Where can I go in Santorini with my car?

Experience
  • Visit the photogenic Oia Village.
  • Explore the Akrotiri excavation site.
  • Travel to the highest point of Santorini at Profitis Ilias mountain.
  • Enjoy a relaxing swim at one of the sensational, volcanic beaches.
  • Eat lunch on the beach while you relax and unwind.




Santorini is a highly drivable island, and having a car allows you to reach many beautiful areas that are difficult to access via the public KTEL bus. You can drive to the famous Red Beach (Akrotiri), the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, and the lighthouse at the island's southern tip for stunning sunset views. A car is essential for visiting the Black Sand Beaches of Perissa and Perivolos, as well as the family-friendly beach at Kamari. You can also drive up to Pyrgos, the highest village on the island, which offers 360-degree panoramas. While you can drive to the outskirts of the major caldera towns like Fira and Oia, you must park in the designated public lots (which fill up quickly in 2026) and explore the village centers on foot, as they are largely pedestrian-only. For a unique experience, drive to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias or explore the traditional wineries in the central plains, where parking is much easier than in the crowded coastal towns.

People Also Ask

Generally, driving in Santorini felt fine. Especially if visiting early, you have a lot less traffic. The most difficult roads are inside some of the villages. The oldest parts have narrow streets often without a sidewalk, so you are mixing with pedestrians.

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Don't stay in Oia or Thera Oia and Thera (also known as Fira) are the biggest towns in Santorini, and the site of most of the hotels and other places to stay. Thera/Fira is also where the cruise ship passengers unload, and Oia is where everyone goes to watch the sunset.

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Most parking lots in and around Oia offer free parking spaces. However, pay attention to the signs, as there are also private paid parking lots. The farthest to the east are parking lots near the route from Fira to Oia, at the height of Finikia.

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Yes. Compared to several islands, Santorini is expensive. However, I would argue that it's not the most expensive island (in my experience, that's Mykonos). I would also argue that while Santorini can be expensive, it is possible to visit the island without spending a fortune.

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Typical taxi fares for 1 to 4 persons : From the Port (athinios port) to Oia (Ia), approximately 40,00 Euro. From the Airport to Fira (capital), approximately 20,00 Euro. From the Airport to Oia (Ia), approximately 35,00 Euro. From Fira (capital) to Oia (Ia), approximately 25,00 Euro.

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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.

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Best Place for Solo Travelers If you're out on an expedition of exploring Santorini Island alone, the best way to make the most of your trip is by staying at the capital, Fira. Whether you want to shop until you drop or enjoy the social nightlife of Santorini, this place has got you covered!

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Public transportation is the best way to get around in Santorini on a budget. Local buses, in particular, are quite cheap and they take you to almost all the parts of the island.

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Taxis on the island do not operate using taximeters, Santorini taxi fares are fixed depending on your destination. To avoid being overcharged, we fully recommend discussing a set price with your driver before you set off. Once in Santorini, you shouldn't pay more than around €45 for any journey you need to take.

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Renting a car in Greece tip: The biggest benefit of having a rental car in Greece is that you can visit the off the beaten track sights and stay in hotels from the crowds. This also allows you to save money as generally hotels in urban areas are more expensive as tourists can't travel too far from them without a car.

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Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is world-famous for its unique natural beauty. The caldera with the white villages on top, the sunken volcano, and the charming sunset make it a popular place for vacation. In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days in order to visit as many places as possible.

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Santorini is definitely one of the more expensive Greek islands, there's unfortunately no getting around that!

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