Santorini for how many days? One to Three days

Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is world-famous for its unique natural beauty. The caldera with the white villages on top, the sunken volcano, and the charming sunset make it a popular place for vacation.

In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days in order to visit as many places as possible. You can see our bucket list with the top things to do & see.

Santorini is a versatile island; besides Oia, the volcano, and the breathtaking views, there are many things to explore. You can also do it in 24 hours since many day trips are suggested from other nearby islands. It all depends on your priorities. Discover also what is the best time to visit the island.

Below, you can have a look at our excursion suggestions for 1, 2, or 3 days on the island of Santorini, Greece.

First day: Oia & the Sunset

The first thing to do in Santorini is to visit the island’s most picturesque villages in the northern part of the caldera. More specifically, Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira should definitely be a part of your schedule.
Imerovigli is known as the island’s most famous viewpoint. It is the best place to catch a great view of the Aegean Sea, the caldera, and the volcano. Fira, the capital town of Santorini, is the most vivid place on the island and also offers some of the most breathtaking sea views since the settlement has been constructed on a cliffside.
Last but not least, remember to save Oia for the end of the day, as this is the best place to watch the world’s most romantic and most photographed sunset. Walking around these villages, you will spot some great shops as well as restaurants, including Atlantis Book Store in Oia and Selene Restaurant in Fira.
View on map: The First day in Santorini

Second Day: Fira & the Volcano

On the second day, visiting the famous volcano is a must. Tour boats depart from the small port of Fira and go to the Volcano several times per day. Most tours are guided and the volcano’s hiking path is not considered challenging.
It is also recommended to visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which exhibits findings from the Akrotiri Minoan site and other excavation sites on the island. It is a small museum, so the visit must not take more than an hour, and most of the time, the museum is only open during morning hours.
Alternatively, you may explore some of the island’s most enchanting traditional villages, such as Emporio, Pyrgos, or Megalochori.
Organized tours and winery visits are also quite popular activities.
View on map: The Second day in Santorini

Third Day: Red Beach and other beaches

The best thing to do on your third day in Santorini is to take it easy and relax!
Rent a car in Santorini to explore the beaches of Santorini and find your favorite seashore! The most famous beach is the Red beach, but some bathers may find it too rocky.
Other noted beaches include Perissa, Kamari, and Perivolos; all are organized, with clear water and small pebbles on the shore.
Small taverns lie beachside, so you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood after swimming.
During July and August, those beaches are usually very crowded, but because of their large size, you will always find room to lie down.
Their pebbles and sand have a distinctive black or red color due to the island’s volcanic origins.
While visiting the beaches of Santorini, you will have the opportunity to try out some adventurous watersports! Jet ski tours, scuba diving, and paddling are indicative options.
View on map: The Third day in Santorini

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