33 Mistakes to Avoid in Santorini in 2025

Avoiding Santorini Stumbles: This is a guide to a smooth and romantic adventure. Santorini is a place that whispers of ancient history, volcanic landscapes, and culinary delights waiting to be devoured.

But with any dream vacation, there’s always the potential for a few unexpected hiccups – little missteps that can leave you feeling a tad out of sorts and wishing you’d known just a bit more.

Now, before you start envisioning travel disasters and packing extra stress in your suitcase, let’s take a deep breath and turn that frown upside down!

Because, my lovely anxious travelers, the key to planning an unforgettable Santorini experience lies in adding to your itinerary the must-see sights and learning about the terrible mistakes to avoid in Santorini that can take the shine off your vacation.

You may have saved up for months, meticulously planned your itinerary (as I taught you in my complete 42-page guide to becoming a super-organized traveler), and finally landed in Santorini, ready to soak in all the magic.

But then, you get caught in a crowded tourist trap, miss out on that breathtaking sunset because you forgot to book a table with a view, or end up feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to do and see.

Sounds like a recipe for vacation frustration, doesn’t it? Well, fear not! Following these helpful tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can transform your Santorini adventure from a potential minefield into a smooth and savory journey filled with cherished memories.

So, ditch the worry lines, grab your metaphorical (and maybe a few actual) organizational tools, and get ready to navigate Santorini with confidence and a smile.

After all, a little preparation and awareness can ensure your Santorini experience is as picture-perfect (and stress-free) as those postcard views.

Now, let’s embark on this journey together and turn your Santorini dream into a reality, one savvy step at a time!

33 Mistakes to Avoid in Santorini

1. Don’t avoid planning a holiday to Santorini only because it is expensive:

Yes, it is much more expensive than any other island and highly crowded during high season, so you only need to avoid getting there from the second half of June to the beginning of September.

That means that if you book a vacation at the end of May/beginning of June or at the end of September, everything will be much cheaper, and you can enjoy the island in peace.

2. Don’t expect Santorini to be a Party island:

Santorini is one of the most romantic places to spend a honeymoon or a romantic holiday with your partner. That is why you will see how streets get empty after dinner time. 

Of course, there are a couple of bars with DJs, some beach bars where you listen to music while sipping a cocktail, or restaurants with some live music, but don’t expect more. If you are looking for parties, go to Mykonos first, then to Santorini by ferry for a few days or more. 

See Greek ferry prices and schedule.

European Travel Alert! If you are from the US and want to travel to Europe, from 2025 you must complete an ETIAS visa waiver form before your trip and pay the €7 ($7.25) fees. This easy-to-complete form should give you instant approval, but it’s recommended that travelers plan and submit their forms a few weeks before their departure date. 

3. Don’t plan to visit Santorini during winter if you are looking for hot temperatures:

Looking at flights and accommodation prices in Greece during the winter season, you will see that prices drop significantly. Yes, you will save a lot of money and avoid the summer crowd, but you will also find cold weather (unless you like it, of course). Also, remember that most hotels and restaurants are closed from November to March.

So what is the point of going to Santorini if it’s cold and rainy and most restaurants and hotels are closed? Greek is a summer destination, perfect from May to October, but the weather is not as sunny and hot as usual from November to April.

I think the best period to visit Santorini is in May, the beginning of June, and at the end of September and October, when kids are at school. No families mean fewer people (unless you travel with kids, of course), it is less crowded, the temperature is already or still warm but not so hot like July, and prices are lower.

4. Don’t book a flight with an arrival time after dark:

Santorini Island can be pretty challenging to drive at night. There are few indications, and if you are looking for your hotel for the first time while driving your rental car or walking with your heavy luggage, it can be challenging, and you might end up lost.

So book an early flight to get there and have plenty of time and light to look for your accommodation. 

See fights to Santorini from your nearest airport.

5. Don’t visit Santorini on the same day as the cruise ships arrive:

This is a huge mistake I made when visiting Santorini. My first day in Santorini was very crowded. Once I got to Fira, it was so crowded you had no idea. Then I realized two cruise ships were in front of the island, and I understood.

Luckily, they left that night, so the two days after, Santorini was much quieter and more accessible for taking pictures and enjoying the island.

So check which days cruise ships arrive, and if you can, at least during high season, try to avoid those days or plan to spend that day on the beach because most cruisers only spend the day in Fira and Oia.

Don’t you know how to check when cruise ships visit Santorini? Don’t worry; my job is to make your life easier and help you avoid all the travel anxiety we all hate. Click here and see all dates. You are welcome!

Travel Anxiety Tip: Ditch the map panic & embrace Greek dreams! Skip the “where am I?” freakout & join a multi-day Greece tour – think chariot ride to relaxed bliss, not lost-in-translation tears. Available for tours from 3 to 27 days in Greece!

