Santorini Through My Eyes

Long before I caught the travel bug, I often found myself dreaming of Santorini—a top bucket-list destination for me back then. Like many others, I was mesmerized by the island’s stunning beauty, drawn in by pictures of its beautiful white-washed villages and the iconic blue-domed churches. My parents shared the same fascination, so last year, we finally made our dream come true and planned our Greek adventure!

Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, built on the remnants of a volcanic caldera, formed by a massive eruption around 1600 BC. The caldera gives the island its distinct charm, with settlements perched along the crater’s edge. Santorini’s picturesque white-washed buildings with blue-domed churches built on the cliffs of its villages, offer breathtaking views that draw travellers from all over the world. Beyond its beauty, Santorini also boasts a rich history and a unique local culture.

Here's everything you need to know before you go, and everything that happened when I did.

Getting to Santorini

Santorini's main airport, Thira (JTR), receives direct flights from Athens and many European cities during the summer season. From India, the most common routing is via Athens or Istanbul. We flew Mumbai to Istanbul to Athens, and then took a short domestic flight to Santorini. Alternatively, there is a ferry service from Athens' Piraeus port, which takes around 5–8 hours depending on the type of vessel. The high-speed ferry is the faster, pricier option; the standard overnight ferry is budget-friendly and actually quite enjoyable if you're not in a rush.

Getting Around Santorini

Santorini is a small island but the main attractions are spread across it, so you'll need to think about transport.

• Local buses: affordable and surprisingly reliable, connecting Fira to Oia, Perissa, Pyrgos, Akrotiri, and other villages. We used the bus throughout our trip and it worked well. Buy tickets on board.

• ATV/quad bike rental: the most popular option among tourists. Fun, flexible, and gives you total freedom to explore at your own pace.

• Car rental: a more comfortable option, especially if you're travelling as a family or group. Roads are narrow in places but manageable.

When to Visit Santorini

Santorini's peak season is July and August; hot, busy, and expensive, but undeniably spectacular. Here's a quick breakdown by season:

• May (when I visited): pleasant weather with cooler evenings, making sightseeing and walking very comfortable. Still enough tourists to feel lively, but less crowded than peak summer. The sea is cold in May, so swimming isn't really on the cards — but if you're visiting for the scenery, food, and culture rather than beach time, May is actually a lovely time to go.

• June and September: the sweet spot for most travellers. Warm enough to swim, quieter than July–August.

• July and August: peak crowds and peak prices, but the best beach weather and the most vibrant atmosphere.

• October–April: many hotels and restaurants close, but it's significantly cheaper and beautifully quiet if you don't mind a more stripped-back experience.

Where to Stay

We stayed in Fira, the island's capital, which I'd recommend as the best base for first-time visitors. It's centrally located, has excellent bus connections to everywhere else on the island, and offers the widest range of accommodation, restaurants, and shops. The caldera views from Fira are breathtaking, and being based here means you can easily reach Oia, Perissa, and Pyrgos by bus without needing to rent a vehicle.

For accommodation, Fira has options across every budget: from simple guesthouses starting at around €60–80 per night to boutique cave hotels with infinity pools and caldera views that can run €300+ per night. Book well in advance for summer visits, as the best properties sell out months ahead.

We stayed at Hotel Sunrise, a budget-friendly option just a short walk from the bus terminal and the centre of Fira. I'd highly recommend it, and not just for the price. Here's a tip most Santorini guides won't tell you: the majority of hotels in Santorini are situated uphill, which means arriving with luggage involves a steep, exhausting haul up narrow cobblestone paths. Hotel Sunrise is located on ground level, which makes arriving and departing with bags significantly easier.

My Journey Through Santorini

Lost in the Lanes of Fira

After we landed in Santorini, we took the local bus from the airport to get to Fira, the island’s capital. Once we checked into our hotel, we set out to explore this beautiful town. Fira is perched on the caldera cliffs along Santorini’s western edge, at an altitude of 400 meters. It is known for offering breathtaking views of the volcanic islands of Palea  Kameni and Nea Kameni, as well as the pristine blue waters of the Aegean Sea. The main pedestrian street in the town is a lively area lined with rooftop bars, restaurants, and charming shops.

After walking around the town for about an hour, it was finally time for lunch. During our stroll, we stumbled upon a local restaurant with a menu that looked too tempting to pass up—so that’s where we decided to eat. We started with a platter featuring fritters, feta cheese, and a selection of traditional Greek dips. The highlight of the meal, however, was the grilled sea bream—a popular freshwater fish, cooked to perfection. We wrapped up our lunch with shots of Ouzo, a dry, anise-flavoured aperitif widely enjoyed across Greece. It was a perfect meal that left both our stomachs and hearts full!

