Essential information for Santorini

When to go

Peak season for Santorini holidays, as with most Greek islands, is late June to early September, although Santorini doesn’t feel too crowded even then. If you want the warmest weather for sunbathing then peak season is best for you – daily temperatures are around 26°C from June to September. And if you’re planning on swimming in the sea during your holidays to Greece, you’ll find the ocean at its warmest in August and early September.

For optimum sightseeing weather you might like it a little cooler, particularly if you’re planning on doing a lot of walking. In this case, April to June and September to November are pleasantly warm – averaging at 20°C – but you should pack a few extra layers and allow for the chance of rain, particularly in November.

Health and Safety

Please be advised that the tap-water in Santorini is not drinkable so you must purchase bottled water during your stay. However, you can bathe and shower – and cook safely – with it.

As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and your family on your trip. It’s also a good idea to apply for a free European Health Insurance Card, EHIC before leaving the UK as this entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment.

If you are visiting Santorini specifically to take part in sports or watersports, including hiking, you should make sure your insurance covers this. See our holiday extras page for more information and for the latest health and safety information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/health.

Passports and Visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Greece and its islands but must have a valid passport. By law, you must carry your passport with you and may need to show it when paying by credit card. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements.

Getting around

Flights ground at Santorini Airport and, being a small island, transfer times are short. It takes 15 minutes to get to Kamari and 25 minutes to Perivolos. Oia is the furthest resort but you should be there in a little over half an hour. Most tour operators include transfers as part of a holiday package so getting to your resort is easy. If you prefer to arrange your own travel, the airport taxi-rank is located immediately outside the arrivals-lounge door. It costs approximately 15 to get to most Santorini resorts by taxi from the airport when pre-booking, more if you haven’t arranged in advance.

Public buses are frequent in Santorini around the towns and resorts, providing a cost-effective way of getting around. They run more regularly in peak season, when they travel between the main resorts every half-hour. Taxis are a relatively cheap way of getting round your resort – short hops usually cost little more than a few euros. There are taxi ranks throughout all of the main resorts and your hotel can help you book one in advance, to avoid the language barrier.

A hire car is a great way to see the area if you plan on moving around and taking in the main sites during your holidays to Santorini, as well as some of the more remote villages and beaches that will not be accessible by public transport. There are many car-hire companies to choose from, all offering a similar level of service and price. There is a good network of roads across Santorini linking the main towns and resorts – as well as some scenic coastal routes that are more winding but still easily navigable.

Advice for travellers with children

Santorini is a family-friendly destination and many Greek restaurants and bars welcome children. As the majority of resorts are only 15 to 25 minutes from the airport, there are lots of options for cheap Santorini holidays with excitable children. Many families choose to stay in Kamari for its attractions, long beach, and transfer time of just 15 minutes.

Electricity

Connector type: Generally round two-pin plugs, marked as southern Europe.

Voltage Info: 230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Emergency information

Call 112 for all emergencies and the operator will put you through to the police, fire brigade or ambulance service. The line is operated in five languages including English.

British consulate

If you are a victim of crime or affected by a crisis overseas – or if something happens to a relative or partner – contact the British Consulate.

Address: 1 Ploutarhou Str., 10675 Athens

Email: consular.athens@fco.gov.uk

Telephone (from within Santorini): (+30) 210 727 2600

Hospital

Fira Health Centre, 84 700 Fira

Telephone (from within Santorini): (+30) 2286 022237

Useful links

Santorini Plus – a blog packed full of information on things to see and places to go in beautiful Santorini.