The first thing you might be wondering when considering travel to Santorini is: is Santorini expensive?
Although it’s not specially catered to budget travelers, it is totally possible to travel to Santorini on a budget.
You really don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money in Santorini to have a great time!
When I solo traveled to Crete in 2017, I unexpectedly met some amazing travel backpacking friends at my hostel in Plakias who ended up dragging me along with them to Santorini (I know – darn!).
Even though I was a student on a budget, I managed to make my stay really fun and affordable! This was all while still enjoying some of the luxuries the island has to offer, too!
Interested to know how to travel to Santorini on a budget? Keep reading to find out more!
Read more: The ultimate Europe solo female travel guide
Santorini on a Budget:
Things to Do in Santorini on a Budget
Lounge on a black sand beach
Santorini may not overall be known for its beaches.
However, it is known for its black sand beach, called Perissa Beach.
This beach got its color from the breaking down of black lava by the ocean.
Lucky for you, Perissa Beach is located on the “cheaper” side of the island.
And, depending on where you stay, it might be just across the street from you (like it was for me)!
So spend some of your time in Santorini on a budget soaking up the sun on this famous black sand beach and enjoying the cool, crystal-clear ocean waters!
Jump in the sea at Amoudi bay
Watch fisherman bring in their fresh catch of the day and even try your hand at cliff jumping if you’re feeling daring at Santorini’s Amoudi Bay!
The crystal clear water and cute white seaside restaurants here are just another great attraction to enjoy in Santorini on a budget.
You’re more likely to get a better spot to hang out and swim if you arrive earlier rather than later in the day.
So don’t sleep in on the day that you visit Amoudi Bay!
Read more: Visiting Santorini while backpacking Europe this summer? Pack everything you need with my ultimate backpacking packing list for summer in Europe!
Get a (free!) front-row seat to Oia’s world-famous sunset
Oía (pronounced ee-ah) is the town on the northern tip of Santorini where crowds gather in the thousands to watch the world-famous sunsets.
However, most people pay at least several hundred dollars just to get dinner with this view!
My answer to this for those of us visiting Santorini on a budget? Get the same view for free!
Walk to the farthest tip of Oía that you can find. This should bring you to an area with one of Santorini’s famous windmills (below) and then an undeveloped group of rundown buildings.
Climb through the grass around the rundown properties and climb up on top of the roof that’s still intact.
Once you’re on top, you’ll have a world-class view of the sunset for $0!
Read more: Make sure you’ve got the right gear to take stunning pictures of your Santorini trip with my guide to the best camera for photography beginners + the best accessories!
Wander the cliffside streets
Between the towns of Fira and Oía, there is no shortage of streets to stroll with draw-dropping cliffside views!
That’s why wandering these streets is one of my favorite things to do in Santorini on a budget.
While you wander, you can find the best photo spots and take as many pictures for your Instagram (and memories) as your heart desires!
Read more: Island hopping in Greece? Discover the little-known Greek island recently rated as #1 to visit in 2023 with my ultimate travel guide to Kefalonia!
Explore the island on an ATV
Because Santorini is pretty small, you’ll find ATV rentals all over the island that make it easy to explore.
However, it does cost a little bit to rent, and I know that you’re visiting Santorini on a budget.
So, I recommend choosing one day of your stay for an ATV rental and dedicating that day to doing most of your exploring.
ATV rentals start at about 20 euros for a basic package for the day.
Shop around near your accommodation for the best price, and don’t be afraid to haggle a little bit!
An important word of caution: Make sure you at least wear a helmet while driving/riding on your ATV and take your turns SLOW!
When I was in Santorini, I came across a couple who did NOT take this advice.
The result? The woman was pinned underneath their ATV on the road, wailing in pain. They had to wait for first responders to arrive, and their arrival was very slow on such a small island with very little equipment.
Not pretty, I know, but this is to illustrate the point – be safe while you ride!
Related: Looking for other budget activities in Santorini? Check out my favorite affordable tours you can easily book with GetYourGuide.
Hike from Fira to OIa
Hiking the cliffside trail from Fira to Oía is one of the top activities to do in Santorini on a budget!
