Santorini, the greek crescent-shaped island where black lava and Mediterranean waves coexist in harmony, has so many exceptional places to visit. Here’s a complete Santorini in 4 days itinerary for a fun and relaxed trip.
Even if you only have a limited amount of time in the country, such as 5 days in Greece, you can’t miss the most gorgeous greek island of Santorini.
Worldly famous for its blue domes, cliffside white typical houses and dreamy paved alleys, the wine island welcomes thousands of tourists each year. And we understand them! Visit Santorini once and you will fall in love with this island forever.
Santorini is a volcanic island, whose crater collapsed under the sea. This happened around 3600 years ago and we believe it to be one of the biggest explosions that ever occurred in human history.
Remember the lost city of Atlantis, the legendary continent that disappeared into the ocean? Scientists have good reason to believe that this is in fact Santorini!
Now that we’ve whetted your curiosity, here’s a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Santorini in four days, where to stay, and how to get around.
⏰ Heading to Santorini soon?
Day 1: explore Fira and Oia by foot. 🌙 Stay at Langas Villas in Imerovigli
Day 2: coastal hike and Amoudi Bay. 🌙 Stay at Langas Villas in Imerovigli
Day 3: south Archaeological sites and beaches (red beach). 🌙 Stay at Divino Suites in Fira
Day 4: Volcano and Hot Springs boat tour. 🌙 Stay at Divino Suites in Fira
What to do in Santorini for 4 days?
We went to Santorini twice and explored almost the entire island. However, we spent more time in the car than we had planned, as the various places to visit are not all close to each other…
That’s why we’ve put together this perfect 4-day Santorini itinerary, so you can make the most of your trip, region by region!
First day in Santorini: first glimpse of the island’s magic
From Fira to Oia, we will be focusing on Santorini’s most iconic spots for your first day on the island. Pack comfy shoes, light clothes, a bottle of water and let’s go!
Visit Fira
For the first of your four days in Santorini, you should start by visiting the heart and capital of the island: Fira. This is the island’s liveliest town. It offers breathtaking views, 220 meters above the sea.
As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll come across some of the prettiest colorful houses, authentic boutiques, bougainvillea-covered restaurants and of course…. The churches!
Fira is famous for its white-domed churches. These include a 19th-century Orthodox cathedral, a baroque Catholic cathedral and the famous Three Bells of Fira.
During your stay in Fira, you should also visit one of the art galleries. There are all kinds of galleries, from wood carvings at the Gjopalaj Gallery or paintings and ceramics at the Art of the Loom Gallery.
🍷 On a final note, enjoy Santorini’s local food and sea views at Nektar Lounge and try the local wine produced on the island.
Sunset at Oia Castle
You can round off your first day with Santorini’s most typical activity: a sunset in Oia. Get there at least three hours before sunset to visit Oia and buy snacks and drinks for a picnic at the castle.
Then, secure yourself a spot at the castle at least an hour and a half before sunset. The sun will set over the Aegean Sea, reflecting a golden light on Oia’s windmills and houses.
👉 You certainly won’t be alone in admiring the sunset. Oia is very busy at this time of day, every day. Nevertheless, sometimes you have to appreciate things even if they’re very touristy; they attract crowds for good reason!
Lotza Restaurant
As soon as the sun sets, try to leave the castle area quickly to get a table at Lotza Restaurant. It’s located only a few minutes away fron the castle.
Lotza Restaurant offers a wonderful view of the sea. The sunset light makes it look even more wonderful. The staff is really welcoming and the food is delicious and affordable.
You can eat traditional greek recipes for around $17 USD (14€), but also grilled chicken, sea food, pasta or salads for the same budget.
Second day in Santorini: exploring the north in depth
Your second day on Santorini will be a mix of sports and water activities. Hiking in Santorini is a must, and your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views.
💥 Put on your sports gear and pack a bag with bathing suits and towels. Let’s go!
