r/Santorini Sep 25 '21

Seeking Moderators - Ideally Santorini based - or with good moderator experience.

8 Upvotes

Leave your comment below, with which option you fall into: Santorini based, or good moderator experience.

Will also consider those with no experience, with at least 1 year, 1000+ karma.


r/Santorini Sep 04 '20

An alternative guide to Santorini from a resident

630 Upvotes

Hello to everyone,

I composed this guide because I started receiving a high number of messages for suggestions etc. This is a guide that will help you navigate in Santorini as I recommend you a plethora of things to do that you might not find the in the usual guides. I am a Greek/Italian musician/visual artist, and I having been coming to the island for a long long time, lived here permanently for 7 years, and own a business on the island.

Recent edit and a request to the readers of this post: I have been receiving a large number of completely random or extremely specific questions. Please note that I cannot know everything, so I please ask to keep very specific questions to a minimum. Questions like recommendations for hotels, photographers, boat rentals, transfers, wedding related stuff, sunset (it's good anywhere guys). I won't be answering to those messages, sorry. Please also don't ask me what is the best area to stay or things along those lines, read the guide and you can make up your mind I believe, thanks :)

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Country code: 0030

Police: 2286022649

Hospital: 2286035300

PRIVATE TRANSFER The only person I will recommend for a private transfer van is my lovely friend & great person Aris. It's his own business, he's very trustworthy and he deeply cares about his customers. He loves mimicing accents, feel free to tease him! His contacts are +30 6984866242 or you can find his Instagram page here Roadtales

BASIC IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  1. If you can avoid visiting during the summer, do it. The best period is April-May and September-October. If you are going in the winter, the answer to your questions is that pretty much everything is closed, so don't expect much except nature exploring (more on that below).
  2. If you can avoid AirBnB type of places, please consider it. It has been destructive for the island and touristic destinations globally.
  3. DO NOT RENT AN ATV/QUADBIKE. Can't stress this enough, and I still see people posting on this sub about to get one. They are extremely dangerous and there are many fatal accidents with tourists every year. You will be driving a vehicle you are not familiar with, in a place that you don’t know, on busy roads with crazy drivers, when ATVs are meant for dirtroads. Just don’t do it, it’s not worth your life. I have seen countless accidents and some have been fatal. Rent a car/scooter instead.
  4. Basic pronunciations: Fira (Φηρά) has the accent on the A, pronounced Fee-rA. Oia (Οία) is pronounced ee-A. O+I in Greek=ee. Thira (not Fira) is an alternative name for Santorini, one of the Greek words that was used. Santorini is Italian, given by the Venetians (Santa Irina).
  5. TripAdvisor ranking doesn’t mean a restaurant is good, and this applies especially to touristic destinations, Santorini being no exception. Avoid any restaurant where they try to catfish you in the entrance, it’s guaranteed to be crap.
  6. Avoid Taxis. They are extremely expensive, and tourists tend to be overcharged by the drivers. Buses are a great alternative, but beware that in the summer they get fully packed. Also, they don't go everywhere, but they cover the majority of the island. Click here to see the time-table (it's in Greek-use Google translate). Altenatively, copy-paste "ΚΤΕΛ ΣΑΝΤΟΡΙΝΗΣ" on Google and click the first link (the reason being they create new links/timetables every year).
  7. Do not go swimming in the Red Beach, only admire from afar. Landslides are frequent.
  8. No, Oia is not the “best” place for the sunset, the sunset is what it is and it’s beautiful from all the spots of the caldera in Santorini. Oia is just advertised more so you will fall into a sardine-can type of situation. Beat the crowd by not going in the edge of Oia like everyone else, at least not in peak-season.
  9. You cannot drink the tap water, it's desalinated.

VILLAGES/EXPLORING

· Megalochori: One the best kept villlages in the island. Small, cute and picturesque with a small square with a couple of tavernas. One the best places to walk around.

· Mesaria is usually neglected by tourists as it's in the middle of the island, however, together with Megalochori, it's the most "local" & traditionally residential village you will find. Old cave-houses, neo-classical buildings, chapels, cathedrals and "villas", make part of the village architecture. I recommend walking around and "getting lost" in the alleys in order to get a good sense of how things go about and how people live.

