Santorini boasts a great number of things to do even if you’re travelling on a tight budget.
Just because you want to live it up in Greece does not mean that your time in the sun will leave you starving until your next paycheck arrives. An affordable time in one the islands is just a matter of doing your research and paying attention to the small details. Luckily, we’ve already done that for you, so all that’s left to do is to carefully read this and get on your Santorini budget holiday ASAP.
Getting to Santorini on a budget
If possible, book your flight ticket around 6 weeks before the departure – that’s when you’ll find them at their cheapest. Avoid landing directly in Santorini, so pick an airport in the mainland and take a ferry to the islands. A ferry ticket starts from 30 euros, which is a good price, but you need to take into consideration your arrival time as well.
If you don’t have an airport transport to your accommodation, you’d ideally want to aim to arrive in a time frame when public transportation is available. Otherwise, taxis can be quite expensive, especially during the evening.
Explore the Greek Paradise
By far, the best way to move around on longer distances from one town to another is the bus. One way tickets start around 2 euros; it’s cheap and it will do the job.
Of course, should you be looking to uncover hidden spots, unknown to the regular traveler, renting an ATV is the second most popular choice. It costs about 15 euros per day and if you have a driving license, why not give it a try?
Don’t get a bike, unless you are an experienced biker. If don’t ride with full confidence and skill it can be incredibly dangerous to maneuver around the onslaught of ATVs and cars running around. Add in the hot temperatures and countless hills and…well, I think you already know where this is going.
Where to eat in Santorini
Another often overlooked aspect of exploring Santorini on a budget is the skyrocketing prices of food. While it’s true that dining out on this Greek island can cost you a pretty penny, you can still indulge in all that Greek food as long as you have some tricks up your sleeve.
Wake up to a delicious breakfast with tasty fruit salads, classic Greek yogurt and a fresh cup of coffee. It will get your day started and fill you up with all the energy you need to discover your surroundings.
For lunch, try to stick mostly to street food and I promise you won’t be missing out! As you probably already know, it’s cheap and delicious, with juicy gyros costing you only 2 to 4 euros each. They make for a fulfilling lunch, one you can savour from any of Santorini’s many viewpoints overlooking the sea.
And since, we’re up high, soaking in the sun and the fresh air, why not have an impromptu picnic? Head to the local markets and buy fresh products: feta, soft bread, olives, meats, fruits or cool drinks. You will end up paying less than eating at a restaurant and if you have leftovers, you can always snack on them later.
For those of you looking to unwind at a local restaurant, but still not willing to take a lot of cash out of your pocket, here’s a quick tip: go off the beaten path and try out the restaurants in small towns such as Perissa and Kamari. Here, meals are much cheaper and you will get to taste the authentic Greek cuisine since these are where the locals eat. You might want to avoid restaurants in Oia, as not only do they cost more, but they also cater more to tourists.
What to do in Santorini for free
Jump off a cliff
Just below Oia, walking towards the Amoudi Bay you’ll enter the fisherman’s village. You can stop and explore it, but if you want to go cliff jumping, keep walking and turn left once you exit the village. Follow the same direction until you see the cliffs. Climb your way up and let the fun begin!
Chill on black sandy beaches
Since you are planning to grab dinner in Kamari or Perissa, why not sit for a while and just enjoy the surroundings these cities’ black beaches have to offer? Since both towns are mostly known only to locals, you can expect quiet solitary beaches, perfect for meditating and quick battery recharging.
Watch the sunset from the Oia Castle
A sunset in Santorini is the kind of story you tell for years and that’s completely understandable. Oia Castle has the best view, which is why man tourists will gather there and get their cameras ready even before the sun starts to set. It might get a bit crowded, but once the colors start dancing in the sky, it will all be worth it.
Hike from Fira to Oia
To make the most out of your holiday in this Greek paradise, hike from Fira to Oia. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on that scenic landscape! It’s best to start really early in the morning – once the sun is up, it’s going to be harder for you to ascend. The hike covers about 10 kilometers and, depending on your speed, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete.
Just remember to not forget to hydrate. If you do happen to forget to grab a bottle of water, there might be some shops open in Firostefani or Imerovigli, but they are not always available, so it’s best not to count too much on this and come prepared.
Hopefully now you can see that Santorini on a budget is not the stuff of fairy tales, but instead a very tangible reality, as long as you do your research and have a steady plan in place. Once you’ve done your planning, you can run around carefree and immerse yourself in this Greek paradise without counting the change in your wallet.
