Santorini is probably Greece’s most renowned island and one of the most expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. We went to Greece as part of our long-term trip… which means we had a limited budget to visit Santorini. BUt that doesn’t mean we didn’t have a great time. That’s why we wanted to share our knowledge with you. Here are the best free things to do in Santorini.
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Can you visit Santorini on a budget?
We all see posts of Santorini pop up on our feed, always looking so fabulous and giving us major FOMO. After all, this Greek island is what postcard dreams are made of. Who doesn’t dream of coming here and enjoying the good life?
As you can imagine, gaining access to paradise comes at a price. Luckily, we found a few hacks to help you save some money and still have a great time in Santorini. This guide will help you make the best out of Santorini on a budget, and we’re even proposing 7 free things to do in Santorini.
We also included some budget-friendly tips to help you save money when visiting Santorini. Hopefully, this article will help you make the best of your time in Santorini, without breaking your bank!
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Top 3 tips to discover Santorini on a budget
1. Timing is everything when you want to visit Santorini on a budget
This is true for most beautiful and very touristic places. There’s always a sweet spot in the calendar to head out there. The summer months, from May to August, are the busiest in Santorini. It’s packed with tourists, cruise ships and the prices are sky-high.
The best way to discover Santorini on a budget is to go during the shoulder seasons, in April, September and October. You’ll find cheaper accommodations and food. An added bonus is that you probably won’t have to fight the masses to see the best sites. Traveling off-season is the best way to discover Santorini on a budget
2. Location, location, location is key to exploring Santorini on a cheap budget
Where you stay will greatly impact your budget in Santorini. Oia is probably the place that will set you back the most – it’s Santorini’s most famous town. Make sure you avoid if you want to save money while staying in Santorini.
If you want to pinch a few more pennies, you’ll find cheaper accommodations if you don’t have a caldera view in these towns. Plus, if you find a place that has breakfast included for a reasonable price, snag it quick. This will help you shave some money off your budget.
If that’s still not enough and you want a bigger bargain, head to the east coast villages of Kamari and Perissa. They are beach locations, they offer views of the dramatic cliffs and you are close to the ruins of Ancient Thira. Plus, this island is so small that you can grab a bus to take you to the main station in Fira in 20 minutes or less.
Booking.com3. Search for good eats on the cheap for a budget-friendly Santorini visit
Greek food is probably one of our favorite cuisines… ok, we say that about all food!
Don’t skimp out on eating your fair share of tzatziki, feta and local fruits and veggies. Food in Oia is going to be overpriced, so we recommend you not eat there.
In Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli, food is much more affordable, especially when you leave the main areas and find your typical ‘hole-in-the-wall’ gyro stands.
They have delicious local and fresh fare, for cheap. Tons of vegetarian options too, especially when it comes to salads and starters. Another good option is to get the sets for 2 people. They have a ton of variety so you can taste a bit of everything, and they are reasonably priced.
Plus, we noticed that often, some restaurants will offer free shots of Ouzo or a free appetizer. If you’re looking to explore Santorini on the cheap, check out restaurant reviews and head there! Bon appétit!
4. To experience Santorini on a budget, get around like a local
The cheapest way to explore Santorini, and probably our favorite, is walking! The towns are small and accessible enough that you can do it well. It does however get really hot, so if you want to get out of the scorching heat, we recommend taking the bus. This is a great way to get from one town to the next… Unless you’re doing the hike! (See below for those details)
The local bus system in Santorini is awesome and runs island-wide. Depending on where you’re staying, you may have to change at Fira for some journeys. This is why we recommend staying in Fira, or Firostefani, so you avoid any transfers. At around €2 per trip (€1.80 to be exact), it’s a really cost-effective way of seeing pretty much everything.
Taxis are also reasonably priced – except if you’re leaving the airport or port. They will charge you a hefty fee.
Finally, you can also rent a scooter or a quad. They go for as little as €20 for 24 hours. They’re a great way of getting around too, but seeing how certain people drive on the island, we gladly skipped out on this. Also, you know us, we’re eco-friendly, so we loved taking the bus.