Hike from Fira to Oia
Santorini is famous for its panoramic cliffside trail, which starts in Fira and ends in Oia (or the other way around). It’s 6-mile (10-kilometer) long hike , which takes 3 and 5 hours, but you don’t have to do it all!
The trail is a mix of dirt paths and cobbled streets in towns such as Fira, Imerovigli, Firostefani and Oia. This means you can stop at any time and take a bus or cab home if you don’t want to do the full hike.
But as you also pass through the villages, you get the impression that you’re visiting them rather than hiking.
The official Fira to Oia hike starting point is the Atlantis Hotel in Fira. From there, here are some iconic places to see during the hike:
- Virgin Mary Orthodox Church (the Three Bells of Thira)
- Anastasi Church
- Skaros Rock
- Profitis Ilias Church
- Panagia Church
🚨 As there’s not much shade on the trail, we recommend doing it in the morning or late afternoon.
Amoudi Bay
After a few hours of hiking, you must be exhausted and hungry! Continue down to Amoudi Bay, Oia’s picture-postcard harbor. It’s the first place that comes to mind when asked what to do in Santorini for first timers.
You may have seen a lot of picturesque places since you set foot on the island, but you’re not quite ready for this one… It’s definitely a must on any Santorini itinerary.
Amoudi Bay is a small fishing village on the seafront below the town of Oia. Its small, colorful houses, authentic boats and seafood tavernas form an incredibly charming landscape.
You will see freshly caught octopus, a Greek specialty, drying in the sun. The water is limpid blue and the whole setting gives the impression that time has stood still.
🐙 Where to eat in Amoudi Bay? We recommend Sunset Taverna. You can get a waterfront table and the food is absolutely delicious. We had grilled octopus starters, a seabass and a grilled salmon for $95 USD (82€). It’s a little pricey but so worth it after a long hike!
Stay at Amoudi Bay or go on a sailing cruise
Tak a dip in Amoudi Bay
If you want to freshen up a bit after walking and eating, keep walking to the left until you reach the Amadou cliff. This is one of the best places to swim or jump into the sea. After your long hike, the water will feel like a refreshing yet warm embrace.
🚨 We recommend you wear sea shoes, as there may be sea urchins. You can buy them for a few dollars in almost any supermarket.
Santorini Sunset Cruise
Sunset hits different in Santorini. There’s no better place to take a sunset cruise. We know you’ve just had lunch, but it’s not too early to talk about it, as all cruises start around 2.30 PM and depart from the port in Amoudi Bay.
Viator offers 5-hour excursions to give you the full Santorini experience from the sea. Have you ever been on a huge catamaran at sunset? Or jumped off a catamaran into the Aegean Sea? That’s the unique experience the Santorini Sunset Luxury Sailing Catamaran Cruise offers.
In addition to sailing on a luxury catamaran, the captain will visit Akrotiri’s three beaches so you can jump into the sea in front of them. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a fresh Greek barbecue with unlimited drinks. Oh, we wish we could do it all over again!
Third day in Santorini : exploring the south of Santorini
Exploring Santorini in 4 days is perfect because you can mix all kinds of activities: hiking, swimming, towns’ exploration… Now it’s time to get to grips with Santorini’s history and culture, in the south of the island.
Pyrgos
The village of Pyrgos is one of the island’s hidden gems. If you’re looking for authentic things to do on Santorini, head to Pyrgos and you will find locals to talk to in the main square.
Very few people visit it during their stay on the island, and that’s a shame. This is the ancient capital of Santorini, with as much history and architecture as Fira or Oia. It’s extremely well preserved and relaxed.
It was strategically built in the middle of the island to be accessible from everywhere, which means it’s an inland town with beautiful panoramic views.
You can admire the glorious ruins of Kasteli Castle and visit the monastery of Profitis Ilias, one of the oldest on the island. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Pyrgos is also worth a visit, as it seems frozen in time.
