Five days in Santorini is a great amount of time for a first visit, especially if you want to explore beyond Oia and Fira. You can visit traditional villages, ancient ruins, and volcanic beaches while still having time to enjoy the island from the water.
We spent five nights at Radisson Blu Zaffron in Kamari and rented a car, which made exploring the island SO much easier. After experiencing everything from the famous blue domes to Santorini’s quieter villages, here’s how I’d organize 5 days in Santorini.
This Santorini 5 day itinerary groups nearby attractions together to help you make the most of your time without constantly driving back and forth across the island.
| Day | What You’ll Do |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Ancient Thera, Pyrgos & Kamari |
| Day 2 | Explore Santorini by boat |
| Day 3 | Oia, Ammoudi Bay & sunset dinner |
| Day 4 | Megalochori, Heart of Santorini & Akrotiri |
| Day 5 | Imerovigli, Firostefani & Fira |
WENDY’S TIP: I’d keep your boat day flexible if possible. Wind can affect conditions on the water, and it’s much easier to rearrange a sightseeing day than a boat reservation.
Your first day combines ancient history, a traditional hilltop village, and some time at the beach.
The views from Ancient Thera were honestly some of my favorites in Santorini. From the top, we could see Kamari Beach, the coastline, and the Aegean Sea stretching out below us. I knew we were going to see ancient ruins, but I wasn’t expecting the dramatic views.
We visited in the morning, which I’d definitely recommend because there’s very little shade. Between the ancient structures and views over the coastline, I’d allow approximately 45–90 minutes to explore the site.
For more information about the drive, parking, and visiting the ruins, see my Ancient Thera Santorini: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit.
Next, drive to Pyrgos, one of my favorite quieter villages in Santorini.
Spend some time exploring the cobblestone streets, working your way toward Kasteli Fortress and Agia Theodosia Church. You’ll find traditional architecture, narrow passageways, and views across different parts of the island.
I wouldn’t worry about following an exact walking route here. Part of what I enjoyed about Pyrgos was wandering through the little streets and seeing what we found.
Allow around 1–1.5 hours for the village, especially if you’re stopping for photos.
Stay in Pyrgos for lunch at Occasus Solis.
We shared tzatziki, feta loukoumas, and a Santorinian salad. It’s a convenient lunch stop before heading toward the coast.
Finish your afternoon at Kamari Beach.
Kamari has a long waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and shops, so you can walk along the beach, browse the stores, or rent a sunbed and enjoy the water.
The beach is made up of black volcanic sand and pebbles, which can get surprisingly hot.
I’d bring water shoes if you plan to swim at Kamari. They’re especially helpful on the black pebbles and hot beach surfaces.
And if you see the beach massages being offered along the promenade, I highly recommend considering one. I became slightly obsessed with them during our stay.
Stay in Kamari for dinner at Almira Waterfront Dining.
Alternatively, consider To Pinakio for traditional Greek food.
WENDY’S TIP: Since we stayed in Kamari, I saved the beach for the afternoon so we could spend the rest of the day near our hotel. If you’re staying elsewhere on the island, you might prefer to visit Kamari Beach immediately after Ancient Thera since they’re right next to each other, then head to Pyrgos afterward.
I’d dedicate an entire day to getting out on the water. You have two main options: rent a small boat and explore independently or book a catamaran cruise with a captain and crew. We actually did both during our trip, and they were very different experiences.
We rented a small motorboat at Vlychada Marina and explored the southern coastline at our own pace.
We spent the day exploring Santorini’s southern coastline, stopping at Red Beach, White Beach (my favorite!), and several other spots along the way. Having our own boat meant we could explore wherever we wanted, spend as much time swimming as we liked, and even had a once in a lifetime experience with lunch stop.
I absolutely LOVED this adventure, and if you’re comfortable handling a small boat, I’d highly recommend it over a group excursion for the extra freedom.
For rental details, navigation tips, and what to expect, read my How to Rent a Boat in Santorini: Everything You Need to Know.
If you rent your own boat, I’d try to include lunch at Cave of Nikolas.
We literally SWAM to our lunch reservation. We anchored offshore and swam to the restaurant. Well, technically Brad swam while I floated and let him pull me in. 🤣
Between arriving by boat, sitting right beside the water, and enjoying some REALLY good Greek food, it became one of our most memorable meals in Santorini.
If you’d rather have someone else handle the navigation, book a catamaran cruise.
Our catamaran experience was much more relaxed, while the self-drive boat gave us more freedom to choose where we stopped and how long we stayed.
I’d choose the self-drive option if you enjoy exploring independently. If you’d rather swim, enjoy the coastline, and have everything organized for you, a catamaran cruise is probably the better choice.
For dinner, consider The Edge Restaurant in Akrotiri, particularly if your boat excursion finishes near the southern end of the island. Alternative: Misteli or somewhere near your hotel. After a full day on the water, I’d personally be happy with a convenient dinner and an early night.
Give Oia its own day.
