Santorini is a volcanic Greek island famous for its caldera views, and Fira, the capital, was our favorite place to be. We spent 4 nights and 5 days here on our honeymoon in October 2026. This guide covers where to base yourself, a viewpoint with no crowds, the affordable food we loved, the catamaran cruise, renting a car and real prices.
Is Santorini worth visiting?
Yes. Santorini is a ring of cliffs around a flooded volcanic caldera, with white towns along the rim and the volcano sitting in the middle of the sea. The views are as good as the photos, and it was one of our favorite stops in Europe.
It's also more affordable than its reputation if you eat where locals eat: our favorite gyros was 4.80 euros and dessert was 4 euros. Visiting in October made a huge difference too. We found viewpoints with nobody else around and never felt like we were in anyone's way.
Which town should you stay in on Santorini?
Fira. We spent most of our time in Fira, the capital, and it was our favorite by far. It has the caldera views, the best food we found and an easy, lived-in feel. Fira felt like home. We didn't like the other areas as much.
If you want a quieter, more affordable base, look at Kamari, a low-key beach town on the east coast about 8.6 km from Fira. It's not that touristy, and prices were great overall.
How should you spend a day in Santorini?
Here's a day we'd repeat, built from our own trip:
- Morning: drive to Kamari for a latte on the water at Harinero Bakery, about $1.70.
- Midday: walk the black sand beach and the waterfront in Kamari.
- Afternoon: head to Fira for a 4.80 euro gyros at Good Mood Food, then loukoumades at La Petite for 4 euros.
- Golden hour: the crowd-free viewpoint at the entrance of Athina Aperto Suites for photos over the caldera.
- Evening: pick up a hand-painted magnet at Black Velvet and wander Fira after dark.
Save another full day for the catamaran cruise.
What are the best things to do in Santorini?
These are the things we did ourselves, best first.
1. Take a catamaran cruise
A 10 out of 10. We booked the Santorini Gold Catamaran Cruise, Snorkelling, BBQ & Open Bar with Vista Yachting on GetYourGuide. It was about $100 per person, and there were only about 10 people on our boat, with unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and a BBQ grilled right on the boat. Most of the day was swimming, snorkeling in clear blue water, sailing past the volcanic cliffs and just chilling.
Check prices on GetYourGuideAffiliate link
2. Find the crowd-free caldera viewpoint in Fira
This is the best view we found in Santorini, with no tourists if you walk an extra 10 seconds. Go to the entrance of Athina Aperto Suites in Fira and walk a few seconds down the stairs. You get the caldera, a church dome and the volcano behind you, and in October there was no one else there. It's perfect for selfies and videos without being in anyone's way, which matters to us.
Find Athina Aperto Suites on Google Maps
3. Spend a slow day in Kamari
Kamari was the first place we checked out, and it was so nice and low-key. It's a small beach town on the east coast with a long black sand beach under Mesa Vouno, the huge rock at the end of the bay. It's not that touristy, prices were great, and the waterfront is lined with cafes. Our favorite was Harinero Bakery (more below).
4. Get a hand-painted magnet at Black Velvet
A local man at Black Velvet hand-paints and customizes fridge magnets and other souvenirs, and it was a really cool experience. They're only 10 euros. We had ours painted for our honeymoon, with "Santorini Honey Moon 2026" across the top, and it came out amazing.
Find Black Velvet on Google Maps
What else is worth adding to a Santorini trip?
We didn't do these on this trip, but they're among the most popular things to do on Santorini.
Hike from Fira to Oia
The caldera trail runs about 10 km (6 miles) along the rim from Fira to Oia and takes roughly 3 to 5 hours, with views the whole way. Start early to avoid the heat.
Akrotiri
A Bronze Age town buried by the Theran eruption in the 16th century BC. The volcanic ash preserved its buildings and wall paintings, and it's often called the Pompeii of the Aegean.
Ancient Thera
The ruins of the island's ancient city sit high on Mesa Vouno, the mountain above Kamari, reached by a road that climbs up from the village.
Sunset in Oia
Oia, at the island's northern tip, is the most famous sunset spot on Santorini. Expect big crowds, so arrive early or watch from somewhere quieter, like our viewpoint in Fira.
Where should you eat in Santorini?
These are the places we ate and drank at ourselves.
Good Mood Food: our favorite gyros, 4.80 euros
Gyros wrapped in pita (often called souvlaki in Greece) is the island's most famous street food, and the best one we had was at Good Mood Food in the heart of Fira. It was incredible for only 4.80 euros. Fries were 2 euros extra.
Find Good Mood Food on Google Maps
La Petite: the best loukoumades, 4 euros
Loukoumades are small Greek fried dough balls, and the best ones we had were at La Petite in Fira for 4 euros. The owner is super nice and friendly. We tried two flavors, the original with honey and crushed nuts, and a chocolate Bueno version. The chocolate was better.