Have lunch at Kamari
After visiting Pyrgos in the morning, drive 10 minutes east to the village of Kamari for lunch. This village is very different from anything you’ve seen during your four days in Santorini, as it’s not on a cliffside; it’s at sea level.
The black sand beaches are lined with pleasant footpaths and numerous restaurants, such as To Pinakio, where you can enjoy delicious Mediterranean and Greek dishes.
Ancient Thera
Ancient Thera is a mountain-top archaeological site where you can see the ruins of the city founded in the 8th century. The remaining ruins date from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.
This has to be on your itinerary for Santorini if you are a history buff. Some of the ruins date back to the 2nd or 3rd century BC. To get there, you have to climb a bit and spend $5 USD (€4) on the entrance ticket.
The views are just as marvellous as the archaeological site itself.
🚨 The access road to the site is unsafe for a low-powered car. If you haven’t rented a powerful car, it’s best to take the bus. We recommend using Discover Cars to find a good rental car, that is powerful enough for a Santorini road trip.
Archaeological Site of Akrotiri
In the Bronze Age, Akrotiri was one of the most important ports on the Aegean. It linked the Greek islands and mainland Greece, as well as more distant countries such as Egypt and Syria. It was teeming with people, but was covered by lava during an eruption in the 17th century BC.
Volcanic ash has wonderfully preserved the settlement, making the Akrotiri excavation site one of the most important in Greece. For $14 USD (€12), you can walk on suspended walkways among the archaeological remains.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
While you’re there, drive another ten minutes to the crescent-shaped tip of the island. After a short walk, you’ll pass the 19th-century Akrotiri lighthouse and face the immensity of the sea. The lighthouse is one of the oldest on the island, and its location offers a view of the whole island.
Santorini Red Beach
A must-do in the south of Santorini is the Red Beach. This secluded beach has a unique red color due to the volcanic sand. It feels like a cove, surrounded by reddish rocks and secluded from the rest of the world!
After a dip in the ocean, whose temperature is usually very pleasant, you can chill on the beach until the end of the afternoon.
Watch the sunset in Santorini
There are many great sunset spots in Santorini! After the famous Oia Castle, Imerovigli is definitely one of them as it’s the highest spot of the island. You have to witness the sunset from there at least once during your Santorini trip.
💙 To end your day on an even more magical note, find a good local restaurant in your hotel town. In Imerovigli, our hosts at Langas Villas recommended Kofini, a typical Greek restaurant, which was delicious.
Fourth day in Santorini : volcano, caldera and hot springs
This Santorini 4-day itinerary doesn’t only include the mainland of the island, but also its famous caldera, volcano and hot springs!
Santorini Volcano Hot Springs Tour
As you may know, the island of Santorini is a volcano that was hit by an eruption so powerful that its crater collapsed beneath the Aegean Sea.
This collapse formed what is now known as the caldera, but volcanic land still remains. It also gave rise to veritable hot springs in the middle of the sea. Isn’t it crazy?
The two remaining volcano islets are called Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. You can visit them and bathe in the hot springs on the incredible Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour.
Santorini Hot Springs
The Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour will first take you to the natural hot springs, located on the island Palea Kameni. Part of the coast is warm due to geothermal phenomena that occur underwater, such as geysers.
As it lies in the middle of the sea, cold and warm waters mix together due to the waves. This place is quite surreal, as you wouldn’t expect the sea to be so warm.
You jump off the boat, swim a little and arrive in brownish water between 86°F and 95°F (30°C and 35°C).
The boundary between the blue and brown of the sea is well defined and contrasts with the small white church at the end of the hot springs. It was truly one of the highlights of our stay in Santorini.
Santorini Volcano Tour
On the second part of the Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour, the catamaran will sail to Nea Kameni. It is a small uninhabited islet in the middle of the flooded Santorini caldera.
After paying a $6 USD (5€) entrance fee, you will be able to walk all around this volcanic desert island for one hour and a half.
After paying an entrance fee of $6 USD (5€), you will tour this volcanic desert island for an hour and a half.
