Escape to Santorini: A 3-Day Trip of a Lifetime

As the plane started to descend, my eyes opened to the sight of the shimmering Aegean Sea holding a variety of white-washed houses atop the rugged cliffs. It was Santorini, the Cyclades gem, and more breathtaking in reality than what I had ever pictured.

I had flown in on Aegean Airline to Santorini which was roughly an hour’s flight from Athens.

Santorini is undoubtedly among the top destinations in Europe. A place that I always dreamed of visiting – has been always on my go-to list!

This island is somewhat of a celebrity owing to its amazing sunsets, stunning architecture, and premier vineyards. So, upon setting foot on the island for three days of wandering, I couldn’t wait to see what else Santorini had up its sleeve.

The first step off the plane, and suddenly it felt as if I’d been thrown into another dimension. The brilliant blue sea and the stony white buildings made a gorgeously beautiful palette that managed to seduce. The locals are very warm and friendly, with a heart-felt “Yasou!” (Hello in Greek) and a wide smile.

 

For the next three days. I’ll be exploring this stunning island. So join me – as they say in Greek, “Kaló taksídi!”

 

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Fira

When I stepped out of my airport, the sight of this island left me in awe. It was glorious, shiny May – the best month to travel as it’s neither too hot nor too cold. The rich smell of the sea filled the air, and the light breeze murmured the voice of adventures that had not yet arrived.

My husband and I had stayed at Dreaming View Suites, for which we paid $267.

The island seemed too difficult to navigate at first. There are public buses but their schedule is very limited. Taxis can be found as well, but are generally expensive, especially during the peak tourist season. Prices for ATV rentals in Santorini, Greece start from around 15 Euros a day. And it is generally easy and worth it to rent a car there. 

You will have plenty of options to rent an ATV car from but prominent among those are: Rent Me Love Me, Santorini Rentals, and Spiridakos Rent a Car. Parking, although free in Santorini, is quite difficult to find.

The island seemed too difficult to navigate at first. There are public buses but their schedule is very limited. Taxis can be found as well, but are generally expensive, especially during the peak tourist season. Prices for ATV rentals in Santorini, Greece start from around 15 Euros a day. And it is generally easy and worth it to rent a car there. 

You will have plenty of options to rent an ATV car from but prominent among those are: Rent Me Love Me, Santorini Rentals, and Spiridakos Rent a Car. Parking, although free in Santorini, is quite difficult to find.

After a bit of research, I rented an ATV, which, as it seems, most visitors do. This gave me all the freedom that I wanted, and this option of driving around the island itself looked like a rather adventurous affair!

So, my first stop was Fira – striking, bustling Santorini’s capital. It is perched on the edge of the caldera cliff, the narrow paths in Fira winding their way between pure white-washed buildings with blue-domed roofs – somewhat of a captivating glimpse right out of the postcard.

Every turn revealed panoramic views of the sparkling Aegean Sea that left me spellbound.

Walking around town, I felt that one could easily get a shop selling anything right from handmade jewelry to local art. I just couldn’t resist taking a couple of souvenir pieces to keep the memory of this place.

This place was abound of stairs – so be mentally prepared for a leg workout if you’re looking to roam around. But you can find donkeys to carry you around – these rides are very famous there.

Talking about food, Fira was quite an impressive one. The town offers dining options ranging from traditional Greek tavernas with locally grown moussaka and souvlaki to gourmet restaurants that serve a variety of international cuisines – a treat for your appetite!

But Greek sweets, olives, olive oil, cocoa sweets, and their handmade chocolates are very famous in Santorini.

I went to a homely taverna for a wholesome Greek salad, followed by delectable baklava. As I savored the flavors, I realized that the food in Santorini is not just a meal, it’s an experience. The average cost of a meal is $15 dollars in Santorini. 

If you’re looking for a grocery store, Carrefour is your option that will offer quite a variety. 

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of purple and orange, I found a spot to sit and soak in the view. The first day had been nothing short of magical, and I couldn’t wait to see what the next two days had in store for me.

Santorini had already begun to feel like a dream, and I was eager to explore more of this captivating island.

Day 2: Discovering Oia

On the dawn of my second day in Santorini, I was eager to get up and discover. I was served a mouth-watering breakfast of delicious fresh Greek yogurt filled with fresh fruits, chocolate bread, croissants, fresh orange juice, boiled eggs, and cookies, butter cheese toasted sandwiches.