This hike is even more perfect if you time it so that you arrive in Oía when the sun is setting.
Just make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring water and a snack.
And if you’re taking this hike during the middle of the day, make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen! It can get quite hot with the sun beating down if you’re not careful.
Interested in more travel tips I don’t share on the blog? Follow me on Instagram and don’t miss a thing!
DIY wine tour
Give yourself a DIY wine tour at Gaia Winery, perfectly situated on the beach on the east side of the island!
You can also sign up for guided wine tours, but it’s not necessary.
So enjoy some much-needed R&R with a glass of wine (or two, or three!) and enjoy the view.
Don’t forget to ask the staff about the winery – they are more than happy to share information about the winery’s history and how the wines are made!
Read more: Stay safe in Europe this year by traveling to the top 7 safest places to travel alone in Europe!
Watch the sunset at the southern lighthouse
If you’re staying on the “cheaper” side of the island, this lighthouse is much closer to you than Oia or Fira.
This is an amazing alternative location to watch the sunset in Santorini on a budget with spectacular views over the caldera and the Mediterranean Sea!
And if you’re feeling a little hungry, turn it into a DIY picnic with locally-bought wine from your DIY wine tour and some souvlaki street food.
Santorini on a Budget:
How to Eat in Santorini on a Budget
Food trucks
Food trucks are the perfect answer to eating in Santorini on a budget!
They are everywhere in Santorini, especially on the cheaper side of the island near Perissa Beach.
Souvlaki is the national “street food” staple, but you can also usually get other types of sandwiches and wraps.
Most of these sell for only 3 euros or so for a full meal – talk about a budget-saver!
I almost exclusively ate souvlaki throughout my entire time in Santorini and I loved every minute of it.
Split family-style meals with fellow travelers
Many restaurants in Greece will offer “family-style” meals, where you order a bunch of dishes that you want and share them with other people.
They’re an excellent way to try a bunch of delicious food without wasting anything – including your money!
Of course, because you’re solo traveling, this means you’ll have to make some friends.
But this isn’t hard at all – and that’s coming from me as a slight introvert!
So go ahead and ask anybody at your hostel if they’d like to go out for a meal with you and split the cost.
They’re probably happy to save some money, since they’re probably visiting Santorini on a budget, too!
Read more: Not sure how to make friends while solo traveling? Check out my guide on exactly how to do it!
Grocery shop and cook your own meals
And then, of course, there’s the age-old budget-saving advice:
Grocery shop and cook your own meals.
If you thought street food in Greece was cheap, groceries can be even cheaper!
So book a hostel or Airbnb with kitchen facilities and whip up your favorite budget-friendly recipes to eat in Santorini on a budget.
Eat near Perissa Beach
If you’re still looking for a dine-in option while eating in Santorini on a budget, opt for restaurants near Perissa Beach.
Like I said, Perissa Beach is on the “cheaper” side of the island.
There are plenty of nice lounges, restaurants, and bars near the beach here, but will have much better prices than those in places like Fira or Oia.
Related: Are you a foodie? Then consider going on one of the affordable food tours below while you’re in Santorini!
BYOB (Bring your own bottle)
By far, the cheapest way to drink in Santorini on a budget is to bring your own bottle.
Then you can enjoy a casual sip wherever you are, drinking games at your hostel, or a refreshing beer for the beach.
And with so many vineyards in the area, it would almost be a shame if you didn’t buy a bottle of wine to enjoy yourself!
It’s also in your (and your wallet’s) best interest if you have pre-drinks with your own alcohol before heading out to any bars. That way you’re less likely to spend money buying drinks once you’re there!
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Avoid expensive bars & clubs
It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway:
If you’re visiting Santorini on a budget, avoid expensive bars and clubs!
Most of these will be located in Fira and Oía, so if you’re not staying on that side of the island, it will be kind of easy to avoid them.
But if you do go to any posh bars or clubs, just make sure to keep your budget for the day/night in mind.
And who knows – maybe you’ll get lucky and someone will buy you a drink once you get there!
Take advantage of happy hour specials
The beautiful thing about Happy Hour is that it does, indeed, appear to be a universal concept, no matter where you are.