Yes, it’s crowded and touristy, but I still think it’s a must for your first trip to Santorini. Between the famous blue domes, shops, galleries, restaurants, and caldera views, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
I’d start your morning with the famous blue domes before the crowds really pick up. From there, you can visit Oia Castle, see the windmills, and explore the shops and galleries along the way.
For the exact walking route, attractions, and photo locations, check out my One Day in Oia Santorini: The Perfect Itinerary.
I always love a little shopping when we travel, and Oia was no exception! We found a little art gallery called Kalimera Oia, filled with handmade pieces, and ended up buying something for our wall at home. It’s still one of my favorite souvenirs from Greece.
For lunch, I’d highly recommend Roka, a charming restaurant tucked away from Oia’s busiest streets. The menu puts a creative spin on traditional Greek ingredients, and we thought the food was excellent.
Our waiter recommended the slow-roasted Florina pepper with feta mousse, pepper jam, and pistachios, and it became one of my favorite bites of our entire Greece trip. Seriously SO good.
If you still have the time and energy, consider walking down to Ammoudi Bay. The little harbor sits below Oia and is known for its waterfront restaurants and views of the cliffs, and some great cliff jumping if that is your thing!
Just remember that getting down involves a long staircase, and if you’re walking, you’ll need to climb those steps again to return to Oia. If you’re already tired from exploring the village, I’d skip it.
We booked dinner at Lycabettus in Oia and had a table in the Cliff Area, right along the edge of the caldera. The tasting menu was fantastic, with beautifully presented dishes and options for those of us who don’t eat seafood.🙋🏽♀️
But as much as we loved the food, the sunset views completely stole the show. Watching the sun go down over the caldera while enjoying an incredible dinner was one of my favorite moments of our trip.
It’s definitely not an inexpensive dinner, but between the delicious food and THAT VIEW, I thought it was absolutely worth the splurge!
A Little Travel Inspiration
Day four takes you through some of Santorini’s quieter villages and southern attractions.
Start in Megalochori, one of my favorite discoveries on the island. The village has narrow streets, traditional houses, little churches, and a beautiful bell tower that makes a great photography spot.
Make sure you see the Six-Bell Tower, the village square, and Panagia Eisodion Church.
Most people could see the main sights in about 1–1.5 hours, although we ended up spending considerably longer exploring Megalochori and its surroundings.
Next, visit the Heart of Santorini, a natural “heart-shaped” opening in the volcanic rock overlooking the caldera. I’m putting heart-shaped in quotes because it didn’t really look like a heart to me, but the view definitely gave me heart eyes. Ha!
It’s close enough to Megalochori to combine the two stops easily. There is some uneven terrain around the viewpoint, so comfortable shoes are helpful.
Head to Metaxi Mas in Exo Gonia for lunch.
I’d make a reservation if eating here is important to you.
Because it’s outside Akrotiri, this involves some backtracking before your afternoon sightseeing. If you’d prefer to minimize driving, you could eat closer to Akrotiri instead.
Spend the afternoon at the Akrotiri Archaeological Site.
This ancient Bronze Age settlement was buried by a volcanic eruption, preserving parts of the town beneath volcanic material. Today, visitors can walk through the excavated site beneath a protective roof.
We didn’t personally visit Akrotiri, so I can’t give you a firsthand review, but it’s one of the island’s major archaeological attractions and fits well into this itinerary.
I’d allow approximately 1.5–2 hours and check the current opening hours before planning your day.
Finish your sightseeing at Akrotiri Lighthouse on the southwestern end of Santorini. The lighthouse itself is relatively small, but the surrounding area has open views across the sea and rugged coastline.
I’d allow around 30–45 minutes, including time for photos.
I wouldn’t necessarily drive all the way across Santorini just for this stop, but since you’re already exploring Akrotiri, it makes sense to include it.
For dinner, consider The Good Heart, a traditional Greek restaurant in the Akrotiri area. It’s a convenient option for finishing the day in southern Santorini before heading back to your hotel.
For your final day, I’d explore the caldera villages between Imerovigli and Fira.
This was one of my favorite parts of Santorini, and I especially loved how the scenery changed as we walked between the villages.
Begin in Imerovigli, a village perched high above the caldera. You’ll find beautiful views around Anastasi Church and toward Skaros Rock, along with plenty of smaller paths and viewpoints to explore.
Imerovigli was noticeably quieter than Oia, which was a big part of why I enjoyed it so much.
If you enjoy hiking, consider adding Skaros Rock to your morning. The trail takes you out toward the dramatic rocky promontory, with some incredible views of the caldera and Aegean Sea along the way.
Allow approximately 1–2 hours for the round trip, and wear comfortable shoes because there are quite a few stairs and uneven sections. We admired Skaros Rock from Imerovigli rather than hiking out to it, but it’s definitely something I’d consider adding on a future visit!
From Imerovigli, head south along the caldera path toward Firostefani. It’s about a 15–25 minute walk, and since you’re heading toward Fira anyway, it’s an easy way to connect all three villages without needing transportation.
