Santorini Travel Itinerary: A Week in Paradise
Discover how to make the most of seven days in Santorini, from caldera sunsets to blissful beach escapes.
If there’s one Greek island that belongs on everyone’s bucket list, it’s Santorini.
Santorini is one of the most famous and recognisable islands in Greece. Renowned for its blue domes, panoramic caldera views, and whitewashed cliffside towns, it’s no wonder thousands of travellers flock here every year to experience its magic for themselves.
I was fortunate enough to see this magic for myself, having recently spent a week soaking up the island’s sunshine and its incredible views. The beauty of Santorini is that there’s something for everyone - whether that’s exploring the local towns, relaxing by the beach, or sampling the island’s delicious food and wine. And, of course, no visit would be complete without witnessing those world-famous sunsets.
In this itinerary, I’ll share how I spent a wonderful seven days in Santorini - and how you can, too.
To read my Santorini Lookbook, click here.
Pre-Itinerary Essentials
A little background
Santorini is part of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. Having been devastated by a massive volcanic eruption many years ago, the island’s landscape was forever transformed, creating the dramatic caldera that defines its iconic scenery today.
Santorini lies on the rim of this volcanic crater, forming a crescent-shaped island that remains an active volcano to this day. It’s this fascinating history and landscape, combined with Santorini’s beautiful architecture and world-class sunsets, that make this island so incredibly special.
The sun dipping behind the caldera in Santorini.
Where to stay in Santorini
The most challenging part of planning a trip to Santorini is deciding where to stay, as there are endless options to suit every taste and budget. One of the most popular areas to stay is on the caldera-facing cliff, across towns such as Fira, Oia, or Imerovigli. Here, you’ll find luxury hotels, boutique suites, and cave-style villas, many with private terraces and infinity pools that look out over the sea and sunset.
On the other hand, you can stay further inland, as I did, in quieter villages that are away from the crowds and just a short drive from the main caldera-facing towns. This is also the more budget-friendly option.
La Torretta, Pyrgos
I stayed in the small inland village of Pyrgos at La Torretta Suites - a beautiful villa on the edge of the village featuring a pool and lovely views across the island. It was just a 10-minute walk to get into the centre of the town, and only a 15-minute drive from Santorini’s capital, Fira.
Breakfast was also included and delivered to the door each morning (which made life so much easier!), and the staff were lovely. Given the brilliant location and great amenities, this suite was fantastic value for money and made the trip even more special. I’d highly recommend it.
La Toretta Suites: beautiful gardens, inviting pools, and the perfect Pyrgos base.
Should you hire a car in Santorini?
While Santorini is a relatively small island, having your own transport can make a big difference to your trip. Public buses connect the main towns (tickets are cheap, ranging from €1.80 to €2), but routes can be limited, especially if you want to explore beaches or smaller villages.
Taxis are available, but they can be pricey since there aren’t many drivers and fares aren’t metered - they’re usually charged at flat rates. For example, the trip from the airport to Pyrgos takes about 10 minutes and costs around €40. We chose this option a few times for convenience before we rented a car.
So, should you rent a car? Hiring a car definitely gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. It is super useful if you’re staying somewhere like Pyrgos or another inland village, as it makes it easier to reach the main caldera-facing towns and beaches. It is also relatively inexpensive - we used Europcar and hired a Fiat 500 for 6 days, which cost around €150 (including insurance).
Quad bikes and ATVs are also very popular in Santorini and can get you around the island quickly, though they are a lot more dusty!
If you decide to rent a car, keep in mind that the roads can be narrow and winding, traffic lights are few, and local driving can be fast-paced, so just be extra cautious. Luckily, there are plenty of free car parks, but be mindful that they tend to fill up quickly, especially in peak season.
With all that said, let’s get into the itinerary!
Location Map
To give you an idea of where everything is, I’ve pinned all the main places I visited around Santorini on the map below!
Day 1: Discovering Pyrgos & Santo Wines
Pyrgos Kallistis
There was no better way to start the trip than by exploring the lovely village of Pyrgos, where we were staying. Pyrgos, also known as Pyrgos Kallistis, is located in the more central area of Santorini. Perched on a hilltop, it is the island’s highest settlement and offers incredible panoramic views of the caldera, nearby villages, and the Aegean Sea.
