I've watched hours of videos trying to learn about the island, and yours probably has the best information in a reasonably quick amount of time. Great job!
For most people especially first timers either OIA or FIRA are the only places to consider. OIA is considered more upscale and FIRA more touristy but you are going to tour both anyway, you are a tourist anyway so it comes down to whether you want to spend more to be where there are just a little less crowds when you stroll around at night. Having been to both I would pick OIA but I would tour FIRA during the day and as I mentioned, stroll OIA at night. If you want to save a bit of money so you have plenty of cash for going to clubs and shopping don't hesitate to stay in FIRA where the donkeys and cable car gondolas are. Enjoy both but stay at a place that meets your price point.
Please avoid the donkeys! They don’t have much of a life. Often ,hugely overweight tourists hauling themselves onto their backs. At least ensure they are in the shade and have plenty of water.😢
Honestly, there is not a bad spot on Santorini. ATV’s cars are easily rented and nothing is too far to drive. The island is small. I’ve been there a few times and love to explore. Always trying to experience more local areas during my exploring…you will find much better meals that way. Just go & enjoy!
Love your presentation style. It's dense in information and presented in a very logical way. I am so tired of watching other videos full of scenic b-footage with no content. Thanks a lot.
Great guide and I'll compliment you on your very good English. Think I'll opt for either Fira or Kamari - and I'll be booking soon, for next June. I like cheap!
Yet another great video on the channel, it summs up perfectly all the pros and cons. Having been in Santorini this week, to someone who wants to do different things - between visiting villages between Thira and Oia, as well as Pyrgos and other villages, but at the same time experience the beaches as well, from personal experience would say that Karterados is a great location for getting around easily. As mentioned at the end of the video, it doesn`t have the views itself, but it has cosy and comfy accommodations I would say at reasonable prices for the location. It is quiet enough area comparing to the more central parts of Thira, but still has all the basic amenities - couple of cafes/restaurants, bakeries and supermarket, and is just around 15 mins walking distance from Thira city centre. Would recommend for travelers who want to be in more quiet outskirts of Thira but still close enough to easily get around the island with public transport.
Your videos are so well put together , tonnes of info, super informative . I dont think I have ever watched anything close to your videos on yt. Yes, it is a small island not hard to do a travel video about it , yet you do it crazy well. I also like, you keep videos sort but packed with lots of info . Hats off.
Very good video about Santorini and you are right in everything you say. you just forgot another point... "Thirasia"...!!! where you can find everything that exists on the big island, such as: caldera view, nice restaurants, beaches, and mainly real relaxation, as there is not so much tourism and no night life at all. And all this at much lower prices than the big island. This post is a hidden gem, only 7 min with boat from oia.
Thanks your channel is great. This is the best information I have found. We are planning to be there in May and I feel pretty comfortable now. Thank you. Will look you up for a guide tour.
Excellent video! My fiance and I are coming to Santorini the of Sept 2022 for 7 full days and I really don't know where to stay. Been researching so this vid you made helps me out tremendously. Not really on a budget..but most definitely want to get as much bang for our money. Appreciate the vid..the best I've seen thus far about traveling to Santorini.
Hello!!!Santorini is very beautiful island. In oia there is the village of foinikia!!! It is a beautiful traditional settlement. With many airbnb houses/caves. With restaurant with local food. The quality of food is excellent. The distance from the center of Oia is 10 minutes on foot. The price αre reasonable. If go to Foinikia you will not lose🇬🇷💙
Hello Sebastian. I really enjoyed your videos in learning about visiting Greece. Just a question...I'm thinking of staying in a hotel in Karterados. What are your thoughts on that ? Is it walkable to Fira without having to take a bus ?
Excellent, very informative ! We had a family wedding June 2022 in Santorini which was my first time in Greece. I'm now sold on Greece, any other recommended islands which you do the same detailed information on ? I did look at Paros ?
Interesting you talked about the sunset views in Oia. It faces south. Sun sets in the west. Wouldn't most of the hotels face south, because otherwise they wouldn't have views of the caldera. Seems the first neighborhoods you mentioned, that face west, would be the ones with the sunset views.