And Santorini is no different!
Happy Hour specials are the budget traveler’s best friend.
Look into and ask about Happy Hours, Ladies’ Nights, and similar promotions at bars and clubs – you just might get an amazing deal simply for asking!
Santorini on a Budget:
Where to Stay in Santorini
Best Budget Hotels
Argonaftes ($75/night) – 9.6/10
The highest-rated accommodation in Santorini under $100/night, Argonaftes is located in an adorable guesthouse.
Your room will offer a balcony with sea views as well as air-conditioning and a patio.
Here, you’ll be more closely situated next to the center of Fira, with a bus stop connecting to Oía.
Rooms here aren’t usually available because of the ideal location and low price, so make sure to reserve one soon before they sell out!
Villa Nektaria ($61/night) – 9.4/10
Villa Nektaria is located right in the heart of Perissa, across from Perissa Beach. This is where I stayed in Santorini on a budget, as this side of the island is very affordable!
While you won’t have a private kitchen here, you do get an air-conditioned room with a terrace that’s within 450 yards of Perissa Beach.
You’ll find it easiest to get there with a car or ATV rental. However, they also offer airport and port transfers.
Sea Bliss villas ($89/night) – 9.4/10
Sea Bliss Villas is one of the most highly-rated budget accommodations you can find in Santorini.
For less than $90/night, you can get an entire split-level apartment with a large double bed, sofa bed, and private kitchen.
For $94/night, you can upgrade this to a studio.
They also have an outdoor pool and are only 100 yards from a secluded beach!
Arvanitis Cave Village ($98/night) – 9.2/10
I know this one stretches the budget a little bit, but it’s too cool not to mention here!
For less than $100/night, you can have an entire studio to yourself in these beautiful, unique cave houses.
A great breakfast is included along with everything you’d need for a longer stay in Santorini.
Best Hostels
Fira Backpackers Place ($54/night, 10 bed mixed dorm) – 8.6/10
If you want to stay in a newly-built hostel in the heart of Fira, then Fira Backpackers is your place.
Fira Backpackers is the highest-rated hostel in Santorini on Hostelworld, with a rating of 8.6 out of 10.
The rooms have air-conditioning, there’s a pool, and the hostel is right in front of the main bus stops to explore the rest of the island.
All of the latest reviews were 10/10 here – backpackers in Santorini are loving it!
Related: Easily search for the best and cheapest hostels in Santorini with Hostelworld below!
Youth Hostel Anna ($19/night, 12 bed mixed dorm) – 8.5/10
Youth Hostel Anna is where I stayed in Santorini, and as far as location goes, it doesn’t get much better than this!
The hostel is directly across the street from Perissa Beach and has all kinds of cheap street food and groceries available nearby.
The outdoor porch area is also great for getting to know fellow travelers and playing drinking games before going out!
At the time of writing, it has an 8.5 rating on Hostelworld.
Santorini breeze studios ($42/night, 6 bed mixed dorm) – 7.7/10
Also located immediately across from Perissa Beach, Santorini Breeze Studios offers simple but pleasant accommodation. You’ll enjoy staying in a traditional white-washed building typical of the Cycladic style!
They offer fully-equipped private kitchenettes and free parking too in case you’re renting a car!
If you’d like a little more privacy while still getting the hostel social experience, Santorini Breeze Studios also offers ensuite private single rooms.
Santorini on a Budget:
Getting Around Santorini on a Budget
How to Get to Santorini on a Budget
Budget flights
If you’re planning a trip to Santorini on a budget, finding affordable flights is essential.
Santorini isn’t the cheapest place to fly to. But luckily, there are several ways to get cheap flights to this picturesque Greek island!
One option is to book your flights well in advance, as airlines often offer lower prices for early bookings.
Another way to save on flights is to be flexible with your travel dates. Extending your stay by one or two days at the beginning or end of your trip can sometimes save you hundreds! You can easily add this flexibility to your search using Kiwi.com’s search engine (my favorite flight search engine).
Additionally, try visiting Santorini outside of peak tourist season to get cheaper flights.
