☀️ Let’s be real. You didn’t google “Santorini Travel Guide 2025” just for another list of „Top 10 Things to Do.”
You want the real stuff. The kind that tells you which sunset spots are already ruined by TikTok, whether you need to rent a car (spoiler: depends on your stress tolerance), and how to pack without ending up barefoot on lava rocks.
So here it is: your no-fluff, no-nonsense, just-book-it-already Santorini guide — made for 2025 travelers who want more than just pretty pictures.
In this guide:
- Where to stay (and what view you’re actually paying for)
- What to do when the cruise ships show up
- How to move, eat, chill, and not overpay
- What to pack so you don’t spend your vacation shopping for sandals
- And how to book everything like a local with Wi-Fi
🏨 Where to Stay – And Why It Matters
Choosing a place in Santorini isn’t just about the hotel. It’s about which version of Santorini you want to wake up to.
- If you want the „Wow, is this even real?” experience, with white rooftops and pink skies, go for Oia. It’s stunning. Also full of influencers and overpriced cocktails.
→ Browse Oia hotels with volcano views (and book early, like… yesterday) - If you like to walk everywhere and want nightlife, bus stops, and gyro stands at your door → Fira is your vibe.
→ Compare Fira hotels by budget and location - Want something calmer, more romantic, less selfie-sticky?
→ You’ll love Imerovigli. It’s like Oia’s chiller cousin.
→ See top-rated stays in Imerovigli here - Need sandals-in-the-sand, affordable food, and water within arm’s reach?
→ Kamari and Perissa are your best bets for beach towns.
→ Find budget hotels near Santorini beaches
🎯 Tip: If you’re visiting during high season (June–August), book your accommodation 2–3 months ahead. Especially if “room with a view” is on your checklist.
🧭 What to Actually Do in Santorini (Besides Watching the Sunset)
Let’s be honest. Everyone’s going to watch the sunset in Oia. So you will too.
But there’s more to Santorini than elbowing strangers for a glimpse of the sun.
Spend a slow morning in Pyrgos, one of those places nobody talks about but everyone falls in love with.
Wander through alleys with sleepy cats and flower pots, then climb up to the castle ruins for a panoramic wow-moment.
Then there’s Akrotiri, the ancient city buried in volcanic ash. No guidebook needed — just imagine life 3600 years ago, and you’re good.
If you’re up for a bit of sweat, the hike from Fira to Oia is still one of the best things you can do for free on this island. 10/10 would recommend. Just don’t do it in flip-flops.
For a lazy afternoon, go south to Perivolos Beach, grab a frozen cocktail, and forget what day it is.
And when you’re ready to do something unforgettable?
→ Book a sunset catamaran tour – dinner, wine, swimming and full drama
It’s cheesy and magical in all the right ways.
✅ That’s your Santorini Travel Guide 2025 moment right there.
🚗 How to Get Around (Without Going Crazy)
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a car every day, but you’ll probably want one at least once.
- The bus system works. Kinda. It’s cheap, but unpredictable and crowded in summer.
- ATVs/scooters are fun for the brave. Just double-check your insurance.
- Taxis? Rare and expensive.
- Best bet? Rent a car for a day or two.
→ Compare car rental prices here and book in advance.
Pro tip: Don’t try to park in Oia at sunset unless you enjoy crying in a rental Fiat.
📦 What to Pack (So You Don’t Regret Everything)
Here’s what you’ll actually use:
- Solid walking shoes or sandals with grip.
(Yes, even if you packed heels “just in case”) - Light jacket – the wind doesn’t care it’s summer.
- Swimsuit(s) + reef shoes for rocky beaches
- Portable charger + EU plug adapter
- A small bag that doesn’t scream “tourist daypack from Amazon”
→ Grab the printable packing checklist here – you’ll thank yourself later.
💶 Prices in 2025: The Honest Version
| What | Budget | Comfortable | Fancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/night | €80–120 | €150–250 | €400+ |
| Dinner for 2 | €25–40 | €50–70 | €100+ |
| Car/day | – | €40–70 | – |
| Catamaran tour | – | €60–130 | – |
Price tags vary by month. July = hot + crowded + expensive.
Shoulder seasons (May/June, September) are way nicer in every sense.
✈️ Getting There – Santorini Travel Guide 2025
- By air: direct flights from most major European cities
- By ferry: from Athens (Piraeus), 5–8 hours
- From the port or airport, take a shuttle or pre-booked transfer.
→ Airport transfer options
🎯 Final Words (Before You Book Something)
If this Santorini Travel Guide 2025 helped clear your head, that’s already a win.
But let’s go a step further:
- Compare the best hotels with views in Santorini
- Book your boat tour before it’s full
- Download the printable checklist
- And maybe… just bookmark this page. You’ll come back to it.
See you under the volcano. 🧿