Thanks for your video. It’s most informative. You helped me make my decision on hotels. Can I ask you a question? I booked Nano Oia Villa ‘s Odysseus room. Is this hotel good? The reviews are not very good, but the hotel stated they just renovated. Thanks 😊
Hey Mickie ! Sorry I dont Nano Oia Villas, but if you wanna see which hotels I recommend in Oia, here's the video : th-cam.com/video/djO2x0czRQg/w-d-xo.html
Loads of great info, thank you, We are thinking of visiting next April, me a photographer, and my partner loving the culture also. We was thinking of a hire car for the week, covering many villages along the way also. As a base, we was thinking of Fira (no beach) but stunning caldera views, or.....Perissa as they have a swimming pool and beaches. Where would you recommend on a budget? We could afford both locations, plus hire car for travel, sunsets/sunrise etc. We did like the look of the inner villages off the beaten track, visiting amongst the locals with real pictures of Santorini, and the community. April looks good because it's quieter (less tourism), but weather wise would I still get the perfect sunset pictures? My partner works in a school, so restricted on April or wait until the end of May? Any advice appreciated, thank you. Simon and Julie.
Hey guys ! Yes April is awesome ! Much less crowded, and the weather is already very nice (you still need to pack a sweater for the evenings). The sea will still be very cold, so dont really plan your stay around the idea of going for a swim. I'd stay in Fira if I were you (or Pyrgos), and rent a car to get around easily and quickly. Oh and yes the sunset pics are awesome also in April :-)
I'm staying at Xenones Filotera in Imerovigli in May. I wanted to have a view of the caldera, while staying somewhere that's not as busy as Fira or Oia. Hopefully I've made a good choice
Your videos are extremely helpful. We're going to visit Santorini in August and planning to use bus services. What are your thoughts on Delion View Hotel in Fira ?
Thank you so much for your detailed info! We are going to Santorini in January 2023. We’re thinking about staying at Oia however being in low season, I’m a bit concerned about places to visit, places to eat, some places shut? Do you recommend hire a car or motorcycle? Any suggestions would be much appreciated thank you.
90% of places will be closed. Probably less than 30 restaurants will be open, compared to the 400-500 during high season. Be ready for that ! I definitely recommend renting a car rather a motorcycle ! Some dirt roads are NOT made for 2 wheelers ;-)
Thank you very much for the detailed video! My wife and myself are planning to visit Santorini in Sep last week. We were looking to book the Santo Cave (gettting a really good deal) in Astokiri. Given that is a bit far from other spots and less connectivity of buses would you recommend that hotel?
Hey ! If you got a good deal, then yes you should take it ! You'll be around 15min on foot from the akrotiri bus station, thats not too bad. But as the Akrotiri bus line isnt that frequent, if you dont mind renting a car, I'd do that if I were you !
Excellent. Thankyou! Only thing is I'd narrowed down our choices to Karterados as it is away from Fira (but just about within walking distance). We're planning to go at Easter 2023 so will there be enough open ie restaurants etc early April?
Best Caldera view hotels : th-cam.com/video/TZpr0XbG1fI/w-d-xo.html But some will be closed already in November, so open them one by one and check which is still operating in Nov.
Hi, what’s you opinion on meglachori? Think I spelt that correctly… I understand to get to fira and oia it would be a case of taking transport (we are excited to drive quads etc)
Hi, we will be visiting Santorini at the end of September and booked a hotel in Oia for two days, we also want to book another hotel somewhere else in Santorini, what other area do you suggest, that is less expensive than Oia?
Hey Sandhya. The closest bus stop for you will be in Monolithos (GPS : 36.41175443812066, 25.482200632441096), it's a 15min walk. You can check out my video about bus lines for more info : th-cam.com/video/71aNHAisDYo/w-d-xo.html
Have the crowds gotten better in peak summer since the cap has been placed on Cruise ship passengers per day? Is there a noticeable difference on the island when 200 cruise ship passengers come vs 8000 passengers?
I believe the cap has been set at 8000 cruise passengers per day, since 2019. Thats still A LOT, so no i wouldnt say Santorini feels less crowded than before.
Thank you for your reply! The crowds are something we are going to have to deal with during our stay. What we’re hoping to understand is how much of the crowd is directly from cruise ships. Is there a noticeable difference during the very few days when Santorini is without cruise ship passengers or there are very few cruise passengers at sunset?
