9 Things You NEED to Know Before Booking Santorini
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Santorini is on everyone’s list and with good reason.
But it’s not a place that hands over its magic on a plate.
You’ve got to know what you’re getting into.
There are hills (lots of them), heat, honeymooners and high prices.
And of course, some seriously unforgettable sights and moments. The kind you’ll remember long after the tan fades.
Here’s what you really need to know before you book.
It’s Not a Beach Holiday Destination
Table of Contents
Let’s start with the big one.
If you’re planning on spending your days laid out on white sand with a frozen daiquiri in hand, let me stop you right there.
Santorini is a volcanic island.
The beaches are striking, sure, but they’re made of black pebbles, red cliffs, and scorched rock.
You’ve got places like Perissa, Kamari, and Red Beach.
Dramatic? Yes.
Comfy? Not quite.
You’ll need water shoes, extra towels, and a willingness to roast your feet if you forget either.
If beaches are non-negotiable for you, consider combining Santorini with Milos, Naxos, or Paros as they’ve got the turquoise waters and soft sands to match.
You’re Paying for the View Every Time
That Canaves suite in Oia with the sea view and infinity edge pool?
You’re looking at $4,345.44 per night during the high season.
Even a basic hotel with partial sea views in Imerovigli can wipe out a sizable chunk of your budget.
And those cliffside restaurants you’ve been daydreaming about?
Add at least €20–€30 per person to your bill just for the view.
Want to save without sacrificing the experience?
Try Pyrgos, Emporio, or Megalochori.
You’ll get charm, quieter surroundings, and better value.
Then pop into Oia for sunset drinks and photos, without blowing the budget on nightly rates.
Best Hotels in Santorini 🏨
Best 5 Star Hotels in Santorini
Grace Hotel • Katikies • Andronis Luxury Suites • Perivolas Santorini • Kivotos
Best 4 Star Hotels in Santorini
Villa Manos • El Greco Resort & Spa • Terra Blanca Suites • Rocabella Santorini Hotel & Spa • Santa Irina Luxury Sunny Lofts
Getting Around Can Be a Pain
Santorini’s size is deceptive.
It looks small on a map, but getting from A to B can be frustrating, especially in summer.
Taxis are few and far between. There’s no Uber or Bolt.
The island’s bus network is cheap and reliable, but hubs around Fira, which can mean doubling back often.
Renting a car is handy, but parking is a nightmare in high-traffic areas like Oia and Fira.
Quads and scooters?
Popular with tourists, but they’re not the safest due to winding roads with aggressive local drivers and sudden gusts of wind.
If you’re staying for more than a couple of days, weigh up what kind of traveller you are.
Want freedom? Hire a small car.
Happy to take it slow? Embrace the buses and bring comfy walking shoes.
There Are a Lot of Steps
Santorini is the furthest thing from flat.
The towns are carved into cliffs, and getting anywhere often involves steps. Lots of them. Uneven ones. With no railings. In the sun.
It’s all part of the charm… until you’re dragging a suitcase to a hotel that’s “just down the path.”
If mobility is a concern – or you just don’t fancy sweating through your linen every day – double-check hotel locations.
Some properties have porters (great). Some have 90+ stairs to reach reception (less great).
Also: ditch the stilettos.
Cobbled streets and heels do not mix. Go with something you can stride in, because your calves are going to get a workout whether you like it or not.
It’s Romantic (Sometimes to a Fault)
Santorini is a top honeymoon destination for a reason.
Candlelit dinners. Sunset boat rides. Couples posing dramatically at every overlook.
If you’re visiting solo or with friends, be prepared for a bit of second-hand romance fatigue. You’ll see proposals, wedding shoots, and canoodling galore.
It can be sweet…but sometimes mildly suffocating.
That said, the island has space for all kinds of travellers.
The trick is in where you stay.
Places like Fira are livelier and more social.
Head to Perissa or Kamari for beach bars. Or hide out in Pyrgos for a slower, more local feel.
BEST HOTELS IN SANTORINI 🏨
Best Budget Friendly Hotels in Santorini
Stelios Place • Meltemi Village Hotel • Hotel Goulielmos
Best Hotels in Santorini For Couples
Perivolas Santorini • Andronis Boutique Hotel • Canaves Oia Suites
Best Hotels in Santorini For Families
Sea Breeze Resort • Andronis Arcadia • Lotza Studios
Best Boutique Hotels in Santorini
Andronis Boutique Hotel • Villa Bordeaux
Oia at Sunset Isn’t a Secret
Let’s talk about that famous sunset.
The one people say will “change your life.” The one you’ve seen a thousand times in reels and postcards.
Now picture that sunset watched from the castle ruins in Oia… with 500 other people.
All standing shoulder to shoulder. All trying to snap the same photo.
It’s not exactly tranquil.
Or romantic.
Unless your idea of romance is dodging selfie sticks and sweaty elbows.
A better bet?
Watch the sunset from a cruise.
Or from a quieter clifftop in Imerovigli.
Or even from a random roadside between towns. The island faces west so you’ll still get the show. Just with fewer strangers breathing on you.
Santorini Has a Low-Key Wine Scene
Not everyone realises this, but Santorini is one of Greece’s most important wine regions.
Thanks to the volcanic soil, the island produces crisp, mineral-rich whites most famously Assyrtiko.
You’ll find stunning wineries perched on hillsides with views that make Napa Valley look shy.
Santo Wines, Venetsanos, Gavalas are all worth a visit.
And if you’re not a wine nerd?
Doesn’t matter.
These tastings are laid-back, affordable, and come with knock-out views and delicious meze plates.
It’s a great way to see the inland part of the island too and sneak in a cultural experience without needing to queue.
Santorini is Very Seasonal
Santorini runs on a very specific calendar.
From late October to mid-April, many hotels, restaurants and shops shut down entirely.
The island becomes a ghost town, with locals reclaiming their streets and a handful of quiet walkers roaming the cliffs.
If you’re visiting in off-season, be prepared for chilly winds, closed businesses, and very limited nightlife.
The caldera views are still there, of course – and in many ways, more dramatic when the island’s empty – but you won’t get the Santorini seen on TikTok.
For the classic experience, aim for May to early October.
Want fewer crowds and cheaper rooms?
Try late September when the sea’s still warm, and the cruise ships start thinning out.
More Santorini Posts:
What NOT to Do in Santorini So Your Vacation Isn’t Spoiled
11 Best Things to Do in Santorini on Your First Visit
Santorini, Greece: 25 Dos and Don’ts You Should Know Before You Go
3 Perfect Days in Santorini, Greece
Local Culture Is Still There. You Just Have to Look.
It’s easy to think Santorini exists purely for tourists.
And in places like Oia, that’s partially true.
But if you venture inland, away from the sunset-chasing crowds, you’ll find sleepy villages, family-run tavernas, and old men playing cards in shaded courtyards.
Emporio, Megalochori, and Finikia still hold onto their local rhythm. You’ll get homemade dishes, warm hospitality, and zero queues.
Talk to people. Ask about the wine. Order that random special.
You’ll come home with better stories than any drone shot can offer.
Santorini Awaits Your Arrival
Santorini is beautiful, but it’s not effortless.
It’s a place that rewards travellers who plan well, stay flexible, and know what to expect.
It’s not all sunsets and glamour.
There are stairs, heat, crowds, and quirks. But there’s also magic if you know where to look.
Whether you’re going for the views, the wine, the romance, or the sheer drama of it all, go prepared.
Santorini awaits your arrival!