Most buses pass every 20 minutes or half-hour, but the schedule changes with the high or low season. The first time you are at the main bus station, in Fira, make sure to snap a picture of the timetables. You should be set for the rest of your trip.
7 free things to do in Santorini
This is one of the first things we look up when we’re going to an expensive place.
Why? Because there’s usually a bunch of fun and free things to do that don’t need to cost you a penny. We’re not big on partying, so this is our fun!
These are some of the best free things to do in Santorini on a tight budget. Enjoy!
1. Hike between Fira and Oia
Our #1 recommendation is to hike the path between Fira and Oia. It’s a 12km coastal walk. It’s long. It’s sometimes tough. But it’s always beautiful.
It’ll take you a good 3-4 hours (more if you want to snap pics around every corner like we did). It’s the perfect way to spend a morning.
Start early because the sun gets brutal around noon. Wear good walking shoes, sunscreen, maybe a hat, and bring water. There are not too many spots that sell the liquid gold along the path.
2. Cliff jump at Amoudi Bay
Once you get to Oia, after your 3-hour hike, cool down by jumping into Amoudi Bay, located just below Oia. Be warned, there are about 300 steps to get down there…. and you will need to climb them back up!
This is a local hotspot, and because most tourists don’t know about it, it won’t be too busy. This adorable fisherman’s village has some cliffs you can jump off and cool down in the warm Aegean sea. The ultimate reward after a long hike!
3. Go beach hopping in Santorini
Santorini is not known for its beaches, but they’re still pretty awesome to visit. Just be warned, they are often pebble beaches, so forget any ideas of lying on soft white sandy beaches. You can totally grab a beach chair, but that will set you back about €10-15.
Kamari beach is probably the most popular, with a dramatic cliff to the side, and black volcanic pebbles.
Perissa beach has black sand and is quite beautiful.
The Red Beach is small, but cool-looking, just be warned that it’s quite a hike to get to and it gets pretty crowded.
4. Watch a sunset or two – the best free thing to do in Santorini
Ok, so everyone will tell you to watch the sunset at Oia Castle, but we’re not the type who follow what people say. We always do it our way.
Truth is, sunsets in Oia are beautiful, but they’re HELLA-CROWDED. Like insane amounts of people who are fighting to get the exact same picture of the sunset, above everyone’s head. It gets loud and pushy. Apparently, people even clap when the sun sets… That’s really not our scene!
If you’re looking for an awesome spot to watch the sunset, we highly recommend Firostefani, Imerovigli or even Fira. Much smaller crowds, better views of Skaros Rock, and an overall more enjoyable experience. Best of all, it’s one of the best free things to do in Santorini, and this show is on every single night!
5. Climb up Profitis Ilias
If you love hiking, this is another free 3-hour hike for you. Profitis Ilias is the tallest mountain on the island of Santorini, right between the villages of Perissa and Kamari. And as you can imagine, it offers some beautiful views of the island. Just like the hike from Fira to Oia, wake up early, start in Kamari and finish in Perissa. There’s a beach reward waiting for you at the end.
On your way up, stop at the Zoodochos Pigi spring, the only site with fresh water on the entire island. Chill a bit there, take some pics, and keep going with your bad self.
Once you make it to the top, you can visit Ancient Thera (€2), a well-preserved excavation site of an antique city, abandoned in the 8th century.
6. Drink tap water… with a water filtering bottle
Ok, so you can’t actually drink the tap water on Santorini straight up. That’s why our biggest recommendation will always be to have your own reusable bottle and filtration/sterilization device. This way, you always have safe drinking water for free!
There are a ton out there, but our favorite is the Grayl Geopress. It’ll save you money on buying plastic bottles, and you’ll be saving the planet by reducing the amount of plastic you use. There’s also the Lifestraw which is a great option.
7. Visit Akrotiri
We ran out of time to do this, but if you love ancient ruins and archeological sites, Akrotiri is the place for you. This ancient city was buried underneath volcanic ashes during the eruption of 1627 BC. A lot like its Italian cousin, Pompeii, it’s been well-preserved by the ashes.
