Below, you will find information about how to get to Santorini by ferry, where to buy your tickets, information about the island and its ports, the best things to do, and many photos.
Regarded as one of the top holiday destinations worldwide, Santorini is simply mesmerizing!
Located in the Cyclades in Greece, it is renowned for the breathtaking views of the volcano, the caldera, the charming sunsets and the picturesque settlements.
The island is easily accessible by ferry from Athens and many other islands in the Aegean Sea.
HOW TO TRAVEL THERE
Santorini boasts an international airport, which receives daily flights from Athens and seasonal flights from more than 20 European cities.
An alternative and cheaper way to get to Santorini is the ferry. Note: To reach Santorini from other islands, the only transportation method available is the ferry.
Ferry Connections
The island is connected with the ports of Athens (Piraeus & Rafina) but also with many islands of the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and Crete. Ferry connections include Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Crete (Heraklion), Amorgos (Katapola), Anafi, Folegandros, Kimolos, Kos, Koufonissi, Rhodes and more.
Due to the fact that Santorini is well-connected via ferry with plenty of other destinations, there are many ways to reach the island! For example, one can fly to the international airport of Mykonos or Heraklion and take the ferry from there to avoid spending much time underway. Islands featuring national airports with flights to/from Athens and ferry connections with Santorini are Paros, Naxos, Milos and Syros.
Mykonos to Santorini is the most popular route, as those are the two most famous Greek islands and people take advantage of the islands' international airports to visit them both during their vacation. Getting from Athens to Santorini is equally popular, as many visitors prefer to explore the historic capital city first and then head to the stunning island to relax and swim. Lastly, many people travel from Heraklion (Crete) to Santorini; with such a small distance separating them, how can one resist visiting the island with the most majestic sunsets in the world?
Both conventional ferries and high-speed/ catamaran vessels serve travelers who want to go to Santorini. Conventional boats are slower and cheaper, while high-speed ferries are faster and a bit more pricey.
Conventional boats mainly belong to Blue Star Ferries and Zante Ferries, while some of the companies with high-speed vessels are Seajets, Golden Star Ferries, Minoan Lines and Fast Ferries.
Booking your ferry tickets is one of the first and most important steps in organizing your holidays in Santorini!
We make this step the easiest and uncomplicated one, as booking your ferry tickets with us has a lot of benefits:
The experience we provide to our customers has been awarded (Tourism Awards).
You can compare all the available ticket prices with just one click.
The booking process is simple, quick, and comes with a 100% secure payment system.
Interactive live maps show you every detail of your journey.
Our agents are experienced, informative, and always happy to help you with any question or request you may have regarding your tickets and trip.
Santorini is world-famous for its volcano and the most romantic sunset in the world.
Situated in the southern side of the Cyclades, the island is visited by more than 6 million tourists every year, making it the top Greek island and one of the most preferred destinations in the world.
Also known as Thira, the history of the place is prevailed by an enormous volcanic eruption that happened around 1,600 BC and had a serious impact on the Mediterranean basin.
One particularly stunning geographic feature of the island is the breathtaking caldera, which was formed as a result of the volcanic eruption.
With steep cliffs on three sides, this caldera provides breathtaking views of the sea and the volcano.
Fira and Oia are the most photographed and picturesque villages.
They are built amphitheatrically on the edges of the caldera and give a wonderful view of the sea and the sunset. Houses are small and white, roads are narrow and paved, and you may even meet a mule at a corner.
Beach resorts also get very popular. The busiest are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos, as their waters are clean and they have a lot of water sports clubs.
Best time to visit
The best season to visit Santorini is undoubtedly the period from June to September. The island is also beautiful in spring and fall, though!
Best things to do
Visiting the active volcano is definitely the top-thing to do during your stay on the majestic island. Dining or enjoying a coffee with a view over the caldera and the cerulean waters is also a must. A stroll in the quaint villages with the narrow alleys, the windmills and the blue-domed churches is a unique experience, especially during the sunset. A visit to the ancient site of Akrotiri and a Santorinian winery offering wine tasting are also recommended.
Is the island for you?
It is for everyone! Whether you’re searching for the ideal romantic Greek island destination, or you love dramatic views, volcanic landscapes, and minimal Cycladic architecture, this island will captivate you!
Facts
Learn what you don't know about Santorini!
15,000 people permanently live in Santorini, but millions visit it every year.
Until 1960, only fishermen and donkeys lived on the island, while there wasn’t any electricity.
Before being named Santorini, the island was known as Kalliste, meaning the most beautiful.
According to the myth, the island emerged from the sea.
The island is famous for its Vinsato wine, a sweet wine made from grapes of the regional volcanic vineyards.
Map
Discover a basic map of Santorini and some points of interest:
Island hopping: Where to go next?
Santorini is the perfect starting point for island hopping because it’s close to some of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. After Santorini, taking the ferry to Mykonos is the most popular choice, with Naxos, Paros, Milos and Amorgos coming after.
Another destination is Crete and more specifically the area of Heraklion.
A regular ticket to Crete costs between '79' 'EUR'(79 Euro) and '95.70' 'EUR'(95.70 Euro) and the trip can last from less than 2 hours to 6 hours.
Whatever route you choose, your island hopping experience will be an unforgettable one!
Photos
Google Map
ABOUT SANTORINI PORT
Port description
Located 8 km from Fira, Santorini's capital town, Athinios is the main port of the island which serves all passenger ferries, commercial ships and high-speed vessels.
It is also known as the New Port of Santorini and its location below the volcanic cliffs makes it one of the most beautiful ports in the Aegean.
Athinios is connected to Athens (Piraeus and Rafina ports), Crete (Heraklion and Rethymno), and many islands of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
A waiting area and a few cafeterias are available at the port, while you will also find a car parking area to use free of charge, as well as car rental facilities.
Due to its small size, Athinios port gets crowded in the high-season months.
For this reason, it is highly recommended to have your tickets in hand before going to the port, as the local travel agencies can be very busy.
In addition, because of the fact that the port might be serving more than one ferry at the same time, traffic may be increased on the small road of the port and it will require extra time to arrive there.
There are several options on how to leave/get to Athinios Port.
Firstly, the port is directly connected to the town of Fira and some other western villages (Karterados, Messaria, Vothonas) by public (KTEL) buses.
Usually, a bus is available at the port after every ferry arrival and the trip to Fira lasts around 20 minutes (8.6 km / 5.3 miles).
You can purchase your ticket from the driver for around '1.80' 'EUR'(1.80 Euro) - '2.30' 'EUR'(2.30 Euro).
To get from the port to any other location and vice versa, you will have to take another bus at the Central Bus Station in Fira.
From there, you will be able to reach Oia, Imerovigli and other popular locations on the northern side of Santorini.
Another way to reach your destination is by taxi. However, it is important to keep in mind that only 25 taxis are available on the island.
Getting one may be difficult, especially if you are traveling during the high season. Each taxi can transfer up to 3 people and their luggage. Having cash is required for paying the driver.
Private transfers are the most reliable way to travel between the port and any other destinations in Santorini.
The biggest advantage is being able to book in advance and not having to spend time waiting at the port. Book your transfer with us and have a driver pick you up right away. Vehicles suitable for larger groups such as minivans are also available.
Alternatively, you may also opt for a car rental and have your vehicle of choice delivered at the port.
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