The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary for Santorini [2024] (for 1, 3, or 4 Days)

Are you searching for the ultimate 2-day itinerary for Santorini in 2024? Regardless of whether you’re planning to visit for one, two, or even three days, I’ve crafted an ideal itinerary to help you make the most of your time on this stunning Greek island. Feel free to follow it as is, or modify it to suit your travel style and schedule.

Santorini is one of the Cycladic Islands in Greece, celebrated for its breathtaking beauty, which draws visitors from around the globe—whether they’re on a romantic honeymoon or taking advantage of budget flights for a quick getaway.

You’ll find travelers like me who are exploring the island while enjoying its natural beauty, exploring the winding pathways, and seeking activities that are fun for kids during our 2-day visit to Santorini.

I often get asked if two days in Santorini is sufficient to experience the island.

In my view, yes, it’s enough time to visit the main attractions, marvel at the stunning views, and get a feel for the island, known by many as Thira.

While this itinerary is quite packed, if you prefer a more leisurely experience by the beautiful Aegean Sea, consider extending your stay to three or four days.

Interestingly, I frequently receive questions about “Is Santorini Safe?” I’ve addressed these concerns in a dedicated blog post you can check out by clicking the link. Additionally, if you’re curious about what to buy in Santorini, I’ve also shared helpful tips on Greek souvenirs. If you have more inquiries, I highly recommend visiting my Santorini blog for comprehensive insights.

As you start planning your 2-day Santorini itinerary, you’ll notice that Google translates place names using the Greek alphabet. They aren’t anglicized.

This is true for all of Greece; even road signs will say “Athina” instead of “Athens.” Fira, the capital, is pronounced with a “th” sound, not an “f,” and is often referred to as Thera or Thira. It can be quite confusing, especially with names not using Greek letters!

Despite everyone I encountered in Santorini speaking perfect English, navigating Google Maps in Greek proved to be a bit of a challenge.

Upon arrival, take note of your accommodation’s name in Greek to find your way back at night. I usually drop a pin at our hotel, and if I booked through my Gmail account, Google Maps recognizes my stay and marks it on my map!

Now, let’s move on to the more exciting aspects.

I’ll guide you on how to experience all the top sights in Santorini in just two days. This includes stunning cliffside photo opportunities that have made Santorini famous, the best beaches to visit, and worthwhile tours.

This itinerary is flexible and can be adapted based on where you’re staying in Santorini.

2 Days in Santorini: The Perfect Itinerary

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Getting to Santorini

During your 2 days in Santorini, you’ll likely arrive by ferry, plane, or private boat. Santorini is a popular port for various Greek cruises, although in that case, you may only be on the island for a day.

Arriving by Plane

If you fly into Santorini, you’ll land at Thira Airport (JTR), which serves over 60 airlines. The airport is small and reminiscent of the 1980s, but it efficiently meets the needs of travelers.

We opted to fly into Santorini to maximize our two days instead of wasting time on travel.

I also found an incredible deal on Ryan Air.

It took just 50 minutes to reach the island from Athens International Airport, and our early morning flight allowed us to drop off our luggage at the hotel and start exploring right away!

JTR is located in the east-central part of the island and is about 6 km from Fira, the capital. It takes roughly 15 minutes to reach Fira. Once you land, you’ll need a transfer to your accommodation.

Options include taxis, rental cars, and public buses.

Taxis charge around 25 Euros to take you to Fira, while the bus fare is under 2 Euros per person. However, bus services can be infrequent. We opted for the bus, which meant an hour-long wait.

Many hotels offer transfers; if yours does, I recommend using it for a hassle-free arrival with your luggage.

We took the bus, which meant we had to walk about one kilometer to our hotel—most of it uphill! There are hardly any flat roads in Fira, and we learned that lesson the hard way!

You can also arrange transfers in advance.

Arriving by Ferry

Numerous ferry companies operate daily services to Santorini, all arriving at Athinos Ferry Port, the “new” port. Cruise ships typically dock at the old port, where visitors can either walk, take a donkey taxi, or ride the cable car up to the cliffs of Fira.

There are two types of ferries servicing Santorini: Regular and Fast. Regular ferries (like Blue Star) take roughly 8 hours, while fast ferries take around 5 hours.

For example, the Blue Star ferry from Athens takes about 8 hours to reach Santorini, including a few stops along the way. Keep this in mind when planning your trip. We decided to fly, partly because I found affordable flights with Ryan Air, but also because we wanted to avoid a lengthy travel day after a long journey to Meteora the day before.

Be sure to check out our post on Visiting Meteora if you plan to stop by while in Greece.

Blue Star ferries are very comfortable, offering couches, comfy chairs, and various food and beverage options, making it feel more like a cruise than typical boat travel. Their large vessel fleet means you won’t feel the waves as much compared to smaller catamarans.

However, you’ll still feel the motion. We had a rough sailing from Naxos to Kos, so being prepared was essential as the ship swayed from side to side.

Upon arriving at Athinos Port, you’ll encounter a steep, winding road leading up to the top. Public transportation, taxis, and private shuttles are available.

Consider renting a car in advance, as buses can sometimes fill up and taxis may not always be available, especially during high season. Again, if your hotel offers a shuttle, I recommend booking it in advance.

Santorini has ferry connections with several ports, including Piraeus (Athens), Ios, Naxos, Paros, Crete, Mykonos, Tinos, Syros, Rhodes, Anafi, Chalki, Diafani, Folegrandos, Kos, Kasos, Kea, Kimolos, Koufonissi, Kythnos, Lavrio, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, and Thirassia.

