If you’re spending 4 days in Santorini, you have ample time to do incredible things. Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular islands and is home to some of its most extraordinary nature, history, and scenery. It is Greece’s most famous island and one of Europe’s number one travel destinations.
Many visitors regard Santorini as one of the world’s best places to take a vacation because of the wineries, museums, and tremendous hiking viewpoints. If you’re spending 4 days in Santorini, you have lots of time to see the island, and here’s what you should do!
Check out my other Santorini guides:
How to spend one day in Santorini
A detailed 2-day Santorini itinerary
How to visit Santorini on a budget
Islands near Santorini
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Quick Santorini 4-Day Guide
Planning a trip to Santorini? Find here everything you need:
Looking for ferry tickets? Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets.
Renting a car in Santorini? Check out Discover Cars it has the best deals on car rentals.
Looking for private transfers from/to the port or airport? Check out Welcome Pickups.
Top-Rated Tours and Day Trips to Do in Santorini:
– Catamaran Cruise with Meals and Drinks (sunset option also available) (from 105 € p.p)
– Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit (from 26 € p.p)
– Santorini Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting & Sunset in Oia (from 65 € p.p)
– Santorini Half-Day Wine Adventure Tour (from 130 € p.p)
– Santorini Horse Riding Trip from Vlychada to Eros Beach (from 80 € p.p)
Where to Stay in Santorini
On the Cliff Suites: On the Cliff Suites is an excellent spot to spend your 4 days in Santorini. Visitors will find flat-screen TVs, a terrace with tremendous sea views, and a relaxing hot tub with a sun terrace. You also get incredible views of the Caldera, and it is only 100 yards from the famous Archaeological Museum of Thera.
Georgia Studios: If you’d love to stay in the main square of Fira, you will adore the Georgia Studios because they are a mere 30 yards away from Fira’s main square and 150m away from Caldera’s bars. Furthermore, guests enjoy the air-conditioned studios, free wifi, private bathrooms, and LCD TVs.
Andronis Boutique Hotel: If you’re looking for an idyllic quiet spot in Santorini’s heart, you should visit the Andronis Boutique Hotel. Guests enjoy incredible amenities, such as free wifi, LCD tv, slippers, and bathrobes. Plus, all guests have the opportunity to use the spa facilities, swimming pools, organic restaurants, and personalized services.
Athina Villa: The Athina Villa is a grand family-owned villa that offers guests a relaxed stay. You’ll find the hotel a mere 100 yards from the black-sand beach of Santorini. All visitors enjoy a range of facilities, including a private balcony, self-catering, gardens, and a private bathroom with a shower. Also, the studios have air conditioning to protect you from the summer sun, and the villa is close to all the restaurants and bars.
How To Spend 4 Days in Santorini, a Detailed Itinerary
Santorini in 4 Days: Day One
Cruise the Volcano
The island of Santorini is situated on the side of a, mostly submerged, volcano. There is no better way to enjoy your first day in Santorini than exploring the volcano, which is still active, via a cruise. Not only will you see Santorini’s incredible caldera, but you’ll also enjoy a tour of Thirassia and Oia.
Also, you can swim in volcanic sulfur waters, hike up the volcanic crater, and take a dip in the hot springs – not a bad way to begin your 4 day Santorini itinerary.
Click here to book your volcano cruise.
Explore Fira
It is impossible to miss Fira on your Santorini itinerary because it is Santorini’s capital city and cultural hub. You’ll experience remarkable island views from Fira, and the area offers incredibly scenic viewpoints.
Also, you must visit the island’s great shops and don’t forget the restaurants. Here you’ll find some of Greece’s most fabulous cuisine. Plus, Fira has some fantastic museums to explore, including the superb Museum of Prehistoric Thera. You’ll see some of Fira’s best history from this museum.
Movie at the Open-air Cinema
So, you’ve had a long day of exploring one of the world’s most remarkable islands? Why not relax, sit back, grab some drinks, and enjoy a movie at the open-air cinema? A perfect way to finish your first day!
Santorini in 4 Days: Day Two
Swim at One of the Black Beaches
A superb way to begin the start of your Santorini’s second day is by taking a swim at one of the black beaches. There are multiple options for travelers to enjoy but the main two are Perissa and Perivolos. Visitors love Perissa because it has calm, crystal-blue waters that are perfect for swimming.
Alternatively, Perivolos is just as good, offering great swimming, deck chairs, and ample space to enjoy the sun!
Hike from Fira to Oia
Santorini is world-famous for its incredible hikes. In fact, hikers from all over the planet come to the island to enjoy hikes around the volcanoes and villages. A popular hike is the Fira to Oia hike because you’ll pass through so many breathtaking viewpoints, villages, and historical landmarks.
The hike is a total of 6 miles and is relatively straightforward for people of all fitness levels. You should aim to bring plenty of water with you during the summer months.
Explore Oia
So now you’ve completed your hike you should explore Oia. There are so many incredible things to do here, and the first option is to visit the Atlantis bookstore, where you’ll find one of Greece’s finest book collections.
After that, you should check out the Blue Domed churches; you’ll find these famous churches at the top of Oia. You’ll get outstanding island views from here! Finally, an adventure around Oia wouldn’t be complete without visiting the castle.
Watch the Sunset in Oia
No doubt you would have seen Santorini’s gorgeous sunsets on social media, and for good reason. Santorini sunsets are remarkable and the best place to witness them is in Oia. Why not hike up to the top and bring a camera? If it is sunny, you’ll experience spellbinding sunset views from Oia.
Check out: The best sunset spots in Santorini.
