Is Santorini Worth It? 10 pros and cons of visiting Santorini, Greece

Santorini is one of the most popular destinations in Greece, and for good reason. It’s a unique volcanic island group in the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades archipelago. Every year, millions of tourists visit by plane, ferry, or cruise ship. Its breathtaking caldera views, whitewashed houses, and blue-domed churches, along with the local Greek experiences, make it exceptionally popular.

I’ve written many articles about Santorini because it’s also one of my personal favorite Mediterranean destinations.

In this article, you’ll find a 10-point list of whether it’s worth traveling to Santorini. I’ve explained, in 5 points, why it’s worth visiting and in 5 points, why it might not be the best choice. You’ll see the island’s advantages and disadvantages listed out, helping you make the right decision if you’re thinking about a trip to Santorini.

First, you’ll find some general information about traveling there, followed by the list of pros and cons. Let’s dive into what you need to know about traveling to Santorini!

Tips and information for a trip to Santorini

How to get to Santorini

You can get to Santorini by plane or ferry. Flights usually depart from Athens or other European cities, and there are many charter flights.

You can also reach Santorini by ferry from many other Greek islands, and usually, several ferries depart from Athens every day.

How many days do you need in Santorini?

For a comprehensive visit to Santorini, we recommend spending 3-5 days on the island. With less time, you won’t be able to explore all the key spots. However, if you want more relaxation or plan to visit other islands as well, staying for a whole week could also be a good idea.

Best time to visit Santorini

The best time to visit Santorini is in late spring, early summer, and early autumn. The best months are May, June, and September.

If you want to travel on a budget, consider visiting in late April or early October.

Pros of a trip to Santorini

There are many benefits to traveling to Santorini, and I’ve gathered a few of the most important ones:

1. Unique views: breathtaking caldera and beautiful villages

Santorini is an exceptionally beautiful destination in the Mediterranean region, which I think is a must-visit for those looking for something unique in Europe.

Due to its volcanic nature, the landscapes are uniquely stunning, with the caldera itself being a one-of-a-kind sight in the world. Added to this are the small villages and towns with white houses, abundant flowers, blue-domed churches, interesting buildings, and breathtaking sea views.

For all these reasons, Santorini is rightly one of the most spectacular destinations in Europe. It’s a special Greek island group, unlike anything else you’ll find anywhere in the world.

2. Lots of activities to choose from

In recent decades, Santorini has grown into one of Greece’s most famous tourist paradises. Because of this, you’ll find a wide range of programs, entertainment options, restaurants, hotels, and much more. While other Greek islands may feel a bit empty or boring after a few days, Santorini offers plenty of activities to enjoy, such as:

• Boat and cruise ship tours
• Sunset tours in Oia and Fira
• Wine and food tastings
• Beach relaxation
• Photography tours with local guides
• Cooking classes
• Quad rentals
• Scuba diving
• Horseback riding

So, you definitely won’t get bored in Santorini because there’s plenty to see and do!

3. First-class luxury restaurants and hotels

Santorini has a wide variety of restaurants and hotels, despite its size. Among them, you’ll find many high-quality luxury hotels and restaurants.

Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, on a honeymoon, or with friends, the island has many breathtaking five-star places with the best caldera views.

Here are a few examples:

• Villa Bordeaux hotel in Fira
• West East Suites in Imerovigli
• Kaliya restaurant in Fira
• Lioyerma Lounge Cafe Pool Bar in Oia

4. Can offer a true Greek experience

Santorini, although it has become a very popular tourist spot, still holds many traces of the original Greek culture.

You can experience the true Greek style not only in the architecture, with blue-domed, white-walled churches and houses typical of the area, but also in other aspects.

Additionally, Santorini has many restaurants serving traditional Greek dishes, wineries offering local wines, and you can stay in a traditional cave suite.

5. Good weather and affordable destination outside the peak season

Santorini is generally an expensive destination, and most people visit in the summer, but if you want to plan your trip wisely, it’s worth thinking differently from the average traveler.

