How to Spend a Day in Santorini, Greece

The island of Santorini is one of those fairytale places people dream of. It’s a constant presence in Instagram’s drool worthy photos. It’s at the top of many travel bucket lists due to its scenery and picturesque landscape. We’ve visited twice during Mediterranean cruise port stops. Here’s how to spend a day in Santorini.

White washed buildings with blue domes set on a volcanic cliff overlooking a caldera makes this one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. Be prepared for crowds, especially in the summer, as this is a very popular cruise stop and Greek island hopping destination.

Sure, we would only be there for a day but I’ve always been a believer of seeing a place at least once than never seeing it at all. Sometimes, it’s surprising what you can cover in a span of a few hours.

How to Spend a Day in Santorini

This is what cruisers see as they dock near the island also known as Thira. A catastrophic volcanic eruption occurred in this area thousands of years ago. The eruption split apart a once big and single island and created the water-filled caldera and three islands around it including the present day Santorini.

People have told us that on a busy day, there could be as many as 5 or 6 cruise ships here, each carrying at least 2,500 passengers. Walking around Santorini with that many people on a hot summer day can definitely alter one’s experience on the island.

During our first visit in 2016, we got really lucky and we were the only big cruise ship in port that day.  Our last visit in June 2023 wasn’t as lucky. There were were four big cruise ships in port.

It made for two very different experiences with the crowds and navigating around the streets. Fortunately, we were one of the first passengers to get off the ship and were on the island by 10 AM.

Smaller boats or tenders from the cruise ships bring all passengers to the island. The tenders brought us to Santorini’s old port below the cliffs.

Getting Up to Santorini Island

Once you’re on the island, there are three ways to get to the top. You can ride the many donkeys and mules for about 10 euros, walk up 600 steps to the 800 ft steep cliff and winding hill or ride the cable car. We opted for the cable car both times.

There is also another option which cost a bit more but gets you to Oia (the village with the blue domes) faster. We’ve seen people advertising the water taxi option both times. They have an office right by the cable cars.

These water taxis/speedboats allow passengers to skip the cable car. The boat trip is about 20 minutes and will take you directly from the tender port to Ammoudi bay  below Oia.

From there, they have a private bus that will take you to Oia and back to Fira for the cable car down (not included in price). You can book in advance or buy when you get to the port for about 30 euros.

The funicular or cable car transports about 1,200 passengers per hour. The island’s communities own it so proceeds stay within Santorini. The line wasn’t very long to get tickets and to get into the cable cars both times since we were there quite early.

It was a quick three minute ride to the top with sweeping views of the caldera and the white-washed buildings. The cable cars start and stop in Santorini’s capital of Fira. This is the island’s commercial area and where many of the tourists congregate.

Spending a Day in Santorini on a Tour

Many cruise passengers have the option to book a tour with the ship or find tour companies themselves before sailing or when they get to their destination. Since we were also traveling with my brother’s family and there were nine of us, we went with a private tour during our first visit.

We pre-booked with Private Santorini Tours. It was a 5-hour tour designed for first time visitors and those with limited time.

They were very flexible and we were able to modify the tour based on our interests and time. Our guide met us promptly by the cable car station in Fira and led us to an air-conditioned 12-passenger van with our driver.

We walked a little bit through Fira and wish we could have stayed longer to explore more of its alleys and sample its many cafes. Like many cruise ports, souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, and tour agencies filled the area.

Exploring the Village of Oia

Santorini has 14 communities. But, the most well known and photographed is Oia (pronounced “E-ah”). Located in the northern side, it is also known as ‘Apano Meria’ or ‘Anomeria’. This was our first stop and where we spent the most time. You’ll see why.

Chances are you’ve seen pictures of the island’s famous whitewashed buildings and blue domes sitting on the volcanic cliff. There are glimpses of some red, pink and orange hues in the hillside too.

It really was as postcard perfect as we expected and even more beautiful than we imagined. There’s a reason Oia and Santorini are on many people’s travel wish list.

Views of Oia

Like many, these views have made me want to visit Oia for the longest time. It has been at the top of my teen daughter’s travel wish list since she saw photos of it.

Pictures don’t really do this village and island any justice. It’s hard to stop taking pictures here.

A 1956 earthquake damaged the village. The renovations and restorations are quite impressive. Some parts of the area, severely damaged, would have gone unnoticed.Here’s that iconic shot I hope will inspire you to put Oia and Santorini on your bucket list.

Getting Lost in Oia

To explore Oia, the best way is to get lost in its winding cobblestoned paths. We found quite a few churches; cave houses, charming shops, quirky hotels and cafes and friendly locals along the way. One of the perks about having a guide was she knew where all the best spots for photos.

We saw the Ammoudi port from one of the viewpoints on the island. Ships were loaded here centuries ago, and sea trading played a major part in the island’s history. Now, restaurants and taverns flanked the small harbor.

Look at the color of that water! The sight of it was so refreshing that we were tempted to walk down the 230+ steps for a dip.

