I've been wanting to go to Santorini for as long as I can remember and FINALLY we made it happen. It was gorgeous. Beyond. The food. The architecture. The hotel. The ocean... everything.
We stayed in Oia the entire time but had we stayed for longer I would have dragged Thomas on the 4+ hour hike over to the main town on the island. Below you'll find the stand out places that you can't miss! If it's not already on your bucket list, put it on there and get excited!
Andronis Hotels! There are a handful of Andronis properties on Santorini and they are all incredible. You can't go wrong with any of them. I mean, just look at this breakfast spread and view from our room. Each hotel is a small boutique hotel with the most incredible service and perfect locations. Each property is a hop skip and a jump into town and they all have their own pools where you can hide out during the day and avoid all the touristy crowds.
Lolita's Gelato - the perfect place to grab a sweet snack at the end of the night! (or the middle of the day. or for a late breakfast) The flavors rotate frequently and you can get as many samples as you want. We went multiple times and each one was better than the last.
Sunset Taverna is one of the many restaurants down at Amoudi Bay in Santorini. It's HIKE to get down there (and back up to the town center) but think of it as a way to work off all the calories you're about to consume. You'll notice the octopus hanging out to dry the second you walk in and that's basically the best sign you could ask for. Sun dried octopus is a speciality and I loved every single bite. If you're making the hike down to Amoudi Bay, make sure you bring your suit and a towel so you can scale the rocks on the side of the bay and go jump in the ocean before or after lunch!
Ammoudi Fish Tavern is another restaurant down on the Bay that cannot be missed. More octopus please!
Pito Gyros - Thomas and I love all sorts of restaurants, but our true favorites are the super casual hole in the wall places where you don't have to get dressed up and Pito Gyros is exactly that. Super casual souvlaki pitas with ALL the tzatziki and greek salads. Literally my favorite savory bite while in Santorini!
Meletini - so let's go polar opposite of casual souvlaki stuffed pitas and go to Meletini! Super chic tapas style Greek food with a gorgeous rooftop deck. Book ahead, it's hard to get a reservation.
Catch Bar - if you're looking for somewhere to grab a drink and a quick bite before dinner while watching the sunset, go to the rooftop Catch Bar! Get an Aperol Sprtiz or 4 and hang out above the crowds and watch the sunset.
A few other tips and tricks...
If you want to go watch the sunset walk to the end of the path at the top of Oia a few hours before the sun is due to set and post up. Bring a bottle of wine and some snacks and just chill because it's about to get CROWDED. But just wait it out, it's worth it.
It's HOT in Santorini in the summer so here's my rec. Wake up early, toodle around town from 6am - 9am and grab breakfast at a little cafe. By 9/10am head back to your hotel and post up at the pool. Or head down to the Bay and go swim in the ocean. Oia gets very touristy in the middle of the day and the crowds can be kinda crazy. Then head back out later in the afternoon and get a drink / watch the sunset and grab dinner! It's the perfect romantic getaway and I cannot wait to get back.
Hi Gaby! Can you share where you flew into for your trip?
Thanks!
Vanessa
Athens to Santorini!
Gaby, you have inspired a last minute trip for our anniversary. I have been looking into the Andronis hotels on Santorini and they all say adult only. In your blog you mention you were traveling with children as well....can you tell me which Andronis you stayed with children? Please?
we were just with our friends kids in mykonos! So we were adult only in Santorini
I'm also no kids - and these are all beautiful hotels. Can you share which you stayed at?
The Andronis Suites
Gaby, I loved your guide to santorini! I was actually there a couple of weeks before you and I must say that the island is simply magical. I can't wait to go back! Two items I wanted to add are: the hike from Fira (capital) to Oia ( in that direction) is a must. My husband and I did it in 4 hours (we stopped for lunch in firostefani) and we dipped in our hotel pool in Oia after that. Words can't describe the beauty of the views from our hike. Another thing that's a must in santorini is sailing around caldera. We did it during the day and Santorini Sailing made sure the 5 hour spent on the boat was an experience we will never forget. I highly recommend the cruise either during the day or at sunset. It's pricey but worth every penny 🙂
We were there at the end of June. Your pictures make me miss it so bad. The sun dried octopus at Ammoudi fish tavern, the local cucumbers at Melitini. And yes hot AF, sunhat is required. And when you do go back take the sunset cruise - def the highlight of our trip.
Your pictures are gorgeous. Greece has always been on my list and this post makes me want to go there even more. It looks so picturesque and almost unreal.
I want to go there right now! Those windmills! That view! The sky!
Looks like my birthday present came early! Girls trip? When are we going? 🙂 Looks incredible! Thanks for the amazing recommendations! Xo Kiki
I highly recommend a semi-private sunset dinner cruise. I booked through Pelican Tours. A gorgeous, pristine catamaran. Wine for days. Fresh shrimp, chicken, pork and all the sides. Music. Perfection! I've done this cruise twice!
Sounds magical
I would visit just for that octopus!!! lol. But it's Santorini, that's just one more thing to the list of why I want to visit it. It's a beautiful place. Ever since I saw it the first time on a movie, I wanted to visit. One day! The pictures are beautiful.
Hi Gaby! Thanks for the great guide! My boyfriend and I are headed there in 3 weeks. Ammoudi Fish Tavern is definitely on our list! I was curious what type of camera you used for your pictures. They came out BEAUTIFULLY! xx
it's a mixture between a canon 5d mark iii and my iphone!! HAVE SO MUCH FUN