In spring and autumn, you can not only travel much cheaper than in the summer, but the weather is also more pleasant. Santorini has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. So, in the summer, you’ll face not only the extreme heat but also a lot of dust, which can both be uncomfortable while traveling.

Therefore, if you’re not particularly interested in beach activities (which are best in the summer), I suggest visiting at the end of spring or the beginning of autumn. You’ll save money and probably enjoy more comfortable weather while exploring the villages.

Cons of a trip to Santorini

After looking at the benefits of Santorini, let’s consider the disadvantages of traveling there:

1. Huge crowds and heat during the peak season

I have already explained when the best time to go to Santorini is, but it’s worth mentioning again that summer is not always the best choice.

During the summer months, especially from the second half of June to the first half of September, Santorini can get very hot, with daytime temperatures averaging around 30°C and extremely strong sunlight. Additionally, the dry weather creates a lot of dust, which can make your trip uncomfortable, especially for sightseeing.

Moreover, summer is the peak season, meaning you will have to deal with large crowds, higher prices, difficulties with booking, traffic jams, parking problems, and crowded streets and photo spots.

2. Overly touristy destination

Unfortunately, the large number of tourists has a negative impact on the island. It’s not just annoying to deal with the huge crowds, but it also affects the area in a bad way.

What we disliked the most was that almost everything is restricted or closed off. For example, in Oia, many small streets are blocked because they are said to be private property. But those spots would have some of the best photo opportunities. There are also many gates and entrances with signs telling you what not to do. So, overall, tourist areas are filled with warning signs directed at visitors.

Additionally, while other Greek islands are more peaceful and safe, in Santorini, you might come across pickpockets and car break-ins.

Overall, since the island’s economy depends too much on tourism and it welcomes too many visitors, the experience feels a bit less like an authentic Greek experience.

3. Poor quality beaches

Although Santorini has many beaches, including famous ones like the unique Red Beach and the black-sand Kamari Beach, the island is not really known for its beach experience. The black sand, pebbly and often rocky shores, the sudden deep waters with strong waves, and the relatively limited facilities make other Greek islands a better choice for a beach vacation.

If your main goal is to enjoy the beach, it’s better to visit nearby Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, or even Crete, which all have much more beautiful beaches.

4. Can become expensive easily

Since Santorini is a very touristy destination, there are plenty of beautiful high-end hotels, restaurants, and activities to choose from. Planning a low-budget trip here isn’t easy, though it’s not impossible.

Still, it’s very tempting to indulge in luxury hotels with private pools, restaurants with breathtaking views, and stylish bars, all of which can be quite expensive.

This is especially true during peak season, when prices are much higher than the rest of the year.

5. Relatively poor infrastructure

Although Santorini is one of the better-equipped Greek islands, I wouldn’t say its infrastructure is great by European standards.

There are plenty of hotels and restaurants, so there’s no shortage of those. There are no issues with accessibility or mobile coverage.

However, for example, it has an airport, but it’s quite small compared to the number of tourists. There are also not many medical centers.

The tap water is technically drinkable, but it’s not recommended. You can’t throw toilet paper in the toilet because Greek pipes are smaller than the average European ones.

The roads cover the island, but they can’t handle the heavy traffic in the summer. The same goes for parking.

Personally, I also found the number of shops lacking.

Overall, I don’t think it’s one of the European destinations with the best infrastructure, but this is just my personal opinion.

So, this was the presentation of the 5 pros and 5 cons of traveling to Santorini. You’ve learned about the advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering before traveling there.

Although the island group has its own characteristics, including both good and bad qualities, overall, I think Santorini is a great choice for those looking for a unique Mediterranean destination. It’s worth planning your trip well, and if you do, you’ll have a fantastic experience when you choose Santorini.

So, if you’re feeling inspired to travel to Santorini, check out our other articles, and I wish you a great trip!