About Santorini
Santorini, officially Thira or Thera, is a Greek island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from the mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago formed by the Santorini caldera. It is the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 mi2) and a 2021 census population of 15,480. The municipality of Santorini includes the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia, and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, Anydros, and Christiana. The total land area is 90 km2 (35 mi2). Santorini is part of the Thira regional unit.
Cheap flights to Santorini
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,078 from Los Angeles, travelling 10 May – 19 May. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- NYC New York to Santorini4 May – 15 May · JTR from$1,105
- LAX Los Angeles to Santorini10 May – 19 May · JTR from$1,078
- HOU Houston to Santorini17 Nov – 24 Nov · JTR from$1,090
- WAS Washington to Santorini10 Aug – 16 Aug · JTR from$1,550
- MIA Miami to Santorini13 Aug – 24 Aug · JTR from$1,107
- CHI Chicago to Santorini3 Dec – 10 Dec · JTR from$1,154
- BOS Boston to Santorini11 Nov – 18 Nov · JTR from$1,223
- ATL Atlanta to Santorini3 Dec – 10 Dec · JTR from$1,302
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Brussels Airlines, Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Finnair.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to SantoriniPlaces to visit in Santorini
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Oia
Neighborhood · 5 mi from centreA clifftop village of whitewashed houses and blue domes at the northern tip of Santorini. Sunset crowds are enormous, so claim a spot early or watch from quieter points along the caldera path.
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Fira
NeighborhoodThe island's capital, perched on the caldera rim with shops, restaurants and views over the volcano. Take the cable car down to the old port, since the donkey path is steep and crowded.
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Akrotiri
Historic · 5 mi from centreA Bronze Age town buried by a massive volcanic eruption and now protected beneath a modern roof. Hire a guide or rent an audio guide, since the ruins make much more sense with context.
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Red Beach
Beach · 5 mi from centreA small beach backed by dramatic red volcanic cliffs near Akrotiri. Rockfalls are a real hazard here, so obey any closure signs and consider viewing it from the cliff path instead.
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Nea Kameni
Nature · 2 mi from centreA young volcanic island in the center of the caldera, with a trail across black lava to steaming craters. Boat tours stop here; bring water and sturdy shoes for the hot, rocky climb.
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Ancient Thera
Historic · 4 mi from centreThe ruins of an ancient city on a high ridge of Mesa Vouno, with views over both coasts. The road up is narrow and winding, and the final walk is exposed, so go early and bring a hat.
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Perissa
Beach · 5 mi from centreA long black-sand beach on the southeast coast lined with tavernas and sunbeds. The dark sand gets very hot by midday, so bring sandals and plan swims for the morning or late afternoon.
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Museum of Prehistoric Thera
MuseumA museum in Fira displaying finds from Akrotiri, including colorful wall paintings and pottery. Visit before or after the archaeological site to better understand what life was like there.
Things to do in Santorini by type
62 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 29 experiences Akrotiri Prehistoric Town and Traditional Villages (Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio) - Private Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 16 experiences Caldera Blue catamaran Sailing Tour with meal: Black Mountain and Hot Springs - Small Group -
Gastronomy & nightlife 14 experiences Akrotiri Visit with Lunch and Wine Tasting - Full-Day Tour -
Transport & Rentals 5 experiences Ferry Ticket & Transfer from Santorini Hotel to Herakleion Port (Crete) -
Travel Services 4 experiences Chauffer Service: Driver + Car – 3-hour Private service -
City tours 3 experiences Sunset in Oia Tour -
Classes 2 experiences Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Santorini - Half-Day Tour -
Art & culture 2 experiences Akrotiri Visit with Lunch and Wine Tasting - Full-Day Tour
- 3-6 hours 16
- 1-3 hours 9
- Over 6 hours 8
- Flexible 2
- Families 5
- Senior 4
- Couples 4
- Families with kids 3
- Youth 2
- Adult only 1
- Private 30
- Shore excursions 9
- Small group 7
Top experiences in Santorini
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 62 available.
Traditional Santorini: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias, Oia - Full-Day Bus Tour
From $52 per adult
Santorini Classic Highlights Tour (Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos, Emporio, Sunset in Oia) with Wine tasting
From $67 per adult
Caldera Panorama Sailing Tour - Small Group Tour
From $147 per adult
Prophet Elias Mountain, Akrotiri Excavations, Red Beach, Pyrgos and Oia - Private Tour
From $227 per adult
Oia Sunset and Villages: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias - Full-Day Tour
From $58 per adult
Best of Santorini: Oia, Megalochori, Red and Perivolos Beaches, Prophet Elias - Private Tour
From $245 per adult
Ferry from Santorini to Piraeus Port - One-way Ticket
From $71 per adult
Akrotiri Prehistoric Town and Traditional Villages (Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio) - Private Tour
From $339 per adult
Discover Three Bells, Megalochori Village, Perivolos Black Beach and Oia – Half-Day Private Tour
From $187 per adult
Akrotiri Visit with Lunch and Wine Tasting - Full-Day Tour
From $372 per adult
Santorini Panorama - Private Tour
From $205 per adult
The Sip of Santorini Wine - Private Tour
From $373 per adult
Where to stay in Santorini
Popular hotels in Santorini, out of 1,119 properties you can book.