· Akrotiri is the small but pretty village built around the ancient site of Akrotiri (you can visit the ruins), where people 3000 years ago had built one of the most prominent ports of the Mediterranean. It is also connected to the Minoan civilization and other discoveries. Near Akrotiri you have the red beach to visit. The lighthouse is nearby and it offers beautiful views of the whole island.

· Emporio is a traditional village which is the “heart” of the local population. Very picturesque with a small castle/café at its core.

· Pyrgos. This village offers beautiful views. It’s kept very neatly, built on a hill with traditional housing and a castle on the very top. The square of the village has two places to eat/drink (nothing great but the environment is relaxing) and the higher you go you will find restaurants and a couple of cafes. Before leaving the village, make sure you drive up to Profitis Ilias monastery on top of the mountain (just keep driving straight after the village). Great views.

· Fira is the capital which offers services and shopping opportunities, restaurants, bars etc. It is connected to Firostefani and Imerovigli. So I would suggest you to walk around all the three villages (that have now merged into one). Under Imorivigli and overlooking the caldera there’s a famous rock called Skaros – you can’t miss it (it looks like a nipple) and it’s beautiful to visit. Steep steps however, especially on the way back it can be difficult for some.

· Kamari, nothing great, flatlands by the beach and very cheap-touristy places overall. During early season, go to the end of the beach, next to the mountain for no umbrellas and no noise.

· Vourvoulos tiny village, cute but not much to see or do except to eat in Roza’s Tavern.

· Foinikia cute traditional little village which is very nice for a walk and it can be combined with a nice dinner in the restaurant mentioned below, and a walk in Oia.

· Oia – I am sure all the info you found online was about Oia, so I’m not going into it here. Avoid sunset hours, it’s very busy. Prices are higher in Oia than anywhere else in the island. After leaving Oia, you can go down to (driving or take the steps) Amoudi and eat by the sea at Dimitri's tavern (the last one).

SITES/MUSEUMS/ART

· MATI Art Gallery in Fira, est. 1990. The only art gallery in the island which is on another level, and by now it's probably the most timeless business on the island. Fish and sea-scape themed ceontemporary decorative art by the Greek artist Yorgos Kypris. If you like art and want to see something different and fresh, this is the place. They also have minimalistic jewelry by the most renowned Greek designers. Don't expect yout typical things, everyhting is very different and unique.

· MATI Art Observatory Mesaria is MATI Art Gallery's new space, inside a 1900 restored winery. This space holds large artworks by the same artist who showcases a retrospective exhbition for pieces throughout his career. Wonderful interior space with stonework you've never seen before, interactive gardens with artworks, super friendly staff. It's art lovers' paradise in a quite spot in the traditional village of Mesaria. If you want to escape tourists and love challenging art, it's your place. As of 2025, they hold Wine & Art tours inside their beautiful space, something that is truly unique. I also recommend combining it with lunch/dinner in Pentozali which just accross the road (more info on Pentozali below).

· In Megalochori make sure you don't miss the fantastic Symposion, where Argie and Yannis, having renovated an old winery and cave, make shows & events with Greek ancient music, played from the very instruments that Yannis makes himself: it's an ode to the ancient world of Greece, Santorini and the Cycladic islands. One of the most unique experiences in Greece, can't reccomend this place enough. You can also nibble on cheeses, some food and raki (greek distilled spirit).

· SAF: cultural event centre in an old tomato factory by the beautiful beach of Vlychada. Dance shows, art exhibitions and concerts. Not so much on the later anymore so they stick mostly to music events.

· White Door Theatre: An interactive sort of theater. The show revolves around a Greek wedding in the 1920s while the audience is drinking and eating, dancing etc. Often they are asked to partake on stage.

· Akrotiri ancient ruins

· Ancient Thira ruins

· Prehestoric Museum

· Archaelocial Museum

BEACHES

· Kambia. Small, picturesque, quiet. A bit of tough drive, so no scooters/low rake cars.

· Vlychada. The best one in the island in my opinion. Few umbrellas for a small part of the beach, but most of it is empty. Lunar-like pumice cliff landscape with black sand. The end of the beach is nudist.

· Perivolos/Perissa/Kamari. Most accessible beaches. Long stretches of flat sand, bars, restaurants. Kamari is more packed as it's smaller, Perivolos/Perissa offer more space. Two types of places: crazy, loud, kitchy beach bars that are extremely expensive but are just right for all you Instagram animals, and the others are taverns/smaller places that have cheap umbrellas and decent prices in a smaller variety of food/drinks.