One thing to know is that the famous Three Bells of Fira photo spot is actually in Firostefani, not Fira! The best view is from above the church, so make sure you head to the upper viewpoint rather than just walking past the entrance below.
For the route and additional walking tips, see my Fira to Imerovigli Walk: Santorini Caldera Walking Guide.
Stop for lunch at Aktaion Restaurant, a traditional Greek restaurant that’s been serving food in Firostefani since 1922. It’s conveniently located along the walking route before you continue into Fira.
I’d also recommend stopping at 180° Sunset Bar for a drink and those incredible caldera views. It’s a gorgeous spot to sit and enjoy the scenery, even if you’re not staying for sunset.
Continue walking into Fira, Santorini’s capital.
Fira has a larger shopping area than the smaller caldera villages, along with restaurants, churches, and viewpoints overlooking the Old Port. I’d spend the afternoon exploring the pedestrian streets, browsing shops, and enjoying the views.
Some places to include are the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, the Catholic Quarter, and the shopping streets around Ypapantis and 25is Martiou.
Finish your five days in Santorini with dinner at Selene. We ate at several excellent restaurants during our trip, but Selene was our best overall dining experience. The service was top-notch, and the food? Well, my mouth is literally watering just thinking about it as I write this. 🤤
If you enjoy fine dining and want to splurge on one special meal in Santorini, Selene would be at the top of my list.
For this itinerary, I would rent one.
We picked up a small automatic car from Santorini Airport, and the process took less than 15 minutes. Having our own transportation made visiting the more spread-out attractions much easier. I’d definitely recommend choosing a SMALL car.
If you prefer not to drive, you can still visit most of these places using a combination of buses, taxis, and organized tours. You’ll just need to allow more time and potentially rearrange the days.
We stayed at Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort, and it worked really well as our home base.
The resort has two pools and a private beach area, and we stayed in a Premium Room with a plunge pool. Breakfast was included, which was convenient before heading out each morning.
If I were planning another trip, I’d consider splitting our stay between Kamari and Imerovigli or Oia. A few nights near the beach followed by a few nights overlooking the caldera would give us two completely different experiences.
You don’t need anything particularly unusual for Santorini, but there are a few things I’d make sure to bring based on our experience.
And if you’re planning to wear dresses while exploring, I also really like Thigh Society shorts. They’re useful for long walking days and those windy Santorini moments.
A few compact travel essentials can make the sightseeing and boat days much more comfortable.
If you have less than five days in Santorini, I’d prioritize the itinerary in order of importance.
With three days, I’d spend one exploring Oia, another out on the water, and the third walking from Imerovigli through Firostefani to Fira. Those would be my top three priorities for a first visit.
If you have four days, I’d add Ancient Thera, Pyrgos, and Kamari Beach. You can easily combine all three into one day, giving you a chance to explore a different side of Santorini.
I’d save Megalochori and Akrotiri for a longer trip rather than trying to squeeze everything in.
Before our trip, I’d heard plenty of people say Santorini was overrated because of the crowds and tourism, so I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. Well, after spending five nights there, I actually wish we’d had MORE time!
Santorini was unlike anywhere else we’ve visited. The scenery was gorgeous, the villages were so unique, and the food was INSANELY good. Yes, some areas were crowded, but that didn’t take away from how much we loved the island.
If we go back, I’d probably split our stay between the beach and the caldera, return to a few of our favorite restaurants, and absolutely rent another boat.
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I don’t even like seafood but @sunsethydra surprised me!
The panko-crusted feta with prickly pear chutney and pistachios was one of my favorites, and the Sunset Salad with fresh oranges and homemade orange-ginger dressing was so good. Even the bread and olive oil stood out!
Brad ordered the fresh catch of the day, sea bass, and loved it. And yes, even I enjoyed a bite!
Comment whether or not you’re a big seafood fan! 👇
Taking a day trip from Athens to Hydra? Here are 3 things to know before you book!
Book a high-speed ferry from Piraeus. Our ride took just 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, giving us almost 7 hours to explore.
Check your ferry options. We took Alpha Lines to Hydra and Magic Sea Ferries back. I personally preferred Alpha Lines for its open outdoor deck!
Plan to explore on foot. Hydra is car-free, and the ferry drops you right at the heart of town, making it easy to explore the harbor, shops, and waterfront restaurants as soon as you arrive.
Hydra ended up being one of my favorite days in Greece! Head to the blog for my full ferry guide, booking tips, and everything I wish I’d known before going.
I had less than 7 hours to spend in Hydra, Greece, and here is how I made the most of it.
From waterfront lunch to swimming at two beautiful beaches, this day trip was one of my favorite parts of Greece.
Read my full Hydra itinerary on the blog and save this for your trip!
This is what I mean by lunch with a view. 🇬🇷
Sunset Restaurant on one side, the Aegean Sea on the other.
And even as someone who doesn’t usually go for seafood, this spot in Hydra surprised me. Between the fresh sea bass, panko-crusted feta, and waterfront setting, it was a meal worth remembering.
Save this for your next trip to Greece!
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