The village is built around the Kasteli Castle, a former Venetian fortress that once stood proudly on the hilltop. Today, little of the original structure remains (just fragments of walls and old stone doorways), but it still adds a wonderful sense of history.
It took only 15 minutes to reach the highest point of the town, and the walk was beautiful. I wandered through winding cobbled streets, past blue-domed churches, and along charming squares dotted with cafés and local shops. The town itself is small, but it’s beautifully traditional and is very quiet compared to its neighbouring coastal towns. If you have time to venture a little further across Santorini, I’d highly recommend a visit to Pyrgos
The beautiful church at the top of Pyrgos.
Pyrgos is dotted with stunning blue-domed churches and cathedrals.
Rita Bar, Pyrgos
In the afternoon, we stopped for drinks and food at Rita Bar, which sits at the top of Pyrgos. The outdoor seating area had some amazing panoramic views of the island and made for a lovely retreat from the midday sun. The owners were so friendly and attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious.
We ordered a Santorini salad (cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, feta), along with the Piperato dip served with warm pita bread. I’d highly recommend trying the Piperato (also known as tirokafteri), which is a creamy mix of sweet red peppers, Greek yoghurt, feta, and almonds. It was so delicious that I’m tempted to try recreating it at home!
Rita Bar: food and cocktails with a view.
Santo Wines, Pyrgos
In the evening, after a dip in the pool and a quick refresh, we headed to Santo Wines - one of Santorini’s most famous wineries, whose bottles you’ll find in many shops and restaurants across the island. Conveniently, it was only a 10-minute walk to Santo Wines from our villa, which made the location even more perfect.
Santo Wines is famous not only for its award-winning wines but also for its breathtaking location perched on the caldera. We decided to pay a little extra for a first-row table in the restaurant area, which required a minimum spend of €60 per person - this was absolutely worth it, as you’d likely spend that much anyway. We booked our table for 6:30 pm, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy some food and wine before the sunset at around 7:30 pm.
I wasn’t sure what to expect before visiting, but the moment I saw the view of the caldera, I was blown away. As the evening drew in and the sun began to set, it was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Watching the sky melt into shades of orange and pink as the sun dipped into the sea was incredible and made for an amazing dining experience.
I’ll be posting a more detailed post on Santo Wines - the wines we tried, the food we ordered, and tips for visiting - so keep an eye out! All I can say for now is this: add this straight to your bucket list!
Santo Wines is one of Santorini’s most famous wineries.
Day 2: Exploring Fira, Santorini’s capital
After an incredible first day on the island, we spent the second day exploring further afield. Once we picked up our hire car, it was just a 10-minute drive from Pyrgos to Fira, the stunning capital of Santorini.
Fira lies on the western edge of Santorini, perched on the incredible cliffs of the caldera, with a view of the Aegean Sea and the two Volcanic islands of Palaia Kameni and Nea Kameni. The town is filled with narrow cobbled streets lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, and beautiful panoramic views.
You can even take the cable car down to the Old Port from Fira - it’s only a 3-minute ride and costs €10 each way. Alternatively, you can walk down the winding stairs to get some steps in.
(Fun fact: cruise ships can’t anchor in the Old Port of Santorini because the volcanic caldera is too deep. Instead, they anchor offshore and passengers are tendered to the shore via smaller boats!)
The incredible views from Fira, overlooking the Aegean Sea, with cruise ships gliding past the caldera.
The beautiful cliffside town of Fira, and further up, you can see Imerovigli.
The architecture in Fira is a lovely mix of whitewashed buildings, colourful blue domes (including the famous Three Bells of Fira), and beautiful churches. Fira is a hugely popular location to stay - with its maze of caldera-facing caves and hotels providing some of the most stunning views on the island. It’s amazing to see how the buildings are carved into the cliffside, creating a beautifully layered cascade of porcelain-like structures.