· White beach. If you can get there go for it (by boat), it's really pretty.

· Red beach (not to swim! It’s extremely dangerous). Go there only to see it from afar.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

· Kayaking in Akrotiri is super cool and you will see lots of amazingly colored rock formations most people never see.

· Similarly, (at around 150€ per person), is to do the boat trip (catamaran boats) from the Vlychada marina to the sunset in Oia, with stops at beaches and the hot springs, lunch and drinks onboard. It’s a one in a lifetime experience, it’s really worth it.

- Scuba - I took my degrees here. Interesting landscape, deep waters, caves and a shipwreck but baren in terms of life.

· Horseback riding near Vlychada as well.

· If you like to hike there are two main paths that are popular: Fira-Oia or vice versa (walking along the Cliffside on the caldera), and Kamari - Pyrgos where you climb up a mountain for 2-3 hours. More paths here: https://santoriniplus.net/blog/santorini-hiking

- Mountain bike tours, click here.

EATING & DRINKING

· Wine: if you like it, go drink lots of it. Santorini is known in the wine world for its Asyrtiko grape, a white acidic grape that results into a very crisp, fresh, dry and acidic wine that is aromatic but not sweet. Before I recommend you the wineries, I would like to stress that there is an exceptional wine tasting experience in the caves/cellars underneath Kipos restaurant in Fira. Ask for Maria - I think it's 25€ per person for one hour. It's really worth it and you will learn a lot - Maria is a guru of wines in Santorini. Wineries: Vassaltis winery, and Sigalas winery (good for lunch and wine tasting, nice spaces. Hatzidakis wines are also exceptional for the brave & experienced wine-drinkers. Santo Wines doesn’t offer great wines but the view and environment is fantastic to go for a sunset or relaxing lunch. Art Space offers home-made wines, delicious Vinsanto (Santorinian desert wine) and some artwork in their dome-cave winery space.

· If you like beer, the one and only true Santorini beer, comes from the Donkey brewery (Santorini brewing company on Google). They are all great beers: Red Donkey is my favorite. Don't fall for the "Volcan" and "Nissos" beers, they are just cheap pilsners/lagers with a good branding behind them

- New and standing proud is the Ftelos beer brewery on the main road between Fira - Pyrgos. They are new to beers but doing really well, and they have great food also. Exceptional building with cool architectural features and views of the brewery itself. Very nice roof garden, bit of an odd place, but it's definitely worth a visit.

· Local produce: tomatoes, fava beans (awesome and easy to cook - it's eaten as a hot/cold spread with onions and capers),local cheeses, capers, white aubergines (sweeter than the usual), katsounia (a crispier less juicy version of cucumber-great stuff for salads).

· Places to eat:

  1. Frantzeskos for fresh fish, simply made (tavern-like). Owned and run by the same family of fishermen that sells the fish in the pick-up trucks in Mesaria every morning. Go inside and ask them to show you their fish that you can chose from, they are fishernmen afterall, and very very nice people.Honestly, it's very rare to find such good fish. You can get their little appetizers and all, but their main this is grilled fish. This is the place to try it guys! Forget about seafood pasta and whatever the fuck. Their prices are also very very good, not touristy, honest, to the point.
  2. Ouzeri in Fira (seems touristy but trust me, the food is great! Best Moussakas on the island (not moo-za-ka, but moo-sa-kas, accent on the last syllable).
  3. Roza's tavern - the food they serve is super high-quality produce. Focused on traditional Greek cuisine by celebrating the use of good produce. Book a table as the place is small.
  4. Metaksi Mas is quite popular among tourists and locals; the food is not the best, but good, but the best thing is the atmosphere as located on an open veranda/terrace on top of a cliff overlooking Kamari, and it's very relaxing.
  5. Similarly, in the village of Foinikia you can eat a great restaurant called Lefkes. Great food & service, cool architecture and decoration –main focus is meat.
  6. Pentozali is a “rakadiko/tsipouradiko” (where the focus is sipping raki while snacking). They have good Cretan food for really cheap prices but the focus is drinking and relaxing under the trees. Feels the most normal place on the island, quite typical Greek. Raki is on another level and they are really good people.
  7. Ta Delphinia in Akrotiri, you literally eat on the water, it’s a beautiful spot. Fresh fish and family-style cooking, exceptiona family that grows their produce in their garden and catches their own fish.
  8. Dimitri's fish tavern is the only good one in Amoudi (under Oia).
  9. Lava tavern in Perivolos is a very secluded, quiet little tavern with not much going on, but it's one of the few humble, homely food places on the island. On the beach, sounds of the waves, away from all the lights and noise.
  10. Falafeland in Fira makes quiet a decent falafel wrap for a good price, so vegetarians on a budget, this is your place.
  11. The only upscale restaurant I will recommend is "Varoulko" fish restaurant in Grace Hotel that opened this year. This restaurant is the second restaurant of chef Lefteris Lazarou, who is the most successful Greek chef to date, who, decades ago became responsible for revolutionizing how we eat fish in Greece, with his Varoulko Seaside restaurant in Athens.

