You are not crazy to skip seeing Santorini, although if you want to see what all the fuss is about, you could take a day trip by ferry from Naxos. If I were you, I'd spend 5 nights on Naxos (with that day trip to Santorini, and/or possibly a day trip to Mykonos to see the island of Delos). Spend 3 nights in Athens.
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Yes, but understand a few things. If you go during peak summer season it will be crowded and expensive. Santorini's beaches are nice, but the main features are the views over the caldera in Oia (and the rest of the island) and the excellent food and wine. At least that's what I liked the best!
Even with just 1 day in Santorini, you'll be able to see the famous cliffside villages, taste some Greek dishes, and either hike or visit a beach. Spending 2 days in Santorini allows enough time to do a quick tour around the island, sightsee in a couple of villages, and spend an afternoon on the beach or on a boat.
While they are the most popular islands in Greece, they are also the most expensive to visit out of all Greek islands combined, which is why locals tend to avoid them. However, there is a slight cost difference between the two, and as it turns out, here is the winner: Mykonos is the more affordable island to visit.
Crete has better beaches but they're spread out and it takes a fair bit of effort to see the best beaches. Santorini is small and it's easy to get around to all the popular beaches. Crete has more small traditional (non-touristy) villages. Santorini is more romantic and better suited to a honeymoon.
First of all, Santorini is a natural wonder of the world. Its world famous volcano, which constitutes a magnificent sight and attraction of Santorini, formed the island and gave it its current shape and geomorphology by a massive volcanic eruption, thousands of years ago.
The best way to get around Santorini is on foot or by bus. You'll see that it's easy to walk around the tiny seaside towns, but the bus is best to get from one town to another. There are KTEL bus routes from Fira (the capital city) to many different destinations around the main island.
Santorini is a very safe place for tourists, solo travellers, and families alike. The island maintains a safe vibe and low criminal activity. Yet, as with any travel destination, it's essential to stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and follow standard safety precautions.
Santorini is somewhat of a cliché choice to kick-off the list, but there are a multitude of reasons why the film-set stunning island is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.
The Cheapest Time of the Year to Visit SantoriniThe best time to visit Santorini for budget-conscious travellers is during the off-season between the end of October and March when hotels have vacant rooms and airlines offer lower fares.
The swimming in Santorini is unique and beautiful. The water is crystal clear, while the geological formations are quite different from other areas of the world due to coming from a volcano.
The ferry crossing from Athens to Santorini is approximately 5 hours on ferries servicing this route. Athens to Santorini ferry duration can range between 4 hours 45 minutes and 11 hours 50 minutes depending on the operator you are sailing with.
Info about the ferry between Santorini and MykonosFerries from Santorini to Mykonos reach the port in about 2-3 hr, as the route is mainly operated by high-speed ferries. The distance between Santorini and Mykonos is just 64 nautical miles (around 118 km), which makes one-day trips rather convenient!