Island in South Aegean, Greece
Santorini
Dramatic caldera views, sunsets and wineries make it a bucket-list island. It is crowded, expensive and mostly for short stays; Oia and Fira swarm with cruise visitors in summer.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,810–4,280Comfortable, one person · €2,500–3,800Details
- Value for money12/100Better value than 11% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 26°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is desalinated and brackish; drink bottled water and use it for cooking.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–135Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundKTEL Santorini busYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for buses, small tavernas and beach sunbeds.Details
Where to stay in Santorini
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Fira | Central base: buses, restaurants, nightlife, caldera views |
| Imerovigli | Quieter caldera views, close to Fira by path |
| Kamari–Perissa | Black-sand beaches, cheaper stays, relaxed evenings |
| Oia | Sunset views and photos; expensive, packed in season |
| Pyrgos–Megalochori | Quiet villages inland with wineries |
Apps that work in Santorini
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| efood | Limited coverage around Fira and Kamari |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No ride-hailing apps operate reliably. Taxis are few and often pre-booked; ask your hotel to arrange pickups.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for buses, small tavernas and beach sunbeds.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Santorini solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Santorini meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.