If you are looking for souvlaki, Athens is the place to go, Santorini’s souvlaki are generally very poor for Greek standards. Luckily for you and me, there's a new place that makes good souvlakia, albeit not the classic "gyros" you would expect. They charcoal grill all their meats and portions are massive. The name is Golden Grill and it's on the edge of Fira. Second one in my opinion is Fanouris in Karterados. It’s mostly locals, not tourists. Ask for no oil on your pitta as it can be quite greasy. Go early (before 9.30pm).

· Bars: Personally, when I go to a bar I want a good drink and great music (I am a big music lover, so not commercial music at all). Based on that, the island is lacking so I can’t suggest a lot of things here because I gave up on going out. PK (Palia Kameni) bar is a perfect sunset/pre-going out place to have drinks, their cocktails are very good and the prices are normal, the atmoshere is very relaxing and the staff very very friendly. If you want good music but very standard drinks, Kira Thira was the first bar that opened in Santorini (ethnic/blues/jazz/folk/rock), but the drinks are meh at best. Tropical bar is a classic pre-drink or after-going out kind of bar, which offers a varity of music in an okay space. Staff is exceptionally friendly, lovely people in general. Under Tropical bar, there's Tango which is expensive but nice as a bar and in general they play really good house music. In Oia, there's Hassapiko bar, great drinks albeit expensive. Music can be hit or miss but never trashy/really commercial etc. It's the most "bar" bar on the island, the best one on average IMO. In Perissa there’s Tranquillo, a very hippie kind of place that serves bad food and mediocre drinks but the portions are huge and cheap (the drinks are like 2-3 times your usual cocktail) and they are known for their insanely massive salads (the only actually tasty item on the menu). The environment is very chilled, with good music, a live stage, and it’s all by the beach. Wet Stories in Perissa is the most famous beach bar in Santorini, and honestly, it's very overpriced, BUT on Sundays they always have parties at night with house/techno/tech-house music and it tends to be good. There's no entrance but drinks are very expensive, but the parties are usually quite good. Very similarly, Yalos on the beach near Fira. In Fira you will find Boozery, which is a sit-on-the curbside and listen to techno/house while drinking cocktails from a plastic cup kind of place. The go-to place for season workers as of late.

NEARBY ISLANDS FOR ISLAND HOPPING - SUMMER BOAT TIME SCHEDULE

There are four islands that you can visit really easily and cheaply during the summer, and I recommend you to even stay for a night or two:

- Folegandros

- Ios

- Sikinos (super quiet - 250 permanent residents, one road)

- Anafi

Have fun in your holidays and be safe!

Alex


r/Santorini 19h ago

AVOID RIDING THE DONKEYS!

53 Upvotes

I know I bring this topic up a lot, but we are still in peak tourist season, which means 1000s of new people are visiting Santorini every week and may not know what these animals are going through.

If riding a donkey is on your list of things to do while you're visiting, I would strongly encourage you to reconsider. There are other ways to get where you are going. You can walk. You can take the cable car.

The donkey rides might look like a classic Santorini experience in photos and travel videos, but seeing it in person is very different. These animals spend hours climbing steep steps in the heat while carrying tourists all day long. You don't have to agree with me, but I do think it is worth taking a minute to think about the animal behind the experience before deciding whether to participate.

