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Santorini travel guide

Santorini Airport & Athinios Port: how to get to your hotel

Arriving by plane or ferry? Here's how to get from Santorini Airport or Athinios Port to Fira, Oia, Imerovigli or the beaches, with travel times, options and tips to avoid the summer chaos.

HM By the Happy Move team 7 min read Updated 2026

Quick answer

Santorini is small, but taxis are few and the port is at the bottom of a steep cliff road. Pre-booking a transfer is the easiest option in summer.

Airport → Fira~15 min
Airport → Oia25–30 min
Port → Fira20–25 min
Port → Oia40–50 min
In this guide
  1. Travel times
  2. Your options
  3. Athinios Port tips
  4. FAQ

Santorini has two main arrival points: the international airport near Kamari on the east coast, and Athinios, the ferry port at the foot of the caldera cliffs.

Both are close to the main villages, but in high season the queues for taxis and buses can be long. Here's everything you need to know.

Travel times

RouteBy carNotes
Airport → Fira~15 minMain town
Airport → Imerovigli~20 minCaldera hotels
Airport → Oia25–30 minNorthern tip
Airport → Perissa / Kamari10–20 minBeach resorts
Athinios Port → Fira20–25 minSteep zig-zag road
Athinios Port → Oia40–50 minAllow more in traffic

Your options

Top pick
1

Private transfer

The easiest option
Door to door Any luggage Up to 12 people

Your driver waits for you in arrivals or at the port exit with your name, helps with your bags and takes you straight to your hotel, even to the nearest point in pedestrian villages like Oia.

Driver's tipMany caldera hotels are reached by steps. Ask your hotel if they offer porter service from the drop-off point.
2

Taxi

Limited numbers
Queue in summer Up to 4

Santorini has a limited number of taxis. When a big ferry or several flights arrive at once, waiting times can be long.

3

Public bus (KTEL)

Cheapest
Low cost Light luggage

Buses connect the airport and the port with Fira, the main hub. From Fira you change for Oia and other villages. Buses can be very full in summer.

Arriving at Athinios Port

Athinios is a small port at the foot of a steep cliff, connected to the rest of the island by a single zig-zag road. When a large ferry docks, hundreds of passengers and dozens of vehicles leave at the same time.

  • Expect crowds when a big ferry arrives.
  • Traffic on the zig-zag road can be slow for the first 20–30 minutes.
  • Leaving by ferry? Arrive at the port well before departure, as traffic down the road builds up.
Departing from AthiniosAllow plenty of time to get to the port for your ferry, especially from Oia, and more in July and August.

Book your Santorini transfer

Airport or Athinios Port to your hotel. Meet & greet, fixed price per vehicle, flight and ferry tracking.

See prices →

Key takeaways

  • Airport → Fira: about 15 minutes.
  • Port → Oia: allow 40–50 minutes.
  • Taxis are limited: pre-book in summer.
  • Leave early for your departing ferry.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Santorini Airport to Oia?

By private transfer or taxi it takes about 25–30 minutes. By bus you need to change in Fira, which takes longer.

How far is Athinios Port from Fira?

About 20–25 minutes by car, via a steep zig-zag road up the caldera cliff.

Are there enough taxis in Santorini?

Santorini has a limited number of taxis, so queues can be long in summer. Pre-booking a transfer avoids the wait.

Can a car reach my hotel in Oia?

Oia's center is pedestrian, so cars stop at the nearest access point. Many hotels offer help with luggage from there.

Keep planning your trip

Things to do

Best things to do in Santorini

12 experiences we love on the island.

Read guide →
Sunsets

Best sunset spots in Santorini

Where to watch it, beyond Oia.

Read guide →
Beaches

Santorini beaches

Black, red and white sand.

Read guide →
Transfers in SantoriniFixed price · local driver
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Travel Guide  ›  Santorini  ›  Things to do
Santorini travel guide

The best things to do in Santorini (a local's guide)

Caldera sunsets, cliff-top walks, a live volcano, volcanic wines and fish tavernas by the water. Our drivers' favorite experiences on the most famous island in Greece, and how to enjoy them without the crowds.

HM By the Happy Move team 10 min read Updated 2026

Short on time? Our top 6

  1. Sunset in Oia
  2. Hike from Fira to Oia
  3. Sail to the volcano
  4. Volcanic wine tasting
  5. Lunch in Ammoudi Bay
  6. Ancient Akrotiri
In this guide
  1. 12 things to do
  2. 3-day itinerary
  3. FAQ

Santorini is a place you've probably seen a thousand times in photos, and it's still breathtaking in real life. Whitewashed villages cling to the edge of a giant volcanic crater, and the sea below is so deep and blue it looks unreal.

It can get busy, especially when the cruise ships are in. The trick is knowing when and where to go. We drive visitors around the island every day, and these are the experiences we recommend most.

12 things we love in Santorini

Top pick
1

Sunset in Oia

The most famous sunset in Greece
North tip 2 hours Sunset

Blue domes, windmills and white houses glowing pink and gold as the sun sinks into the Aegean. Watching the sunset in Oia is a bucket-list moment, and the whole village applauds when the sun disappears.

Driver's tipArrive at least an hour early for a good spot near the castle ruins, or book a table with a view.
Top pick
2

Hike from Fira to Oia

The most beautiful walk in the Cyclades
~10 km 3–4 hours Views all the way

A trail along the rim of the caldera through Firostefani and Imerovigli, past Skaros Rock, blue-domed churches and endless views, all the way to Oia. Mostly easy, with a few climbs.