Hey Ricky ! The difference between 0 and 2 cruise ships on the same day is barely noticeable. The difference starts appearing from 3-4 ships, I'd say. Hope this helps !
I usually recommend NOT to stay in Oia, but winter is an exception. Use to your advantage the fact that the island will be empty, and stay in the precious town of Oia all alone !
Hey Juana In April hotels are much cheaper, so if I were you, I'd find a hotel in Fira / Firostefani / Imerovigli with the unique "Caldera View". I just made a quick search on Booking.com, and I found a few hotels in Imerovigli for 500€ / night for all 7 of you, like "Gizis Exclusive" or "Kallisto Hotel". If that's above your budget, I'd stay in Perissa by the beach. Hope this helps !
![WHERE TO STAY in Athens [Watch BEFORE you book a hotel]](/img/n.gif)
I've watched hours of videos trying to learn about the island, and yours probably has the best information in a reasonably quick amount of time. Great job!
Thanks Jonathan, I appreciate it !! :-)
For most people especially first timers either OIA or FIRA are the only places to consider.
OIA is considered more upscale and FIRA more touristy but you are going to tour both anyway, you are a tourist anyway so it comes down to whether you want to spend more to be where there are just a little less crowds when you stroll around at night. Having been to both I would pick OIA but I would tour FIRA during the day and as I mentioned, stroll OIA at night.
If you want to save a bit of money so you have plenty of cash for going to clubs and shopping don't hesitate to stay in FIRA where the donkeys and cable car gondolas are.
Enjoy both but stay at a place that meets your price point.
Please avoid the donkeys! They don’t have much of a life. Often ,hugely overweight tourists hauling themselves onto their backs. At least ensure they are in the shade and have plenty of water.😢
Am doing the same
Honestly, there is not a bad spot on Santorini. ATV’s cars are easily rented and nothing is too far to drive. The island is small. I’ve been there a few times and love to explore. Always trying to experience more local areas during my exploring…you will find much better meals that way. Just go & enjoy!
To tell you the truth, this is the best travel tip video I’ve ever seen on TH-cam. And I’ve seen a LOT of them.
Outstanding work! 👍
We booked i Akrotiri! Thank you for this video, very helpful!
Love your presentation style. It's dense in information and presented in a very logical way. I am so tired of watching other videos full of scenic b-footage with no content. Thanks a lot.
Great guide and I'll compliment you on your very good English. Think I'll opt for either Fira or Kamari - and I'll be booking soon, for next June. I like cheap!
What a nice break down of the areas and their pros and cons! This is indeed a must-see before you book a room.
Yet another great video on the channel, it summs up perfectly all the pros and cons. Having been in Santorini this week, to someone who wants to do different things - between visiting villages between Thira and Oia, as well as Pyrgos and other villages, but at the same time experience the beaches as well, from personal experience would say that Karterados is a great location for getting around easily. As mentioned at the end of the video, it doesn`t have the views itself, but it has cosy and comfy accommodations I would say at reasonable prices for the location. It is quiet enough area comparing to the more central parts of Thira, but still has all the basic amenities - couple of cafes/restaurants, bakeries and supermarket, and is just around 15 mins walking distance from Thira city centre. Would recommend for travelers who want to be in more quiet outskirts of Thira but still close enough to easily get around the island with public transport.
Your videos are so well put together , tonnes of info, super informative . I dont think I have ever watched anything close to your videos on yt. Yes, it is a small island not hard to do a travel video about it , yet you do it crazy well. I also like, you keep videos sort but packed with lots of info . Hats off.
Best video for santorini EVER
THANKS!
Very good video about Santorini and you are right in everything you say.
you just forgot another point...
"Thirasia"...!!!
where you can find everything that exists on the big island, such as: caldera view, nice restaurants, beaches, and mainly real relaxation, as there is not so much tourism and no night life at all. And all this at much lower prices than the big island.
This post is a hidden gem, only 7 min with boat from oia.
This trip is on my bucket list & I had no idea where to start . Very informative channel! Thank you 😊
Following your valuable advices, I have finally booked the hotel 😅
By far, the most helpful and informative video about where to stay in Santorini. Thanks!!