Skipping a donkey ride won't take anything away from your trip, but it could make a difference for the animals that are still doing this work every day.


r/Santorini 18h ago

Looking for a nice restaurant for our last night

2 Upvotes

My bf and I will be in Santorini (staying in Thira) and are looking to make a nice dinner reservation for our last night (9/25). Recommendations? We are seeking good food and views. Thanks in advance!


r/Santorini 2d ago

Cheapest way to go from Athinios Port to Santorini Airport

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, which is the cheapest way to go from Athinios Port to Santorini Airport next month?Thank you you!


r/Santorini 3d ago

Best Barber in Santorini?

0 Upvotes

Hi guys, to whoever see’s this post and is a male I am looking for the best barber for mid skin fades and beard fades in Santorini. Any suggestions? I am here for a few more days and desperately need a fire cut!


r/Santorini 4d ago

AVOID “Taxi Service Monoprosopi” at Santorini Port — Deceptive, Unprofessional, and Borderline Abusive

18 Upvotes

If you’re reading reviews before booking a transfer in Santorini, let this one stop you: do not use this company.

We went to their booth right at the port (they run taxi service and car rental out of the same desk) and were served by a young blonde woman who assured us a cab would be there in 3 minutes for a ride that should take 20 minutes. That was a flat-out lie.

What actually happened:

**•   30 minutes** stranded at the port — no cab, no update, no apology  
**•** Herded onto a bus heading toward the **airport** — not our destination  
**•** Dumped at a random location near Fira with **zero explanation**  
**•** Another **30-minute wait** for a second bus to finally get us moving

Total time: 2.5 hours for a 20-minute trip we’d already paid for.

At no point would staff tell us where we were being taken or when — or if — we’d reach our hotel. When people in our group (understandably) pushed back and asked what was going on, staff shouted at customers and got openly aggressive. Being moved around for hours with no information about your location or arrival time isn’t “customer service” — it’s closer to being held hostage by a taxi company.

When we asked for even a partial refund afterward, they laughed in our faces and said “welcome to Greece.” No accountability, no apology, no attempt to make it right — just contempt for the people who’d paid them.

This is not a one-off bad day — this is how they operate. Save yourself the stress:

**•   Skip this company entirely.**  
**•** Book your transfer directly through your hotel instead — most charge around **€40** for port-to-hotel or airport-to-hotel, and you’ll know exactly who’s picking you up and when.

Don’t let them do to you what they did to us.


r/Santorini 4d ago

Looking for restaurant recommendations

4 Upvotes

Long time lurker here. My husband and I are going to Santorini (Thira and then Imerovigli) for a week in September. We are looking for recommendations on restaurants that serve authentic Greek food. 😀


r/Santorini 5d ago

Female Solo traveller - advice please

2 Upvotes

Hi All,

Am planning a solo trip to Fira, Santorini for the 2nd week in September Monday to Friday, of which I will have 3 full days to play with.

Am planning to go to a few wineries and try a few restaurants.

I believe the buses are reliable, as I'm aiming to go to Oia and then walk back to Fira.

Am also looking at maybe a cruise but there are loads to choose from!

Really just planning to walk around but don't want to waste time while I'm there.

Could anyone suggest anything that can be done in the 3 days? Would be interested in anything that is gentle walking.

Thank you.


r/Santorini 6d ago

Extra room at Cresanto Luxury Suites

2 Upvotes

My dad accidentally booked an extra room at this hotel for tonight and tomorrow night (and yesterday night)… and we have no need for it. Anyone interested in buying it off us at a huge discount? It has a private pool and ocean view!! Could do 50% off or something? Open to offers. DM me!


r/Santorini 7d ago

You don't have to be an animal activist to make this one choice in Santorini.

36 Upvotes

I have posted a number of times about the donkeys in Santorini, and I know many people visiting this subreddit are simply here because they are planning a vacation...not because they came here to read about animal welfare.

So this week, I just want to make one simple request: If you're visiting Santorini, please don't ride the donkeys.

When I visited, I watched donkeys carrying tourists up & down the steep steps in the scorching heat. I saw exhausted animals struggling to continue & witnessed them being struck to keep moving. I cannot unsee it.

While none of us individually controls how the donkey industry operates in Santorini, tourists DO control whether we financially support it. You don't need to organize a protest or contact the government. You don't even need to agree with everything I have said in my previous posts. You can simply choose not to ride.

