Santorini Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

From late 2026, travelers from visa-exempt countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorization to enter Greece and all other Schengen Area countries. ETIAS costs €20, is valid for three years, and is applied for online. Processing typically takes 24 to 72 hours and it is linked to your passport.

This is not a visa. Citizens of these countries can still travel to Greece for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a traditional visa. ETIAS is simply a mandatory pre-travel electronic authorization. Check the official ETIAS website for the current launch date as the rollout timeline has shifted several times.

The starting point for most Greece trips and one of the great cities of the ancient and modern world. The Acropolis and the Parthenon are the non-negotiable first stop, allow at least three hours for the full site and arrive when it opens at 8am before the heat and crowds build. Skip-the-line tickets through Tiqets are worth it in peak season. The Acropolis Museum at the base of the hill is essential context and houses the best collection of classical Greek sculpture in the world.

Beyond the Acropolis, Athens rewards wandering. Monastiraki flea market and the Plaka neighborhood beneath the Acropolis are the tourist heart. Exarcheia is the bookshop and cafe quarter. Kolonaki is the upscale area with excellent restaurants. Psyrri is the best neighborhood for evening eating and drinking. Two full days minimum for Athens; three is better and gives you time for the National Archaeological Museum, which is one of the great collections of ancient art anywhere.

The most iconic of the Greek islands: white-washed buildings on the rim of a volcanic caldera, blue-domed churches in Oia, and sunsets that have made the island one of the most photographed places on earth. Worth visiting at least once, crowded in peak summer, and genuinely beautiful in May, early June, and September when the intensity of July and August has passed.

Our full Santorini vs Mykonos comparison helps if you are deciding between the two and our Greece timing guide covers the best months for island visits in detail.

Greece’s most famous party island and one of the most expensive. Excellent beaches, a beautiful windmill-dotted old town, world-class beach clubs, and some of the best nightlife in Europe. Best visited in June or September rather than the overwhelming peak of July and August. Families and budget travelers will find both Santorini and Mykonos stretching their patience and budget, quieter alternatives like Naxos, Paros, or Milos offer comparable beauty with far less pressure and cost.

Greece’s largest island is effectively a destination in its own right. The Palace of Knossos is the finest Minoan archaeological site in the world. The Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s great hiking trails, 16 kilometers through a dramatic gorge ending at a beach accessible only by sea. The old Venetian towns of Chania and Rethymno are among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The south coast beaches are wild and relatively uncrowded even in peak season.

Crete has one of the longest tourist seasons of any Greek island, remaining viable from April through November. It also has the most internal variety, one week in Crete genuinely feels different from one week on any of the smaller islands. A rental car through AutoEurope is close to essential here, since the south coast and mountain villages are not well served by public transport.

One of the most extraordinary sights in all of Greece and completely different from anything else in the country. Meteora is a cluster of towering rock pillars in central mainland Greece, each topped with a medieval Orthodox monastery that monks reached by rope ladders and nets until staircases were carved in the 20th century. Six monasteries remain active today.

Meteora is accessible as a day trip from the nearby town of Kalambaka, which is 4.5 hours by train from Athens. Most visitors combine it with a night or two in Kalambaka. The sunrise view from the monasteries before tour buses arrive is one of the most arresting scenes in Greece. If you have 10 or more days in Greece and are not limited to the islands, Meteora earns its place on the itinerary.

The ancient sanctuary of Delphi sits on the slopes of Mount Parnassus above a valley of olive trees, roughly 2.5 hours from Athens by bus or car. In antiquity, Delphi was considered the center of the world, the Oracle at Delphi was consulted by rulers from across the ancient Mediterranean world before every major decision. The archaeological site includes the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, and the stadium, all set against a backdrop of extraordinary mountain scenery.

Delphi is the best day trip from Athens for travelers with an interest in ancient history. The site is far less crowded than the Acropolis, the scenery is dramatic, and the combination of historical significance and natural setting is unique. Stay overnight in the village of Delphi for the best experience of the site at quiet hours.

The backbone of Greek island travel. Ferries from Piraeus port in Athens connect to most Cycladic and Dodecanese islands. Conventional ferries are cheaper and more stable in rough weather. High-speed catamarans cut journey times by 40 to 60% but cost more and are more affected by Meltemi winds in summer.

Athens to Santorini: 5 to 8 hours conventional, 4 to 5 hours high-speed, economy €50 to €70. Athens to Mykonos: 2.5 to 5 hours depending on vessel. Compare routes and operators through Searadar and book at least one week ahead in peak season.

Fastest option between Athens and distant islands. Olympic Air and Sky Express serve most Greek airports. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Mykonos, and Santorini all have airports with multiple daily Athens connections. Flights take 30 to 60 minutes and cost €40 to €120 booked ahead. For islands more than five hours by ferry, flying saves significant time.

Clean, air-conditioned, and connects the airport to the city center in 40 minutes for €10. Line 2 (red) and Line 3 (blue) cover the most tourist-relevant areas including Monastiraki, Syntagma, and Acropolis stations. The metro closes around midnight, taxis and the Uber/Beat app cover late evenings. Rideshare apps work well in Athens and are significantly cheaper than tourist-facing taxis.