Here's how to escape the crowds in Santorini
This Greek island gets very busy in the summer and fall. Here’s some expert advice on ways to avoid the crush, like visiting key sites off-hours and finding quiet villages.
Every summer, Santorini teems with tourists. And there’s a good reason for that. Quite simply, there’s no place like it on earth. Thousands of years ago, an ancient, giant volcano blew out the middle of a once-existing island here, creating a caldera. Today, whitewashed villages cling to the top of the caldera’s towering black walls.
“Santorini is honestly one of those rare places that feels like a dream,” says Thanassis Papetanas, general manager of Canaves Collection hotels, who has lived and worked on the island for almost two decades. Everyone should see this place at least once. During the high season, Santorini gets crowded. Drawn by the island’s truly unique volcanic splendor, people crowd the cable car and the black sand beaches, and especially the sunset vantage points by the blue domes in the village of Oia, perched up on the northern tip.
A visit to this beautiful place doesn’t need to be an exercise in frustration. Constant queues and crammed streets aren’t a foregone conclusion. While encountering large numbers of other visitors will be unavoidable, you can still steer clear of the throngs. After consulting with experts—and visiting the island eight times—here are the five best ways to tour Santorini without the crowds.
1. Pick your time to visit carefully
“A few simple shifts can make all the difference,” says Mina Agnos, founder and group president of Travelive, a major destination management company in Greece. “Early mornings and late evenings are your best friends, even in Oia.”
Go at least once for the sunset in Oia—it’s worth braving the crowds. But as Agnos recommends, when you want to explore this village, or other popular places like the main town of Fira, in the morning. In some cases, avoiding the crowd—especially during the busy late-afternoon and evening—can be as simple as taking a few steps off the main streets and down the back corridors for less foot traffic.
2. Take a wine tour—and stay for dinner
You wouldn’t necessarily expect to find good wine in Santorini, a place where salty winds whip in off the sea and the sun bakes the soil on most days. But some varietals, with their vines grown into a protective basket-shaped “kouloura,” thrive here. Especially Assyrtiko, the signature wine on the island, whose mineral-forward flavor tastes exactly like its volcanic terroir.
A visit to a spot like the stylish Estate Argyros or the clifftop Santo Wines will include a little tour of the vines, a tasting, and maybe a meal, which is a wonderful experience in itself. “From sun-dried tomatoes and fava grown in volcanic soil, to the island’s iconic Vinsanto wine, each flavor tells the story of the land,” says Filippos Venetopoulos, CEO of Variety Cruises, which has operated small ships to the island since 1949.
Venetopoulos adds, “Combined with the lingering aura of lost Atlantis, it’s a place where every meal, every view, and every quiet breeze whispers something unforgettable.”
(Why you should seek out vinsanto, Santorini's beloved dessert wine)
3. Find your ideal village
The vast majority of visitors tend to congregate in the two main towns, Fira and Oia. So, aim to visit places off the well-worn tourist trail. “Villages like Megalochori, Emporio, and Pyrgos still move at a slower pace, where you can experience local life on the island,” says Agnos. “They’re great for walking, people-watching, or settling in for a long lunch.” Papetanas agrees. For him, Pyrgos is a favorite. “It’s a quiet hilltop village with amazing views and a maze of little alleyways to explore.”
4. Hike the caldera
While Fira and Oia are busy, the 6.2-mile path that connects them generally isn’t. The walk, often over rocky terrain or cobblestone trail, traces the edge of the caldera with sweeping views along the way. Be prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. This roughly three-hour route (one-way) has some uphill sections. Walking 20 minutes outside of Oia, you’ll find yourself far from all the long queues for prime Instagram spots, with only church bells and maybe a couple of friendly cats for company.
(The 31 best Greek islands to visit in 2025)
5. Discover a hidden beach
Some people will head to the water in search of a party. However, Santorini still has plenty of tucked-away stretches of sand. “If you want a beach without the scene, head to Vlychada or Exo Gialos,” says Agnos. “They feel like a world apart, but they’re easily accessible.” Papetanas agrees on Vlychada. “It feels like another planet with its sculpted white cliffs and quieter vibe.”
Visit Vlychada on the more remote southern side of the island. This dark stretch of sand has plenty of loungers and umbrellas for relaxing beach time. If you get bored with sunbathing and swimming, you can walk over to a little local marina and watch the little fishing boats going in and out—then choose a small seaside restaurant to enjoy their catch. Exo Gialos is just a 10-minute drive, straight across the island from Fira, but maintains a locals-only vibe.
(A Greek revival is underway along the Athenian Riviera)
6. Stay close to the action
Transportation contributes to the overcrowding issue of visiting Santorini during high season. Part of the problem here in high season is closely tied to transportation. Taxis tend to be expensive, especially when they’re in high demand. And the queues for buses can stretch down the street and around the corner. So, consider staying close to the place you want to experience the most.
“One of the best tips is to stay in Oia rather than just visit it. Yes, it gets crowded during the day, like any popular spot, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the town early in the morning or later in the evening, when it’s quiet and magical,” says Papetanas. “You’ll be able to wander the charming streets without the crowds and watch the sky light up at sunset right from your room or private terrace. No need to squeeze into the castle viewpoint.”
And the best part? Many hotel rooms in Oia have their own private outdoor hot tubs or pools. So, after a long day of touring (or sunbathing, or wine-tasting), you can sink into your private cliffside aquatic heaven, with the sunset tones splashed across the sea below you. Those big crowds, just a few steps up and around the corner, are out of sight and out of mind.
(This Greek island offers all the splendor of Santorini without the crowds)
