Santorini 3-Day Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Santorini, Greece

Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular destinations, located in the Aegean Sea as part of the Cyclades. The volcanic island is not only known for its fascinating history but also for its unique geographical features, making it a truly special travel destination.

Since millions of tourists visit Santorini every year, many wonder how to make the most of a short trip. What are the best places to visit, what are the top activities to do, and where is the best place to stay for a short visit to get the most out of your trip?

That’s why I’ve created a 3-day Santorini itinerary. In it, I detail everything you need to know for a shorter Santorini trip. You’ll find out what the best things to do are during a 3-day stay on the island, the top places to visit, the best hotels to stay, and everything else you need to know for a 3-day Santorini vacation.

First, let’s take a look at the detailed day-by-day 3-day itinerary, which will help you explore Santorini in the easiest way possible.

After that, you’ll find some useful information and travel tips that will come in handy for any Santorini trip.

3-day Santorini itinerary: How to spend 3 days in Santorini

Here’s how I recommend spending 3 days in Santorini:

Day 1: Fira

Start your first day in Fira by visiting museums in the morning. You can check out the Archaeological Museum of Thira and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira to learn about the island’s rich history.

For lunch, head to Kaliya Restaurant. Enjoy a delicious meal with amazing views of the caldera, all while surrounded by the charming pink flower theme of the restaurant.

After lunch, take a stroll along the seaside promenade and enjoy the views. Don’t miss the Three Bells of Fira, the courtyard of the Fabrica Shopping Center (a great spot for photos, including the famous “I Love Santorini” sign), and the Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti Thira.

Around sunset, enjoy a boat ride from the Old Harbor. You can reach it by foot, donkey, or cable car. Many boat trips depart from here, offering stunning views as the sun sets over the caldera.

In the evening, finish the day by heading to a local bar for a relaxing drink. In Fira, the Volkan on the Rocks and Vr Cafe Bar offer the best views.

Day 2: Oia

For your second day in Santorini, it’s a great idea to spend it in Oia, the most popular village on the island.

Start your day in Oia by waking up early to explore the best photo spots without the crowds. This will give you the chance to capture stunning views of the caldera in peace.

For lunch, head to either Kastro Restaurant Oia or Thalami Restaurant. Be sure to book a table in advance for the best views while enjoying your meal.

In the afternoon, take a walk along Nikolaou Nomikou Street, the main pedestrian street, where you can easily reach the best viewpoints with just a few short detours. Then, wander through the narrow streets of the village. If you get tired, relax at a local bar and enjoy the atmosphere.

If you’re looking for peace and fantastic sunset views, consider booking a hotel with a nice view, like in Old Castle Oia. This way, you can enjoy the stunning scenery without the crowds.

As the evening approaches, head to the area around the Old Castle for the best sunset views. Alternatively, you can book a boat tour that departs from Ammoudi Bay to experience the sunset from the water.

Day 3: Imerovigli, Akrotiri, and Kamari

Early morning: Imerovigli

Start your third day in Imerovigli, one of Santorini’s most popular destinations, located between Fira and Oia. It’s known for its stunning caldera views, the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord with its iconic blue dome, and the Skaros Rock formation.

Imerovigli is a photographer’s dream. To get the best photos and avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit early in the morning.

In Imerovigli, there are fewer restaurants and shops. Parking can be a bit tricky here compared to other areas, but it’s definitely worth visiting for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

Midday: Akrotiri

After exploring Imerovigli, head to Akrotiri on the southern tip of the island. Akrotiri is famous for its ancient archaeological site, which is definitely worth a visit. You can also check out the Akrotiri Lighthouse, which offers great views of the sea.

Besides its historical sites, Akrotiri is known for its unique beaches, like Red Beach and White Beach. However, these beaches are more photogenic than suitable for swimming.

In the afternoon, if you feel like it, you can stop by Santo Wines Winery for a wine tasting. You can try some of Santorini’s special wines while enjoying amazing caldera views. Just remember that it’s usually necessary to make a reservation in advance!

Afternoon and evening: Kamari

For the afternoon and evening, head to Kamari to relax and unwind. Kamari is a popular resort town on the eastern side of Santorini, great for a relaxing time by the sea.

If you’re in the mood to swim or take a walk along the beach, Kamari Beach, the longest and most popular beach on the island, is the best choice. Spend the last few hours of your 3-day trip relaxing in the sun, sitting at a seaside bar or restaurant, or simply enjoying the beach.

Kamari offers a great beach experience in the summer and is perfect for a peaceful walk along the shore all year round.

With the evening of the 3rd day, your 3-day Santorini trip comes to an end. I hope you have enough information to spend 3 amazing days on the island, making the most of your trip while also having time to enjoy everything Santorini has to offer.

If you still have any unanswered questions, you can find more information about traveling to Santorini below.

What else to know when traveling to Santorini

Here are a few things you should know if you’re planning 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 to get around Santorini

I highly recommend renting a car in Santorini, even though there might be some traffic or parking issues. Still, it’s the best way to get around the island.

Another good option is a private transfer, where you don’t have to worry about transportation because locals will take care of getting you from one place to another.

Public transport on the island is a bit limited, but you can travel between villages by bus.

You can also rent a scooter or quad, which is an easy and fun way to explore the island.

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.

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 may also be a good idea.

Is Santorini expensive to visit?

Honestly, yes, Santorini is not only one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in Greece but also one of the most expensive.

Therefore, if you want to travel on a low budget, you need to plan well when, where, and for how long you travel, where you stay, where you eat, how you get around, as all of these are definitely expensive on Santorini.

But with the guide in the link, you can learn more about how to travel to Santorini on a budget.

So that’s it for this 3-day Santorini itinerary, showing you how to make the most of a short trip to Santorini. You read day-by-day details of what to do on the island, the best places to visit, and what fits into a 3-day trip.

I hope you enjoyed the itinerary and that it got you excited for a trip to Santorini. If you want to learn more about the island, check out our other Santorini articles.

And if you’re ready to go, book your flight and hotel as soon as possible and head to Santorini!