Over 2 MILLION Tourists arrive on the sunny shores of Santorini each year. It’s not surprising given the island’s status as one of the most romantic destinations on earth. The summer months are especially crowded with tourists inching for space, all trying to capture the perfect sunset shot.
Stay In Oia
Though it may be counter intuitive to stay at the hub of Santorini’s tourism, Oia, it is the best way to avoid the crowds. Most cruisers and other tourists have to travel to the scenic Oia and tourists on vacation (myself included) are lazy. They don’t want to get up early. So before all the tourists arrive you will have all of Oia to yourself. The streets are practically empty before 11 am and after sunset each day – Check latest prices on Hotels in Oia.
Stay Above the Crowds
Stay above it all. When you stay in Oia you obviously want a room that faces the sunset with a patio or balcony. BUT MOST of these rooms are hugely crowded with day trippers and other vacationers alike. You will have absolutely no privacy while fighting for space on your own balcony. This is why we stayed at this place, which is above all the crowded hotels in Oia. It literally is on the highest point in Oia with the perfect sunset views all to yourself. And to boot, it didn’t cost more than a balcony room at the hotels in Oia – Check the latest prices.
The crowds we saw from our balcony! Everyone sat shoulder to shoulder waiting for sunset in the heat.
Don’t Take a Cruise
Don’t take a cruise to Santorini. Many of the Santorini’s visitors arrive as part of a cruise ship. They stay for the day and return promptly to their ships at night. Because there is a set schedule for arriving and departing for cruisers if you are a cruiser you will be arriving and departing at the same time as the hordes. You will not have the opportunity to see Santorini tourist free as your hundreds of thousands of fellow cruise mates will be on the island at the same time as you.
Bonus Tip: Go In September, Off Season
Santorini is a huge summer destination for European and American vacationers alike. Everyone is on summer break and trying to get some time in the sun. But if you visit in September, the tourists have mostly gone with the start of school AND the weather is still very warm. As in it still pretty much feels like summer. Plus lower prices on places to stay! You don’t even have to wait that far into September for the crowds to dissipate. Basically once August ends prices drop like a rock as if someone flipped a switch.
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Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Thanks thanks thanks For the tips! I absolutely going to take your advice of going in September.
I love the post, the pictures, your words and I love you!! You are amazing.
I can’t wait to be out of school and be able to travel off season!
xoxo,
Emma
http://petitemaisonoffashion.blogspot.com/ ♥
yeah, i think if i’ll have ever the chance to visit santorini, it will be during low season!!
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
I’m with you and would stay away from crowds as much as possible. Not a cruiser either, so that helps. It’s such an iconically beautiful place I can see why it remains so popular.
Been to Santorini and would say really nice tips.
I completely agree that there are way too many tourists in Greece over the Summer. Staying in Oia outside of sun sets hours is a great idea!
Love the tips! I am a home travel agent and have clients going to Santorini for their honeymoon. These tips have come in handy, thank you!
Thanks for the tips! I totally understand what you mea about tourists and it is so difficult to avoid them!! The place you stayed at looks amazing, now I can’t wait to head to Greece for a holiday!
I love Santorini and unfortunately the only time I visited I was one of those A holes on a cruise. next time I won’t be.
I didn’t know that September was already off-season. Great tip! I also love the idea of taking a room high above the crowds to avoid the heavy tourist flows while still getting a deal and a great sunset. Santorini is definitely on our travel list, but the reports of the crowds has made us a little cautious. Glad to know there are ways around it all!
Some great tips here, I’ve always wanted to go to Oia but have been put off by the pictures of the crowds I’ve seen. I may have to reconsider now 🙂
Every time I see photos of Santorini, I want to book a flight immediately! Great tips on how to avoid the crowds. I’m a huge fan of waking up early to beat the crowds. Gorgeous photos, I especially love the “stay above the crowds” ones!
Oia is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I once had a dream to open up a souvenir shop and retire there. The sunsets were ridiculous. Thanks for the great tips for when I (hopefully) one day return!
Man I need to get my butt over to Santorini (in September as suggested) 😉 Perhaps I’ll make it next year! Love your tips though and I shall definitely take them on board when I finally make it to this beautiful place – I never thought of simply staying above the crowds, GENIUS 🙂
Thanks for these tips. I can now visit Santorini without the crowds. Btw beautiful pics.
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Love your tips! Santorini is definitely on my list, but I hadn’t thought about any of these (except for not arriving via cruise ship because I’m not a cruise kind of person). Thanks for sharing!
Awesome tips and great pictures! I can’t wait to go to Greece in two weeks 🙂 #GLT
Thanks for sharing your tips. Santorini is my dream, still did not manage to get there ? Lovely pictures too x
Gosh! Santorini seems so perfect for a staycation! I just love everything about this post babe!
xx shaine
https://itsshaineivory.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/boyfs-shirt-2-0/
I love all the tips on your blog! You have a great style of writing. The pictures are awesome! ??xxx
awww thank you Ruth!
Have you ever been to Naxos? It is a bit north of Santorini, but is amazingly picturesque in its own way. It has way less tourists even in June. It’s the only Greek Island I’ve been lucky enough to see in person, but I aspire to see more.
I’ve heard of it!! I’ve been looking for a less touristy island to travel to in the summer time!