Ok, this isn’t free but with an entrance fee of €5 (€3 for students), it’s pretty cheap and awesome! You can access Akrotiri by bus from Fira or by car. It’s actually right next to the infamous Red Beach, so you can make a whole trip out of it.
6 extra tips for discovering Santorini on a budget
1. Bring your own sunscreen. It’s crazy expensive on the island… actually mostly every commodity is over-priced on most islands, so save yourself the trouble and bring your own. Even bring extra, in case you end up running out of it, especially if you head to the beaches or on a boat tour. Just make sure you get coral-safe sunscreen.
2. Skip the Fira Cable Car. No need to take it down to the port of Fira. There’s not much to see there, and like we mentioned, cruise ships crowds come in there so avoid it.
3. Do not ride the donkeys. We know it always looks like fun to ride animals… actually, we don’t know. Maybe it’s a lazy person cop-out. But these animals are usually tired, mistreated and over-worked. You have legs. Use them!
4. Drink on the cheap. If you like to drink, kind of like we do, it’s cheaper to drink at restaurants or go to backpacker bars with BOGO happy hours. Beer is pretty cheap in markets, but stronger alcohol is very expensive.
Also, if you’re lucky, you may get a carafe of wine or alcohol at no additional charge at the restaurant. They sometimes offer dessert for free instead. Now, this is a happy ending we can get used to!
5. Travel cheaply from the airport. If you fly into Santorini, take the K-Tel bus for €2 to reach your accommodations. Taxis at the airport are super expensive and they don’t negotiate. They wanted to charge us €25 for a 10-minute ride. No thanks!
6. Pick a hotel with breakfast included. In most restaurants we found, a breakfast (an omelet with toast, no drink included) went for about €10. Fresh OJ set you back €5-6, as did coffee. It ends up costing about €25-30 for just an ‘ok’ breakfast. Save yourself the trouble and either find a hotel with breakfast or get a place with a kitchenette and make your own. The produce we found was quite cheap in the local markets.
3 extra tips for having a good time in Santorini on a budget
1. Bring comfy walking shoes. Most of the streets are uphill, and cobblestone, so not the best place for your heels. Though we did see some brave ladies trying to look cute in heels… not their finest hour.
2. Dress in layers. It gets chilly and windy at night, so dress in layers, and maybe bring a windbreaker.
3. Wear sunscreen. Ok, it’s actually windy all the time, so you don’t feel the sun so much. But after seeing what it did to Derek after a few hours, we highly recommend you wear sunscreen. Like all the time! Bonus points if it’s coral-safe!
How to be budget-friendly in Santorini, Greece
Here’s a quick recap of all the budget-friendly tips to follow in Santorini, and the free things to do on the island:
- Visit Santorini in the shoulder season, or in the off-season
- Choose to stay in a more budget-friendly part of Santorini
- Go for the cheap (but delicious) eats
- Get around like a local – walk or take the bus
- Hike between Fira and Oia
- Cliff jump at Amoudi Bay
- Go beach hopping in Santorini
- Watch a sunset or two… but skip Oia
- Climb up Profitis Ilias
- Drink tap water… with a water filtering bottle
- Visit Akrotiri
- Bring your own sunscreen
- Skip the Fira Cable Car
- Do not ride the donkeys
- Drink on the cheap
- Travel cheaply from the airport – skip the taxi and take the bus
- Pick a hotel with breakfast included
If you want to explore the picturesque cliffs covered in white and blue homes. Or if you want to get “lost” in the alleyways, just because they’re the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot. Or even gaze over those perfect white churches with blue domes overlooking immaculate blue waters, this is the place for you. Santorini has everything your Grecian dreams are made of. Hopefully, now you can enjoy the island without breaking your bank.
Let us know in the comments if you have any other tips that can help others discover Santorini on a budget, or if there are new and free things to do.
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Thank you guys this was really helpful.
Glad you thought so!
We enjoyed just walking the large shopping market and people watching in the square in Fira. We were also excited to see the donkey caravan as they pranced through the busy market in Fira. I don’t know why they do this though but it is really cute especially for animal lovers like us..