Driver's tipStart early in the morning, bring water and a hat, and ask us to pick you up in Oia.
3

Sail to the volcano & hot springs

Walk on a live volcano
From the old port Half day Unique

Take a boat across the caldera to Nea Kameni, the volcanic islet in the middle, and walk up to the craters. Then swim to the warm, mineral-rich hot springs of Palea Kameni.

Driver's tipWear old swimwear: the iron-rich water can stain fabric orange.
4

Lunch in Ammoudi Bay

Fish tavernas below Oia
Below Oia Seafood Swim spot

Walk down the steps from Oia to this tiny harbor, where octopus dries in the sun and tavernas serve fresh fish right by the deep, clear water. Brave swimmers jump from the rocks nearby.

Driver's tipWalking back up is steep. Plan for it, or take a ride back to Oia.
5

Volcanic wine tasting

Assyrtiko & Vinsanto
Megalochori, Pyrgos, Episkopi 2 hours Wine & food

Santorini's vines grow in low, basket-shaped coils on the ground to protect the grapes from the wind. Taste the crisp, mineral Assyrtiko and the sweet, sun-dried Vinsanto at wineries with caldera or vineyard views.

Driver's tipDon't drive after tasting. Book a driver and visit two or three wineries in one afternoon.
6

Ancient Akrotiri

The Pompeii of the Aegean
South 1.5 hours Archaeology

A Bronze Age town buried by the great eruption around 3,600 years ago and preserved under volcanic ash, with multi-story houses, streets and drainage systems, all under a protective roof.

Driver's tipCombine it with the Red Beach viewpoint and the Akrotiri lighthouse at sunset.
7

Fira & the old port

The lively capital
Center 2 hours Shops & bars

The island's capital, perched on the cliff edge, with shops, cafés and bars facing the caldera. Below it, the old port is reached by cable car or by a long stairway of hundreds of steps.

Driver's tipVisit in the evening, when the day-trippers have left.
8

Imerovigli & Skaros Rock

The balcony of Santorini
Caldera edge Short hike Quieter sunsets

The highest village on the caldera, with stunning views and fewer crowds than Oia. A path leads out to Skaros Rock, the site of a medieval castle, for one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the island.

Driver's tipA wonderful alternative sunset spot to Oia.
9

The village of Pyrgos

Medieval lanes and a 360° view
Inland 1 hour Authentic

A hilltop village with winding lanes, chapels and the ruins of a Venetian castle at the top. From here you can see almost the whole island.

Driver's tipHave dinner in Pyrgos for a calmer, more local evening.
10

Black & red beaches

Volcanic sand and colorful cliffs
Perissa, Kamari, Red Beach Organized

Santorini's beaches are unlike any others: long black-sand beaches at Perissa and Kamari, and the famous Red Beach framed by red volcanic cliffs.

Driver's tipBlack sand gets very hot. Bring beach shoes.
11

A catamaran cruise

The caldera from the sea
Half day Meal on board Sunset cruises

Sail around the caldera, swim in hidden coves and watch the cliffs from below. Sunset cruises are especially popular.

Driver's tipBook ahead in summer, and choose a smaller boat for a quieter experience.
12

Megalochori & Emporio

Traditional villages
South 1–2 hours Photogenic

Away from the caldera, these traditional villages have bell towers, tiny squares and old mansions, a glimpse of everyday island life.

Driver's tipCombine them with a winery visit nearby.

Santorini in 3 days

Day 1

Fira in the morning, hike to Oia via Imerovigli, sunset in Oia.

Day 2

Volcano and hot springs boat trip, afternoon on a black-sand beach, dinner in Pyrgos.

Day 3

Akrotiri and Red Beach, winery tour in the afternoon, sunset at Imerovigli or the lighthouse.

Cruise ship daysWhen several cruise ships are in port, Fira and Oia get very busy around midday. Visit the villages early or late, and spend the middle of the day at a beach or winery.

Explore Santorini with a local driver

Airport and Athinios port transfers, winery tours or a driver for the day. No parking stress.

See prices →

Key takeaways

  • Don't miss: sunset in Oia and the Fira–Oia hike.
  • Avoid crowds: visit the villages early or late.
  • Taste: Assyrtiko and Vinsanto at a winery.
  • Alternative sunsets: Imerovigli, Pyrgos, the lighthouse.

Frequently asked questions

What is the number one thing to do in Santorini?

Watching the sunset in Oia is the most famous experience, followed by the Fira to Oia caldera hike and a boat trip to the volcano.

How many days do you need in Santorini?

Three to four days is ideal for the villages, a volcano trip, a winery, a beach day and a few sunsets without rushing.

How do I avoid the crowds in Santorini?

Visit Fira and Oia early in the morning or in the evening, check cruise ship schedules, and try alternative sunset spots like Imerovigli or Pyrgos.

Can you swim in Santorini?

Yes. The island has black-sand beaches like Perissa and Kamari, the Red Beach, and swimming spots like Ammoudi Bay and the volcano's hot springs.

Keep planning your trip

Destination

Santorini travel guide

Where to stay, getting around and local tips.

Read guide →
Island hopping

Best things to do in Paros

A short ferry ride away.

Read guide →
Getting there

Athens Airport to Piraeus Port

How to get to your ferry for Santorini.

Read guide →
Book your transferFixed price · local driver
See prices