The volcanic setting is unique, and hiking on an active but dormant volcano hits different. As you walk along impressive craters, you will smell the sulfur.
🧢 TOP TIP: don’t wear a cap, or a very tight one, as it’s very windy.
How to get to the old port of Fira?
There are several departures a day from the old port of Fira or the port of Athinios. We recommend the one from the old port of Fira, as the 20-minute walk down the stairs adds to the fun.
Drive to Fira and park in front of Tony’s Rent a Car & Moto. Walk about 10 minutes to reach the beautiful alleyways in the center of Fira until you reach the start of Fira’s promenade to the harbor. This little path offers incredible views of Fira and is very easy.
🚨 There are donkeys for dismounting, which we strongly advise against as they’re not supposed to carry so many people on their backs. They’re all packed in appalling conditions in the sun, and you don’t want to be part of an economy that mistreats animals.
How to get back to Fira after visiting the Old Port?
After a long day of adventure, you’ll be glad you to hear this. You won’t have to climb the stairs to Fira again, because there’s a cable car! It costs $6 USD (5€) per person and half the price for children under 5.
You can also take it to Fira’s old port if you wish. However, the ride offers great views and is easier on the way down!
Open Air Cinema Kamari
End the day with a very special experience: the Santorini Open Air Cinema. This is an open-air cinema located in the middle of the Kamari forest. How cool would it be to end your Santorini getaway snuggled up with your partner or friends in front of a movie?
📽 Kamari Open Air Cinema is open from May to October and all films are played in English with Greek subtitles. It starts every evening at 9:30 PM and costs $9 USD (8€) per person. You can have a nice dinner in Pyrgos or Kamari and then enjoy the film with a drink at the bar.
Santorini in 4 days: FAQ
One of our top Santorini travel tips is to choose the right location for your accommodation! Here are top places to make your stay smoother.
Where to stay in Santorini?
Staying in mind-blowing hotels is 100% part of the Santorini experience. You shouldn’t visit the island without trying at least one hotel with a view and with a swimming pool or jacuzzi. The west part is where the sun sets and east where the sun rises. So, should you stay in Imerovigli, Oia, Fira, or anywhere else on the island?
Luxury in Imerovigli – Langas Villas is the very definition of Greek architecture and breathtaking views. Its rooftop pool is the highest in Santorini and offers the most fabulous view of the Caldera! It also features a Jacuzzi carved into the rock at the entrance to the suite.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
🌟 9,4/10 based on these reviews
❤️ The hosts were the most helpful and caring people we’ve ever met. They went out of their way to meet our every need, even giving us their own jar of sun cream!
Outdoor jaccuzzi with sea view – Amber Light villas are located high up on the island and offer incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. The architecture is as modern as it is typical; white cellar walls with lava decorations are chic and warm at the same time. The staff are very attentive and caring!
➡️ Check availability and prices here
🌟 9,1/10 based on these reviews
🌅 The rooms are east-facing, and offer crazy sunrises. We strongly advise you to wake up 30 minutes before sunrise to see this fabulous spectacle.
A traditional establishment in the heart of Fira – Pantelia Suites is a family-run home that welcomes guests from all over the world as if they were members of the family. The hotel boasts a magnificent swimming pool, perfectly exposed for views of the caldera and the sunset.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
🌟 9,6/10 based on these reviews
Do you remember the windmill at the very top of Oia? Well, that’s actually a room of the Charisma Suites. If this is your honeymoon or the trip of a lifetime, sleeping in this windmill is a perfect bucket list experience.
➡️ Check availability and prices here
🌟 9,5/10 based on these reviews
How to get to Santorini?
As Santorini is an island, it’s impossible to get there by car, even from mainland Greece. To visit Santorini in 4 days, you’ll need to take a plane or a boat. Here are the best options.
Flights to Santorini
Santorini airport is located in the center-east of the island, a 10-minute drive from Fira. As always, you’ll find the best flight deals on Skyscanner.
