Santorini is the Greek island plastered all over Instagram—white buildings, blue domes, sunsets so pretty you’ll consider proposing to yourself.

Plan Your Perfect Santorini Trip: Costs, Highlights & Local Secrets

But the burning question: how much cash are you really gonna need for this sun-drenched fantasy? Don’t let the shiny travel ads fool you; whether you’re out for a bougie escape or just trying to stretch your euros, knowing the price tag up front is a lifesaver. No one likes that sinking “wait, how much?!” feeling at the end of a trip.

Sure, everyone knows Fira and Oia (those towns are basically influencers at this point), but Santorini isn’t just about posing for selfies on a cliff. There’s loads more tucked around the island—think chill beaches on the other side, wild little villages, and spots where Greeks actually hang out.
We’ll break down what you’ll really spend, where you might want to crash, and toss in a few reasons to ditch the crowd and check out Santorini’s real soul. Honestly, if you’re just here for the sunsets, you’re missing half the fun.

How much money do I need for Santorini?

Finding a place to stay on the island of Santorini is gonna eat up most of your budget. If you’ve got the cash, do yourself a favor and book a spot right on the caldera edge. Seriously, the views are insane—like, screensaver-level stuff. Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia are stacked with those dreamy whitewashed hotels and villas. Think infinity pools, sun-bleached terraces, and the kind of scenery that makes people drop to one knee or spam their Instagram stories. Now, if you’re hoping for a cheap stay with that view—eh, good luck. Those rooms are pricey and everyone wants them, so budget options are pretty much unicorns in these parts.

If you’re looking for a solid midrange spot, Fira and Firostefani are where it’s at. Imerovigli and Oia? Eh, not so much—unless you’re rolling in cash or obsessed with those front-row caldera views. Oh, and if you’re on a real budget, there’s a hostel and even a campground with actual rooms hanging out on the edge of Fira. Pretty handy.

If lounging on the beach or getting active is more your vibe, go for Perissa or Kamari. You can always hop a bus to Fira when you feel like joining the chaos. Honestly, you’ll dodge a million selfie sticks and probably save a chunk of change too. Win-win.

You can eat like royalty or grab a cheap gyro—it really depends on your mood (and your wallet). Some of the most incredible stuff is totally free, too. Just pick a random walking path and chase the sunset. Trust me, sunsets here are not overrated.

Wanna chill without blowing your budget? Just snag a sunlounger down on the sand, or wander through a museum packed with ruins that have way more stories than your high school history teacher. If you’re into day trips, those are always a win—jump on a boat and gawk at the coastline, or hit up some local wineries for a little grape-fueled happiness. Oh, and if you’re a history nerd, Ancient Akrotiri is calling your name, but bring €16 (about $17 and change). Not exactly pocket change, but totally worth it.

So if you’re looking for a no-frills spot for two in Fira (not hugging the caldera, sorry—no fancy views), you’re probably dropping about €50 each for a bunk in July. Yeah, €50 for a dorm bed. Welcome to Santorini, baby.

Now, if you want to level up and snag a double room at a guesthouse, expect something between €120 and €160 a night. Feeling bougie and enjoy your own little apartment? Starts at €180. Not exactly pocket change. For lunch, grab a gyros—those magical meat wraps will set you back somewhere between €5 and €7. Cheap and cheerful. But if you’re sitting down for a main meal at a restaurant, count on €25.

A bottle of beer at the bar is €4, which… honestly, isn’t terrible for a tourist hotspot. If you’re itching for a boat tour, they run from about €50 to €100 per person. Depends on how flashy you want to be. Getting around, a bus ride in Fira will cost you €1.80 to €2.50, depending on where you’re headed. Taxis from the airport to central Fira? About €20—so maybe don’t expect a limo for that price, but it’ll get you there.

Enjoy Santorini’s main clifftop towns

Santorini’s whole tourist scene is basically glued to those wild caldera cliffs on the west side. You know, the ones plastered all over Instagram?
Picture clusters of blinding white buildings stacked like sugar cubes, somehow clinging for dear life to the edge, with every balcony and rooftop dropping jaws with views that honestly feel illegal.

Fira’s where the chaos kicks off, the island’s central hub, and it just bleeds into Firostefani (literally a casual stroll away) and then Imerovigli, which sits way up there, the king of the caldera. There’s this winding path that snakes through all three—think fancy hotels, epic sunset restaurants, and about a zillion places to snap that “I’m definitely not jealous” selfie.

Everyone and their cousin flocks to these spots, plus Oia up north, which is so pretty it hurts and also, not shockingly, super pricey. Lately, more hotels are popping up down south, too, with killer caldera views looking back toward the action. Akrotiri has views that won’t murder your wallet, but let’s be honest, you’re a bit out in the sticks compared to the buzzier scene in Fira.

Don’t miss the lesser-celebrated east coast of Santorini Island.

Most folks get all hyped about Santorini’s famous west side—the cliffs, the sunsets, all that Instagram stuff. But the East Coast? Totally different vibe.
It’s flatter, for starters, so you’re basically at sea level. Whole lotta black volcanic sand, laid-back beach resorts, and not so much of the high-drama scenery. But hey, that’s precisely why some people dig it.

Places like Kamari and Perissa? They’re your classic island holiday spots, minus the sky-high prices. Picture rows of sunbeds, people trying (and sometimes failing) to paddleboard, and taverna patios where you can eat yourself silly. The sand’s dark—kinda wild if you’re used to golden beaches. Swing down to the south coast, and you’ll hit beaches with actual rainbow-colored sand. Red Beach is a stunner, though good luck getting a spot in peak season.

Wander inland and the touristy chaos drops off. You’ll find vineyards (yes, Santorini wine is a thing), sleepy villages, and locals who seem totally unfazed by the crowds. Pyrgos is solid if you want killer food and a stroll through old-school, winding alleys. Feels like a different world from the postcard spots.

Final Thoughts: Is Santorini Worth It?

Santorini is that dramatic friend who loves attention and isn’t shy about draining your bank account. But honestly? Worth it. The scenery’s wild, the food slaps, and you don’t even need to shell out for one of those bougie cliffside rooms to get the whole vibe. Maybe you’re lounging around in Pyrgos with a glass of local wine, perhaps you’re elbowing your way through the sunset crowds like it’s Coachella—either way, it’s the sort of place that basically tattoos itself on your brain. Oh, and pro tip: don’t leave your wallet or your camera behind unless you wanna torture yourself later.