6. Don’t expect to find every little street on Google Maps:

Santorini has so many little alleys down the cliffs, where all the resorts and hotels are, that some are not even present on Google Maps. They are so small and exclusive for the hotel guests to reach their accommodation that you won’t find them so quickly.

But don’t worry, you will find all the important ones so you won’t get lost.

Heads up! Plan Your Vacation in Santorini! Read my “Complete Guide to Santorini” and get all the info to make your next travel successful. 

7. Don’t forget to watch your step:

Donkeys don’t go everywhere, but they are present in the main towns, so please be careful and watch your steps. They leave unpleasant droppings behind them, and no one will clean after them, so keep your shoes clean.

8. Don’t drink and drive:

I don’t want to sound like your mother, but when I got to Mykonos (I know I am talking about Santorini here, but it works for Santorini as well), I met the guy who brought my rental car to the port for me.

The first thing he told me was: “Please, if you drive, do not drink, and hire a taxi. Only this summer, more than 50 people died because they got in a scooter or quad crash”. I am not joking, guys. More than 50 people in only three months. 

Greece has the third-highest motorcycle deaths in Europe, and the cause is that kids go there on holiday, rent a scooter even if they have never driven one, get drunk, and lose their lives crashing against something or falling from a cliff.

While in Greece, I saw kids driving scooters; trust me, it was terrifying. It was evident that it was their first time on a scooter. Imagine them driving in the middle of the night, on streets they do not know, under the effect of alcohol. 

So, please, be careful while in Santorini.

See scooters and quad bike prices in Santorini.

9. Don’t be afraid to learn some basic sentences in Greek:

I know the Greek language might be intimidating for some of us, but you have no idea how hospitable Greek people are. They will appreciate the effort, so learn some essential words to use at your accommodation or in a restaurant, like good morning, good evening, thank you, etc.

You might become friends with some locals just by saying a few Greek words, showing them how much you like your country and culture.

10. Don’t spend all your holiday only in Fira and Oia:

Yes, Fira and Oia are beautiful, and you are going to love to explore them, stopping to take pictures every five meters (you will, and maybe your partner or travel mate will get fed up with it, as mine did), but still, there is more to explore on this beautiful island.

There are black and red volcanic sandy beaches and volcanic hiking. If you love trying new drinks and cuisines, you should book a food and wine tasting. If, like me, you love spending time on a boat exploring the coast and snorkeling, have a look at the boat tours available. 

Santorini offers every kind of experience for every budget and taste, so look here for the best price and book before it’s sold out!

Want to become a SUPER-ORGANIZED TRAVELER and fight TRAVEL ANXIETY? Check out my Travel Anxiety Tips Page, where you will find all the help, tips, tricks and guides to plan your next adventure in the most organized way!

11. Don’t skip the beaches:

The beaches in Santorini are excellent. There is the red beach in Akrotiri with red cliffs and the black one in Perissa and Kamari. They are easy to reach by car or bus (as I did). 

There are very comfortable sunbeds with umbrellas. Some of them are pretty expensive, and others are free if you get lunch at their restaurants (you order, and you will receive your lunch straight at your sunbed—very cool indeed, and also not so expensive as in Mykonos). 

There are many shops and other restaurants all along the beach so you will have things to do.

12. Don’t go up to the cliff riding a poor donkey:

I am a pro of horse riding (I did it for two years, and I always do it while on holiday), but this “local thing” to use donkeys in the worst and hottest weather to bring very heavy tourists and their luggage up to very steep stairs, is unfortunate. 

I know donkeys are very strong, but you will understand what I am talking about when you see those stairs and feel how hot it can get during summer. So please don’t do it.

13. Don’t end up in tourists’ traps:

As you probably know, my dear traveler, every tourist place has plenty of tourist traps. So please do your research in advance. Check my article “Best Restaurants in Santorini” or “Where to Eat Local on a Budget in Santorini” or ask locals where they eat. 

You won’t regret it. You will taste delicious local food and probably also save some money.

14. Don’t be afraid to talk to locals:

Locals know the area and can give you advice, like where to eat and how to get from A to B in the cheapest and fastest way; they know the hidden gems and much more, so don’t be afraid to talk to them and ask for advice.

You should see me when I travel! I talk to everybody and ask every kind of question. When people see me so enthusiastic about learning more about their city, they open up and tell me everything I need to know. That is why you can find so much information and tips on my Travel Blog!

15. Don’t forget to research where to eat local food:

We all have a budget when we travel (at least I do), and the best way to experience the place we visit is through the local food. It is probably the first thing I research as soon as I choose a destination, where and what to eat, that I would spend all day eating, which is an essential part of my travel.