Visiting during shoulder season is another one of my ultimate hacks to save money traveling in Europe. So, try to visit Santorini in May, September, or even October. The weather will still be nice but prices will be lower for just about everything, not to mention fewer crowds!
Finally, I suggest you sign up for flight deal newsletters, like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) if you’re in the US or Jack’s Flight Club if you’re in Europe. An annual membership with deals emailed to you weekly out of your airport of choice will cost you less than the savings you’ll get on just one flight!
Related: My ultimate travel hack to find cheap flights is Kiwi.com’s uniquely flexible search engine. I use it for every trip to find the lowest prices on flights to typically-expensive destinations like Santorini!
(Overnight) Ferry
The most common way to get to Santorini is actually by ferry. This is either from Athens or from one of the neighboring islands.
Without a doubt, flying into Athens and then taking a ferry to Santorini will be much cheaper than flying into Santorini directly.
To enhance your savings further, opt to take an overnight ferry!
These ferries are not only cheaper than daytime ferries but are also longer and emptier.
Because of this, you don’t have to spend any money on accommodation – you can just sleep on the ferry!
I spread out over a full-size bench couch on my overnight ferry from Crete to Santorini and had the best night’s sleep on public transportation ever!
Check out the ferry schedules and options here.
PRO TIP: Book your ferry tickets ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about them selling out!
How to Get Around Santorini on a Budget
Walk
The individual villages in Santorini are pretty walkable, depending on where you’re staying.
So if you’re just grocery shopping or going to the beach, you will probably be able to just walk!
Related: Visiting Kefalonia too while you’re in Greece? Download my free Google map of all the top sights, restaurants, and hotels below!
Bus
Especially if you’re staying near Perissa, make sure you stay somewhere close to a bus stop!
This way, you can stay somewhere affordable while still getting to see the sights that Fira and Oía have to offer.
Regularly scheduled buses travel all over the island and make it relatively easy to get around Santorini on a budget.
Just make sure to ask your host at your accommodation for exact bus schedules and stop locations.
Bike
Many hotels offer free or very low-cost bike rentals, along with local shops near where you’re staying.
This is a fast, easy, and active way to explore around your accommodations without having to walk!
However, if you’re planning on straying farther away from where you’re staying, a bike won’t do the trick. That is, unless you love constantly pedaling uphill!
Interested in more travel tips I don’t share on the blog? Follow me on Instagram and don’t miss a thing!
ATV
As I mentioned earlier, ATVs are a very popular way to get around Santorini.
They are great for the hilly and rocky terrain and for a little offroad exploring!
You can rent ATVs from a number of shops on the island. Chances are, there’s one close by to where you’re staying.
Once again, however, a super-duper important word of caution:
Always wear protective gear when riding an ATV and take your turns slow!
I saw a couple in Santorini who did NOT take this advice and ended up pinned under the ATV, screaming in pain while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
So avoid being these people and practice good judgment and safety when renting an ATV!
To cover all your bases while you’re in Santorini, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. I use and trust World Nomads for my travel insurance. Click below to easily get a quote!
Car
If you find a few travelers to split the cost, renting a car can make getting around Santorini a lot easier!
This way, you can see the sunsets on your own terms and not have to worry about missing buses.
I recommend using RentalCars.com to compare prices from different companies. I always use them when booking rental cars in Europe!
I love all of the great tips you share from the best beaches to watching the sunset for free to places to see. Greece is on my bucket list.
Thanks so much, Jolayne! I’m glad my tips could be helpful.
When I first went to Santorini I stayed at Perissa Beach! It’s a beautiful place, but I do think it’s nice to splurge a little when you’re there!
Great guide. I just looked up the hike from FFIRA TO OIA you mentioned. It looks beautiful!
Greece is on my bucket list. I’m saving this for later. It’s going to be so helpful when I am planning my trip. Thank you!
Santorini looks. beautiful. I’d love to get photos of sunrise and sunset, and I love the white of the buildings against the blue of the sea and sky. Great tips.
Santorini seems like an intimidating and expensive place to travel, but your article put me at ease haha. I am in Greece now and might need to make a stopover.