During the Middle Ages, Santorini was a major target for invasions. The locals built five castle-like fortresses or Kastelia with watchtowers at strategic locations around the island for defensive purposes. There’s not much of these kastelias left today.

We were able to visit the remnants of the Kasteli of Saint Nickolas. We could certainly see why this location was chosen. This area is now a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors during sunset hour.

Santorini boasts some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets. It’s another reason for us to return and stay for an extended time.

Looking away from the water, this was the view of more white-washed buildings that greeted us on the other side. No blue domes or churches in sight but a couple of historic windmills and some exquisite looking hotels with refreshing pools.

The Churches of Oia

The ubiquitous blue domes dot Oia’s hillside. These white buildings and blue domes are mostly churches.

Oia and a couple of its small neighboring communities have about 70 churches. Keep in mind that Santorini is only about 15 miles in length and 3 miles at its widest.

Due to its maritime past, many of the relatives of the sailors and captains built these churches for saints to ensure their loved ones returned home safely. Some of these sailors and captains also built churches to honor saints as a form of gratitude for surviving their time at sea and for coming home.

Most of the churches are privately owned and have been handed down for generations. Some churches housed treasures like valuable art pieces and family treasures. Some churches have become sacred grounds since family members were buried there.

Churches celebrate their patron saint’s birthdays with feasts and ceremonies. Our guide told us there are village parties after these feasts and tourists/foreigners are always welcome to join.

Located in the village center, the Church of Panagia Platsani is probably one of the most photographed due to its location. There was also a big courtyard in front of it for people to gather.

After the 1956 earthquake, they rebuilt and moved the white-washed building with the arc windows here. We were in here early in the morning and got lucky that there was hardly anyone in front of this church.

Getting Around Oia

Our guide took us through small alleys, souvenir stores and finally to an olive oil shop where we sampled some delicious ones.

This is one of the best places to get lost. Some of the houses were so charming. At times, we caught glimpses of small hotel pools overlooking the water.

It was quite impressive to see these marble sidewalks too. From what I remember, these may have been remnants to when the Venetians ruled the island.

It was very surprising to find out that one of Santorini’s most visited attractions was a bookstore. Two young American guys (with support from some friends) started Atlantis Books when they couldn’t find any English books they liked on the island while on vacation here.

Modeled after the Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris, it is located in the basement one of the white house overlooking the water. It has a varied selection surrounded by a very homey atmosphere.

I probably could have spent some time here too if we were staying in Oia fo awhile. It’s hard to beat these views while enjoying a good book.

Lunch by the sea

Our guide asked us if we wanted to have lunch in Fira or to one of her favorite places on the island and right by the water. We all jumped at the chance to be away from the crowds and sample a local favorite.

It took us a bit more time to get there. But, we also had the chance to see more of the island including some of the small vineyards.

Asterias Taverna was a small restaurant located by the red beach and the water’s edge in the southwest portion of the island. There was a small jetty to eat on the water with thatched covered tables.

They had fast, great service and delicious, fresh seafood. The view was beautiful with an unbeatable setting.

If you’re here on a longer visit, you can explore the nearby archaeological site of Akrotiri. This once pre-historic city was a prosperous civilization until a volcanic eruption destroyed it around 1613 BC.

Volcanic ash and pumice covered and protected the buildings. The various excavations revealed this settlement’s and its citizens’ way of life and visitors can walk through the exhibits.

Doing your on tour (DIY) in Santorini

Since we already did a guided tour in Santorini during our first visit, we decided to do our DIY version on this recent visit. We were actually glad this was our second time here and did this without a guide. We didn’t need to rush through the sites and Instagram photo spots. 

What a difference six years make between our visits! It was very surprising to see so many more people on the streets compared to last time. There were also so many more women (of various ages) in their flowing dresses vying for the Instagram spots with photography teams in tow. It was crazy!

We took the local bus after riding on the cable car to get to Fira. Get to the Fira bus station/terminal (easy to find with Google maps) because all Santorini bus routes begin and end there. The buses, which looked like large chartered tour buses, were air-conditioned.

It cost €1.80 from Fira to Oia one-way. The bus drivers or ticket agents only accepted cash. The bus ride took about 40 minutes. It was a pleasant ride as we passed through many white-washed buildings and the island’s smaller villages. The Oia bus station is very convenient to walk to the village and a short walk from the Church of Panagia Platsani.

Getting Lost in Oia

Once we arrived in Oia, it was easy to get lost and discover many charming alleys and streets. The main thoroughfares could become very crowded.If you’re looking for those famous photo spots, it was easy to follow the crowds to the edge of the caldera. There will be lines at the most popular photo spots.

We really enjoyed walking and exploring Oia at our own pace, without being rushed by a tour guide. It was much easier to take our time with doing photo shoots, shopping and eating.

Where to Eat in Oia

With the DIY option, it’s easy to spend some time at a bar or restaurant overlooking the water. Though, these were some of the most expensive cocktails we’ve ever seen. But, you pay for the view and ambience. We bypassed this and opted for one of the local restaurants.

