Solo travel · Santorini · Greece
Solo travel in Santorini
How to enjoy Santorini at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Olaf Tausch, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Santorini is pricey for solo travellers because accommodation is priced per room, but Perissa and Fira have hostels and simple studios, and boat trips and hikes are easy to join alone. Many solo travellers base themselves in Perissa and Perivolos.
Key facts
- Base
- Perissa and Perivolos
- Getting around
- Bus
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Language
- Greek
Solo travel tips
- Stay in Perissa or Fira for hostels and the best bus connections.
- Join a volcano or caldera boat trip to meet other travellers.
- Walk the Fira–Oia path early; it is popular, so you will rarely be alone on it.
- Eat at counters and gyros shops to keep costs down between restaurant meals.
- Avoid renting a quad bike if you have never ridden one; the island's roads are unforgiving.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for beach, budget, solo travellers and nightlife
Perissa and Perivolos
Perissa and Perivolos share a continuous stretch of black sand several kilometres long, lined with sunbeds, beach bars and tavernas. It has the island's best-value accommodation, including hostels and simple studios, and a path climbs from Perissa to Ancient Thera.
- Good
- Lowest prices on the island; Beach life all day; Lively beach bars
- Watch out
- About 30 minutes by bus from Fira; The sand gets very hot in summer
- Nearby
- Ancient Thera, Vlychada Beach, Emporio
Great on your own
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Viewpoint · Oia
Oia village and sunset
Arrive an hour before sunset for a spot by the castle, or watch from a windmill viewpoint further along the cliff; leaving afterwards takes time, so plan your bus or taxi.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Free
Historic site · Akrotiri
Akrotiri archaeological site
Hire a guide at the entrance or read up first; the site makes much more sense with context. Combine it with Red Beach and the lighthouse.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Nature · Imerovigli
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.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
- Photo spot
Museum · Fira
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Visit during the hottest part of the day, then walk the caldera promenade in the evening.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
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
Viewpoint · Imerovigli
Skaros Rock
Go in the morning; the path is exposed and steep in places, so wear shoes with grip.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- History
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Meeting people
- Sunset winery tasting — Taste Assyrtiko, Nykteri and Vinsanto at a winery terrace above the caldera as the sun sets, with a plate of local cheese and fava.
- Fish dinner in Amoudi Bay — Walk down the steps from Oia for grilled fish and octopus at a table almost touching the water.
- 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.
Sensible precautions
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)
- Staying connected
- Mobile coverage is good across the island; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and most hotels and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Santorini good for solo travellers?
Santorini is pricey for solo travellers because accommodation is priced per room, but Perissa and Fira have hostels and simple studios, and boat trips and hikes are easy to join alone.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Santorini?
Perissa and Perivolos: Long black-sand beach on the south coast, with beach bars and budget stays.