Thanks for your channel, Sebastian. I've watched a bunch since I am coming to Greece in a few days. THANK YOU!😁
great overview, thanks - regards from Vienna
Thanks your channel is great. This is the best information I have found. We are planning to be there in May and I feel pretty comfortable now. Thank you. Will look you up for a guide tour.
Your videos are exceedingly informative. You r doing a thankless job.
Hello Sebastian you really genned up I'm rally grateful for your knowledge about this beautiful island thank you Sebastian,🙏😄😄
Very informative. Excellent
thank you so much for your amazing videos💌
Sebi. I hope you’re keeping well. As always, I adore your posts on Santorini
Great video. Thank you! Looking forward to go May 2024
my fiancèe and I will also be there in May 24, 17th-25th hope you have a wonderful time !
Visiting in June love all your videos found them very helpful can't wait to get there!
Excellent video! My fiance and I are coming to Santorini the of Sept 2022 for 7 full days and I really don't know where to stay. Been researching so this vid you made helps me out tremendously. Not really on a budget..but most definitely want to get as much bang for our money. Appreciate the vid..the best I've seen thus far about traveling to Santorini.
Very informative video mate! Best way to feel comfortable travelling in Santorini.
Love love love all the information! Thank you!
Great video! Thank you 😊
amazing video brother! very informative in a quick time.
That was excellent!!!! Thanks. I look forward to watching your other ones.
This is supper helpful thanks a lot!
Our dream is to live there. Great video
Hello!!!Santorini is very beautiful island. In oia there is the village of foinikia!!! It is a beautiful traditional settlement. With many airbnb houses/caves. With restaurant with local food. The quality of food is excellent. The distance from the center of Oia is 10 minutes on foot. The price αre reasonable. If go to Foinikia you will not lose🇬🇷💙
Superb work
Sebi, I’m heading to Crete on July 25. I hope I can make it to Santorini
I’m binge watching your videos ! Booked flights but researching where to stay now 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷💙💙💙🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
This video helped so much! Thank you!
brilliant, thanks
Your videos are excellent! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Villa Irini in Fira is absolutely worth it!!!!! Beautiful views and jacuzzi for every room! Hotel staff were amazing!
Great explanation
Simple easy to understand way of explaining this so now I know what to do thanks a ton seb!!
Great info!! thank you so much, this is very detail and do really help!! 👍👍👍👍
Very very good information 👌
Thank you so much for explaining! Iam an santorinian in exo gialos
Very informative, thank you!!
Hello I love your videos thank you for sharing. Not sure if you made any videos about parking if I rent a car in santorini?
th-cam.com/video/eJQhQsb44kk/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for this! This is super informative ❤️❤️❤️
wonderfully informative! THANK YOU! filakia
Hello! Very informative video! Do you have any recommendations for families with infants?
Sorry, cant help you with that. Santorini is not a very family friendly island.
Great video man, very informative. What would be the beach to visit in Santorini ?
th-cam.com/video/SM4MM8Wa5Ok/w-d-xo.html
Great tips! Thank you.
Hello Sebastian. I really enjoyed your videos in learning about visiting Greece. Just a question...I'm thinking of staying in a hotel in Karterados. What are your thoughts on that ? Is it walkable to Fira without having to take a bus ?
depends where in Karterados can take you 15-20 min walk to Fira
Very useful and detailed information👍
this is so helpful, thank you!
nicely done
Excellent, very informative ! We had a family wedding June 2022 in Santorini which was my first time in Greece. I'm now sold on Greece, any other recommended islands which you do the same detailed information on ? I did look at Paros ?
Milos Naxos Paros are great. But for now the only island I have content on is Santorini :-)
Im staying at pyrgos but im worry with the bus line how efficient is it?
Interesting you talked about the sunset views in Oia. It faces south. Sun sets in the west. Wouldn't most of the hotels face south, because otherwise they wouldn't have views of the caldera. Seems the first neighborhoods you mentioned, that face west, would be the ones with the sunset views.
Correct ! I explain all of that in the following video : th-cam.com/video/TZpr0XbG1fI/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for your video. It’s most informative. You helped me make my decision on hotels.
