When to go?
- Early spring (April-May) is an ideal time to discover Santorini: the island is still calm, and even flowery and colourful, which is rare!
- The sea, on the other hand, is still a bit cool, but this is not the case from the end of September-October, which is also a pleasant back-season.
- In summer, Santorini is at its busiest, there are people everywhere, but also the maximum of atmosphere: it's up to you! This is the period when the Meltem, the north wind, blows, which agitates the sea, freshens the air and sometimes blocks the boats!
- In winter, Santorini reveals itself in a completely different light, but many addresses (restaurants, hotels) are closed.
What documents to you need?
As a UK citizen, you must show a valid passport to enter Greece.
How long should I stay in Santorini?
You can easily stay 1 week in Santorini without getting bored: even if the island is small, it is full of places of interest.
Thanks to its airport and its numerous boat lines, Santorini is also an excellent gateway to the Cyclades, which can be combined with other islands of the archipelago (e.g. Naxos, Paros, Milos, Mykonos, Amorgos...).
Why go to Santorini?
For those who love to see the sights, and admire real postcard landscapes, Santorini is the perfect destination with its splendid caldera, its volcano and its white villages.
In the Cyclades, Santorini is also a very lively island, offering its visitors a host of activities and entertainment to fill their days.
On the other hand, Santorini may disappoint a bit the big beach lovers, as well as those who like the authenticity and calm of the Greek islands: there are other islands for that!
Santorini: what to eat (and drink)?
There's not much growing on Santorini! The main crop is the vine, which has always been spared by phylloxera: Santorini's wine deserves to be known! For example, vinsanto, a very sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes, or assyrtiko, a very special mineral white grape variety, endemic to Santorini.
On the plate, be sure to try a Santorini fava (split pea purée), grilled white aubergines, the island's small cherry tomatoes and tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters), as well as capers.
Where to eat in Santorini?
The best place to go is to find an authentic Greek taverna serving the specialities of the country: moussaka, grilled vegetables and fish, lamb chops, tzatziki and Greek salads.
There are also many trendy, even posh, restaurants serving international cuisine of varying degrees of inspiration. Otherwise, Santorini is an international destination, with everything from fast food chains to Chinese restaurants.
Transportation in Santorini
The KTEL bus network serves the entire island from the bus station in Fira, the capital. The lines serve all the main villages as well as the port and airport. Cheap, but not always convenient. Beware, timetables change with the season!
The most common option is to rent a vehicle to get around the island: a simple scooter can be enough for two people, but a car offers the best comfort/safety ratio. It is possible to rent upon arrival at the port or airport, and in almost every village.
What to avoid in Santorini
Who says big tourist destination says tourist catcher: beware of many taverns or restaurants that are too flashy, you can eat very badly there!
Forget about renting quads: they are noisy and congest the roads, a plague in Santorini.
Santorini: what to bring back?
Santorini wines, Vinsanto, the local fava, a box of capers are the main products to bring back. You will also find countless Santorini souvenirs of all kinds (tshirts, bags, volcanic stone, pottery, jewellery, magnets, etc.) during your walks.
