48 Hours in Santorini: Sunsets, Villages & Island Views

Before our trip, we had seen countless photographs of Santorini’s white buildings, blue domes and brilliant Aegean waters, but we wondered what it would actually be like to experience it for ourselves.

As captured in our photos, Santorini is one of those places that seemed almost too beautiful to be real.

While planning our seven-day Mediterranean cruise, we realized that Santorini was not included as a port on our particular itinerary. Since our cruise would end in Athens, we decided this was the perfect opportunity to add a two-day visit to  the island before heading home.

We knew there were two things we really wanted to experience: the famous sunset in Oia and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Two days would allow us to do both. And while we did see everything we had planned to see during our 48-hour visit, there was so much more to discover. We may just have to return someday.

Since Santorini is only about a 45-minute flight from Athens, with multiple flights each day, we chose to fly so we could make the most of our short stay.

There are also ferries from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, to Santorini. High-speed ferries take approximately four to five hours and offer a relaxing and comfortable way to reach the island. They are generally less expensive than flying, so if you are planning a longer stay, taking the ferry could be a great option

Fira

When we arrived at Santorini International Airport, we were able to quickly grab a taxi and head into Fira, about a 6.5 kilometre drive from the airport. There were plenty of taxis waiting, so getting to our hotel was easy and convenient.

Fira is the capital of Santorini and is dramatically perched high above the caldera, with stunning views across the Aegean Sea. We found Fira to be the perfect base for our short stay. From there, it was easy to explore other parts of the island while still being able to return each evening to those incredible caldera views.

Our hotel Aressana Hotel & Suites, was perched on the hillside overlooking the caldera. Being on a hillside meant quite a climb to reach the hotel. Fortunately, after a quick call via WhatsApp, the hotel staff came down in a golf cart to pick us up, along with our luggage.

As we stepped off the golf cart, we were immediately greeted by the most breathtaking view of  the caldera. We stood there taking it all in, almost lost for words. After seeing Santorini in so many photographs, we were finally standing there ourselves - and it was even more beautiful than we had imagined.

The Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites is a beautiful boutique hotel with all the amenities you could want for a relaxing stay, including a spa, bar, dining room and outdoor pool. And, of course, the views are incredible.

We had pre-booked our hotel and excursions before leaving for our cruise, and we highly recommend doing the same. With only two days on the island, having everything arranged in advance meant there was no last-minute scramble to find tours and allowed us to make the most of every minute.

Oia and the Famous Sunset

After checking in and having a quick freshen-up in our room, we waited for our tour pickup to take us to Oia (pronounced ee-ya).

We had plenty of time to explore the many shops, enjoy some delicious Greek food and find the perfect spot to watch the famous Santorini sunset. Because Oia is such a popular destination, the main streets were extremely busy with tourists. We decided to wander away from the crowds and, on a quiet back street, discovered a lovely little local café, Alkyona Sunset, with an amazing view to the west. With a Greek coffee and a delicious piece of Baklava, we settled in to wait for sunset. And we were not disappointed. It is hard to imagine a sunset anywhere else being quite as breathtaking. We have watched sunsets from cruise ships, from our own front porch and in a variety of countries around the world, but the sunset in Oia is a memory we will never forget.

Akrotiri

Day 2 began with a delicious buffet breakfast before a short walk to meet our tour bus.  Our first stop as we began exploring Santorini was the fascinating archaeological site of Akrotiri.

We had been anticipating our visit to this remarkable site, and we were not disappointed. Often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Aegean,” Akrotiri was an important settlement and trading centre in the Aegean during the Bronze Age. The town was buried by a massive volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE and remained hidden for centuries. Although the site was first discovered in the 19th century, modern archaeological excavations began in 1967.

Unlike Pompeii, no human or animal remains have been found at Akrotiri. Archaeologists believe that the inhabitants may have been aware of the approaching volcanic eruption and had enough warning to evacuate, possibly by boat.

We were fascinated by just how advanced this ancient settlement was. Excavations have revealed paved streets, sophisticated drainage and sanitation systems, including indoor toilets connected directly to the drainage system. There were also pottery workshops producing high-quality ceramics and beautifully preserved frescoes that can still be seen today. Walking through the site, it was remarkable to imagine a thriving community living here thousands of years ago.

After Akrotiri, our tour took us to the highest point in Santorini, the Prophet Elias Lookout. The drive was nerve-racking and nail-biting, and it would have been even more challenging without our expert bus driver at the wheel. From the top, we were rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire island. The lookout is accessible by car, but parking is limited, and the very narrow road requires some expert three-point turns.

Our next stop was the village of Megalochori, where a leisurely stroll gave us the opportunity to admire the unique doors the village is known for. Cobblestone lanes led us past the famous bell tower. We were told by our guide that the more bells a church tower has, the more prosperous the church was considered to be.

Our day ended with our final stop—Perissa Black Sand Beach. With free time to explore the area, enjoy a delicious gelato, have a light meal at an outdoor café, and dip our toes into the water, it was the perfect relaxing way to wind down our adventure.

As our final day came to an end, we had time to enjoy one more beautiful Santorini sunset and reflect on our two-day adventure. We definitely felt that we had created memories to last a lifetime and were so glad we had decided to add these extra days to our vacation. Santorini truly lived up to everything we had read about it—the incredible views, awe-inspiring sunsets, delicious food, and unmistakable charm. As we watched the sun set over the island one last time, we knew that Santorini would be a place we would remember for years to come.