Can I ask you a question? I booked Nano Oia Villa ‘s Odysseus room. Is this hotel good? The reviews are not very good, but the hotel stated they just renovated. Thanks 😊
Hey Mickie ! Sorry I dont Nano Oia Villas, but if you wanna see which hotels I recommend in Oia, here's the video : th-cam.com/video/djO2x0czRQg/w-d-xo.html
@@GreeceExplained thank you
Would recommend caldera dolphin suites in megalochori 😊
Loads of great info, thank you, We are thinking of visiting next April, me a photographer, and my partner loving the culture also. We was thinking of a hire car for the week, covering many villages along the way also. As a base, we was thinking of Fira (no beach) but stunning caldera views, or.....Perissa as they have a swimming pool and beaches. Where would you recommend on a budget? We could afford both locations, plus hire car for travel, sunsets/sunrise etc. We did like the look of the inner villages off the beaten track, visiting amongst the locals with real pictures of Santorini, and the community. April looks good because it's quieter (less tourism), but weather wise would I still get the perfect sunset pictures? My partner works in a school, so restricted on April or wait until the end of May? Any advice appreciated, thank you. Simon and Julie.
Hey guys ! Yes April is awesome ! Much less crowded, and the weather is already very nice (you still need to pack a sweater for the evenings). The sea will still be very cold, so dont really plan your stay around the idea of going for a swim.
I'd stay in Fira if I were you (or Pyrgos), and rent a car to get around easily and quickly.
Oh and yes the sunset pics are awesome also in April :-)
I'm staying at Xenones Filotera in Imerovigli in May. I wanted to have a view of the caldera, while staying somewhere that's not as busy as Fira or Oia. Hopefully I've made a good choice
Yes ! If you want the Caldera View, Xenones Filotera is definitely a hit !
It’s very helpful video. We are planing to come in the middle of April 2024. Would it be cold or warm weather ? Will we be able to see sunset ?
th-cam.com/video/qhZSL7EG-DE/w-d-xo.html
Your videos are extremely helpful. We're going to visit Santorini in August and planning to use bus services. What are your thoughts on Delion View Hotel in Fira ?
Thx Rahul ! Sorry, I dont know Delion View, cant help you with that.
Thank you so much for your detailed info! We are going to Santorini in January 2023. We’re thinking about staying at Oia however being in low season, I’m a bit concerned about places to visit, places to eat, some places shut? Do you recommend hire a car or motorcycle? Any suggestions would be much appreciated thank you.
90% of places will be closed. Probably less than 30 restaurants will be open, compared to the 400-500 during high season. Be ready for that ! I definitely recommend renting a car rather a motorcycle ! Some dirt roads are NOT made for 2 wheelers ;-)
Amazing video! Question - can one get around via Uber? I’m nervous about renting a car! Thank u thank u thank u!
Yes you can Uber in Greece. Freenow app is even better, more drivers registered on that one.
Is there any public transport in between kamari to fira?
th-cam.com/video/71aNHAisDYo/w-d-xo.html
Thank you very much for the detailed video! My wife and myself are planning to visit Santorini in Sep last week. We were looking to book the Santo Cave (gettting a really good deal) in Astokiri. Given that is a bit far from other spots and less connectivity of buses would you recommend that hotel?
Hey ! If you got a good deal, then yes you should take it ! You'll be around 15min on foot from the akrotiri bus station, thats not too bad. But as the Akrotiri bus line isnt that frequent, if you dont mind renting a car, I'd do that if I were you !
Excellent. Thankyou! Only thing is I'd narrowed down our choices to Karterados as it is away from Fira (but just about within walking distance). We're planning to go at Easter 2023 so will there be enough open ie restaurants etc early April?
April is the shoulder season, so expect to see half the restaurants / shops / hotels still closed ;-)
Hello,
Planning to be in santorini November 2023 first week ,please recommend good place to stay from wher we can sunset from hotel .
Thanks
Best Caldera view hotels : th-cam.com/video/TZpr0XbG1fI/w-d-xo.html
But some will be closed already in November, so open them one by one and check which is still operating in Nov.
@@GreeceExplained thanks
❤ Greece
Hi, what’s you opinion on meglachori? Think I spelt that correctly… I understand to get to fira and oia it would be a case of taking transport (we are excited to drive quads etc)
Sorry.. commented this before watching full video!!!
