Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece is one of the Cyclades islands in the southern Aegean Sea about 120 miles southeast of Greece’s mainland. An enormous volcanic eruption destroyed a formally single island. The event created a giant caldera containing several smaller islands, including Santorini. The island offers massive steep cliffs, diverse volcanic rock beaches, and stunning white-washed architecture.

The beautiful stark white buildings combined with the spectacular sea views have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And it is stunningly beautiful, especially around sunset. But it is also quite a bit larger than you may expect and incredibly crowded.

Follow these do’s and don’ts to get the most out of your holiday in this Greek paradise!

How Long to Spend in Santorini

Even though the island of Santorini is fairly compact, you’ll find that there are lots to do there. The roads are also quite winding, so it will take you longer to drive around the island than you’re probably anticipating.

We recommend spending at least 3-4 days exploring and relaxing, but even if you only have 1 day in Santorini, it’s enough time to see the highlights!

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Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece

Do: Splurge on a Hotel With a View

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Hotel Views

How often are you going on vacation in Santorini? It’s a bucket list adventure for most people so do it right! Deciding where to stay in Santorini will have a huge impact on how you experience the island. Splurge a little to get an amazing hotel with views of the sea and a pool for afternoon lounging.

We stayed at Gonia Residences which is an absolutely stunning house. It was equipped with three large bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a stocked kitchen, and a large living room area. The beautiful patio comes with stunning views of Pyrgos and a private plunge pool. If Gonia Residences is unavailable, then here are some of the best Santorini hotels.

Don’t: Assume you Have to Stay in Oia

Oia has some of the most spectacular views on the entire island, but parking will be extremely difficult. You’ll be forced to deal with buses full of tourists every time you leave your hotel.

There are beautiful hotels all over the island and so much to explore beyond Oia.

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Do: Rent a Car

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Ammoudi Bay, Santorini, Greece by Wandering Wheatleys
Ammoudi Bay

Santorini is actually quite large. The beautiful towns and beaches that you’ll want to visit are spread out all over. If you want to see everything that the island has to offer on your own schedule, you’ll definitely need to rent a car.

There is one major road that runs the length of Santorini and most of the beaches and towns are fairly easily accessible. There are also many free public lots so parking is rarely an issue.

There are plenty of car rental companies at the ferry terminal as well as many choices at the airport. Be sure to document any existing damage with photos, just in case.

Santorini Road Trip Itinerary

Spend your first day exploring the north end of the island; head to the village of Oia at sunrise, then to Ammoudi Bay for the freshest grilled seafood at Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna. Then, get an adrenaline rush cliff-jumping at a popular spot just around the bend. Finish out your day with dinner, sunset cocktails, and late-night souvenir shopping in Fira.

Spend day two on the south end of the island; have a quick stop at Red Sand Beach for the views and then take the boat taxi to White Beach, and finally, spend your afternoon snacking and lounging on Perissa Beach. Stop at the port to make plans for a fishing trip for your third day on the island. Enjoy amazing sunset views, delicious local wines, and appetizers at Santos Winery.

Don’t: Underestimate How Difficult it is to Drive

Mopeds, 4-wheelers, and gigantic tour buses seem to dominate the narrow roadways of Santorini. Take it slow and expect everyone to pass you, regardless of whether or not it is safe. If you find yourself head-on with a tour bus, pull as far off to the side as you can, tuck in your side-view mirrors, and trust that the bus drivers know what they’re doing.  


Do: Spend a Day Lounging on Perissa Beach.

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Pineapple Float at Perissa Beach, Santorini, Greece by Wandering Wheatleys
Fun at Perissa Beach!

Perissa Beach has black sand and is the longest beach in Santorini. The beach is sandy, the water calm and clear, and it is not overly crowded as there is so much beach to go around. Most of the restaurants offer free lounge chairs if you purchase lunch or drinks, and you’ll have a waiter checking on you regularly. Enjoy mixed plate and house wine while relaxing on your cushioned, shaded lounge chair at Pepito.

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Don’t: Spend Too Much Time at Red Beach

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Red Beach, Santorini, Greece by Wandering Wheatleys
Red Beach from Underwater

The view of Red Beach from the pathway that leads down to the beach is beautiful. The red sand looks so vibrant next to the turquoise water. But the actual beach is small and crowded, and the sand and water are full of seaweed debris. Also, when you get up close, the “red sand” is more like brown sand. It’s worth checking out, but don’t plan on spending the day there. There is a small area of lounge chairs with umbrellas but most of the beach is a crowded free-for-all.

Don’t forget to check out all of the other amazing Greek islands!


Do: Watch Sunset at Santos Winery

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Santos Winery, Santorini, Greece by Wandering Wheatleys
Giant tasting platter at Santos Winery

Santos Winery is positioned high on a hill in Pyrgos with views of the sea and scattered islands. They offer delicious wines from a variety of Greek wineries and you can order tastings as small as six and as large as 18. Arrive a few hours before sunset to guarantee a front table (or even better, make a reservation ahead of time). Sip on a range of wines that suit any palette and munch on a charcuterie plate until closing time. It’s arguably one of the best sunset spots in Santorini!