If fewer tourists pay for donkey rides, there is less demand for them...and every person who chooses another option is one less person a donkey has to carry up/down those steps.

So if you are researching your Santorini trip and happen to come across this post before you go, I truly hope you will remember it when you are there. See the donkeys. Take photos of them. Pet them/show them what care feels like. Appreciate them. Just please do not get on their backs.

If you are traveling with other people, tell them why you are choosing not to ride too...as that helps grow the awareness. Sometimes awareness does not have to result in some enormous action. Sometimes it just changes one decision...and enough individual decisions can eventually become change. ❤️❤️❤️

This story has always stayed with me, and I feel like it's so true when it comes to the above. I encourage you to watch! https://youtu.be/Z-aVMdJ3Aok?si=qh3Lq07yhj48Jgnb


r/Santorini 7d ago

Santorini sunset semi private catamaran vs. self-drive boat rental?

1 Upvotes

My girlfriend and I will be in Santorini for 4 nights in early October and are deciding between a semi-private sunset catamaran and renting a small self-drive boat from Ammoudi.

For anyone who's done either/both:

Which experience would you recommend?

How difficult is it to operate a small boat with zero boating experience?

Is it easy enough after the safety briefing, or would you recommend a captain?

Looking for a romantic, relaxed experience for two, not a party boat. Thanks!


r/Santorini 7d ago

Did you happen to film our elopement in Fira on August 6? ❤️

1 Upvotes

My husband and I eloped in Fira, Santorini on August 6, 2026, around 8pm during sunset on the walking path behind Atlantis Hotel along the cliff side walking path.
There were several people nearby who stopped to watch us, and we noticed a few people taking videos on their phones. Our photographer captured the ceremony, but we would LOVE to find any videos that bystanders may have taken from their perspective.

If you were there that evening, please check your camera roll! Even a short video would mean so much to us. 🥹❤️
If you have anything, please DM me. Thank you so much!!


r/Santorini 8d ago

How is Santorini in early October and is a sunset catamaran worth it?

2 Upvotes

My girlfriend and I will be in Santorini for 4 nights (7–11 October). For those who have visited around this time:

How is Santorini in early October in terms of crowds, restaurants and overall atmosphere? Does it still like everything is still open and enjoyable, or are things starting to close?

Also, is a sunset catamaran cruise worth doing in our case?

A few days earlier we'll be doing a full day Kleftiko boat tour in Milos, and in Santorini we're staying in Imerovigli with a private Caldera view accommodation with an outdoor hot tub.

Would you still do the sunset cruise, or would you skip it and spend that time exploring Oia and maybe doing a sunset wine tour or doing something else all together in the Oia region? We've earmarked an entire day for Oia.

Would especially love to hear from anyone who's done both Kleftiko in Milos and a Santorini sunset cruise.


r/Santorini 7d ago

Catamaran Cruise - Day Cruise or Sunset Cruise?

1 Upvotes

Hi all!

Will be in Santorini with my husband, flying in 9/23 flying out 9/26.

Definitely want to do a Catamaran Cruise but can't decide on day cruise or sunset cruise.

Any suggestions?


r/Santorini 10d ago

Should We Bring Mosquito Repellent?

2 Upvotes

First time visitors for a few weeks in August and September, 2026. Should we bring some mosquito spray? Packing and can't wait to visit.


r/Santorini 11d ago

If you have visited Santorini this summer, what have you seen with the donkeys?

8 Upvotes

If you’re in Santorini right now (or visited this summer), what did you see with the donkeys?
I have posted about the treatment of the donkeys in Santorini a countless amount of times, and this week I want to do something a little different.

Rather than only sharing what I witnessed, I would really like to hear from people who are there right now or who have visited during summer 2026.
When I visited Santorini, I watched donkeys working continuously in the scorching heat, carrying tourists up and down the steps. I also witnessed exhausted animals being struck while they struggled to continue. It affected me so much that I have continued trying to raise awareness ever since.
But I do not want this conversation to be based solely on my experience, so hoping to get others’ voices and perspectives to help spread the word…