Phyllon: our favorite bakery, in Oia
Phyllon in Oia was very good, with trays of baklava and Greek pastries, plus cakes and cinnamon rolls. Next door, Pitogyros Traditional Grill House has excellent food and is open very late, and when we ate there they gave us 10% off at Phyllon.
China Famous Foods: good Chinese in Fira
If you want a break from Greek food, China Famous Foods in Fira was really, really good. Sweet and sour chicken was about 9 euros, noodles about 7, a Coke 3 and a water 2.
Find China Famous Foods on Google Maps
Harinero Bakery: the best cafe in Kamari
Right on the water in Kamari, with tables looking out at the beach and the cliffs. Our lattes were roughly $1.70 each.
Find Harinero Bakery on Google Maps
The lattes at Magma Resort and a Red Donkey beer
The best latte we had in all of Europe was at Magma Resort, our hotel, for 5 euros. They make it with Barista's Gold, a Greek whole milk made for coffee, and we even took a photo of the carton. We'd recommend it even if you aren't staying there. For a local beer, try Red Donkey from the Santorini Brewing Company, which brews on the island. It was about 8 euros, and we loved it.
Where should you stay in Santorini?
We stayed 4 nights and 5 days at Magma Resort Santorini, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in Vourvoulos, and it was a beautiful hotel. Megan and I both have the American Express Platinum, and our Amex hotel credits covered most of the stay. Without Amex, it would have been about $400 a night in the off-season, or $1,600 for our 4 nights. We paid only about $300 out of pocket in total, so we saved a lot of money. Here's what we got:
- Free breakfast every day.
- A room upgrade to a room with a hot tub.
- Unlimited spa access.
- The best latte of our whole Europe trip.
How we used the Amex credit: Magma Resort is part of Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts. The Platinum Card gives up to $300 in statement credits twice a year (January to June and July to December) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings made through Amex Travel, according to American Express. With both of our cards, the credits covered everything except about $300. Terms change, so check the current details before you book.
Get the Amex Platinum with our linkReferral link: we may earn a reward if you're approved
No Amex? Booking.com usually has the best rate for Magma Resort.
Check prices at Magma ResortAffiliate link
Do you need a car in Santorini?
A car made it easy for us to get between Fira, Kamari, Oia and our hotel on our own schedule. Here's how our rental went:
- Company and price: we rented through Sixt and paid 167 euros, about $185.
- Deposit: Sixt put a $1,000 hold on the card, which surprised us but is normal on Santorini.
- Selection: limited, so you get what you get. Ours had a nice sunroof.
- Insurance: we skipped Sixt's expensive insurance and used the car rental coverage that comes with the Amex Platinum. It's secondary coverage for theft of and damage to the rental car when you pay for the whole rental with the card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver. It doesn't cover liability, and some countries and vehicles are excluded, so read your card's benefit terms before you rent.
If you rent cars a lot, the Amex Platinum's rental coverage is one of the reasons we carry it.
Get the Amex Platinum with our linkReferral link: we may earn a reward if you're approved
How do you get to Santorini?
How we got there: we flew from Orlando (MCO) to London Gatwick (LGW) on Norse Atlantic, then from Gatwick to Santorini on easyJet, for about $200 each in total. We found it on Skyscanner by booking the two affordable flights separately instead of one itinerary on a single airline.
Other ways in: fly into Santorini Airport (JTR) from Athens or other European cities, or take a ferry from Athens:
- Ferry from Athens (Piraeus): high-speed Seajets ferries take about 4.5 to 5 hours, and Blue Star Ferries about 6 hours or more.
- Flights: Santorini Airport has flights from Athens and, in season, direct flights from many European cities, including London.
We use Skyscanner for every trip because we only care about the best price, not the airline, and it compares every airline in one search.
From the airport to Fira: it's about 5.5 km. The bus costs about 2 euros, and a taxi is roughly 20 to 25 euros outside peak summer (Dave's Travel Pages). If you're renting a car, picking it up at the airport is the easiest option.
Do you need cash, and is Santorini expensive?
Cash really isn't needed. Almost everywhere we went took card. Carry a little cash only if you're going somewhere out of the way or to a small market.
Santorini uses the euro, about $1.12 per euro on October 30, 2026. The famous spots can be expensive, but eating where locals eat keeps it affordable. These are real prices from our trip:
| Item | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Flights, Orlando to Santorini via London | about $200 per person | Norse Atlantic + easyJet, found on Skyscanner |
| Latte | about $1.70 | Harinero Bakery, Kamari |
| Gyros | 4.80 euros (fries 2 euros extra) | Good Mood Food, Fira |
| Loukoumades | 4 euros | La Petite, Fira |
| Sweet and sour chicken / noodles | about 9 / 7 euros | China Famous Foods, Fira |
| Coke / water | 3 / 2 euros | China Famous Foods, Fira |
| Latte | 5 euros | Magma Resort |
| Red Donkey beer | about 8 euros | Local Santorini beer |
| Hand-painted custom magnet | 10 euros | Black Velvet |
| Catamaran cruise with BBQ and open bar | about $100 per person | Vista Yachting |
| Rental car | 167 euros (about $185), $1,000 deposit hold | Sixt |
| Hotel, 4 nights | about $1,600 ($400 a night); we paid about $300 after Amex Platinum credits | Magma Resort |
Is Santorini safe, and do you need a visa?