Hello! Is it a must to rent a car/scooter/four wheels to move around the island or there are plenty of taxis and ubers?
I explain everything here : th-cam.com/video/7u-gyGyGo9U/w-d-xo.html
What is ur opinion on staying in Smy Mediterranean White Santorin 2.7km from kamari
Good hotel but mind that there are no buses there
@@GreeceExplained taxis?
@@Mr_Wanderlust1 Yes taxis go everywhere
@@GreeceExplained expensive?
What do you think of AirBnB's on the caldera?
Im not an expert of Airbnbs, but if you find something nice, go for it !
How busy is the island in late April? Any recommendations on hotels during that time?
April is not too busy. Its a great time to come.
Regarding hotels, all the info is here : th-cam.com/play/PLrmR6W7i9SwWZU3lvWzwyL_bXGbjsuZKw.html
Hi, we will be visiting Santorini at the end of September and booked a hotel in Oia for two days, we also want to book another hotel somewhere else in Santorini, what other area do you suggest, that is less expensive than Oia?
If you're renting a car, Pyrgos.
If you're using buses, Fira.
Staying at DL Santorini,beginning of May.What about transportation to get to Oia from there?
Hey Sandhya. The closest bus stop for you will be in Monolithos (GPS : 36.41175443812066, 25.482200632441096), it's a 15min walk. You can check out my video about bus lines for more info : th-cam.com/video/71aNHAisDYo/w-d-xo.html
I'm coming in August with my wife do u want to show us around iv watched all your videos now
Sure ! You can write me at sebitheguide@gmail.com
Hello
Is Karterados a convenient choice to stay,if you are going to use bus for transportation?
Yes it is ! You can find all the details about bus lines here : th-cam.com/video/71aNHAisDYo/w-d-xo.html
Staying at the Grace Hotel in Imerovigli in late September, good choice for weather and hotel?
Yes ! 10/10 !
Have the crowds gotten better in peak summer since the cap has been placed on Cruise ship passengers per day? Is there a noticeable difference on the island when 200 cruise ship passengers come vs 8000 passengers?
I believe the cap has been set at 8000 cruise passengers per day, since 2019. Thats still A LOT, so no i wouldnt say Santorini feels less crowded than before.
Thank you for your reply! The crowds are something we are going to have to deal with during our stay. What we’re hoping to understand is how much of the crowd is directly from cruise ships. Is there a noticeable difference during the very few days when Santorini is without cruise ship passengers or there are very few cruise passengers at sunset?
Hey Ricky ! The difference between 0 and 2 cruise ships on the same day is barely noticeable. The difference starts appearing from 3-4 ships, I'd say. Hope this helps !
How far is firostefani from fira? Is it a walking distance? Or we have to take a bus or taxi?
It's a 20-25min walk (and it's a beautiful walk !!), so no need for bus / taxi in my opinion ;-)
We are not sure which one stay, Fira or Oia because it’s off season (January)
I usually recommend NOT to stay in Oia, but winter is an exception. Use to your advantage the fact that the island will be empty, and stay in the precious town of Oia all alone !
Hello
I’m traveling to Santorini 4/18-4/21 with my family 4 adults and 3 teen daughters 14,14,17 yrs old where do you recommend we stay?
Thanks Juana
Hey Juana
In April hotels are much cheaper, so if I were you, I'd find a hotel in Fira / Firostefani / Imerovigli with the unique "Caldera View". I just made a quick search on Booking.com, and I found a few hotels in Imerovigli for 500€ / night for all 7 of you, like "Gizis Exclusive" or "Kallisto Hotel". If that's above your budget, I'd stay in Perissa by the beach.
Hope this helps !
Hi Sebastian, how can I contact you please I’m planning a group trip to santorini and will need some advice
Hey Regina ! You can find me on instagram @sebi_the_guide or email me at sebitheguide@gmail.com
Wish i can hire you..can i 😜
Sure you can hire me ! :-)
Instagram : @sebi_the_guide
Email : sebitheguide@gmail.com
😘🙂🙃👋
🎉😅
Do you need international driver’s license to rent car ATV?
Yes you do, even though some car rentals don't ask for it.
hey sebastian , do u have an insta profile
Hey Pavan, yes I do : @sebi_the_guide