1 A.M. Sure - they'd play Bob Marley or Pink Floyd or Britney Spears - but they'd also play catchy Greek pop 60% of the time. One time, an attractive 40-year-old woman tried coyly to seduce me (I must have been 15/16, thus too dumb to realize it, lol). Another time, I mouthed off to some macho men at the entrance, so they chased me halfway down the street. Girls would eventually start to dance on tables, but the tacit instruction from my folks was to spy on my sister - to protect her virtue. =P I'm a little old-school, and I miss that Greece. Dammit, we didn't know what we had.

[@agirlandherpassport]

Yeah, I struggle with that one! Glad I could take you back to good memories despite my pronunciation.

[@Oohmyymiaa]

Santorini is in the Aegean Sea, not the Mediterranean....

[@agirlandherpassport]

It’s all the Mediterranean

[@georgeklimes7604]

​@@agirlandherpassport Yes, but the boundary of the Aegean arm of the sea puts Santorini there specifically. So you are both correct depending on the interpretation.

[@cyclops92]

​@@georgeklimes7604 it's all Greek to me

[@agirlandherpassport]

The Aegean is still in the Mediterranean.

[@Not-Impressed..1821]

You can go to Santorini if you like. But I can't see why. It's not authentic, it's like going to an outdoor mall. Super expensive, overcrowded, made for the influencers and Instagram models. It's too pretentious for my taste. I'm not far from Santorini but I've never been there, neither am I ever going for a visit unless they pay me in gold. Lots of it.

[@agirlandherpassport]

It is authentic if you go to the right places. Oía isn’t everything in Santorini.