Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, which is why it is one of the most visited tourist destinations. People fall in love with the white buildings and blue domes, breathtaking sunsets, and the sunken volcano. It is one of the places tourists can wait to go back to.

Surely you have seen pictures of Santorini online since they are featured almost everywhere'. These alone are more than enough for you to start planning your vacation there. The most common question people have is how long they should stay on the island, and we will answer it in this article.

How many days do you need?

This is the most important thing you have to consider when planning a vacation. Do you want to explore all the tourist attractions or just the most popular ones? Do you want to stay there or add it to your list of places to visit? Generally speaking, if you want to enjoy everything the island has to offer, you will need between- three and five days. This is more than enough time to explore every corner of it.

However, it doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love with Santorini within a day. If you can’t say more than a day, you should start with a boat tour, see the Nea Kameni volcano, and have some time to relax on the Red Beach. Then, you can explore Fira, the capital of Santorini get lost between- those breathing-taking white buildings. You can’t miss these. After all, they are the trademark of the island. Finally, you should go to Oia since it is the best place to enjoy sunsets. Nevertheless, keep in mind that it will be crowded since other people want to enjoy the sights as well, so you should try to get there a few hours earlier.

On the other hand, if you want to experience the island and enjoy your stay, you should plan a longer trip. For example, while in Fira, you should visit the Prehistoric Museum of Thira and the Three Bells of Fira in Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church. There is also the volcanic formation called Skaros Rock on the Aegean island, one of Greece’s most photographed places. If you want to learn more about the history of the island, the Ancient Thera and its ruins are perfect for you. Lastly, there are the beaches. When it comes to Santorini, there is an abundance of options. The most popular ones are the already mentioned Red Beach, Perivolos and Perissa, Vlychada, Kamari, Monolithos Beach, and many others.

How to plan this vacation?

Now that we have given you a list of places you should visit, let us tell you some essential things you need to know and do when planning your holiday.

Book accommodation

First things first, if you want to spend the entire vacation here, you need to find and book accommodation in Santorini. Considering it is swamped with tourists during the summer, you should do this in advance, that is, the moment you decide the island is your destination. It also means you have multiple options and that it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the right hotel. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling with your family, planning a romantic escape, or going away with your friends.

Transportation

If you plan on staying for a few days, you need to find a way to move around the island, and here you have several options. If you are staying in Fira, you can visit any tourist attraction on the island by bus. Yes, these all connect to Fira since it is the capital, but keep in mind that the bus schedule is probably not as dense, meaning that you will have to check it and plan your day around it.

More, you can always use a taxi service. However, keep in mind that these can be quite costly, especially during the peak season. Plus, there aren’t many of them, so finding the one may be a bit tricky. Even though they are more comfortable and convenient than buses, they can round up to be a significant expense.

Due to these reasons, renting a car may be your best option. Obviously, this is only true if you will be there for more than two or three days. Navigating narrow streets may prove to be a challenge, but renting a car will give you the freedom to go where'ver you want and return to the hotel whenever you want.

Plan your outings

No, we are not going to mention the tourist attraction again, but instead, we will tell you that you need to explore every corner of the island. Take a stroll around the city, and meet the locals. Learn about their everyday life and ask them for recommendations about what you should see next. Visit the marketplace to buy some souvenirs, and make sure to try a variety of traditional dishes while there. When it comes to these, the possibilities are pretty much endless, and we can guarantee you will enjoy every meal. If you want to be prepared, you should look online for lists of the best restaurants and reviews based both on the food and the ambiance. Naturally, you should try to opt for restaurants that offer majestic sunset views.

Wrapping up

To sum up, these are some essential information you need to know if you want to spend your next vacation in Santorini. Even though it is widely known for its unique architecture, sandy beaches, and breathtaking sunsets, the island has so much more to offer. It doesn’t matter if you just want to relax and spend your days on a beach or, on the other hand, learn about the culture and history, Santorini is the right place for you. Just take your time to think about what you want to see and enjoy and plan your trip accordingly.