Santorini solo travel guide: how to explore Greece’s dream island on your own
- Sassy Travels
- Oct 10
- 6 min read
This beautiful Greek island is known for its whitewashed buildings with blue domes, volcanic beaches, vineyards and of course, its beautiful sunsets. Many people think of this island only as a romantic or honeymoon getaway, but it can be explored and enjoyed solo just as much! I am glad the stereotypes didn't stop me from visiting this island solo, it turned out to be one of my favourite trips around Europe. So, in this post I thought I would share my key findings and tips on how to travel to Santorini solo.
When to visit and how long to stay for
I say this about any popular, touristy spot/area, always try to visit off-season. The prices are more budget friendly, you are less likely to be part of the over-tourism issue, and locals may be more patient and kind. Also, in high season the temperatures can reach an uncomfortably high number, so you would end up spending most of your daytime trying to get away from the burning sun (not ideal in my opinion). I have actually been to Santorini a few times since my solo visit, and I stand by saying: end of April-May and end of September and October are the best months to visit. It is busy enough that it does not feel like a ghost town, temperatures are mild and you can actually enjoy watching a sunset in Oia without being squashed. Top tip: if you want to visit Santorini for a special occasion to immerse yourself in a cultural experience, I would recommend visiting during Easter (make sure you check the dates for Orthodox Easter). There are some beautiful traditions in Pyrgos around this time of the year. The village is lit up by thousands of candles, something the locals told me about. Google it to see how magical it looks!
And if you're wondering how long to stay for, of course it depends on how much time you want to spend chilling by the beach, but I would say 2-3 days are more than enough to see and do everything. It is a small island after all, so unless you want to enjoy slow-living, a few days will do.
Accommodation
I want to start by saying, I would not recommend booking somewhere in Fira or Oia. Nothing is wrong with these spots, but they are the hotspot for romantic couples' stays, and as a solo traveller you might feel a bit lonely/out of place staying especially in Oia. For comfort and more solo travel vibes I would recommend Perissa or Kamari, both areas have a long stretched beach, with lots of other travellers around, not just couples. These two areas are full of restaurants and cafes you can choose from, and the accommodation prices are likely to be lower as well. If you want more quiet or local vibes I would even consider Pyrgos, Megalochori or Akrotiri. These are villages that don't have direct beach access, but in my opinion are a bit more cozy and have a little bit more of a local vibe (if that is possible in Santorini).
Getting around on the island
The island is well connected by local buses, starting from the airport. The only things to keep in mind are: you can only pay by cash on these buses, and they may not be 100% punctual, so you may be improving your patience skills sometimes. But even if you stay further away from Fira and Oia it is possible to see everything using local buses. The fares may differ based on distance, most of them cost €2-2.50, so quite cheap to get around. Travelling solo you may not want to rent a scooter or car, but I would recommend renting an e-bike. It is comfortable and in milder weather in off-season a nice way to explore the island. The extra help will be appreciated though, as the island is quite hilly!
Safety
Just as everywhere else, practise common sense and safety precautions. In my experience, Santorini is very safe for solo female travellers, given it's a small island it has an 'everyone knows everyone' vibe to it for sure. Locals are nice and patient with a lady travelling alone, and I never had any incidents.
And now that we have got the more practical bits out of the way, to the main event; things to do and see in Santorini!
Fira
The capital of the island, if you want to find the busiest area with the most shops, this is it. In my opinion the view, the sunset and the white washed houses are just as pretty as in Oia, and given it's bigger it is a little less crowded. The prices are higher than in some of the local villages, so be prepared that this may not have the most budget-friendly dining options.
Oia
A local lady told me, that Oia used to be a very quiet, little town that was a bit far for tourists to make an effort to go to. So, the locals started saying that Oia is the best spot on the island for sunsets, so it became well-known. Resulting in driven up prices and a huge amount of tourists during the day, but especially around sunset (in peak season). Of course, one sunset is worth a trip so that you can see it for yourself. Combine your visit to Oia with the sunset times, but even in quieter seasons expect longer lines at the bus stop after. It is one of those places that you may call overhyped afterwards, but something that can still feel magical visiting it for the first time, and seeing it for yourself.
The beaches
If you end up staying in Kamari or Perissa you will already have easy access to the black sanded beaches (although I would rather call these tiny rocks instead). The black sand offers a very unique view, it comes from the islands volcanic nature. And of course, you will also want to visit the Red Beach, an other famous part of Santorini. All of these can be easily accessed by bus. Although if you end up renting a bike cycling through Perissa beach might be a nice thing to do too!
Experiences
There are a few to choose from: boat trips to watch the sunset, horse-riding, ope-air cinema, museum and vineyard visits are possibly some of the most popular ones. I personally did the latter three, I visited the Lost Atlantis Experience museum watched a movie under the stars and visited one of the vineyards (while I did not do all of these on my first visit solo trip, I would 100% consider doing these solo too, as I have done on many occasions elsewhere). If you are not a big museum fan (me neither, I am more of a connecting with new cultures via food type of a traveller), I would still recommend visiting the Lost Atlantis Experience museum, as it's not overwhelming at all, but very interactive. When it comes to vineyard visits you can book them online, some even come with a cooking class, which can be a fun way to connect with fellow travellers. Thanks to the volcanic rocks, Santorini is famous for its unique vines, so even if you are not big on drinking, this can be a great way to learn more about the history and characteristics of the island. And then there's the open-air cinema, if you love Mamma Mia, you want to add this to your to-do list while on the island! Sunsets ot horse-riding probably don't need much explanation, the latter is normally done in small groups, so even going solo will not feel intimidating or lonely!
I hope you've enjoyed reading my Santorini solo travel guide. Personally, this island reminded me of the beauty of solo travelling and what it means to fall in love with your life once again. Some people label solo travel as lonely, but I always think of it as a phase before I get to keep exploring the world with someone I truly love. Solo travelling can help you to deepen your self-love, and what a better place to do this than Santorini!
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