An Evening at Perissa Beach

Located about 13 kilometres away from Fira, on the southeast coast of Santorini, Perissa is known for its black sand—the result of the volcanic activity that shaped the island. Since we were visiting in May, it wasn’t exactly beach weather, and the area was fairly quiet. The beach, however, is stunning and attracts more tourists in summer. We took a leisurely stroll along the shore, before relaxing on the sunbeds, soaking up the warm Mediterranean sun. To top it all off, a friendly little kitty wandered over and curled up in my lap, making the experience even more memorable!

A Visit to Oia: Santorini’s Postcard Paradise

The most popular place in Santorini is Oia, a small village in the northwestern part of the island. Straight out of a postcard, Oia is, undoubtedly, the most picturesque village in Santorini. With its white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, and labyrinth-like alleys, this picture-perfect location is what most people look forward to, when visiting the island.

One evening, we took a bus from Fira to Oia to explore this beautiful village. As we began walking around, we were captivated by the breathtaking panoramic views, that every corner of this village had to offer. The beautiful white buildings perched on the caldera, overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea, were truly a sight to behold.

After exploring the village for a while, we finally reached the iconic viewpoint, where tourists queue for hours to take photos with the famous blue domes in the background. After waiting for about twenty minutes, it was finally our turn! As silly as waiting in a long queue just for a couple of pictures might sound, the photos captured memories that we will cherish forever.

A Volcanic Adventure to Nea Kameni

Nea Kameni is a small volcanic island near Santorini, formed by eruptions that occurred over a span of thousands of years. Easily accessible from Santorini’s ports, the island offers visitors a chance to explore unique volcanic landscapes.

After a 20-minute boat ride from the Old Port of Fira, we arrived at the entrance to the hiking trail that leads to Nea Kameni’s crater. When our tour guide informed us that it would be a moderately challenging hike which would take about an hour to complete, my first thought was, “Absolutely not!”. As someone with scoliosis, I have dealt with chronic back pain in the past, and the idea of an hour-long hike scared me. But the adventurer in me encouraged me, and though a bit hesitant, I decided to go for it.

We started hiking up the gravel path, to reach the top of the 130-meter-high volcanic crater. Along the way, we reached a spot where we could actually see fumes rising from a sulfur vent, which was a fascinating sight! Soon, we reached the volcanic crater, completing a full circuit of the rim. We were rewarded with stunning views of the beautiful villages of Fira and Oia, perched on the cliffs of Santorini.

Completing the hike felt like a real accomplishment. I got to challenge myself and prove that anything is possible—even with a crooked spine!

After we returned to our hotel, I decided to treat myself to drink and celebrate my little victory. I went to a restaurant I had spotted earlier that day. It had a lovely rooftop terrace that I couldn’t resist trying out. As I sipped on the perfectly chilled Aperol Spritz, I was completely mesmerized by the incredible views of the ocean and the very volcano we had just hiked. The evening wrapped up with dinner with my parents, followed by the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen in my life!

Exploring Pyrgos: A Hidden Gem in Santorini

One morning, we took the bus to go to Pyrgos, Santorini’s former capital, and the best-preserved medieval settlement on the island. Pyrgos is a quaint little village built on a hill, making it the highest point in Santorini. The location offers impressive views of the island, the caldera, and the Aegean Sea.

What makes Pyrgos truly special is that it's still somewhat of a hidden gem. While most tourists stick to the more popular villages of Fira and Oia, Pyrgos is relatively untouched. This gave us the chance to explore the area without being surrounded by crowds.

While planning the trip, I came across a highly recommended spot and made a mental note to try it. Penelope's Ouzeri—a charming, family-owned restaurant in Pyrgos—did not disappoint. The Greek salad was crisp and refreshing, and the mustard chicken was simply divine!

With its rustic houses, old churches, hidden alleyways, and lots of cats, Pyrgos turned out to be one of my favourite places in Santorini. If you ever plan to come to Santorini, be sure to add this picturesque village to your itinerary.

A Trip to Santorini’s Iconic Red Beach

On our last evening in Santorini, we visited Akrotiri, a village located in the southern part of the island. Akrotiri is home to one of Santorini’s most popular beaches—Red Beach—famous for its unique red-hued volcanic sand. We hiked up a short trail to reach the Red Beach viewpoint. Once at the top, you can continue along the path and hike down to the beach itself. The view from above was stunning—the dramatic coastline, with red volcanic rock contrasting against the blue waters, making it a picture-perfect spot for photos.

On our way back, we stopped by a beachfront restaurant for a quick bite. The location couldn’t have been any better—the soothing sound of waves, the cool ocean breeze, a yacht sailing in the background—and me, sipping on a delicious mocktail. It was the perfect end to our Greek vacation.

Until Next Time

Our trip to Santorini was truly a dream come true! From watching sunsets in Fira, hiking a volcanic crater, and wandering through the streets of Pyrgos, to savouring delicious Greek meals, every moment felt like a postcard come to life. But it was more than just breathtaking views. It gave me time to reflect, a chance to push my limits, and memories that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.