How Many Days in Santorini do You Really Need?

Planning a trip to Santorini, but not sure how many days you need in Santorini? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article you will find the most thorough answer to the question; “How many days in Santorini do you really need?”

I will give you a heads up now though; it’s not a straight forward answer and there isn’t a single perfect amount of time to spend in Santorini.

How many days you should spend in Santorini ultimately depends on your personal interests and travel style.

Santorini is amongst the most famous Greek islands, thanks to its iconic white houses, narrow streets, dramatic black cliffs and luxury hotels. Planning how many days to spend on this beautiful island can be tricky.

Here you will find a detailed breakdown of how much you can realistically see in Santorini every day from one to five days, as well as what you need to take into account when planning your trip.

I also include advice on the best things to do in Santorini, the best time to visit, the best way to travel around this small island and make the most of it, regardless of how long you spend here.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover how many days you should spend in Santorini!

How many days do you need in Santorini at a glance

There’s nothing quite like the illustrious beauty of Santorini. Regardless of how many days you have on this luxurious Greek island, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time.

Even if you only have one or two days, plan your itinerary well and it will be an experience to remember.

Here I have included a very brief overview of what you can expect to do in Santorini, from one to five days. These brief itineraries give you an idea of what you can realistically see in each time frame.

1 day in Santorini

When you need to decide how many days to stay in Santorini you’re probably factoring in lots of variables, and if you’ve only got one day – it’s not ideal, but it’s doable.

One day in Santorini will give you just enough time to see some of the iconic sights; namely the iconic black cliffs and main towns from the sea, and the famous Oia sunset.

It’s not much time, but you’ll be able to fit in the Nea Kameni boat tour to the nearby islands and a stunning sunset in Oia, which will probably signal to you how much you’d love to come back and spend more time here!

It’s really just enough time to see the iconic sights, leaving you wishing you had more time to explore the other beautiful towns of Santorini.

2 days in Santorini

Two days in Santorini – that’s more like it! Not only will you have time for both the Nea Kameni boat tour and a spectacular Oia sunset on your first day, you’ll have a second day to utilise, too.

You’ll be able to take a trip to Fira and Immerovigli, maybe a few other towns and a few beaches on the island too.

3 days in Santorini

Three days is probably what I’d say is the real minimum of how many days to spend in Santorini if you want to soak it up at a more leisurely pace.

It’s also great if you want to have a chance to explore the great outdoors, as the famed Fira to Oia hike will now be well within your time constraints. 

You’ll also get to lap up the sunset in Oia, a boat tour of the caldera, and another day to explore towns like Megalochori and Pyrgos, plus a few beaches like the Red Beach, Perissa Beach and some iconic black sand beaches.

See my 3 days in Santorini itinerary for a more detailed look!

4 days in Santorini

If three days in Santorini was leisurely, four days is positively chilled out.

You’ll have plenty of time to see a fair few towns and beaches scattered across the island, do the caldera tour, see more than just one incredible sunset, and – most of all – relax.

You’ll also possibly have time to embark on a vineyard tour for a spot of wine tasting!

5 days in Santorini

Five days is how many days in Santorini to spend if you really want a relaxed holiday experience. A longer stay means you’ll have more time to do more of everything.

That means more beach time, more sunset time, more dining experiences, more total unwinding, without having to rush all over the island.

Things to take into account when choosing how many days in Santorini

Arrival and departure times

Having three days in Santorini is not the same as having three nights in Santorini.

Your itinerary will look very different if you arrive early in the morning and leave late at night, versus whether you arrive late at night and have to leave early in the morning.

My itineraries above are for full days, so keep this in mind!

Your interests

Ask yourself, “What do I want to see and experience while in Santorini?”

There are so many ways you could spend your time here – hiking, lazing at the beach, soaking up culture, wine tasting.

If any of these appeal to you more than others, you can skip a few experiences and shorten (or lengthen) your holiday accordingly.

Where on the island are you staying

If you’re staying in a luxe cave hotel with a private pool and sunset view in Oia (yes, please), this is an experience in itself.

So you could stay one night in Santorini and have an amazing time. But if you’re staying on the other side of the island, you’ll have to factor in time spent travelling around Santorini.

Getting around

If you’re renting a car, how many days in Santorini you have doesn’t necessarily need to be as many as if you’re getting local buses, which can take longer. 

What time of the year are you visiting

Visiting in low season, during the winter months? Then you won’t need to factor in beach time into your itineraries (trust me, it’ll be far too cold for sun, sea and sand).

How many days in Santorini for first timers

Three days. In my opinion, this is the bare minimum you need to properly experience the island for the first time. It’s also how long I spent in Santorini on my first trip there.

This gives you enough time to do all the main activities and see a few lesser known, lesser travelled spots on the island. It’s just enough time to fit in a little bit of everything.

How many days in Santorini for a romantic holiday

Wondering how many days you need in Santorini for a getaway with your partner?

I’d recommend four (or more) days. There are a ton of romantic cave hotels with private pools in Santorini, especially in Oia and Imerovigli. 

This island is a truly stunning place to relax on a backdrop of sunsets and cocktails.

Four days gives you time to spend at your amazing cave hotel – because why wouldn’t you? – and also have time to explore the rest of the island without rushing the main sights.

How many days in Santorini for a beach vacation

You want beaches? Then I’d say five-plus days is the time you should be spending here.

The best beaches in Santorini are located on the eastern side of the island, while all the epic views and famous towns to visit are on the west. 

If you want to have enough time to relax on the beach, but also see the main sights, you will need five days.

