Santorini, Greece Travel Community

Santorini tips for first timers

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nadellii

nadellii

Active member
www.lonelyplanet.com

Planning your first trip to Santorini

Dazzling Santorini is the instantly recognizable supermodel of the Greek islands. Here’s what you need to know for your first trip to Santorini.
www.lonelyplanet.com www.lonelyplanet.com

What are your tips?
 
Here are some other places that have great tips about traveling to Santorini for the first time:

About Santorini, Greece Archives

Read about the island of Santorini, Greece including things to do, where to stay and what are the best beaches on Santorini and much more.
www.greekboston.com www.greekboston.com

santorinidave.com

My 2026 Santorini Travel Guide

The SANTORINI DAVE guide to Santorini, Greece - Where to stay, what to do, and how to get there.
santorinidave.com santorinidave.com

www.tripadvisor.com

Santorini 2024: All You Need to Know Before You Go - Tripadvisor

Santorini Tourism: Tripadvisor has 769,947 reviews of Santorini Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Santorini resource.
www.tripadvisor.com www.tripadvisor.com
 
It can be difficult to know where to start when going to Santorini. For me, my first time was during a cruise so I only had a few hours. I regret not taking a taxi to Oia while I did. Fira, the port we used, was great, but Oia is just so charming - it became one of my favorite places on the island once I did make it there.
 
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Is May a Good Month for Santorini?

I’m considering a trip to Santorini and would love some firsthand insight on visiting in May.

I’m hoping for a balance between pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a more authentic feel of the island before peak summer tourism takes over. I’ve read that May can be warm but not too hot, with flowers still in bloom and restaurants starting to fully open for the season, but I’m curious how this plays out in reality. Does the island still feel calm, or is it already busy with cruise traffic? That's my main concern.

If you’ve visited Santorini in May, I’d love to hear what stood out, both the pros and any drawbacks you noticed.

Favorite shops to buy jewelry in Santorini?

I’m thinking about going back to Santorini next year — I’ve been a few times before and absolutely love the island. This time, though, I want to do something a little different and focus more on shopping, especially for jewelry. I’m looking for cute, unique pieces — either handmade, local designs or anything with a Greek flair that doesn’t feel too mass-produced.

Any favorite shops or designers you’ve come across in Fira, Oia, or even the smaller villages? I’d love to hear where you found your favorite pieces? I want unique things. Like, a friend brought me back a bracelet that was made from beads cut from the Santorini lava stone, but funny enough, she bumped into this piece on Crete. So I thought, I should go to Santorini to get cool stuff like this! Do you have any favorite places to buy jewelry?

Santorini at Christmas - worth the trip?

I’ve visited Santorini before, but always during the warmer months when the island is buzzing with energy. Lately I’ve been thinking about going off-peak, specifically around Christmas, and I’m curious if anyone here has done it.

Is Santorini in winter worth it? I know many hotels, restaurants, and shops close for the season, but I’ve heard mixed things — some say it’s peaceful and magical, others say it’s too quiet and the weather can be unpredictable. I’m not expecting beach days, but I do wonder what it actually feels like to walk around Oia and Fira in December. Are there still good food options? Do any wineries stay open? Is the sea too rough for boat trips?

How was the airport experience in Santorini?

I’ve been to Santorini a few times, but I’ve always arrived and departed by ferry, never by plane. For my next trip, I’m thinking about flying in or out, depending on how the itinerary shapes up, and I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve actually used the Santorini airport.

How was your experience? Is it as chaotic as some reviews make it sound, or does it just depend on the time of year? I’m curious about everything, check-in lines, baggage claim, the size of the terminal, transportation to and from hotels, even how early you’d recommend arriving before a flight.

I’d also love to know if there’s a big difference between domestic and international departures. Is it worth paying extra for a direct flight, or are the Athens connections smooth enough? Any first-hand details would really help me plan ahead for next year’s trip.

Is Akrotiri worth visiting?

I’m heading to Santorini soon, and I keep seeing mixed opinions about Akrotiri. Some travelers say it’s one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Greece, a “Minoan Pompeii” with incredibly well-preserved houses, fresco fragments, and that haunting feeling of a city frozen in time. Others say it’s too restored, too curated, or too quick of a visit to justify the entrance fee.

For those of you who’ve been: is Akrotiri actually worth visiting, or is it more for serious history lovers? Did the site feel immersive, or does the roofed structure make it harder to picture the ancient city? How much time did you spend there, and is it better with a guide?

I’m trying to decide whether to fit Akrotiri into a tight itinerary. I’d love to hear your impressions, was it memorable, educational, emotional, or just “fine”? Any tips for making the visit more meaningful?
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