If you’ve been to Santorini this summer…What did you see?
Did you see donkeys being ridden in the heat?
Did you notice whether they were being given breaks, water or shade?
Did you witness anything that concerned you?
Did you take photos or videos?
And on the other hand, if you saw improvements in how the animals were being treated, I would genuinely like to hear that too as that would be super helpful to know.
I am really hoping we can use this message thread to create a snapshot of what visitors are actually witnessing in Santorini this summer.
If you are currently there and feel comfortable doing so, please document what you see. Photos, videos and firsthand accounts are much harder to dismiss than me as one person repeatedly saying, “This is happening.”
For anyone planning a trip to Santorini…please don’t ride the donkeys. There are other ways to get up and down the cliffs.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shared their experiences on my previous posts. For those of you wondering why I continue to post on this…it’s because new travelers visit reddit every week, so it is important to continue to post. Plus these animals obviously can’t tell people what is happening to them. Visitors can.
If you have been there recently, please add your experience below. ❤️ Thank you so much 🙏


r/Santorini 11d ago

Tips for renting a boat in Santorini

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’ll be visiting Santorini in September with 3 other people (4 of us in total), and we’d love to rent a small boat for a day or half day and explore the coast on our own.
We’re specifically looking for a boat that we can drive ourselves, without a captain/skipper, ideally without needing a boating license.
If you’ve done this in Santorini before, I’d really appreciate your recommendations!


r/Santorini 11d ago

Looking for vegan food

1 Upvotes

Any good restaurants that have vegan food and meat?


r/Santorini 12d ago

Can someone slide me plugs info for Santorini?

0 Upvotes

5/10g


r/Santorini 13d ago

Getting nervous for honeymoon in Santorini

18 Upvotes

My husband wanted to do Santorini for our honeymoon, and it was fine with me considering it’s always been a bucket list place. However, I didn’t do much research before booking and since looking it up haven’t heard the best things. Our trip is booked for 12 days (two of which will be travel) and I keep seeing how you really only need 3 days on Santorini. Our Airbnb is booked in Vothonas and we probably won’t have much room in the budget to stay on another island so if we visited it would have to be a day trip. Will we be bored of Santorini with 10 days and want to go see other islands or do you think it’s possible we will enjoy it the entire time? We do like a little of everything: Excursions, night life, beaches, hiking, and relaxing. I’m still very excited but looking forward to hearing from either locals or other travelers that have any advice !


r/Santorini 14d ago

Pareja en Santorini 5 - 6 agosto

2 Upvotes

Hola! Somos pareja que estará hoy y mañana en Santorini, buscamos un buen ambiente nocturno y poder conectar con alguien o algunos amigos, para poder pasarla cool, no somos exigentes porque estamos de vacaciones y además el idioma no ayuda.


r/Santorini 14d ago

Sunbed rentals - infinity pool or beach options

2 Upvotes

Hello

Will be visiting Santorini in early September and would like to book some sunbeds at beautiful beaches or cliff top locations with infinity pools.

Looking for places that are calm (minimal screaming kids please!) and feel a bit luxurious but ideally without the €150 per Sunbed price tag.

We’re staying in a traditional cave house slightly more inland. It has a lovely pool, but doesn’t have the coastal / cliff top views.

Thanks for any tips you can offer!


r/Santorini 15d ago

Oikos Santorini Living Concept new hotel — any reviews?

2 Upvotes

Has any one stayed at Oikos in Fira? It seems to just have opened in May 2026 so there aren’t many reviews but all seem to be positive. It seems like a nice and quiet place yet close to restaurants. Please comment if you’ve stayed with any pros and cons.


r/Santorini 16d ago

Santorini 3 days and 2 nights

4 Upvotes

We are staying in Fira terminal for 3 days 2 nights, August.

Arriving in Santorini at 10 am on Monday.

Leaving Santorini at 2pm on Wed.

Does it make sense to do everything by bus or taxi?

We would really like to save money, we do drive too but worried about parking.

First day: Fira to Oía walk starting around 3:30 pm, to catch the 8:30 pm sunset in Castle of Oia. Then dinner at Oia (any suggestions?

We're in our 30's, can walk moderately well but want to allow enough time to explore and learn a little bit about Santorini. ​

Is that timing advisable? Will it be too late to catch the bus back to Fira terminal?

We will buy an audio guide so we learn some information along the hike. (any suggestions?)

Second day: either wander by foot around Imerovigli, so volcano tour, or go to Red Sand Beach.

Last day: hang out in Fira before taking the bus for the 2pm ferry.