3 days in Santorini

Day by day

1. Day 1: Oia village and sunset and Amoudi Bay

   Oia village and sunset, Amoudi Bay and Akrotiri archaeological site, then Fira caldera promenade in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Oia village and sunset

      Oia's whitewashed houses, blue domes and windmills face west over the caldera, and the ruins of its Byzantine castle are the classic place to watch the sun drop into the Aegean.

   2. Late morning

      Amoudi Bay

      Book a waterside table for an early dinner and walk back up before dark, or take a taxi.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Santorini fava

      Almost every taverna on the island serves it as a starter; it is especially good in traditional places in Pyrgos and Megalochori.

   4. Afternoon

      Akrotiri archaeological site

      A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption about 3,600 years ago, preserved with two- and three-storey houses, paved streets, storage jars and drainage systems.

   5. Evening

      Fira caldera promenade

      Walk it at dusk and continue to Firostefani for a quieter sunset view and dinner.

2. Day 2: Fira to Oia caldera hike and Skaros Rock

   Fira to Oia caldera hike, Skaros Rock and Museum of Prehistoric Thera, then Fira in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fira to Oia caldera hike

      Start early in the morning, wear proper shoes and carry plenty of water; there is no shade after Imerovigli. Return to Fira by bus.

   2. Late morning

      Skaros Rock

      A rocky headland jutting from Imerovigli into the caldera, where a Venetian castle and the island's medieval capital once stood.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tomato fritters

      Tavernas across the island, often alongside fava as part of a meze spread.

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Prehistoric Thera

      Visit during the hottest part of the day, then walk the caldera promenade in the evening.

   5. Evening

      Fira

      Caldera-view cocktail bars for sunset and clubs around Erythrou Stavrou street that stay open until the early hours in summer.

3. Day 3: Ancient Thera and Volcano and hot springs boat trip

   Ancient Thera, Volcano and hot springs boat trip and Pyrgos village, then Perissa and Perivolos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ancient Thera

      The ruins of a city founded in the first millennium BC on the ridge of Mesa Vouno, about 360 metres above Kamari and Perissa.

   2. Late morning

      Volcano and hot springs boat trip

      Wear old swimwear for the hot springs; the reddish water can stain fabric.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Greek salad with Santorini capers

      Every taverna; ask for caper leaves (kaparofylla) if they are not already included.

   4. Afternoon

      Pyrgos village

      Pyrgos's lanes spiral up to the ruins of a Venetian castle, passing chapels and arched houses.

   5. Evening

      Perissa and Perivolos

      Beach bars with music and sunbeds by day and parties on summer nights.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Fira keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Firostefani ($$$) suits couples and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 17–22 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.7 hours in December to 14.6 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Santorini
• 2 days in Santorini
• 4 days in Santorini
• 5 days in Santorini
• 7 days in Santorini

Questions travellers ask