Yes, you CAN Travel to Santorini Alone...and on a Budget.
While it may be marketed as a luxury romantic hotspot for couples, you can absolutely visit as a traveller...if you know where to go.
When you think of Santorini, what generally comes to mind?
White, sandy beaches?
That world famous picturesque view of the Caldera from Oia?
White, cave-like houses with blue domed rooftops?
Plenty of moola?
While all of the above certainly holds true, one thing that continues to frustrate me about modern travel culture is the persistent gatekeeping we encounter when searching for our next adventure. So many destinations - especially islands - are relentlessly branded as exclusive, romantic escapes, carefully curated for couples basking in luxury. And while I understand the allure, this narrow narrative quickly grows stale for solo wanderers like myself.
In fact, I’ve made it a personal mission to seek out these so-called "couples-only" havens on my own. Why should lovebirds have all the fun? There's something quietly rebellious and beautifully liberating about experiencing these places solo. I’m even toying with the idea of turning this into a series; a little invitation to fellow adventurers to rethink the travel map and explore destinations they may have never considered on their own.
So first up on the map: the beautiful island of Santorini; a Honeymooners’ paradise and home to one of the most famous sunsets in the world. I’ve travelled to Santorini twice; now the first time, I did go all out and splurge on a luxury hotel for the first half of my trip (I am a luxury babe after all!), however during the subsequent half of my first trip and my second trip, I went down the budget route, and still had the most incredible time.
If you want to visit in Santorini on a budget (now ‘budget’ is relative here: an average 4 night hotel stay here can be up to £3-4000), then it’s vital you know where you need to stay.
WHEN IS THE CHEAPEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO?
Definitely early Spring (End of March - End of April) and October.
EXPENSIVE VS LESS EXPENSIVE
The green section = £££££ the big bucks.
Fira and Oia are the most popular parts of Santorini, as the entirety of the left hand side of the island faces the Caldera and *those* signature sunset panoramic views. It stands to reason that this area will feature the most expensive hotels and resorts. A note on Oia; it’s a gorgeous town with a lot to do, however I wouldn’t personally recommend staying there as it’s EXCEPTIONALLY crowded - especially during sunset, as everyone is clamouring to take their Instagram photos at the same time!
The red zone section; covering much of the island’s southern and eastern edges, is where you’ll find the more budget-friendly (relatively speaking) hotels and resorts. I chose to stay in Akrotiri, easily the flattest part of the island. While it’s not exactly a shopper’s paradise, it’s a dream for history lovers. Akrotiri is actually a prehistoric city, once a thriving Bronze Age settlement. Today, its legacy lives on through a handful of fascinating museums and archaeological sites that give you a real sense of the island’s ancient soul.
Where I stayed in Akrotiri:
Kalestesia Suites (photos above): I stayed for three days and paid £450 at the time. You get a decent view of the Caldera, considering you’re on the southern part of the island.
I then boujied it up a bit and stayed at Adamant Suites, situated in the heart of Fira, which overlooked the Caldera and had gorgeous views.
The eastern side of the island may not boast the dramatic caldera views of the west, but what it lacks in elevation, it makes up for in affordability, and in charm. This is where you’ll find significantly cheaper hotels, along with the island’s iconic black volcanic sand beaches, which are just as famous in their own right.
I stayed in a GORGEOUS little fishing village called Perissa, which I’d advise everyone to visit if only for a day. Tons of amazing beachside seafood restaurants and the nightlife is so wonderful, often filled with other solo travellers. I stayed at the Meltemi Village Hotel for seven days in August and paid just under £950; which by Santorini standards, is incredible for a week stay.
Below are some other hotels I’d recommend that I was also looking into. Remember to take the current price at face value; it all depends on when you go, so bookmark any you find interesting and check back closer to the time.
THINGS TO DO SOLO IN SANTORINI
Experience the Santorini sunset. There are a few key locations in the town where you can catch the big event, but the Byzantine castle ruins have by far the most beautiful view. The crumbling remnants of the castle walls offer a gorgeous glimpse into Oia's past, and their elevated location also provides panoramic views of the island.
Unfortunately, these upsides deliver one downside as mentioned above. this spot is very popular with visitors and gets incredibly crowded as the evening draws in. Get there early and make yourself comfortable before the sun dips below the horizon.
Hike up Santorini’s volcano. Enjoy a guided hike up the ash-laden landscape of the still-active volcano located in the center of the caldera. Nea Kameni is the youngest of the two volcanos and is a popular tourist attraction due to its surrounding golden, sulfur-infused waters and springs known for their healing properties. During the hike, you can walk up to the black lava perimeters of the volcano, as well as discover the crater and other openings bursting with sulfur steam. Not only that, but you also get a magnificent view of the Santorini cliffs and sister towns, Oia and Fira.
The heat can be oppressive during the high season, and we'd recommend an early start to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures. Sunset-chasers should plan to finish their hike later in the evening to make the most of Oia and Fira being framed by the last rays of the day.
Visit the town of Pyrgos. Although not as busy as its sister towns of Oia and Fira, Pyrgos is a charming town that offers stunning scenery and some of the most popular restaurants in Santorini, such as Selene. The town is a great place to get to know the locals and see what everyday island life is really like, without the clamor of tourist crowds. You'll also find opportunities to capture beautiful images along the tiny, winding footpaths that lead to side streets and cul-de-sacs housing scenic cafes, restaurants and churches.
Join a Greek cooking class! Dive into a hands-on experience and learn all about Santorini's traditional cuisine by taking a local cooking class. The Petra Kouzina Cooking Experience will teach you all the skills required to produce a multicourse feast in a beautiful, charming setting.
Alternatively, you can choose a combination cooking class and wine-tasting tour – the fun starts with a tour of carefully selected wineries before you start cooking, so you can plan your menu to include the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
Enjoy open air cinema. Given Santorini's beautiful weather, it's worth making time for an outdoor movie during the warm evenings. Hosting one of the best open-air cinemas in the world, Kamari Village boasts tasty cocktails, trendy director’s-chair seating and, of course, popcorn. Early arrival is advised to get a good seat.
The scenic Caldera cruise is an absolute must-do. One of the most popular activities for visitors to Santorini is to take a midday or sunset cruise around the caldera on a catamaran. The caldera is a large, crescent-shaped volcanic depression with a fascinating history – some factual, some folkloric – and is an ideal activity for those interested in merging beautiful views with learning more about the history of the island and its legendary volcanic eruption.
Many tour companies offer this service, complete with an onboard meal, and Caldera Yachting is one of the most popular. I recommend booking the sunset cruise to make the most of the gorgeous views.
Hike up to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias. Built in the 17th century, the monastery of Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elias) is one of the oldest buildings on the island and is located on the peak of Mount Eros. The site is filled with beautiful gardens, pine woods that lead you to the door of the monastery, plus the most incredible panoramic views of Santorini ; don’t forget to pack your camera! The grounds of this religious attraction house a variety of local stores that offer a selection of homegrown produce, including olives, wine, olive oil, candles and honey.
Get into the black volcanic beaches! As I said above, alongside its famous sunsets, Santorini is also known for its iconic black sand beaches, formed by the erosion of volcanic molten rock poured forth after each eruption over the course of centuries. Perissa beach lies at the base of Mesa Vouno mountain and is one of the longest beaches on the island.
Alongside the many cafes, bars and restaurants on the beach, there is also an elevated spot where adventurous divers can leap into the sparkling sea.