Don’t get me wrong, Santorini is incredibly beautiful and you should visit it at least once, but if I had to rank the fifteen Greek islands I’ve been to then it’s coming bottom. It’s overpriced, a pain to get around, over-crowded and the food options are not as good as other islands. If you are going to visit please make sure you tag it on to a couple of other islands. Paros, Naxos and Ios are all close and easily accessible by boat.
📝 The best way to explore the Greek islands is by ferry. In summer ferry tickets can sell out quick so I recommend buying them ahead of time. The best website to book your tickets is on ferryhopper.com. I also find it useful to check ferry routes here.
📝 If you want to explore the island properly then I would recommend getting a car. The busses are overcrowded and often won’t have space for you and the taxis are incredibly overpriced.
📝 If you arrive by boat you will need to get a bus or (overpriced) taxi to the top of the hill.
📝 Drinking; Santo Wines (Good wine bar with great views), Franco’s Bar (Cocktail bar in Thera. Good for sunset), PK Cocktail Bar (Cocktail bar in Thera. Good for sunset), Sun Spirit (Cocktail bar in Oia. Good for sunset.)
📝 Wineries; Santorini is one of the best Greek islands for wine. Go and visit some of the wineries in the middle of the island for a tasting.
📝 The beach fucking sucks in Santorini. All of them. Don’t bother.
1. Metaxi Mas
📍Exo Gonia. Widely spoken about as the best restaurant island up in the village of Exo Gonia. Great service, views and food. Try the lamb shank and aubergines or octopus & fava.
2. Ammoudi Fish Tavern
📍Oia. A beautiful seaside restaurant in Oia famous for its handing octopus.
3. Aktaion
📍Thera. A Traditional Greek taverna on the edge of Thera. They also do a good lamb shank here.
4. Lucky’s Souvalki
📍Oia. The best gyros in Thera. Great prices. Ask for some of their house hot sauce in your pita. Open 12:00-23:00.
5. Pitogyros
📍Oia. The best gyros & souvlaki in Oia. They cook the gyros on a vertical spit over coal here. It’s a little expensive for gyros/souvlaki but you won’t be disappointed. Open 12:00-23:00.
6. Savvas Popeye
📍Paralia Perivolos. A good seafood restaurant on Perivolos Beach.
7. Lolita’s Gelato
📍Oia. The best gelato on the island.
8. Nick the Grill
📍Thera. Another good gyros spot in Thera.
9. Santo Wines
📍Pyrgos. A great wine bar with amazing views where you can taste all of the local wines. I’ve never eaten here but a lot of people do. Service can be a little slow.
James Dimitri 