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Sunset at Santos Winery, Santorini, Greece by Wandering Wheatleys

Don’t: Attempt to Drive to or From Oia Around Sunset

The traffic in Oia is challenging to say the least no matter what time of day you attempt to visit. The streets are narrow and it is a popular tour bus destination. If you attempt the drive close to sunset time, you will end up enjoying the views from your car in bumper-to-bumper traffic. If you don’t want to miss an Oia sunset, arrive early and plan on hanging out late.

Looking for a hotel in Santorini? Check out Best Places to Stay in Santorini!

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Do: Hire a Fishing Boat

Head down to Vlichada port and ask around for Captain Nick’s fishing boat. For 600 euros, you’ll have a large fishing boat, a captain, a deckhand, and an English-speaking steward all to yourself for a six-hour morning or evening cruise around the island.

The sunset trip departs at 3 pm. You’ll get amazing views of the cliffs and the beaches on your way out to pick up the nets they dropped hours before to see what you’ve caught for dinner. The steward is incredibly attentive and your wine glass will never be empty for long. You’ll have a swim while they prepare a delicious dinner of fresh fish, Greek salad, fava bean dip, fried tomatoes, rice pilaf, and fried bread.

On the way back, you’ll enjoy amazing sunset views while two fishing poles troll for “second dinner” which can be prepared back at the restaurant on the dock.

Don’t: Take a Crowded Catamaran Booze Cruise

While catamaran cruises are generally a good time, make your Santorini adventure more memorable by actually catching your own dinner! The booze cruises in Santorini are crowded and rowdy, so if you’re over the age of 30, you’ll probably feel more comfortable on your own private boat.


Do: Visit Oia at Sunrise

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Sunrise in Oia Santorini Views
An early morning in Oia

If you want unobstructed views of the white-washed buildings and blue-roofed churches of Oia before the crowds and the heat make it unbearable, head to the small town at sunrise. Meander down the maze of alleyways on the hillside that often lead to amazing views and occasionally dead ends.

Admire the gorgeous views of the city on the hill and be sure to catch the famous church that is a popular place for wedding photoshoots. Photographers and a few tourists will be out as well, but it’s the best time to get unobstructed photos of the idyllic town setting. But don’t just stick to the main church spot, every little alleyway has something special to offer!

Don’t: Visit Oia at Midday

Oia is absolutely stunning! It is also the most popular tourist destination on the island and the low white-washed restaurants and shops offer minimal shade. If you find yourself in the thick of it at midday, you’ll need to dart between small shady spots or duck into an air-conditioned cafe or shop, or end up sunburned and sweat-drenched.

Plus the tour buses descend on this small area around 10 am, so you’ll contend with massive crowds.

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Do: Shop in the Evenings in Fira

The little town of Fira comes alive around dawn when tourists put on their fancy vacation outfits and search for the best spot to watch as the sky turns a hazy shade of pink. Head to V Lounge for generous wine, great music, attentive service, and the best views of the city below.

After sunset, move on to the alleyway shops that stay open late to pick up a few souvenirs. You’ll find that it’s much more comfortable to wander the streets when the sun has set and temperatures begin to cool off. 

Don’t: Miss a sunset in Santorini. Ever.

No matter where you are on the island the sunsets are spectacular. Plan your day around them and be sure you are in a prime location with a cold glass of white wine in hand.

Looking for more advice on Santorini? Check out: Things to do in Santorini!

Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece: What to do in Santorini: Sunset at Santos Winery in Santorini

Do: Check out White Beach via Taxi Boat from Red Beach

Inexpensive boat taxis come by every 30 minutes or so and drive back and forth between the two beaches. Leave your car in the parking lot and hop on the boat to check out the small, elusive white sand beach.

Don’t: Drive to White Beach in a Rental Car

The advice from the rental car company was to drive pretty much everywhere on the island except here. It’s a rutted dirt road and you’re very likely to bottom out your sedan. And then instead of enjoying your day at the beach, you’ll have to track down a tow truck and make an embarrassing call to the rental company. 


Do: Learn a Few Words in Greek

“Ef-car-ees-toe” is “thank you”, “ee-ya-sis” is “hello” and/or “goodbye”, “yamas!” is “cheers!”, and “pa-la-ca-lore” is “please”. Most locals either speak fluent English or can find someone who can act as a translator, but they’ll appreciate it if you try (and they’ll be entertained by your effort).

Don’t Wait Another Minute, Plan Your Trip to Santorini!


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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

6 thoughts on “Do’s and Don’ts of Santorini, Greece”

  1. Completely agree about Oia during the sunset. I personally felt even a bit claustrophobic with the amount of people in the tiny streets of this village. Fira can offer equally beautiful views during the sunset hour minus crowds of people and selfie sticks.
    Beautiful photos!

  2. Great info, Hilarious I thought though as I read this the evening after driving a Rental car to the White Beach, this information is so spot on, I managed to get there and back though totally unscathed.

  3. sunset at Oia makes Times Square on NYE look tame. Just go to Imerovigli and watch it from the comfort of a cute cliffside taverna overlooking Skaros Rock.
    Also, pls do your homework if you decide to cliff dive in Santorini. There are some stories/articles of people getting Cercarial Dermatitis aka Swimmer’s Itch in various waters around some of the Greek Islands.

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