Gorgeous blue Aegean Sea, a Greek caldera, and the most incredible sunset views…….need I say more! Santorini is absolutely a dream destination and I feel so lucky to have been here more than once. I first visited this island on a cruise but knew I needed to come back one day and spend more time. In 2017, I came here for a week and it was such an amazing trip. Tons of things to do, see, and taste!

WHERE TO STAY:

Of course Santorini is know for those iconic views and hotels rooms with private hot tub/pools and don’t worry, these places are in endless supply. Before choosing a hotel, you need to figure out what town to stay in. I highly recommend Imerovigli as it is much quieter than Fira and much less crowded than Oia. Imerovigli is right in between both towns and you still have an incredible view of the sunset ~ you just won’t have to push through rows of people to be able to see! Another bonus, those famous pictures of the blue dome church were taking right from this town!

Some of my favorite hotels located in Imerovigli are:

Aqua Luxury Suites - bright and fresh rooms with private patio and hot tub. The staff here was so friendly and welcoming. We had a room that was 100+ steps down and and never once did the staff hesitate when we needed something. They also bring breakfast to your room every morning at a designated time and will set it up in inside or on your patio, whichever you choose.
Altana - cute boutique hotel with suites or traditional villa rentals. The restaurant is amazing and you will feel like family by the end of your stay!
Rocabella - another amazing hotel in Imerovigli with fantastic service, a beautiful pool and bar with stunning views of the caldera

EAT + DRINK:

Gyros from anywhere really. Get one from a street vendor and eat while you walk!
Boutari Winery - You can definitely eat here while you do wine tasting but we went in the morning before lunch and it was so quiet. We sat at the bar and basically had a private wine tasting with the sommelier. I actually ended up buying a few bottles from here that you cannot get in the United States. They are so welcoming and will customize the tasting menu to your liking!
Santo Winery has incredible views of the caldera but was much bigger, more commercialized, and wayyyy more crowded. But definitely should check it out even just for the views! The wine was amazing and the tasting options are massive! There were also bread sticks, cheese, and olives paired with the wines which were sooo delicious.
Altana - The service and food here is wonderful and you an eat here even if you aren’t staying at the hotel but make sure to book ahead.
Blue Note - On our first night we decided to just walk through the town and check out a few dinner options. We decided Blue Note and it was one of the best meals! Much less crowded than some of the other restaurants we saw and the views were stunning. Be sure to start your meal off with an order of Saganaki!

THINGS TO DO:

The island life is, of course, all about relaxation in this beautiful paradise but there are also tons of awesome activities to do as well.

ATV rental - The island is fairly large so getting transportation is a must. There is public transportation and you can also take a taxi but the most fun way to get around is by renting an ATV! I had never been on an ATV until this trip and wow, it was a blast! It is definitely safe to drive these on the road as they are one of the main modes of transportation so you can drive them and park them just like an ordinary car. There are some shops around the town where you can walk in and rent or you can always have your hotel call and order one for you as well. They are typically $60-$100 USD for a couple day rental.
Fish pedicure - Have you ever seen pictures of people at a nail salon sitting with their feet in a fish tank, essentially? Ok this is a wild experience and definitely a rare one at that. The fish basically eat away the dead skin on your feet while take a break from all the walking. There are a ton of these places in Fira so pop in during your adventures.
Sunset Catamaran Tour - You MUST do a catamaran ride during sunset around the caldera. It is a breathtaking experience! The tour sets sail from Ammoudi Bay and the water is so blue! It’s about a 5 hour excursion which includes drinks, dinner, swim stops, and meeting new friends! The cost was about $150 USDpp.

Santorini, Greece