Santorini Guide for Budget Travelers
Sunsetting in Oia
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Santorini has caught the attention of the world with its impeccable sunset views. With its whitewashed towns sitting atop volcanic rock cliffs, Santorini gives the backpacker stunning picturesque views.
Santorini is no secret to the world. Tourism booms in this small island off the coast of mainland Greece. The architecture glistens brightly with accomplished artists, delectable wineries, a local brewery and some of the best beaches in the Greek Islands. What makes this island stand out from the rest in the Greek Isle is the down-right gorgeous sunsets. During a clear warm night in Santorini, the sun sets to the northwest. Take a bottle of wine and your new found friends to watch one of the best sunsets in the world. |
Price of Services in Santorini
Hostels - Hostels in Santorini are going to hurt you wallet no matter the tim of year. The summer will be more expensive than the fall and winter months as expected. Hostels won't be open during the fall/winter months in Santorini. Hotels or campaigng are your only options. Anything in the summer time for a 3-6 bed dorm will cost upward up of 20€ ($22USD) per person. Anything under 5 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 15€ ($17USD) or more for 2-4 person dorm room in the fall or winter. Summer prices for a 2-4 bed dorm will start at 22€ ($24USD). Private rooms in the fall or winter will start around 20€ ($22USD). Summer prices for a private will be anywhere from 30-60€ ($35-67USD). Weekends will also effect prices. The most expensive days to rent a hostel bed is Friday and Saturday night.
Food Costs - Food in Santorini is reasonable priced. Greece is known for a being a reasonable priced country for food. Starting prices for a budget breakfast will be 3€ ($3.25USD), 4€ ($4.50USD) for a budget lunch and 7€ ($9USD) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 3€ ($3.50USD) or more for a light beer (.5L) in a restaurant.
Transportation - Transportation in Santorini won't break your budget. Avoid taxis due to the pricing. Buses are the best option for the price at 2.60€ for any stop on the island. I would recommend renting an ATV for the time you are there. ATVs will cost 15€ a day with 5€ in gas. Take a friend and split the price. This way you can see every inch of the island without having any restrictions.
Activities - ATV rentals will start at 15€ a day for a 50CC or 20€ for 150CC. I would recommend a 150CC for the hilly areas of the island. The 50CC won't make it up. Take a kayak out for the day near Red Beach. Take a bat to the smaller islands around Santorini. Hiking trails are a great way to spend the day. Take camera everywhere you go. The views are spectacular.
Food Costs - Food in Santorini is reasonable priced. Greece is known for a being a reasonable priced country for food. Starting prices for a budget breakfast will be 3€ ($3.25USD), 4€ ($4.50USD) for a budget lunch and 7€ ($9USD) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 3€ ($3.50USD) or more for a light beer (.5L) in a restaurant.
Transportation - Transportation in Santorini won't break your budget. Avoid taxis due to the pricing. Buses are the best option for the price at 2.60€ for any stop on the island. I would recommend renting an ATV for the time you are there. ATVs will cost 15€ a day with 5€ in gas. Take a friend and split the price. This way you can see every inch of the island without having any restrictions.
Activities - ATV rentals will start at 15€ a day for a 50CC or 20€ for 150CC. I would recommend a 150CC for the hilly areas of the island. The 50CC won't make it up. Take a kayak out for the day near Red Beach. Take a bat to the smaller islands around Santorini. Hiking trails are a great way to spend the day. Take camera everywhere you go. The views are spectacular.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 40-50%.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 2€ ($2.20USD) per bottle (.5L). Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 12€($13USD) a day if you budget right.
Camping - There aren't many cheap options any time of the year in Santorini. If you have a tent and sleeping bag, it's perfectly legal to sleep on the beaches. Be sure to find a secluded spot away the city so the police won't kick you out.
Activities - For water sports, the pricing will be a problem. Pick one of the activities you really want to do. Stick to your budget. There are snorkel rentals that are cheaper than guided tours. Hiking is a free activity and there are plenty of hiking trails in the mountains of Santorini. Check out the villages of Oia and Fira. There's plenty to do for free on this island. You just need to be creative!