Santorini felt very safe to us. The U.S. State Department rates Greece Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, its lowest level. Check travel.state.gov before you go.
U.S. citizens don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System records your fingerprints and photo at your first Schengen border. ETIAS, the EU travel authorization, is not running yet as of October 2026.
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
We loved October. Average highs are around 72°F (22°C), the sea is still about 72°F, and the crowds are far smaller, which is how we had viewpoints to ourselves. July and August average around 81 to 82°F (27 to 28°C) and are the busiest months. Whenever you go, compare flight prices across dates, since they change a lot.
What should you pack for Santorini?
- Comfortable walking shoes: Fira and Oia are full of stairs and stone paths.
- Swimsuit: for the catamaran cruise and the beaches.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. There's little shade on the caldera rim.
- A light layer: evenings by the water get breezy in October.
- A European plug adapter: Greece uses two-pin plugs at 230 volts.
- A camera: for the viewpoint.
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Santorini FAQ
Is Santorini worth visiting?
Yes. Santorini was one of our favorite stops in Europe: the caldera views, a 10 out of 10 catamaran cruise, affordable and amazing street food like a 4.80 euro gyros, and in October we found viewpoints with nobody else around. We spent 4 nights and 5 days there on our honeymoon.
What is the best town to stay in on Santorini?
Fira was our favorite by far. It's the capital, it has the caldera views, the best food we found and it felt like home. Kamari, a low-key beach town on the east coast, is great for more affordable prices and a slower pace. We liked the other areas less.
How many days do you need in Santorini?
We spent 4 nights and 5 days, which was enough for a catamaran cruise, a day in Kamari, time in Oia and plenty of slow evenings in Fira. Three full days is a good minimum.
Do you need a car in Santorini?
A car makes it easy to get around and visit places like Kamari and Oia on your own schedule. We rented through Sixt for 167 euros, about $185, with a $1,000 deposit hold, which is normal on Santorini. Selection was limited, so you get what you get.
Do you need cash in Santorini?
Not really. Almost everywhere we went took card. Carry a little cash only if you're going somewhere out of the way or to a small market.
How much is a gyros in Santorini?
Our favorite gyros, at Good Mood Food in Fira, was 4.80 euros, with fries for 2 euros more.
What are loukoumades?
Loukoumades are small Greek fried dough balls, usually topped with honey and nuts. Our favorite was at La Petite in Fira for 4 euros. We tried the original and a chocolate Bueno version, and the chocolate was better.
Where is the best viewpoint in Fira without crowds?
Go to the entrance of Athina Aperto Suites in Fira and walk a few seconds down the stairs. In October there was no one else there, and you get the caldera, the church dome and the volcano behind you for photos and videos.
How much is a catamaran cruise in Santorini?
We did the Santorini Gold Catamaran Cruise with Vista Yachting for about $100 per person. It had about 10 people on the boat, an open bar, a BBQ cooked on board, swimming and snorkeling.
Where should you stay in Santorini?
We stayed 4 nights at Magma Resort Santorini, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, in Vourvoulos, and paid only about $300 out of pocket. The stay would have cost about $1,600 ($400 a night in the off-season), and our Amex Platinum hotel credits covered the rest. It came with daily breakfast, an upgrade to a room with a hot tub and spa access.
How much is a flight from the U.S. to Santorini?
We flew from Orlando to Santorini for about $200 each: Norse Atlantic from Orlando (MCO) to London Gatwick, then easyJet from Gatwick to Santorini. We found both flights on Skyscanner. Prices depend on your dates.
How far is Santorini airport from Fira?
Santorini Airport (JTR) is about 5.5 km from Fira. The bus costs about 2 euros, and a taxi is roughly 20 to 25 euros outside peak summer.
Is Santorini safe?
Santorini felt very safe to us. The U.S. State Department rates Greece Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, its lowest advisory level.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Santorini?
No. U.S. citizens can visit Greece without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave. The EU's ETIAS travel authorization is not running yet as of October 2026.
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
We loved October: average highs around 72°F (22°C), the sea still about 72°F, and far fewer crowds. July and August are hotter and much busier.
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Alex and Megan Colhoun are the husband and wife team behind Colhoun Travels, based in Orlando, Florida. Every guide comes from our own trip. Read our story or watch us on YouTube.