16. Don’t forget to share your meal with your travel mates:

And by saying this, I mean there are so many delicious foods in Santorini you cannot just order a starter and a main course for yourself and try only two things a restaurant offers. 

Share all the food with your travel mates unless you are traveling alone. Order different dishes and share everything with them. Order a mixed meze as Greeks do. 

In this way, you will try most of the options on the menu, still feeling satisfied but not fully ready to explode (or maybe yes. Greek food in Santorini is so good you won’t be able to stop eating everything).

Travel Safety Tip: As soon as you book your next adventure, buy good travel insurance in case you need to “unfortunately” delay, extend, or cancel your trip. I usually find good deals on VISITORSCOVERAGE for up to 1 month of trip length and SAFETYWING for longer trips.  They are insurance companies that cover everything related to your travel.

17. Don’t eat only Greek food you have heard about:

Greece is a vast country; every region has some specialty you may not have heard about yet. Please do your research ahead of time, or when visiting, ask your waiter or at your accommodation what the local gastronomy has to offer; trust me, you will be amazed.

Read my article “Delicious Food to eat in Santorini” to understand Greef food better, and if, like me, you love sweets, don’t miss “Sweets you have to try in Greece.”

18. Don’t talk about politics or country issues:

As you might have heard, Greece has a vast financial issue, so please avoid the subject unless a local starts to talk about it with you.

Pssst! Plan Your Vacation in Santorini! Read my “Complete Guide of Santorini” and get all the information you need to make your next travel successful. 

19. Don’t forget to bring a gift when a local invites you to their house:

Greeks are very hospitable people, so if some of them invite you to their home, please be a perfect guest and bring something to say thank you. It might be just a bunch of flowers, a bottle of wine, or some sweets bought at a local bakery. You will see how much they will appreciate your gesture.

20. Don’t forget to be extra careful when crossing the road:

Greeks are a little bit crazy while driving (or at least this is what everyone says, but hey, have you ever been to south Italy? Those are crazy drivers), not all of them, of course, but keep that in mind and please be always careful and vigilant.

Also, Santorini is full of tourists who don’t know the area or might have drunk too much and are still driving, so keep your guard up all the time.

21. Don’t expect everything or everyone to be on time:

Trains and buses might not be on time like in London (for example), so you might have to wait a couple of minutes for your bus to leave or wait a bit longer than usual to meet a local.

My advice is always to be there a lot in advance if you have to catch a ferry or a bus, just in case it leaves right on time or in case you find traffic on your way. Traffic can be horrible in high season with locals going to work plus tourists not knowing the area. 

Use the widget below to see prices and availability for ferries in Greece. Purchase them in advance and save a lot of money as I did. 

Please leave your accommodation in advance and be there with plenty of time ahead of you. Do not risk losing it, please. Bring with you a novel or some music to listen to to avoid getting bored while you wait (if this is your case).

Greece island hopping Tip: Check out Ferryhopper, the best ferry website to reach the Greek islands. Where you will find all the ferry routes available in Greece.

22. Don’t show your hand palm:

It may mean nothing to you, but it is a well-known insulting gesture in Greece. It is showing your middle finger, so please avoid it. 

To make you understand, I am not saying you cannot let other people see your palms. The gesture I am talking about is when you are talking to someone, and you lift your hand and show your hand palm very straightforwardly. 

23. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen:

The sun is ill, and we have heard about it many times, so please buy a good aloe vera sunscreen lotion and apply it many times daily. The sun in Greece is powerful, so if you come from a country where you don’t sunbathe very often, please do not forget! 

Save your delicate skin and your holiday because sunburns can turn your holiday into a nightmare.

Also, when it’s windy, you might feel that you are not so hot, but trust me, the sun will make you look like a lobster by the evening, so apply an aloe vera sunscreen every couple of hours and an excellent aftersun cream after the shower.

Heads up! Looking for the perfect tan this summer? Read my “Guide to the perfect tan.”

24. Don’t spend all your holiday only in one place:

Of course, if you are planning to visit Greece just for a weekend, you won’t have time to see much, but if you are lucky enough to have one or two weeks to spend in this beautiful country, my advice is to visit more than just one place or one island.

The mainland is well connected by bus and trains, and the islands are well connected by ferries, so it will be easy for you to move around. A few years ago, I started my holiday in Athens, where I spent three days (I had 16 days to spend in Greece). 

I moved to Mykonos for four days, then Paros for three days, Ios for three days, and ended my holiday in Santorini for another three days. I am not saying you have to do the same as I did, but honestly, ferries can be so fast, and the islands are not so big. 

I rented a car everywhere, just not in Athens, where I moved by public transport, walked during the day, and took a taxi at night. I saw everything I wanted and spent a lot of time relaxing and swimming at the beach.

