The Ultimate Santorini Itinerary
We just got back from 2 amazing weeks in Europe which included 4 days in Santorini. It was my first time in Greece, and I can say I definitely get the hype now. Santorini specifically is such a beautiful island. When I was planning our trip, I wanted our Santorini itinerary to be productive, but relaxing. I feel like I definitely succeeded!
We started our Europe trip in Mykonos, then took a ferry to spend 4 days in Santorini. There is a reason why Santorini is one of the most iconic and popular islands in Greece. Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s filled with history, picturesque buildings, amazing food, and gorgeous scenery. On top of that, Greek people are some of the nicest people we have met while traveling.
One thing to be mindful of in Santorini is the transportation. There really aren't many Ubers/taxis, so we relied heavily on private transportation through our hotel (though it was a little more expensive). Public transportation is super cost effective too, but given our hotel's location and time schedule, private transportation worked better for us. Again, just something to be mindful of when planning/budgeting!
So if you're looking for a trip filled with complete relaxation, look no further than Santorini! Here is my ultimate Santorini itinerary.
The Ultimate Santorini Itinerary
Day 1
Cavo Tagoo
We stayed at Cavo Tagoo and it was perfect for our 4 days in Santorini. The location, service, property, and room were all top notch. I don’t think we would’ve changed anything about our stay there. You can read my full review here!
Drinks @ PK Cocktail Bar
PK Cocktail Bar is one of the best bars in Fira. It has great cocktails and an unbeatable sunset. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time! There aren't many bad seats in the house, but the best reservations are going to be for the front row tables.
Dinner @ Aris Restaurant
Aris is about a 5 minute walk from PK Cocktail Bar. Aris has gorgeous views of Fira and the sunset. It's one of those places where you can stay for hours and feel totally at peace. The seafood is fresh and the Greek dishes are delicious. They serve local wine too!
DAY 2
Breakfast @ Hotel
One of the amazing amenities at Cavo Tagoo is their free breakfast. You can choose to eat in your room overlooking the caldera (highly recommend wearing your robes if that wasn’t obvious) or you can eat it in their restaurant/pool area. We had breakfast here every morning of our 4 days in Santorini. The night before, you pick which items you want (french toast, omelet, scrambled eggs, pancakes, etc), your coffee/tea choice, and any juices you want. They also include a basket of pastries.
Relax @ The Pool
Cavo Tagoo has an amazing infinity pool with a full view of the caldera. It's the perfect setting for full relaxation mode.
Dinner @ Sunset Ammoudi
Ammoudi Bay is a charming fishing harbor tucked at the bottom of Oia. It is a little difficult to get to, but so worth it. It’s known for the taverns along the water, Sunset Ammoudi being one of the most popular restaurants. We had a sunset dinner there and sat at a table along the water. Sunset Ammoudi is known for its lobster pasta, which I highly recommend! Ammoudi Bay should be one of the top things on your Santorini itinerary.
*If you're looking to be a little more active than we were, this would be a great afternoon to do the hike from Imerovigli to Oia. It's a little strenuous, but the views are gorgeous. The hike takes 2 hours (one way). Once you're in Oia, you're likely to have worked up an appetite. Grab a gyro from Pitogyros or Piatsa Souvlaki Grill House!
Day 3
Explore Oia
Oia gets really really crowded during the day because it’s one of the most popular tourist spots in Santorini. If you’re wanting to get great pictures and explore Oia before the crowds, I recommend getting there early. You can watch the gorgeous sunrise and then walk around/explore easily. We got to Oia around 8am and had pretty good luck with pictures. Don't miss the blue domes, Kastro Oia houses, and Oia cliffside! After pictures, we walked into all the little shops around Oia.
Drinks @ 363 Sunset Lounge
363 Sunset Lounge is located in the Grace Hotel. It's an intimate outdoor lounge area with gorgeous views of the caldera. We made a reservation around 6:30p and got to enjoy the start of the sunset.
Dinner @ The Athenian House
The Athenian House is a quick 1 minute walk from 363 Sunset Lounge. Dinner at the Athenian House is an experience. They offer two types of menus - 1 a la carte and 1 full tasting. We did the Heritage Grand Tasting and it was all delicious. Their famous baklava was some of the best I've ever had.
Day 4
Catamaran Cruise
On our last day, we took a 5 hour catamaran cruise. Transportation to/from our hotel was included in the price, which made things easier. The cruise itself was from 10-3p and had about 10 other people on it with us. We cruised by Red Beach and then anchored in a cove where we got to swim and snorkel. They served fresh Greek dishes and fish on board too. I always say that it’s so much fun experiencing a place by water. Santorini is definitely no exception to that.
Drinks/Dinner @ Vezené
Cavo Tagoo is also known for its restaurant Vezené. During the day, it’s only accessible to its guests, but around 7:30 it opens to the public. A perk of being a hotel guest is there is no minimum spend (non guests have a minimum spend for the sun beds). We made a reservation through the front desk ahead of time, and enjoyed the sunset on a sun bed. After the sunset, we had dinner and enjoyed the live DJ.
The Ultimate Santorini Itinerary Quick List
Day 1
Cavo Tagoo
Drinks @ PK Cocktail Bar
Dinner @ Aris Restaurant
Day 2
Breakfast @ the hotel
Lounge @ the pool
Dinner @ Sunset Ammoudi
Day 3
Explore Oia
Drinks @ 363 Sunset Lounge
Dinner @ The Athenian House
Day 4
Catamaran Cruise
Drinks/Dinner @ Vezené
Looking for more?
*Check out my Santorini travel guide post for my 3 must-dos during your 4 days in Santorini
*Check out my Santorini travel guide which includes where to stay, how to get around, 40+ things to do, and 45+ places to eat/drink for your ultimate Santorini itinerary
*This post is not affiliated with any of the mentioned establishments.