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 2€ ($2.20USD) per bottle (.5L). Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 12€($13USD) a day if you budget right.
Camping - There aren't many cheap options any time of the year in Santorini. If you have a tent and sleeping bag, it's perfectly legal to sleep on the beaches. Be sure to find a secluded spot away the city so the police won't kick you out.
Activities - For water sports, the pricing will be a problem. Pick one of the activities you really want to do. Stick to your budget. There are snorkel rentals that are cheaper than guided tours. Hiking is a free activity and there are plenty of hiking trails in the mountains of Santorini. Check out the villages of Oia and Fira. There's plenty to do for free on this island. You just need to be creative!
Red Flags
Pricing - Food, activities and accommodations can be really expensive. I found a way to spend 50€ a day, which was hard to do. Be sure to budget right for this island. It is the most expensive Greek island.
Hidden Gems
ATV Rental - This is an underrated way to travel around. It gives you the flexibility to go anywhere on the island in a short amount o time. I've seen too many people taking the bus everywhere they go. This wastes times. Fork over the 20€ for an ATV. It's well worth the price.
Dusk on Santorini - One of the main attractions for Santorini is the incredible sunset every night. The 3 days I was in Santorini, I saw three of the most spectacular sunsets ever... They were unbelievable.
Dusk on Santorini - One of the main attractions for Santorini is the incredible sunset every night. The 3 days I was in Santorini, I saw three of the most spectacular sunsets ever... They were unbelievable.
Top 7 Things To Do in Santorini
#7 Fira VillageThe largest town in Santorini, Fira is the second best place to watch a Santorini sunset. It doesn't match up to Oia in the slightest, but it does have a different vantage point.
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#6 Santorini VolcanoSituated in the middle of the bay of Santorini, Santorini Volcano boasts natural hot springs and incredible views. Take a boat from Amoudi Bay to this part of the island. It's completely different than the mainland of Santorini.
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#5 Perissa BeachUnlike the Red Beach, Perissa is a more typical beach on the southeast part of the island. Its situated 15km from Fira and extends 7km east. The beach features volleyball nets,, black sand, crystal blue waters, restaurants and various beach facilities. The main attractions in this area is the large called Mesa Vouno that rises from the sea. At night, this enormous rock signs bright from the reflections off the water.
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#4 Red BeachThe Red Beach is a hot bed for tourists, but for good reason. This beach is widely known for being a must see place during the hot summers. Located on the south part of the island, Red Beach has dark red sand for everyone to enjoy. Red Beach isn't the largest beach on the island, making it difficult to get near it during the peak season. When the beach is too crowed, tourists hike to the top of the hill overlooking the beach for picturesque views.
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#3 ATV Rides Around the IslandRenting an ATV is a must on this island. Santorini is too big to walk. The bus system is untimely and slow, making an ATV the perfect way to get around. For 15€ a day with 5€ in gas, an ATV is an affordable way to see all that Santorini has to offer. There are many rental places on Santorini. In the off-season, you shouldn't have to pay more than 15€ for a 50CC quad or 20€ for a 150CC quad. I'd recommend a 150CC for making it up the numerous hills on the island.
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#2 Amoudi BayWith its crystal clear water, delicious seafood and picturesque scenery, Amoudi Bay has it all. There's a relaxing vibe that comes along with this area of the island. With dozens of waterfront seafood restaurants lining the cove, there's plenty to eat, see and experience in this small port. If you walk past the main section you can take a trail around the cliff to a beautiful swimming location. This isn't the best place to lay out for a quick tan. Be sure to jump off the many small cliffs into the lear blue water.
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#1 Oia Lookout During a SunsetOia is the most famous village in Santorini. This small village is widely known around eh world for fantastic sunsets and a quaint homey feel. White-washed homes and hotels line the bottom part of the cliff that hangs below Oia. At dusk, Santorini Volcano, Thirassia Island and the open sea light up in a red glow as the sun turns from range to red. There are multiple places to sit and watch the sunset. There isn't a bad spot to gaze from in Oia.
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