7 days in Santorini

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Oia village and sunset

      Oia · 2–3 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Amoudi Bay

      Oia · 2 hours · free.

   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. Evening

      Fira caldera promenade

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

2. Day 2: Akrotiri archaeological site and Red Beach

   Akrotiri archaeological site and Red Beach, then Fira in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Akrotiri archaeological site

      Akrotiri · 1.5 hours · mid-priced.

   2. Late morning

      Red Beach

      Akrotiri · 30 minutes · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tomato fritters

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

   4. 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: Akrotiri lighthouse and Fira to Oia caldera hike

   Akrotiri lighthouse and Fira to Oia caldera hike, then Perissa and Perivolos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Akrotiri lighthouse

      Akrotiri · 1 hour · free.

   2. Late morning

      Fira to Oia caldera hike

      Imerovigli · 3–4 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Greek salad with Santorini capers

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

   4. Evening

      Perissa and Perivolos

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Ios

   About 40–60 minutes by high-speed ferry each way. Getting there: High-speed ferry from Athinios port.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Ios

      About 40–60 minutes by high-speed ferry (High-speed ferry from Athinios port); about 40 km.

   2. Day

      Ios

      It makes a contrast to Santorini's cliffs, with sandier beaches and a younger crowd in summer.

   3. Evening

      Back in Santorini

      Dinner: try Grilled octopus and fresh fish.

5. Day 5: Skaros Rock and Museum of Prehistoric Thera

   Skaros Rock and Museum of Prehistoric Thera, then Kamari in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Skaros Rock

      Imerovigli · 1–1.5 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Museum of Prehistoric Thera

      Fira · 1 hour · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled octopus and fresh fish

      Waterfront tavernas in Amoudi Bay, Vlychada and Kamari.

   4. Evening

      Kamari

      Relaxed bars along the seafront promenade and the open-air cinema.

6. Day 6: Day trip to Naxos

   About 1.5–2 hours by high-speed ferry each way. Getting there: High-speed ferry from Athinios port.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Naxos

      About 1.5–2 hours by high-speed ferry (High-speed ferry from Athinios port); about 75 km.

   2. Day

      Naxos

      Its Chora has a Venetian Kastro quarter, and sandy beaches such as Agios Georgios are walkable from town.

   3. Evening

      Back in Santorini

      Dinner: try Gyros pita.

7. Day 7: Fira Old Port and cable car and Ancient Thera

   Fira Old Port and cable car and Ancient Thera, then Caldera sunset cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fira Old Port and cable car

      Fira · 1 hour · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Ancient Thera

      Kamari · 1.5–2 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gyros pita

      Grill counters around the bus station in Fira and in Kamari and Perissa.

   4. Evening

      Caldera sunset cruise

      Sail around the caldera on a catamaran, swimming at Red Beach and the hot springs before watching the sunset from the water.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 7 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 16–19 hours of visiting over 7 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
• 3 days in Santorini
• 4 days in Santorini
• 5 days in Santorini

Questions travellers ask