Santorini in 4 Days: Day Three
Ancient Thira
Ancient Thira is a superb spot to see if you love Greek history. The city is ancient and sits on a 360-meter-high ridge. The city was named after Theras, who was the mythical ruler of the island. Locals inhabited the city from the 9th century AD to 726 AD. Today, the city is open to the public, and it is a must-see.
Archaeological Site of Akrotiri
Is there any better way to experience Santorini’s history than starting day three of your Santorini itinerary at the archaeological site of Akrotiri? The site dates back to the Bronze Age. Many centuries ago, it was the hub of Santorini’s economy because it was the main trade route between Europe and the Middle East.
Unfortunately, a gigantic eruption – one of the world’s most significant ever eruptions – destroyed the site. Staggeringly, the volcano created a 100-meter-high tsunami; let’s hope we don’t see that again!
Check out: Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach.
Red Beach
Santorini is full of incredible things but one of the best things is the beaches. If you’d like to visit one of Santorini’s most unique beaches, you will adore Red Beach. It offers a fantastic range of areas to sit and relax.
Plus, you can take a swim in the sea and bring your snorkel. The waters are crystal clear, so you’ll see plenty of beautiful fish and coral.
Sunset Catamaran Cruise
The sunset catamaran cruise is a superb way to end the third day of your 4 day Santorini itinerary. You will experience Santorini’s incredible sunsets from the cruise and even get the chance to relax and eat some BBQ food with wine and soft drinks. Now that’s an excellent way to finish your third day.
Click here for more information and to book the sunset catamaran cruise.
Santorini in 2 Days: Day Four
Wine Tasting Tour
Visitors adore this fantastic tour, offering a taste of Santorini’s delicious wines where you get to visit three popular Santorini wineries. Plus, you’ll enjoy 12 different wine styles, with some delicious cheese and snacks.
Click here for more information and to book your Santorini wine tour.
Explore the village of Emporio
After you have spent an entire morning eating Santorini’s most delicious snacks and drinking some of its famous wine, you should head to the village of Emporio. This is Santorini’s largest village and a must-see on 4 days in Santorini’s itinerary. Visitors will find ample places to eat, drink, and take pictures in one of Santorini’s oldest and most traditional areas.
Explore the village of Pyrgos
Pyrgos is a fantastic place to visit because it is far away from the tourist trails yet offers some of Santorini’s most traditional culture. Did you know that Pyrgos used to be Santorini’s capital city? You even get to see terrific island views, and various panoramic viewpoints in Pyrgos offer majestic scenery.
View from Ekklisia Profitis Ilias church
When people visit Greece, many of them want to visit monasteries. The Profitis Ilias church is a great monastery and it offers remarkable island views. On a clear day, you can see the Corinthian Gulf.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
One of Santorini’s most famous tourist destinations is the Akrotiri lighthouse. The lighthouse is 10 miles away from Santorini’s capital, and locals consider it to be one of the greatest lighthouses in the Cyclades.
You can find the lighthouse on the top of a cliff, and not only is it a beautiful structure, but you’ll get incredible island views.
Practical Tips for Your 4-Day Santorini Itinerary
How to Get Around Santorini
There are numerous ways to get around Santorini and if you’re visiting for 4 days, you have quite a lot of time to explore the island. With that said, nobody wants to waste time trying to get around the island. You want to maximize the time you have, so here are the best ways to get around Santorini.
Hire a car: Not many people would argue that hiring a car is an excellent way to get around Santorini. There are multiple benefits, including saving time, stopping in many amazing spots, and cars always have air conditioning.
If you have a rental car, you have the full freedom to get wherever you want without having to wait for buses or waving a taxi down. Unfortunately, there is no Uber in Santorini either.
I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Catch the buses: Santorini is home to an extensive bus route, and you can catch buses to many parts of the island. Also, Santorini’s bus service is affordable and relatively easy to use. However, you can’t access many parts of the island via bus. Therefore, you really need a car if you want to explore Santorini extensively and in comfort.
For example, buses only go to and from Fira and other island areas. Also, they can be infrequent, especially if it’s outside the summer months. However, if time isn’t a problem for you, then you might enjoy catching the bus especially as it’s the cheapest mode of transport available.
Grab a taxi: Catching a Santorini taxi can be a convenient way to get around the island for a short trip. You’ll find fast, efficient, and air-conditioned taxis with drivers who understand English. Plus, it takes away the stress of having to wait for buses and finding bus stops. Keep in mind that taxis are expensive.
If you choose to drive, you’ll struggle to find car parking spaces during the summer months. Therefore taxis – although expensive – offer a relaxed way to get around, as long as you can find them and afford them! Also, make sure the driver puts the taximeter on.
How to Get To/From the Airport
Santorini Airport to Fira
There are various options, including a taxi, a bus, a private transfer, and hiring a car. The fastest option is to take a taxi. and the private transfer. It takes around 25 minutes, but you’ll pay upwards of 30 euros. Alternatively, a cheaper option is to catch the bus but the bus runs infrequently. Lastly, you can hire your own car.
My advice is to get a private transfer. If you decide to get a private transfer – Welcome Pickups are the best choice.
Santorini Airport to Oia
Santorini Airport is just 10 miles from Oia and it’s relatively easy to get between the two places. Again the taxi or a private transfer is the fastest and easiest option but the most expensive. Hiring a car is a great idea as you will be able to explore the island at your own pace. Finally, you can get the bus but you have to change buses as soon as you arrive at the bus station in Fira.
How to Get from Athinios Port
The best way to get from Athinios Port to Fira is via taxi or private transfer. You can use various cabs offering a fantastic 24/7 service and it will usually cost around 35 euros.
Finally, there is a bus. Usually, a bus waits for the ferries. The bus goes to Fira and if you want to get to Oia you need to change buses to the Fira bus station.
Finally, you can rent a car.