The Ultimate Guide of Hidden Spots of Santorini
Day 1
Arrival in Santorini. We chose to fly early in the morning from the Athens Airport so as to enjoy the full day.
Spend your day at Fira and there are three ways to get up and down from Fira to the old port: walk 588 steps, ride the cable car or ride a donkey. We had to try the donkey experience. The price for renting a mule is 10 € per person. You can ride a donkey up (or down) the caldera from the main port and each ride takes 25-35 minutes.
Suggested by Stylisphere: Stay in Fira as it offers more services such as shops, supermarkets, and everything else you might need. Additionally, it has a very convenient and flexible bus station, with buses to every tourist village departing every 10 minutes.
Enjoy a delightful dinner at Porto Fira Suites, located on the Caldera side in Santorini. This exquisite dining experience offers breathtaking views of the iconic Santorini sunset, creating a perfect ambiance for a memorable evening.
Day 2
The next morning, head to Kamari Beach, one of Santorini’s stunning beaches featuring pebbles, black volcanic sand, and crystal-clear water. A promenade lined with numerous restaurants, bars, tavernas, and shops adds to the charm, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the day. The beach is well-organized, with only half of it privatized. The other half is open to everyone, allowing visitors to stay as they wish, with or without sunbeds.
Lunch at Mango Lounge & Restaurant, the most charming bar and restaurant in Kamari. The rule is a minimum spend of 25 euros per person (50 euros for an umbrella with two sunbeds), covering everything from coffee, lunch, cocktails, and more.
Across the beaches, the service quality is consistently high, whether at fine dining establishments or more economical options.
Dinner at Barolo in Fira and taste some Santorini wine from one of the oldest wineries here, called Estate Argyros.
A glimpse of the menu: Prices are above average, and the menu is primarily seafood. Barolo is a fine dining restaurant, distinct from traditional or budget options, known for its fantastic, friendly, and very prompt service. Wine bottles for example start at 30 euros. We chose the Erohos from Estate Argyros, which was 54 euros.
Day 3
Breakfast in Pyrgos, Santorini.
We planned to catch the sunset in Oia, so Amoudi Bay was for the win as they are very close to each other.
To get to Amoudi Bay, descend from Oia (20 minutes by car from Fira) via a somewhat steep path. You can choose to walk or ride a donkey. Amoudi Bay is a fantastic and unique cove, full of traditional tavernas with a typical Greek atmosphere.
Lunch at Sunset Taverna by Paraskevas, located in the bay. Prices are above average considering the tavern-style restaurants and traditional dishes. The menus consists only on seafood.
We arrive in Oia without a reservation and enjoy the sunset. It is said to be extraordinarily beautiful there, and indeed, so it was. Transportation is very flexible, with public buses running every 30 minutes to every village or beach.
Day 4
Have breakfast again in Pyrgos, Santorini. Pyrgos, once the central hub of Santorini and one of its most unique villages, is just a 15-minute drive from Fira. To explore other beaches, renting a car is recommended. Although public transportation is convenient, with new and fast buses running every 15 minutes to tourist villages and beaches, a rental car allows you to minimize travel time and maximize your destinations. We rented a Fiat Cabriolet for 50 euros per day, with fuel costing around 20 euros.
Sunbath at Red Beach. Red Beach is known for its volcanic red sand. To reach the beach, you must navigate an uncomfortable path from the public parking area, which is about a 7-8 minute walk. From Pyrgos, it’s approximately a 20-minute drive.
Elevate your afternoon with some wine Tasting at Estate Argyros. We visited Estate Argyros, one of Santorini’s largest and oldest wineries, for a wine tasting experience. Estate Argyros is the only private winery on the island, featuring a unique design and located about 10-15 minutes by car from Fira. Santorini is renowned for its numerous wineries due to its volcanic soil, which lacks potassium and clay and deters the phylloxera pests that damage grapevines. The vineyards are kept low to the ground with a trellis system, allowing the grapes to grow in a circular form to protect them from the island’s strong winds.
Another end of the day, another sunset, this time in Imerovigli and after that some cocktails at Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection. The venue, known for its luxury, offers cocktails starting at 20 euros. It has two areas: a Michelin-starred restaurant with Chef Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef to earn a Michelin star, and a lounge area with two floors. Reservations are required. If you book before 7:30 PM, a 25-euro prepayment is needed to hold your reservation. After this time, the prepayment increases to 55 euros.
Day 5
We spent the morning in Imerovigli, one of the villages known for its stunning sunsets and unique views. It is very well-organized and aesthetically pleasing, located just a 10-minute drive and a 20-minute walk from Fira.
Beach Time at Perissa Beach. Perissa Beach features black sand and offers free sunbeds if you spend at least 20 euros per person at the restaurant. The restaurant serves basic Greek cuisine, with main dishes such as meat and fish priced between 13-14 euros, drinks between 5-6 euros, and cocktails between 8-9 euros.
Stop at Anastasia Princess Luxury Beach Residence (Adults Only). For a more exclusive experience, we visited Anastasia Princess Luxury Beach Residence. The cost for a front-row cabana was 80 euros, which included two drinks, one bottle of water, and a fruit salad. Cabana rentals behind the first row were priced at 50 euros.
Day 6
Cruise with Spiridakos Sailing Cruises
We took a catamaran cruise with Spiridakos Sailing Cruises, costing 140 euros per person. We recommend the afternoon tour to catch the sunset. The morning tour was priced at 110 euros per person and included round-trip transportation by minivan, lunch with traditional dishes, and unlimited drinks.
The cruise made stops at Red Beach, White Beach (adjacent), and the Hot Springs, which are volcanic craters. The closer you got to the crater, the warmer the water became. The Hot Springs water was green and it is advised not to swim there if you have heart issues, skin allergies, or are pregnant. Also, if you are wearing light-colored swimsuits or jewelry, it is recommended to change them as the color may fade.
The entire trip lasted 5 hours, with stops lasting 20-30 minutes at each location. The boat anchored between Red Beach and White Beach for about an hour for lunch before heading out to open sea to watch the sunset.
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