My favourite piece of architecture in Fira was the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, which stood out against the white with its muted shades of orange and blue. Its Baroque architectural style is a beautiful contrast to the traditional Cycladic buildings, and its surrounding views make it even more dazzling.
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Fira.
Volkan on the Rocks
After walking through Fira, we decided to stop at Volkan on the Rocks - a restaurant, café, and open-air cinema that overlooks the caldera. In the evenings, this venue shows Mamma Mia!, which is a super fun way to soak up the full Greek island experience.
We stopped at the restaurant for a quick nibble of pita bread with classic Greek spreads, paired with a refreshing glass of wine. The views were incredible, with panoramic views of the caldera and the whitewashed buildings of Fira - even the views from the bathroom were unbelievable! If you visit Fira, this is a great spot to grab a quick bite and take a little shade from the sun.
Sipping a glass of wine with the incredible view of Fira behind me.
Day 3: A beach Day at Theros Wave Bar
You can’t go to Santorini without visiting one of its beautiful beaches. We drove to the southern coast of the island to spend a day at Theros Wave Bar at Eros Beach, which is just a 15-minute drive from Fira.
Eros is a lovely and secluded pebble beach, with black sand and crystal-blue waters. It’s not the easiest place to reach - you’ll need to drive along a long dirt path that winds through rocky formations - but the journey is well worth it for the stunning scenery.
One of the most beautiful features of Eros Beach is the white-brown cliffs, naturally sculpted by the waves and wind into incredible formations. They look otherworldly, like something from a sci-fi film, and provide an amazing backdrop for this lovely little beach.
The beautiful rocky formations at Eros Beach.
At Theros Wave Bar, we hired a front-row sun bed with a canopy, which cost €120 for the whole day. This one cost a bit more, but the big canopy gave us plenty of shade - totally worth it under the hot Santorini sun!
Smaller sun loungers are available from €30 to €60 per day, with prices increasing the closer you are to the shoreline. The bar also serves a range of cocktails, food, and refreshing drinks - and the staff are very friendly and attentive.
If you want more privacy, there’s also a public section of the beach where you can bring your own towels and set up a spot away from the beach bar.
All in all, it was a gorgeous day spent relaxing, soaking up the sun, and taking a dip into Santorini’s beautifully clear waters. If you are after a peaceful and quiet beach day, then this is the place for you.
Theros Wave Bar at Eros Beach.
Day 4: Visiting Oia & the Three Blue Domes
I was so excited to visit Oia, given its reputation as the ‘postcard village’ of Santorini. Although there are several cliffside coastal towns in Santorini, Oia is by far the most famous. Its picturesque qualities draw countless visitors to its doorstep every year, and I couldn’t wait to see it for myself.
Oia is located on the northwestern tip of Santorini, overlooking the beautiful caldera and the Aegean Sea. Its whitewashed buildings tumble down the cliffsides, home to some of the island’s most incredible luxury hotels, complete with infinity pools and panoramic views. Accommodation in Oia tends to be more expensive, but if you’re after caldera-facing views and cliffside sunsets, it’s absolutely worth the splurge.
We drove from Pyrgos to Oia, a scenic journey that took around 30 minutes. There is also a popular hiking trail from Fira to Oia that takes around 3 hours. If you choose to do this, I recommend starting early to avoid the midday heat and crowds.
The ‘Three Blue Domes’
We started by exploring Oia’s narrow streets, winding through hotels, shops, and cafés. Along the way, we were lucky enough to stumble upon the famous blue domes and managed to snap some beautiful photos of one of the island’s most iconic backdrops. These domes are among the most photographed landmarks in the world, and seeing them in person was truly incredible. We only had to wait about 5–10 minutes for our shots, though it’s worth noting that this spot can often get very busy, with long queues for pictures.
The famous Three Domes of Oia.
Oia is also renowned for its stunning sunsets and is the most popular place on the island to watch the sun dip below the caldera. We didn’t stay long enough to see the sunset here, but I’d highly recommend catching it if you can. There are plenty of spots to catch the sunset in action, with the most popular being the Castle of Agios Nikolaos - but be aware that it can get very busy!