I mounted my rented ATV, seeking to discover the beautiful Oia town. The way from Fira to Oia was short, but so much mesmerizing.

As I cruised along, with the turns in the roads, the island seemed to open up like a beautiful painting: one in which the deep blue sea was in beautiful contrast against the stark white buildings and bright bougainvillea gave a dash of color.

As soon as I arrived in Oia, there was this instant magnetic charm with its serene beauty. All along the cobble streets and alleys were stores selling beautiful arts and crafts that forced me to look around. Local shops were filled with elaborate jewelry, stunning artwork, and hand-woven textiles. Stalls even had authentic Greek craftsmanship.

As the day wore on, the light softened, and I wandered in and out of the narrow cobblestone streets, each corner unveiling yet another breathtaking view. But the real spectacle of Oia was yet to be discovered; the sunset so highly acclaimed.

I had heard stories of the legendary Oia sunset, but experiencing it right in front of my eyes was something I could never have imagined. As soon as the sun set on the horizon, the sky turned into a masterpiece of colors in great oranges, deep purples, and soft pinks. 

The entire town seemed to pause, caught in the mesmerizing dance of colors.

There are plenty of places at Oia to observe this breathtaking spectacle, though my favorite would be the Sunset Serenade point and ruins of the Byzantine Castle. One will never forget the sight of the sun slowly descending into the Aegean Sea, leaving behind the sky on fire with its colors.

As the night started to fall and the stars began to twinkle away above, I could not help but reflect upon the past experiences of the day. Oia had been everything I had ever imagined and more. A truly special memory with beautiful beauty, nice alleys in shops, and stunning sunsets.

Heading back to my lodging, I was really getting excited over my last day in this paradise, hoping for more secrets to be discovered on Santorini.

Day 3: Activities and Adventure

My final day in Santorini was bright and beautiful – a perfect day filled with adventure and exploration. This day, I was going to treat myself only with some of the unique activities found in Santorini.

The first stop in the itinerary was Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan settlement that was buried under volcanic ash around 1600 B.C. Often dubbed as the ‘Greek Pompeii,’ it is, in reality, an archaeological site of great interest from the history of the island.

A bit further down was the Red Beach. This special place is famous because of its striking red cliffs and the dark sand, which – in contrast to the blue color of the Aegean Sea – really amazes.

Walking amidst the well-preserved ruins, one can’t help but wonder how advanced civilization must have lived there, with multi-storied buildings and drainage systems far more sophisticated than we have today.

This was followed by a boat trip to the volcanic islands, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. Such islands stand as a great reminder of the sheer powers of nature, considering that they came out of volcanic eruptions.

The highlight of the trip, though, was definitely bathing in the hot springs of Palea Kameni. I felt as if I floated in the warm waters of sulfur, and tranquility came to me.

In the afternoon, I started hiking the route Fira – Oia. This 10-kilometer trail along the caldera edge is one of the most stunning hikes on the island. The views were just mind-boggling as I followed the way, towards the azure sea as far as the eye can see, with various occasional sailing vessels interspersing the gliding over the water.

The hike ended in Oia, just in time for yet another magical sunset. The sun was setting down on my three-day journey, and melancholy set in my heart.

But really, it was the memories that Santorini left me with that would last me a lifetime.

Travel Hacks for Santorini

• Shoulder season travel: In the shoulder season (April – May and September – October), you’ll save money as hotel and flight rates are lower.
• Points and miles: Points or miles accrued through some travel credit cards or airlines can greatly diminish the overall cost of travel.
• Ferries: Taking a ferry to Santorini also probably presents a much cheaper option than flying, provided it is booked well in advance.
• Boat tours: Taking part in some of the most affordable boat tours could also be a great idea, as these grant access to the waters around the island and lots of hidden beaches.
• Hacking flights: International flight hackers might be able to score a cheap flight to Santorini if they pay less by booking the cheapest international fare, and then book a separate ticket to Santorini.

Conclusion

Remembering my trip, I feel, that Santorini is an island of natural contrasts, historical values, and rich culture – it was simply an unforgettable experience.

But more than anything else, other than the beautiful sights and exciting activities, what really made Santorini special was the feeling it could evoke. The feeling of tranquility, time slowing down, and getting lost in the beauty of that moment.

Santorini is a haven where the sea touches the sky and history gets alive; each sunset is a new painting, and every single second is a treasure.

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