Santorini, Greece
Santorini looked beautiful to me, especially the Oia side — that’s where I’d recommend stopping if you’re picking one base. It’s a pricier area, but much prettier. It’s the kind of place with postcard landscapes, incredible sunsets, good food, and wine tours.
If I had to pick one Greek destination and could only choose one, this wouldn’t be my first choice — and the main reason is the beaches. Santorini’s beaches are volcanic sand and pebbles, not the white sand you picture when you think “Greek island.” There’s nowhere to really get in the water and enjoy it the way you would on Naxos, Paros, or Mykonos. If swimming and beach time matter to you, keep that in mind — you go to Santorini for the views, the sunsets, the wine, and the food, not for the beach.
It felt very romantic — the kind of place built for couples.
Time of Year I Visited
I went at the end of April and thought the timing was spectacular. It was warm, but not too hot — you could walk around comfortably without any rush.
Did I Feel Safe?
Super safe. At least in Oia. Fira has more movement, more of a party vibe; Oia is much quieter, especially at night — you don’t hear a sound.
Where I Stayed
Oia Nano Villas, sunset view: Beautiful. The best part — I rented a house with sunset views right in the courtyard, so I didn’t have to deal with the crowds or fight for a spot at the famous viewpoints. I had it right there, privately. A VIP experience, super queen style.
What’s Worth Doing
The Oia to Fira Trail: I walked it, around 3 hours. If you go from Oia to Fira it’s more downhill; the other way around is more uphill. Either way the views are spectacular and the walk itself is easy — just keep the climbing in mind depending on which direction you choose.
If you go in low season, it’s beautiful to walk the streets and admire the views without the crowds. The sunsets are the whole point of being here, and they don’t disappoint.
I also bought a jacket from a brand called Never on Sunday at Kisira Concept Store in Oia — spectacular designs, the kind you don’t see anywhere else. It was expensive, but I decided to buy it because the design isn’t something you see in many places. That said, it doesn’t really make sense to buy clothes in Santorini in general — the same items are way more expensive here than in, say, Athens.
What I Ate
Emfasis Restaurant: I went at night and had beautiful views over Oia while I ate. The food was very, very good, and the quality genuinely surprised me.
Domaine Sigalas: Went for lunch and got the most complete menu, the premium one. The wines were delicious and the champagne surprised me — really good. The attention was spectacular, and they give you a little tour of the place, showing you the vineyard.
I discovered freddo espresso here, and since it was so hot, I kind of got a little addicted to it — the perfect combo for walking around the island.
Getting Around
Having a car helps if you want to move around the island freely, but I didn’t have one. I got by with taxi drivers — the villa staff in Oia passed me their contacts, and they picked me up and dropped me off everywhere. They were lovely, super reliable, and I felt very safe with them.
The one I used: +30 698 041 0860 / travelwithmesantorini.com. Let them know in advance if you want to pay by card or cash — sometimes they don’t carry the card machine with them.
Things to Know
It has a lot of stairs — if you’re travelling with a wheeled suitcase, make sure it’s not heavy, you’ll be carrying it up and down constantly. It’s expensive, so budget accordingly. And don’t go in high season — it’s genuinely impossible to walk through the little streets when it’s packed.
How Long Did I Stay?
2 days.
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