A weekend trip to Santorini is just enough time to explore diverse areas of the island while also booking excursions to fully immerse yourself in the Greek island experience. Spending three days here was incredible, and if you’ve read my blog about what to do in Santorini, you’ll know that we arrived with little to no plans—and that turned out to be the best way to experience it!

Santorini Travel Guide HERE

Day One: Arrival

Morning

Yay, welcome to your first day in paradise! Whether you’re landing in Santorini early in the morning or arriving the night before, day one is all about the beach and exploring. If you’re staying in or around Fira, take the bus to Kamari, which drops you off in a great location with easy beach access.

Before heading to the beach, grab an early lunch or breakfast because you won’t want to lose your spot once you settle in, unless you plan on renting a chair. If you do, arrive early to secure a prime spot!

Afternoon

After a relaxing beach morning, stroll along the promenade, do some window shopping, and soak in the views. If you’re looking to keep the day lively, I highly recommend heading to Magic Summer Pool Bar. This was one of my favorite experiences in Santorini. The staff was incredibly welcoming, and since it wasn’t too crowded, they let us buy a few drinks for access to hang out by the pool for the rest of the afternoon. It was the ultimate vacation vibe, lounging by the pool, drinks in hand, laughing with friends and the amazing staff.

Evening

As the sun set, we walked across the street from Magic Summer to Black Stone, an incredible restaurant known for its fresh seafood and classic Greek salads. The pool bar staff recommended it, and it did not disappoint!

After dinner, catching the bus back to Fira is easy, but if you still have energy, Fira’s nightlife is the perfect way to keep the night going.

Some notable bars we loved:

• 2 Brothers Santorini (So fun, we came back multiple nights!)
• Boozery (Highly rated)
• Tropical Bar (Casual, great atmosphere)
• Tango Champagne & Cocktail Bar (A bit boujee, but I went with a friend’s dad!)

Day Two: Beaches & Oia Sunset

Morning & Afternoon

After an eventful first day, we took it slow and slept in before heading to another beach in Perissa. Located just south of Kamari, Perissa is easily accessible by bus. We rented beach chairs for the day, which was a game-changer because the black sand beach has a lot of sharp rocks and sitting in the public area would have been uncomfortable.

Like Kamari, Perissa has a beautiful promenade with shops and restaurants, but we opted for lunch at a beach club instead since we had plans to head to Oia for sunset and dinner. To be safe, we booked our dinner reservation in the afternoon because Oia gets extremely crowded, so planning ahead is key!

Evening: Sunset in Oia

We took the bus from Fira to Oia, but we almost missed the sunset, watching it begin from the bus. Use this as a heads up and avoid our mistakes! Plan to arrive in Oia by 5 PM so you have time to explore the town, wander through charming streets, shop, and secure a spot with an ocean view before the crowds take over. Just make sure you’re facing west!

For dinner, we ate at Lotza, which had incredible seafood pasta and stunning views overlooking the blue-domed rooftops and calm waters below, where cruise ships sailed away for the night. After dinner, we strolled around Oia before catching the bus back to Fira, not wanting to stay out too late before our big adventure the next day.

Day Three: Boat Day & Final Night

Morning

Before heading out for our boat excursion, we spent the morning exploring Fira, browsing through shops, and enjoying a delicious brunch at Kaliya Reimagined Food & Drinks. Not only was the food amazing, but the views from the restaurant were peaceful and breathtaking which was the perfect way to start our day.

Early Afternoon: Boat Excursion

For the rest of the day, we booked a private boat tour. A catamaran cruise is also a great option if you want a more social experience. Our tour had a small group, which made it feel intimate and relaxed.

With so many options available online, you can pick the tour that best fits your schedule and interests. Ours included:

• Two snorkeling stops
• A swim at Nea Kameni hot springs
• Lunch at Palea Kameni, a tiny but charming coastal strip
  

As a bonus, we arrived back in Oia just in time for sunset, watching it dip below the horizon from the boat. This was such a surreal and unforgettable moment. Absolutely worth it!

Evening

Back in Fira, we had a laid-back dinner at Zuzu Santorini, a sushi spot with a relaxed atmosphere which was exactly what we needed after a full day on the water. We stopped at a bar or two before heading back to pack up and prepare for departure.

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Final Thoughts

Santorini is full of incredible experiences, from relaxing beach days to breathtaking sunsets and thrilling excursions. If you have extra time, I highly recommend:

• Wine tours
• Cooking classes
• ATV adventures
• Exploring more hidden beaches
  

Three days in Santorini gave us a taste of everything, but I’d return in a heartbeat to experience even more. This island truly is something special!