Travel tips · Santorini · Greece
Santorini travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Santorini's culture blends Cycladic island life and Greek Orthodox faith with a long seafaring and wine-making history. Beyond the hotels, village life revolves around name-day church feasts, Easter and the grape harvest in late summer.
Key facts
- Language
- Greek
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is mostly desalinated and not recommended for drinking; buy bottled…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Many famous rooftops and blue domes in Oia belong to private homes and hotels; do not climb onto terraces for photographs.
- Cover shoulders and knees when entering churches and monasteries.
- Keep your voice down on cliff paths early in the morning and late at night, when guests in cave rooms are sleeping.
- Greet people with 'Kaliméra' (good morning) or 'Kalispéra' (good evening).
- Do not flush toilet paper; the island's plumbing is narrow, and bins are provided.
- Stay in Kamari, Perissa or Fira away from the cliff edge; caldera-view rooms cost several times more.
Tipping
Service is not usually added. Leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated, and rounding up taxi fares is normal.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kaliméra | Good morning |
| Kalispéra | Good evening |
| Efcharistó | Thank you |
| Parakaló | Please / you're welcome |
| To logariasmó, parakaló | The bill, please |
| Yamas! | Cheers! |
What to wear
Light summer clothes, a hat and sturdy sandals or trainers for cliff paths and steps; a shawl for churches and a light jacket for windy evenings.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is mostly desalinated and not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water or use refill stations where available.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good across the island; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and most hotels and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Europe/Athens
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Greece's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Santorini?
Service is not usually added. Leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated, and rounding up taxi fares is normal.
+Can you drink the tap water in Santorini?
Tap water is mostly desalinated and not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water or use refill stations where available.
+What plugs are used in Santorini?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Santorini?
Greek.