Athina Luxury Suites
From $225 per night
Senses Luxury Villa
From $113 per night
Suites of the Gods Cave Spa
From $89 per night
El Greco Resort & Spa
PANTHEON HOTEL
Andronis Boutique
Santo Miramare Resort
Belvedere Suites
West East Suites
AEGEAN PLAZA
splendour hotel and suites
La Perla Villas and Suites
Best time to visit Santorini
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santorini is April to May and September to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–81°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Santorini weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 72° 60° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 60° 3%
- Fri 23 Oct 71° 62° 8%
- Sat 24 Oct 69° 61° 7%
- Sun 25 Oct 65° 62° 13%
- Mon 26 Oct 66° 64° 31%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Greek
- Calling code
- +30
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/AthensUTC+3
- Capital
- Athens
Upcoming public holidays in Greece
- Ochi DayΤο Όχι
- Christmas DayΧριστούγεννα
- St. Stephen's DayΣύναξις Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας
- New Year's DayΠρωτοχρονιά
- EpiphanyΘεοφάνεια
- Clean MondayΚαθαρά Δευτέρα
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Santorini
These are the airports closest to central Santorini. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- JTR Santorini (Thira) National Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
- PAS Paros National Airport44 mi (72 km) from the city centre
- JNX Naxos National Airport "Apollon"46 mi (74 km) from the city centre
Getting around Santorini
KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing €2.00-2.80 one way (2025), depending on the route. This is probably the only cheap thing you'll find on the island considering the buses are comfy and air conditioned! Tickets can be purchased on the bus, with cash only — so bring some coins. The fare collector can (usually) make change.
By boat
Boats run between major coastal towns in the archipelago, notably between Fira, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and the old port of Thirassia. Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices in most of the ports. The ticket will list the port of departure, port of arrival, and the number of the vessel instead of its name. The vessel number is always printed on the lifeboats, when in doubt. A single journey between Fira and Thirassia starts at €10 (Apr 2022).
By car
Most of the people in Santorini are tourists, so road conditions are unsafe, with many people driving by the laws and conventions of nearly every country in the world. It takes about an hour to drive the island from end to end (from Exomytis to Oia).
By bicycle
The island is small enough to thoroughly explore by bicycle. Bicycle rentals are fairly hard to find — most places advertising "bike" rentals refer instead to motorbikes — but are available from Fira and Exomytis.
Santorini travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santorini is April to May and September to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–81°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Santorini?
July is usually the warmest month in Santorini, with average highs of 87°F (31°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 53°F (12°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 70 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Santorini?
Santorini (Thira) National Airport (JTR) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (5 km) from the centre of Santorini. Other nearby airports include Paros National Airport (PAS, 44 mi) and Naxos National Airport "Apollon" (JNX, 46 mi).
How much are flights to Santorini?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Santorini in the last 30 days was $1,078 from Los Angeles, travelling 10 May – 19 May. May is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,078.
What currency is used in Santorini?
Santorini uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Santorini in?
Santorini uses the Europe/Athens time zone (currently UTC+3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Santorini?
KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing €2.00-2.80 one way (2025), depending on the route.
What are the best places to visit in Santorini?
Top sights in Santorini include Oia, Fira, Akrotiri and Red Beach. A clifftop village of whitewashed houses and blue domes at the northern tip of Santorini. Sunset crowds are enormous, so claim a spot early or watch from quieter points along the caldera path.
What are the top things to do in Santorini?
Popular experiences you can book in Santorini include Traditional Santorini: Akrotiri, Emporio, Perissa Beach, Profitis Ilias, Oia - Full-Day Bus Tour, Santorini Classic Highlights Tour (Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos, Emporio, Sunset in Oia) with Wine tasting and Caldera Panorama Sailing Tour - Small Group Tour. Destina Holidays offers 62 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Santorini?
The most popular types of experiences in Santorini are day trips & excursions (29), cruise & water tours (16), gastronomy & nightlife (14) and transport & rentals (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Santorini?
Popular areas for hotels in Santorini include Fira, Pyrgos and Megalochori. Well-reviewed options include Athina Luxury Suites and Senses Luxury Villa.
How many hotels can I book in Santorini?
Destina Holidays currently lists 1,119 properties in and around Santorini, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
