Santorini City Guide
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Greece

Santorini City Guide

Decentralized Administration of the Aegean

Santorini is a volcanic island in Greece known for its cliffs, white villages, and sunsets. It draws many tourists and remote workers who enjoy its views and vibe. The island is small with tourist-focused amenities, so some services cater more to short stays than long-term living.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Food options include local dishes like fava and tomato fritters. Good international variety in tourist areas. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Some restaurants stay open late in season.

Local Dishes:
Fava, Tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters), White eggplant, Fresh seafood
International Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Italian, Asian
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Excellent
8

Nightlife is lively in Fira with bars and clubs; Oia offers more relaxed, upscale spots.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Good mix of traditional Greek coffee shops and modern cafes. Cold coffee drinks like frappe are popular.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. Usually 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up taxi fares, and small tips for services.

Top Attractions
Fira
City
Capital with caldera views and museums.
Oia
City
Known for sunsets and architecture.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Historical
Ancient Minoan city ruins.
Red Beach
Beach
Unique volcanic red sand beach.
Perissa Beach
Beach
Black sand beach popular with visitors.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at provider stores in Fira and kiosks. Main providers are Cosmote, Vodafone, and Wind (Nova). eSIMs are available. ID or passport needed for registration.

Available at:
Cosmote stores in Fira
Vodafone stores in Fira
Nova stores in Fira
Local kiosks
Recommended Apps
Wolt(Food)
E-food(Food)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Taxi.gr(Transport)
Ferryhopper(Transport)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Clean in tourist areas; waste pickup regular but recycling limited. Water scarcity is a concern.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Few 24/7 pharmacies; rotating schedule. Mini-markets open late in tourist areas during high season. Emergency services operate 24/7 at hospital and clinics. Some late-night food available in peak season.

Groceries
AB Vassilopoulos
Sklavenitis
Local mini-markets

Limited but growing range of international products in larger supermarkets. Fresh markets in bigger villages. Shops mostly close Sunday and public holidays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and big shops. Smaller places and street vendors may prefer cash.

ATMs

ATMs are found in main towns like Fira, Oia, and Perissa. Expect possible withdrawal fees. Major banks include Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, and Eurobank.

Schools
Local only

Local schools teach in Greek with limited international options on the island. Most international schools are in Athens.

Available Schools:
Local Greek schools

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
3
Available Spaces:
Santorini Workhub
Modern workspace in Fira with high-speed internet and meeting rooms.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Coffee Island
Popular for good Wi-Fi in Fira.
Meteor Cafe
Quiet café in Oia with Wi-Fi.
Diverso Café
Café in Fira suitable for work.
The Coffee Station
Work-friendly café in Fira.
Santorini Library Cafe
Quiet spot in Oia with Wi-Fi.
V Lounge Café & Cocktail Bar
Café in Fira with Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable spaces with Wi-Fi, often available to guests.
Bellonio Cultural Center library
Quiet library in Fira for working.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
5

Small and emerging community. Some nomad events happen, often via platforms like Punta. Many cafes offer Wi-Fi but no dedicated hubs.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Limited
4

Limited parks due to volcanic landscape. Paths offer views but shade is rare.

Running
Good
6

Popular routes include Fira-Oia path, coastal roads, and village paths. Watch for narrow roads and traffic.

Gyms
Available

Gyms are mostly located in Fira; some hotels have fitness facilities.

Available Gyms:
Santorini Fitness Center (Fira)
Bodyworks Gym (Fira)
Hotel gyms
Tennis
Limited
4

Limited public courts; some hotels have tennis courts, book through hotels.

Padel
Poor
0

No padel courts available.

Yoga
Good
7

Several studios offer classes with views. Drop-ins common, many English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Poor
2

Few if any dedicated martial arts schools; mainly fitness gyms.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing; warm Mediterranean climate.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular with equipment rentals widely available from May to October.

Surfing
Poor
1

Santorini lacks consistent waves and is not a surfing spot.

Diving
Excellent
8

Several dive sites with good visibility and diverse marine life. Centers offer rentals and cater to all levels. Best from May to October.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Santorini General Hospital and private clinics have English-speaking staff. Public healthcare is basic, private offers faster care. Pharmacies are common and well stocked.

Hospitals:
Santorini General Hospital
Central Clinic of Santorini
Pharmacies:
Multiple in Fira and Oia
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water isn't recommended for drinking due to its mineral content and desalination. Bottled water is preferred.

Common Scams
Taxi overcharging, Fake goods, Inflated prices in tourist shops

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Playgrounds are sparse but kid-friendly cafes and beaches are common. Attractions like Akrotiri and boat tours suit families.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
8

Generally accepting, especially in tourist areas. Legal protections exist. Inclusive venues are common, with low discrimination risks.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet policies vary; increasing pet-friendly accommodations and vet services in Fira. Limited pet parks.

Communities
Santorini Expats & Friends (Social)
Santorini Travel Forum (Travel)
Digital Nomads in Greece (Nomad)
Punta (Nomad)

Quick Facts

Population
17,430
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable but short outages happen, especially during peak season or maintenance.

Beach Access
Available

Santorini has volcanic beaches with black and red sand like Red Beach, Perissa, and Kamari. They are reachable within 15 to 30 minutes by bus or car.

Mountains
Available

The island has volcanic hills, not traditional mountains. Profitis Ilias is the highest point. Hiking paths like Fira to Oia are well marked.

Languages
Greek(90%)
English(70%)
Emergency
112
European Emergency Number
166
Ambulance
100
Police
199
Fire Department

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
High Risk
7
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
7

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Temperatures often exceed 30°C during these months. Tourist crowds peak then.
Flooding
Winter
Heavy rains can cause localized flooding but are rare.

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