4 Days in Santorini: A Complete Itinerary

Four days is enough to see Santorini properly — its two main towns, its beaches, its wine country, and its archaeological sites — without cramming everything into an exhausting rush.

Day 1: Fira and Imerovigli

Start in Fira, the island's capital, wandering the caldera-edge streets and shops. In the late afternoon, walk or take a short taxi to Imerovigli for a quieter sunset than Oia's, at the caldera's highest point.

Day 2: Oia

Dedicate a full day to Oia — its blue-domed churches and whitewashed streets are worth seeing in daylight, not just at sunset. If you want the famous sunset without the worst of the crowds, see our guide to avoiding crowds in Oia for specific strategies.

Day 3: Beaches and wine

Head to the south side of the island for Perissa or Kamari's black sand beaches in the morning, then spend the afternoon at a winery — Santo Wines or Venetsanos both combine tastings with caldera views. See our wine tasting guide for more options.

Day 4: History and the water

Visit Akrotiri, the remarkably preserved Bronze Age settlement, and Ancient Thera nearby if you have the energy for the climb. If you'd rather spend the day on the water, a caldera boat tour to Nea Kameni and the hot springs at Palea Kameni is a strong alternative.

Getting around

A rented ATV or car gives you the most flexibility across these four days — see our guide to getting around Santorini for the tradeoffs against public buses.

For a version of this trip on a tighter budget, see our guide to visiting Santorini without overspending.