Five or more days gives you time to embark on a caldera tour, see the sunset in Oia, visit Fira, maybe even go on a hike, while giving you some chill beach time, too.

How many days in Santorini for a budget trip

Two words that don’t exactly go together are “budget” and “Santorini”.

How many days you spend here depends very much on your budget, as this island can be expensive. So if you are travelling on a shoestring, you’ll need to reduce the time you spend here. 

Two days will be rushed if you want to see all the main sights, though it can be done. But if you want to really make the most of Santorini on a budget, find a good value hotel with great views and stay put!

Best Santorini tours

However long you decide to spend in Santorini, there are a number of tours that you should book yourself onto, to ensure you have the best experience possible.

I have listed below some of the most popular tours online. I always recommend booking your tours with GetYourGuide, since they offer cancellation up to 24 hours before and you can see reviews by other travellers.

Santorini: Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting & Sunset in Oia: This guided tour is very comprehensive, best suited for those who only have one or two days on the island.

It will take you to explore all the most famous towns in Santorini, including a wine tasting and the iconic sunset in Oia, you can’t go wrong with a tour like this!

Click here to book your Santorini Highlights Tour with wine tasting & Oia sunset!

Santorini: Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: This is the boat tour we did in Santorini. It’s the most budget friendly boat tour, which will take you to explore Nea Kameni and the caldera.

You will sail on an impressive wooden boat, but bear in mind it will be quite packed in high season. It’s not a romantic catamaran cruise, but if you’re on a budget, it’s a great option.

Click here to see prices & availability for a Santorini boat tour!

Santorini: Luxury Small Group Catamaran w/ Meal & Open Bar: If you want to treat yourself to a fancier boat tour, this luxury catamaran sunset cruise is the perfect choice!

Click here to book your luxury catamaran tour in Santorini!

Santorini: Photo Shoot with a Private Vacation Photographer: There is no denying that Santorini is an Instagrammers heaven. Its iconic blue-doomed white houses and stunning caldera views are famous worldwide.

If you want to ensure you capture stunning photos, this photoshoot tour is perfect for you!

Click here to book your Santorini photoshoot with a private photographer!

Santorini: Sunset Wine Tour with Pickup & Guide: The wine lovers will enjoy this wine tour in Santorini! I went to SantoWinery, one of the wineries you will visit on this tour, and it’s simply stunning.

Imagine stunning sunset views over the Santorini coastline, delicious wine and tasty nibbles. The perfect evening, regardless of how many days you have in Santorini!

Check out prices & availability for your Santorini sunset wine tour here!

Where to stay in Santorini

The best places to stay in Santorini ultimately depend on your interests and budget. There are some stunning Santorini AirBnbs on the East coast of the island, with plunge pools and breathtaking views.

However these are obviously more expensive. Staying on the east of the island means less crowds, beaches and cheaper prices.

Given that where you choose to stay in Santorini can affect how many days you need on the island, I have listed below some options for every budget in different towns on the island.

In Fira

Budget – Porto Castello: This place is the ideal base for your budget travel needs. Centrally located, it’s a family-run property with an outdoor pool and free breakfast every morning. 

Click here to book your stay at Porto Castello in Fira!

Mid-range – Caldera View Apartment: The name says it all: the views across the caldera from this old-world villa are completely mesmerising.

Click here to see prices and availability at Caldera View Apartment!

Luxury – Kalisti Hotel and Suites: Perfectly located very close to the main street of Fira, this hotel has rooms with private plunge pools, while the staff are professional and super friendly. 

Check out prices and availability at Kalisti Hotel and Suites here!

In Oia

Budget – Vrachia Studios & Apartments: Oia isn’t famous for its budget options, but this apartment is one of the few. The accommodation itself may be on the modest side, but the views are still great.

Check out prices and availability at Vrachia Studios & Apartments here!

Mid-range – White Cave Villas: Here you’ll find a selection of guest rooms in a cave-style setting. Think white-washed walls and curving ceilings, glistening turquoise pools and incredible views.

Click here to book your stay at White Cave Villas in Oia, Santorini!

Luxury – The Way of Bliss: It’s considered one of the best Airbnbs in Santorini, and it’s easy to see why. With its hot tub and caldera view, paired with chic interior design, it ticks all the boxes for a dream Santorini trip!

Check out prices and availability at The Way of Bliss here!

In Kamari

Budget – Alexandra Hotel: This charming hotel is located just a five-minute walk from Kamari Beach itself, offers rooms with a private balcony or garden, and a daily breakfast buffet.

Click here to see prices and availability at Alexandra Hotel in Santorini!

Mid-range – Smy Mediterranean White: If you want to treat yourself without breaking the bank, here you can do so. From double rooms with private balconies to suites with private pools, there’s something for everyone. 

Click here to book your stay at Smy Mediterranean White!

Luxury – Santorini Kastelli Resort: Tucked away down a secluded street, but still only two minutes from the beach, this five-star resort boasts two swimming pools, a spa and a poolside bar and restaurant.

Check out prices and availability at Santorini Kastelli Resort here!

Final thoughts on how many days to spend in Santorini

There you have it, the ultimate guide explaining how many days you need in Santorini! Have you been to Santorini? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a straight forward answer, but as you can see, it’s not as simple as a set number of days for everyone. How many days you should spend in Santorini depends on your interest and travel style.

In this article I tried being as thorough as possible, taking into account everything that can influence how many days you need in Santorini, giving you also realistic examples of how much you can see every day.

I hope you found this article useful, and that it helped you answer the question; “How many days do I need in Santorini”?

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