We recommend Piatsa Souvlaki Grill House in Oia for lunch. It was located near the bus station, tucked in a courtyard and away from all the crowds. Prices were very reasonable, friendly staff and delicious food. Be sure to order a souvlaki (it is what they’re known for).

Explore Fira

Most of the cruise ship tours usually bypass Fira or leave little time to explore Santorini’s capital. This is the island’s commercial and cultural center. It has a lot of restaurants, cafes, bars and stores to sample traditional Greek cuisine and go shopping.

If you only have a few hours to spend in Fira, go on a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets lined with white-washed buildings. I almost wished we had a bit more time to spend in Fira during both visits. I can only imagine the vibrant nightlife scene here.

We enjoyed the stunning views of the volcano, caldera and the Aegean Sea by going along the walkway on the cliff. Use the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Church of Ypapantis, as a landmark. The walkway is in front of the church. The views here were beautiful and rival those found in Oia.

There were many cafes and restaurants to visit and enjoy the views. Fira is a wonderful place to walk around. We found the alleys and streets to be wider than Oia and more manageable with the crowds.

Don’t miss the many photo spots around the area including the “I (love/heart) Santorini” sign. Look for a small square by a shop called Pink Woman and the Ouzeri restaurant. We found many beautiful images just by walking around.

Donkeys and mules in Santorini

What goes up must come down. The easiest and fastest way to go back to where the cruise ships tender is via cable car. With the amount of visitors trying to get down, lines to the cable car can get extremely long during the busy summer season averaging at least an hour under the hot sun.

Our two other options were riding the donkey or walking. We saw plenty of these donkeys and mules after we tendered. Before the cable car was built, people used these donkeys for years to go up and down the cliffs. There are about 350 donkeys and mules on the island used as “ass taxis”.

Our cruise ship discouraged passengers from riding the donkeys and mules. This reinforced our family’s decision not to ride these donkeys.

Witnesses and animal welfare groups have provided several accounts of these animals working in poor conditions and being mistreated by their owners. We saw a couple of their owners hit them with sticks to move them along.

Walking down the Donkey Trail in Santorini

It was unbelievably hot and humid during both of our visits. I can’t imagine these animals climbing up the cliff in those conditions with a full load. We didn’t see any water stations along the way. We decided to walk downhill both times instead which wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

The winding pathway was made up of cobblestones and marble. Some areas weren’t in the greatest condition and the 600+ steps were steep, narrow and sometimes slippery. Since this was the donkeys’ road too, there were plenty of poop on the ground.

It was a challenge trying to avoid them. With the added heat and humidity, the smell was very strong everywhere. We knew what to expect walking this trail and the second time wasn’t any easier.

Donkey Traffic

We also had to make way for donkey traffic as they made their way up and down here. It meant almost hugging the walls in some areas.

The traffic jam started as we neared the port. The pathway was filled with so many donkeys and mules, leaving not much space for us to pass.

We had to nudge and at times, move the donkeys so we could pass. There were no owners in sight to move them to make way for pedestrians.

This blonde girl in the photo below was our saving grace (during our first visit) in some areas as she pushed some of the donkeys out of the way for the rest of us. It was quite a memorable way to end our day in Santorini – both times.

Santorini Dreams

Even if it was just for a day during our first visit, visiting Santorini was a dream come true. We were happy and feel very lucky to visit twice. While the government has tried to limit the number of ships and people who can visit in a day, it seems to not have made a difference with the crowds.

I highly recommend visiting Santorini and especially Oia at least once and even if it is via a cruise. It is an amazing place filled with beautiful scenery, architecture, history and culture.

We hope to return one of these days and definitely for more than a day and not during summer. If you can, try to return for an extended visit and during the shoulder seasons of April/May or late September/October.

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Tips for Spending A Day in Santorini

• The cable car accepts cash and credit cards for the tickets. As of July 2023, adults were 6 Euros and children are 3 Euros.
• There is a small wine industry in Santorini. Its rich volcanic soil has allowed it to produce some great wine varieties. A popular stop for tours is Santo Wines. We found a wine shop in Oia that carried some local wines plus olive oil. They were delicious. Don’t hesitate to stop by these wine shops. You can also do some Santorini wine tours.
• There is also an option to hike from Fira to Oia for 7.45 miles (12 km) if you have more time.
• If you’re into color coordination and want your family photos to pop, wear shades of blue. Please don’t wear white or cream since you will blend in with the buildings on photos.
• Get a tour guide. Pre-book one of these Santorini private tours before you get here to make the most of your limited time on the island. We really enjoyed our tour and we thought was the best way to see Santorini. We highly recommend Private Santorini Tours.
• Do the ship tour. If you’re here on a cruise stop and nervous about missing the ship, book one of their cruise excursion tours. It’s pricier but they guarantee that you will not be left behind.
• Leave plenty of time to get back to the ship if you plan to ride the cable car back down. Lines are generally over hour long and involve standing under the hot sun. Be prepared to walk down.
• Wear comfortable, closed toe walking shoes especially if you plan to walk up and down the pathway from/to Fira. Watch where you walk carefully.

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*Here are some tours in Santorini whether you’re staying for a day or longer.

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