Would I choose to stay in Oia? Perhaps for a night or two, but I loved being able to return to a tranquil villa in a quieter village away from the crowds. It really is about personal preference!
Whether you’re visiting on a day trip or staying on its stunning cliffsides, Oia is not to be missed. It’s a bucket list location.
Day 5: A trip to Imerovigli
Another place famous for its blue domes is Imerovigli, a small village nestled between Fira and Oia. The next day, we decided to take a trip to this lovely spot, which is often called the ‘balcony of the Aegean’. Here, you can find traditional Greek churches and whitewashed houses perched perfectly on the cliffs.
The Church of the Resurrection of the Lord is the most popular monument in Imerovigli, standing proudly with its blue dome against the backdrop of the deep Aegean Sea. It is much quieter here than in Oia and Fira, so if you’re after that picture-perfect blue-domed backdrop, I’d definitely recommend coming here - it’s far less crowded and just as beautiful.
We stopped at a lovely little café, Akàstus, which overlooked the cliffside and the shimmering Aegean Sea below. It was a perfect place to cool off with a freddo espresso and take in the breathtaking views.
The view of Imerovigli from Akàstus Café & Cocktail Bar.
The cliffside town of Imerovigli, where you can see the blue dome of the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord.
Day 6: A day by the pool & Franco’s Café
On our last full day at the villa, it only felt right to spend the day relaxing by the pool. Snacks, sunshine, and cooling off in the pool - there’s nothing better.
In the evening, we went out for our last meal of the trip at Franco’s Café in Pyrgos. I’d recommend booking before you go, as this will guarantee you a good seat for sunset.
What makes this place so special is that it’s perched at the highest point in Pyrgos, with an open terrace offering incredible panoramic views and one of the best sunset-watching experiences on the island. With a drink in hand, you can watch as Pyrgos melts beneath a warm, golden sky, and it’s pretty incredible.
The menu at Franco’s is great - we enjoyed a Greek salad, garlic pasta, and a traditional sausage dish. The food was delicious, and soon became one of my favourite meals of the week. To top it off, the Aperol Spritz was made to perfection - all in all, it was an amazing experience.
The food at Franco’s Café, Pyrgos.
A lovely cat came to join us to watch the sunset.
The view of the sunset from Franco’s Café, Pyrgos.
Day 7: Boat hire & home
And finally, it was our last day in Santorini. After leaving the villa, we had brunch in Fira before driving to the southern coast of the island. Side note: having a car made our last day so much easier - we were able to store our luggage for the day since we had a late flight!
We decided to spend our last hours renting a boat, which we hired from Sea4all in Akrotiri. You don’t need a license to drive, so even beginners can take the helm and head out onto the water. The staff here are so helpful and give you a good rundown before you set off.
We hired the boat from 3 pm until sunset (around 7:30 pm) for €170, including fuel. This gave us plenty of time to cruise the caldera, moor the boat, and enjoy a swim in various bays. Unfortunately, it was too windy to venture fully into the caldera, so we stayed along the outer southern edge. If the weather allows, I’d highly recommend seeing Oia from the water - it’s a completely different perspective and looks so impressive from below.
Watching the sunset from the sea was an incredible way to end the trip. As the sun began to dip, boats started to line up on the water, all waiting to witness the orange embers of the sky melt into the horizon - a beautiful end to an amazing trip in Santorini.
The cute boat we took out to sea!
Watching the sunset from the water - a beautiful way to end the trip.
Until Next Time, Santorini…
And that wraps up an unforgettable week exploring the shores of Santorini.
Without a doubt, it’s one of my favourite places I’ve ever visited; it completely stole my heart with its blue domes, gorgeous whitewashed villages, and unparalleled landscape. The caldera views were absolutely stunning, and I felt utterly spoilt getting to watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea each night.
Each town - from Pyrgos to Fira and Oia - has its own lovely charm and character, and there is no shortage of great accommodation. Whether you’re after a peaceful retreat inland or the lively energy of the island’s coastal towns, Santorini can be exactly what you make it.
It’s a destination that truly deserves a spot on everyone’s bucket list, and I can’t wait to return one day and experience its magic all over again.