Where to Stay in Santorini

Santorini offers a variety of accommodations, ranging from luxurious five-star hotels with private pools and stunning caldera views to budget-friendly options. Typically, the priciest accommodations are found in Oia and Fira, with costs decreasing as you move away from the seafront cliffs.

If you’re traveling during July or August, I highly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance—as soon as possible. There are plenty of places to stay in Santorini, but most are small boutique accommodations with fewer than 20 rooms.

If you plan to relax and enjoy your stay, I suggest lodging in the Fira cliffs, although accommodations in Oia are stunning as well. Personally, I prefer Fira’s more central location.

You can find rooms with private pools and breathtaking views for ultimate relaxation, but keep in mind that you might not have the utmost privacy.

Due to the steep cliffs and the maze-like paths leading to various accommodations, many tourists will likely walk by your balcony as you unwind in your pool.

If you only have two days in Santorini, you may not find enough time to fully enjoy the expensive room you booked. However, with four days, you’ll have ample time to make the most of your stay.

Your 2-Day Santorini Itinerary

Day 1: Kick Off Your 2 Days in Santorini in Fira

Fira, the capital of Santorini, serves as an excellent starting point for your trip. This is why I recommend staying in Fira; regardless of your arrival method, you’ll need to transfer somewhere, and Fira is the most convenient choice.

If you took the bus, it will stop at the main station, and you can walk to your hotel (be prepared for some uphill walking!). If you came via hotel transfer or taxi, you can easily drop off your luggage and start exploring.

The Three Bells of Fira

One of the best ways to explore Santorini in two days is to rent an ATV for the day. Rental agencies are abundant. Just ensure you obtain an International Driving Permit beforehand.

Before leaving Fira, visit the Three Bells of Fira and snap your own Instagram-worthy photo while wandering the cliffside town. There are plenty of restaurants offering beautiful views; popular spots like Galini’s accept advance reservations. 

There are numerous picturesque spots in Fira, but the Three Bells are certainly among the most popular.

Related: Check out these Instagram captions for your Santorini travel photos.

Wander through Pyrgos

Pyrgos is another picturesque village featuring stunning views and was once the capital of Santorini. Input it into your GPS and get acclimated with your ATV. When you arrive, park and explore the main square, which hosts cozy coffee shops and navigate the maze-like alleys in search of unique trinkets and small galleries.

Relax at Kamari Beach

Kamari Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Santorini, known for its black pebbles. Hundreds of sunbathers enjoy the lounge chairs and swim in the warm waters. We took a refreshing swim, opting not to rent a lounge chair for the day. Just a word of caution: the rocks can become extremely hot, so avoid walking barefoot.

Visit Monolithos Beach

After Kamari, head to Monolithos Beach, known for its black sand. It was much less crowded during our visit and quite windy, providing a paradise for numerous windsurfers. Monolithos Beach is more pleasant on your feet due to its sandy surface, and the water is quite shallow—perfect for a swim!

Enjoy a Wine Tour

Most wineries are situated inland, so having the ATV is handy for hopping from one location to another between beach stops.

If you’d like to simplify the experience, consider this Sunset Wine Tour, which includes pick-up and drop-off service.

This allows you to soak in the breathtaking sunset views that are so iconic to Santorini, fitting perfectly into a 2-day itinerary.

Explore Santorini Without a Vehicle

Don’t worry if you prefer to relax and let someone else do the driving; there’s a popular full-day tour of Santorini available. You can check it out here.

Day 2: Boat Tours, Beaches, Volcanoes, Hot Springs, and Sunsets.

Rise early to enjoy breakfast with a view. The sun blazes down quickly in Santorini, so enjoying an early cliffside breakfast will help you beat the crowds who sleep in.

Boat Tour and Sunset Viewing

After breakfast, embark on a Boat Tour and cruise the Caldera to visit an active volcano and hot springs for an unforgettable day on the water. This experience allows you to swim in the crystal-clear waters while soaking in the extraordinary cliff views Santorini is famous for.

If you book this tour, you have the option to watch the sunset in Oia. While it may be a long day, you won’t have to stress about transportation, as the tour will return you to your hotel afterwards.

You have the choice to either explore the Fira nightlife or relax in your room—it’s all part of your 2-day adventure in Santorini!

Adding a Third Day in Santorini

If you have an extra day in Santorini, I recommend the popular hike from Fira to Oia. Three days is a common duration for visitors, providing more time to relax and fully embrace the island’s charm.

You can select another fantastic restaurant to watch the sunset from and spend a few additional hours admiring the view. There truly is no wrong amount of time to enjoy Santorini.

Just One Day in Santorini?

Is a single day in Santorini sufficient? In my opinion, one day can be enough. You can accomplish a lot in two full days before departing on a late flight or ferry.

If you only have that one day available, consider taking a boat tour to enjoy the stunning Caldera and see why the cliffs are so enchanting from the water. You’ll get a chance to visit the volcano, hot springs, and even catch a sunset in Oia.

If spending all day on a boat feels excessive, opt for an afternoon cruise. This allows you to explore Fira in the morning and enjoy the water in the evening.

You can BOOK HERE for the SUNSET CATAMARAN CRUISE.

Travel Resources for Santorini

This itinerary is best experienced during the warm months, from late spring to early fall, typically regarded as the optimal time to visit Santorini. For those considering an off-season trip, check out what to expect during winter in Santorini.

Review this excellent article on the Best of Santorini from World Travel Bug.

Do you have questions about spending 2 days in Santorini? Generally, two days is enough to appreciate the island, take in stunning views, and then hop on a ferry to explore another beautiful Greek island.

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