25. Don’t  forget to bargain:

In Greece, buying souvenirs or other things in shops or local markets is expected to involve bargaining and getting the best price. Even if you have never done it, try it. They won’t get upset because this is part of their customs, and you might save some money.

Don’t forget, the only way to lower the prices is by paying cash.

Read my guide to the best Greek gifts and souvenirs.

Travel Tip: Most phone providers charge extra fees to use your data plan abroad. If you don’t want to end up paying a fortune to use the internet in Greece, buying an eSIM for Greece on Airalo is the fastest and easiest way to have all the data you need while traveling. Check it out here!

26. Don’t forget you might need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Greece:

Unfortunately, you might end up without the chance to rent a car without an international driver’s license, so check how to do it in your own country (it is basically just a translation of your driver’s license and is usually valid for one year) or contact your rental car to double check if this is a requirement of their rental car policy.

I have visited Greece many times and never had any problems renting a car with my Italian driving license. However, some of my friends from the UK had to get an international driving license because it was a requirement of the rental car agency they booked their car from, so check it out before leaving for your trip to Greece.

If you are from Europe, you won’t have any problems but plan if you come from a country outside the EU.

See Santorini rental car prices.

Sunburn got you feeling fried? Don’t fret! Learn how to cure sunburn quickly and get back to your adventure!

27. Don’t forget to buy local products as souvenirs:

Greece has a lot to offer, from wine, olive oils, olives, honey, and herbs, so research where you will visit, buy, and eat locally; your friends at home will love to receive your gift in food form. 

Read my Wonderful Things to Buy in Greece.

28. Don’t throw toilet paper or anything else inside the toilet:

 If you see a little bin next to it, the pipes are much smaller than in any other country. If you start to throw a lot of toilet paper in it, it will clog, and trust me. You don’t want to be in a situation where you and your travel mate cannot use the toilet in the morning, so keep this in mind.

29. Don’t forget to withdraw money:

While in Greece, always have some cash with you. In many restaurants, bars, and shops, you can pay by credit card, while in some other ones, like in small towns, card payments are not always accepted, so keep that in mind, and never leave without some cash in your pocket.

30. Don’t waste your time looking for a smoke-free bar or restaurant:

In Greece, most people smoke, and local owners let them do it, so if you cannot eat in a place where people are smoking at the table next to you, I highly recommend you choose a location with a garden or garden terrace.

Heads up! Looking for the perfect tan this summer? Read my “Guide to the perfect tan.”

31. Don’t forget to bring with you an adapter:

Greek plugs differ from those in the US, UK, and other countries. Make sure to buy a universal adaptor before your departure. It is always cheaper to buy it while you are home than at the airport in a tourist spot, so plan and buy everything necessary for your trip.

Shop my favorite travel adapter.

32. Don’t get to the airport too early:

Santorini Airport is tiny, so if you get there three hours in advance, you will end up waiting outside the airport (I am not joking). Also, there is no proper waiting room inside, so be prepared to sit on the floor or your luggage as we all did.

Welcome to my travel guide, my lovely anxious traveler! Want to know who is behind Valentina’s Travel Guide? Let me tell you more about myself.

33. Don’t forget to save the emergency numbers:

I wish you all the luck in this world and that nothing terrible happens to you, but sometimes bad things happen at home or while traveling, so save up all the numbers you might need in an emergency in Santorini.

• General Hospital of Thira: +302286035300
• Santorini Central Clinic (Fira): +302286021728
• Port Authority of Santorini: +302286022239
• Athinios Port Authority: +302286025015
• Information Office: +302286025940
• Public bus service (KTEL): +302286025404
• Police Station: +302286022649
• Citizen Service Center: +302286360123
• Municipality of Thira: +302286360101
• Santorini International Airport: +302286028400

In Greece, the numbers to dial are: 

• police emergency is 100 
• to call an ambulance is 166.

I added all the numbers you may need in the main article for every place I visited and wrote about, so check them out.

Heads up! If you like my content, remember that I covered many destinations worldwide and add more content weekly. So, let’s keep in touch. Subscribe to my free VIP TRAVEL ZEN AREA to become a super-organized traveler and reduce travel anxiety, and receive MY FREE 42-Page Guide to Plan a Super-Organized Trip, weekly updates about new destinations, and travel tips. 

Before you go…

Remember, my lovely anxious travelers, a little preparation and awareness can transform your Santorini trip from a potential pothole-filled path to a smooth, sun-drenched stroll.

By avoiding these common pitfalls and embracing these helpful tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting an unforgettable Santorini experience.

So, explore, savor, and create memories that will last a lifetime. After all, the magic of Santorini awaits, and with a bit of planning and these friendly reminders, you’re all set to embrace it with confidence and open arms.

Now, get out there and conquer your Santorini adventure – one breathtaking vista, delicious bite, and picture-perfect moment at a time!