How to do Santorini on a budget

Cheap places to stay in Santorini

Despite its reputation as one of the swankier Greek islands, there are package holiday bargains to be found in Santorini, especially if you avoid the island’s busiest months of May to August. For example, we found seven-night stays to Santorini with flights from London starting from just £299pp this October.

On the picturesque west coast of the island, lively capital Fira and romantic Oia – famed for the most magnificent sunsets – are the most popular places to stay (with a price tag to match). Choose a hotel set back from the cliffside or on the outskirts of town to pay less.

Within walking distance of Fira’s centre, Pension Ptolemeos is well-reviewed for its clean and comfortable rooms that start from just €65.50 (£57) a night. In Oia, family-run Laokasti Villas has 17 suites with bags of traditional charm set around a spacious pool. You can pick up a room from around €103 (£90) a night.

You’ll find cheaper accommodation if you’re happy to go without a caldera view, with east coast villages Kamari and Perissa holding some appeal for their small black-sand beaches and the dramatic clifftop ruins at Ancient Thira that sit between them. Narkissos Hotel and Holiday Beach Resort are great places to start. Rooms start from around €46/£40 a night in both.

Cheap eats in Santorini

It’s no secret that eating and drinking out in Santorini can be expensive, especially in popular tourist areas. But do your research and you’ll find plenty of good value places to sample the freshest fish and Greek cuisine – preferably washed down with a glass of local white wine or an ice-cold Mythos.

In Fira’s maze of charming cobbled streets you’ll find many affordable places to eat, including Parea, a traditional Greek taverna offering excellent value for money on moussaka, seafood and other classic dishes, together with friendly service. You can expect a main meal and a glass of wine to come in around €20 (£17).

Pelican Kipos, which sits hidden away in a beautiful garden oasis mere steps from Fira’s busy central square, is also a great find. The food is delicious and the Greek beer is served in iced tankards. With breakfast options under €10 (£8.60) and seafood mains from €15 (£13), it’s fantastically cheap for such a prime position.

The main road running between Fira and pretty neighbouring village Firostefani boasts some out-of-the-way gems. Seek out Salt and Pepper (booking is recommended for this tiny place), and Kokkalo, where the steaks are so big they come with a mini meat cleaver for carving!

Over in Oia, the bargains are harder to come by. If you love a kebab, however, Pito Gyros is well worth veering off the tourist track for. Grab a mouthwatering gyros stuffed with pork, chicken or halloumi for under €7 (£6).

Free and cheap things to do in Santorini

Like to keep active on holiday? The good news is that, once you’re on the island, there are plenty of things to do that won’t cost a penny to enjoy. These activities will fill your Santorini itinerary on the cheap.

Architecture

A hub of historic whitewashed villages, admiring Santorini’s architecture is one of the best free activities on the island.

Oia is the postcard icon where you can get your Instagram shot of sugar-cube houses and blue-domed churches tumbling down the cliffside. While you’re here, don’t miss the ruins of Oia Castle – a 15th-century Venetian fortress built to defend the island against invading pirates –, and the traditional windmills that scatter the hilltop.

There are heaps more interesting buildings to tick off your sightseeing list. Admire the beautiful bell tower of Fira Cathedral, step back in time among the ruins of Akrotiri’s Venetian Castle and ponder which neoclassical mansion you like the most in Megalochori.

Hiking

Holidays in Sanotrini are all about exploring the beauty of the island. The hiking path between Fira and Oia is an absolute must-do – although expect the 10km (6.2 miles) walk to take you a good three to four hours as you stop on every corner to capture yet another breathtaking view. The public bus will take you back from Oia (or visa versa) for a couple of euros.

Over on the island’s east coast, the mountainous trail between Kamari and Perissa is shorter, and takes in Ancient Thera (€10/£8.70 entry) and the black-sand beaches. There’s also a cheap water taxi that makes the journey between the two towns, roughly every 40 minutes.

If you want to hike up the actual crater of the volcano, you’ll find boat trips leaving the old port in Fira, with ticket prices from around €15/£13 (with an additional entry fee of €5/£4.30 to the volcano). Bring sturdy walking shoes and water.

Wine tasting

Wine is another of Santorini’s big passions, and you’ll find numerous guided ‘wine tours’ advertised. In reality, it’s easy to get to the wineries and arrange a tour yourself.

Estate Argyros, for example, offers introductory tours for €25 (£21.70) per person. You’ll get to tour the estate’s vineyards and production area, and taste four different wines including the signature Vinsanto.

For the same price, you can book an ‘Introduction to Santorini’ tour with Gavalas Winery, where a dedicated sommelier will guide you through a tasting of four wines made from indigenous grapes in a picturesque courtyard.

If you’re after a wine tasting overlooking the caldera, you’ll want to keep some of your budget aside for a tour at Santo Winery. A four-flight tasting starts from €44 (£38) – although you can’t put a price on the view.

How to get around Santorini on a budget

For general exploring, walking is by far the most enjoyable – and cheapest – way to get around Santorini. And, of course, the hiking trails are a scenic way from A to B.

A regular and cheap bus service runs island-wide – although you might have to change at Fira for some journeys. At around €2-€3 (£1.70-£2.60) per trip, it’s a cost-effective way of seeing more than one part of Santorini during your stay.

Hiring a car is another great way to explore the island and, booked in advance, can work out easy on the wallet. Car hire deals from Santorini Airport can be found from as little as £4.25 a day. Taxis are also reasonably priced and plentiful. As always, take an official taxi (the taxi rank in Fira is by the bus station).

The preferred mode of transport for many visitors to the island, however, is the quad bike, which you can hire from as little as €27 (£23.50) for 24 hours with Motor Club. It’s a great choice for zipping around the island's cliffside roads. As with hiring a car, make sure you brush up on local driving laws before hitting the roads.

Insider tips

• Some of Santorini’s best museums and archaeological sites offer free admission days on certain days of the week and public holidays. Ancient Akrotiri, for example, is free to enter on the first Sunday of the month between November and March (usually €20/£17.50).
• Santorini has a decent hostel scene if you’re happy bunking up to save some pennies. Caveland, Fira Backpackers Place and Youth Hostel Anna are all well rated.
• Fancy a beach day? Popular tourist beaches including Perissa and Kamari often offer free sun-loungers to customers who purchase food or drink at one of the restaurants or bars. If you’re not buying anything, skip the rental charge by bringing your own towel instead.
• Save money on buying bottled water in Santorini by bringing a reusable bottle and filling up at your hotel or hostel – most have filtered water available.
• If you are considering hiring an ATV, compare the prices from a handful of different rentals to make sure you are getting the best deal.

*Please note: All prices correct as of 8 August 2025.