Nightlife · Santorini · Greece
Santorini nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Santorini, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hartmut Inerle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Fira is the centre of Santorini's nightlife, with cocktail bars on the caldera edge and clubs in the lanes behind. Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari have beach bars, while Oia is quieter after sunset. The main areas are Fira, Perissa and Perivolos and Kamari.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Fira
- Local drink
- Assyrtiko
Where to go out
Fira
Caldera-view cocktail bars for sunset and clubs around Erythrou Stavrou street that stay open until the early hours in summer.
Perissa and Perivolos
Beach bars with music and sunbeds by day and parties on summer nights.
Kamari
Relaxed bars along the seafront promenade and the open-air cinema.
Nightlife tips
- Buses stop running in the late evening; pre-book a taxi or transfer for the ride home.
- Never ride a quad bike or scooter after drinking; the roads are dark, narrow and winding.
- Caldera bars fill up before sunset, so arrive early or reserve a table.
Evening sights
Street · Fira
Fira caldera promenade
Walk it at dusk and continue to Firostefani for a quieter sunset view and dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Photo spot
What to drink
- Assyrtiko — Santorini's signature white wine: dry, mineral and high in acidity, made from vines that grow in baskets on the volcanic soil.
- Vinsanto — A sweet, amber dessert wine made from grapes dried in the sun before pressing, then aged in barrels for years.
- Freddo espresso — The Greek summer staple: espresso shaken with ice until frothy and served over ice, with or without sugar or milk foam (freddo cappuccino).
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 22°C (72°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:26 | 9°C (48°F) | 10 |
| April | About 19:52 | 12°C (54°F) | 4 |
| July | About 20:36 | 22°C (72°F) | 0 |
| October | About 18:42 | 17°C (63°F) | 4 |
Getting home late
- Bus — Pay the conductor in cash on board and check the last bus time back, especially after sunset in Oia.
- Taxi — Taxis are few for the number of visitors, so queues at Fira's rank and the port can be long; pre-booked private transfers are widely used.
- Walking — The caldera path links Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia on foot; distances inside each village are short but involve many steps.
Late-night bites
- Tomato fritters — Tavernas across the island, often alongside fava as part of a meze spread.
- Gyros pita — Grill counters around the bus station in Fira and in Kamari and Perissa.
Staying safe at night
The main risks are cliff-edge paths and steep steps, strong sun and heat, and accidents on quad bikes and scooters on narrow roads. Santorini lies in an active seismic zone, so follow official guidance if tremors occur and respect closures such as those at Red Beach.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and budget
Fira
Fira is the most practical base: buses to every part of the island leave from its central station, and the caldera promenade, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the cable car down to the Old Port are all here. It has the widest range of hotels, from simple rooms set back from the cliff to caldera-view suites, and the island's busiest bar scene.
- Good
- Best bus connections; Wide choice of restaurants and rooms; Caldera views at lower prices than Oia
- Watch out
- Crowded with cruise passengers by day; Noisy at night near the bars
- Nearby
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira Old Port, Firostefani
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Santorini?
Fira, Perissa and Perivolos and Kamari. Caldera-view cocktail bars for sunset and clubs around Erythrou Stavrou street that stay open until the early hours in summer.
+Which area of Santorini is best for nightlife?
Fira: The island's capital on the caldera edge, with the bus hub, museums and most nightlife.