For example, a flight from Paris to Santorini takes 3.5 hours and costs at least $70 USD (60€). If you’re coming from the USA, a flight from New York to Santorini takes 11 hours and costs at least $500 USD (430€).
Ferrys to Santorini
If you’ve visited other Greek islands before Santorini, such as Mykonos, it’s best to take a fast boat.
Companies such as Sea Jets offer daily crossing for about $80 USD (69€) for a 2-hour trip from Mykonos to Santorini. You’ll pay the same price for an Athens to Santorini 5-hour boat trip.
How to get around in Santorini?
Do I need a car in Santorini? How big is this island, can you walk around Santorini? Those questions are legitimate as Santorini is an island and car rentals can be expensive depending on the season.
If you plan to only stay in one place, you don’t need a car. However, to fully visit Santorini in 4 days, you will need to rent a vehicle. Here are different options.
🚨 WARNING: Santorini’s roads are very steep and not all are well maintained. To drive safely, you MUST choose a vehicle powerful enough to handle these steep roads. They can also be very narrow in the villages. A small yet powerful car is recommended.
Renting a car in Santorini
They are all kinds of car rentals in Santorini, from international companies, to local renters. To get the best deal on a rental car, we recommend using Discover Cars. This website compares prices from all companies, saving you hours of research.
Depending on if you visit Santorini at low season or high season, you’ll pay from $50 USD to $75 USD (45€ to 70€) per day for a basic yet powerful car.
Renting a scooter in Santorini
If you feel comfortable behind the wheel of a scooter, it’s certainly the best option on Santorini! You’ll be able to weave your way through traffic and park very easily.
However, you really do need to be an experienced scooter rider because, as we said earlier, the mountain roads aren’t the best. Renting a scooter in Santorini costs around $30 USD a day.
Renting a quad in Santorini
Your third option is to rent a quad bike in Santorini. This is very common on the island, and people rent these vehicles to have more fun. However, quads are not as easy to drive as they look. If you want to rent one, learn the different positions to adopt for turning, braking and so on. They cost the same as a scooter.
Uber in Santorini
This is a common question among travelers: is there Uber in Santorini? It has become a solution for many people around the globe when they don’t know how to get home. In Greece, Santorini included, Uber only operates with the service “Uber Taxi”. It redirects costumers to local taxi companies.
Is Santorini expensive?
As Santorini has become very touristy over the last ten years, prices have risen compared with the rest of mainland Greece or less popular islands. So how much money should you expect to spend in Santorini per day?
We’d say the average meal is $14 USD (12€) per person, transport is $50 USD (45€) per car per day and a hotel room for two people is $160 USD (138€). This means you’ll spend around $147 USD (135€) per day per person if you eat out 3 times a day and share a car and hotel room with at least one other person.
How many days in Santorini?
Are 4 days in Santorini too much? Definitely not! Santorini is a bigger than most people think, it’s not limited to Oia. The rest of the island, especially the south, is also well worth exploring. You can spend a weekend to a one full week on Santorini without getting bored. A 4-day trip is therefore ideal.
Best time to visit Santorini
Your 4 days on Santorini will pass very quickly, and you’ll certainly want to make the most of them without having to worry about the weather. The best time to visit Santorini is from April to October, as this is the warm season.
However, it’s best to avoid the months of July and August, due to the heat and tourism. For hikers, we recommend April, May, September and August.
Santorini in 4 days : the wrap up
And it’s a wrap for this Santorini in 4 days guide! There’s obviously much more to explore in Santorini as it’s a pretty wild island. The possibilities for exploration are truly endless.
After visiting Santorini, we highly recommend spending 3 days in Mykonos. This island offers enchanting alleys, sea views, dreamy hotels… You’ll quickly notice that there are an infinite number of Mykonos instagram spots.
It even has a crazy mascot : Petros the Pelican, a wounded bird who found shelter on the island and decided to stay forever.
