Where to avoid staying in Santorini?

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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If you are visiting Santorini for the first time, you should stay at Fira or Imerovigli, depending on your budget, of course. I do not recommend staying in Oia because it gets too busy during sunset with lots of tourists floating the town's streets.

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Escape Oia and Fira. Most of the crowds congregate in these towns, but there's a whole island out there to explore! Get out of these hot spots and head to the lesser-known parts of the island: Emborio, Finikia, Colombo Beach, and Pyrgos all showcase the charm of Santorini without the packs of people.

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Escape Oia and Fira. Get out of these hot spots and head to the lesser-known parts of the island: Emborio, Finikia, Colombo Beach, and Pyrgos all showcase the charm of Santorini without the packs of people.

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Fira vs Oia – Summary Oia has more fine dining restaurants, while Fira has more casual restaurants. Both Oia and Fira have great views of the caldera – very different perspectives, but I couldn't say one was better than the other. Both Oia and Fira have good sunset views (though the best are in Imerovigli).

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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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Usual precautions apply but Santorini has very few problems with fights, violence, drugs, or organized criminal activity. The biggest risk at night is walking home down the caldera after too many drinks.

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Santorini is pretty safe. Travelers report feeling comfortable walking around the streets both day and night. Even pickpocketing is few and far between here.

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Fira is not only Santorini's capital of government and tourism, but it's also Santorini's art and culture capital. Walk the streets of Santorini and you'll come across tons of eye-catching art galleries and shops.

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Perissa is a bit quieter and not overrun by swarms of tourists like Fira. You'll find a mix of oceanfront restaurants and beach bars in Perissa, but it is very low-key in the evenings and places close early. This is perfect if you are looking for a more laidback trip.

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Islands like Santorini do not have a natural water source – no river, lake, or dam, so mosquitoes are quite uncommon. The only time they may appear is after a lot of rain when the water has pooled in things like empty containers or bins and need to be cleared.

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Is a week in Santorini too long? A week in Santorini is the perfect amount of time, with days for exploring as well as relaxing. If you only went for a weekend, it could be a bit rushed if you're trying to visit Fira, Oia and a famous black sand beach.

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The walk between Fira and Oia is tricky in parts but doable by anyone in decent shape. Buy water before starting the walk – there are a few places to buy snacks and drinks along the way but they're easy to miss and not always open early in the morning. Avocado Restaurant is the best mid-point stop along the route.

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The best area to stay in Santorini is the west side of the island in the towns of Fira, Imerovigli, Firostefani, or Oia. This is where the famous cliff views are, and it is the most expensive and premium area on the island. This is the area with the best Santorini hotels as well.

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Transport: How To Get Around On Santorini. The towns in Santorini (such as Oia and Fira) are small enough to be walkable by foot for restaurants and most other things, but if you want to do some exploring outside of town you'll need transport.

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The best time to visit Santorini is from September to October and April to May when the weather is warm and the crowds are scarce.

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Description: Oia, pronounced Ia, is the most famous of all villages of Santorini. It is world-known for its quiet life and the fantastic sunset. It constitutes the most beautiful and picturesque village of Santorini.

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In brief, the best place for nightlife in Santorini is Fira, with many cocktail bars with views and some nightclubs. Apart from the magical setting and volcanic landscape of Santorini, the island is also known for its lively night atmosphere.

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