Visiting Santorini from Naxos
Visiting Santorini from Naxos
Santorini is one of the most famous Greek islands in the Cyclades. Its beautiful white-washed buildings, iconic blue domes, and beautiful caldera views draw millions of tourists every year. If you’re staying in Naxos, many of you will likely want to spend some time in Santorini.
Visiting Santorini from Naxos is doable, but there are some things to consider when planning your trip. It can be difficult to do it as a day trip, so we strongly recommend spending at least one night there for the best experience.
Read on to learn more about why spending the night there rather than a day trip is better, plus details on booking hotels, when to go, how to get there, and more.
Overnight vs Day Trip to Santorini
Overnight
Because a day trip to Santorini can be a bit tricky, we recommend spending at least one night there. By spending the night, you avoid rushing, dealing with the stress of ferry delays/cancellations, and the crowds. You can also enjoy its world-famous sunsets, take pictures without the crowds, and stroll through its streets after the day trippers and cruisers have left.
Day Trip
Ambitious travelers can do Santorini in one day, but be forewarned that this may only allow you to explore for a few hours. All the other day trippers and cruise ship passengers also tend to arrive at the same time, which means huge crowds.
See below for an example of the schedule for a day trip:
- 10:30 AM – Ferry departs from Naxos
- 12:00 PM – Arrive at Santorini port + 30-minute cab/bus to Fira (more if going to Oia!)
- 12:30 PM – Explore Fira
- 2:45 PM – Cab/bus back to Santorini port
- 3:15 PM – Arrive at the port
- 3:30 PM – Ferry departs back to Naxos
- 5:30 PM – Arrive back in Naxos
The earliest ferry departs Naxos at 10:30 AM and arrives in Santorini at 12:00 PM. Upon arrival at Santorini’s main port, you can catch a cab or a bus to Fira, the nearest main town and capital of Santorini. The ride to Fira takes around 30–40 minutes. Most of you will want to have lunch, so factor in at least one hour if you’d like to enjoy lunch at a sit-down restaurant. From there, you have a bit of time to explore Fira.
You have two options to return to Naxos if you choose to do Santorini as a day trip. First is to take the 3:30 PM ferry, which arrives back in Naxos at 5:30 PM. Your second option is to take the 7:30 PM ferry and return to Naxos at 9:15 PM. No matter which option you choose, it’s best to be back at the Santorini port about 15–20 minutes before the ferry departure time. Don’t forget that it takes about 30 minutes from Fira to the port!
NOTE: All times are approximate and subject to changes, delays, or cancellations, depending on weather and water conditions!
If you’re determined to do a day trip to Santorini from Naxos, we suggest booking a pre-planned, full-day tour such as this one by Greeka. This leaves the legwork and logistics to the tour company.
Where to Stay in Santorini
Booking a hotel isn’t all that complicated. The biggest challenge is selecting one of MANY choices that tend to be pretty expensive, especially in high season. For this reason, it’s best to book your room as soon as possible if you plan on staying overnight in Santorini!
We recommend Volcano View Hotel. This hotel is located in Fira, and offers air-conditioned rooms with a balcony, an outdoor pool and terrace restaurant with sweeping caldera views. Please note that most hotels in Santorini are smaller with limited rooms that sell out fast, even in the shoulder season.
How to Get from Naxos to Santorini
The best way to get from Naxos to Santorini is by ferry, and getting ferry tickets is pretty easy. You can either book ferry tickets ahead of time at Ferryhopper.com, or your hotel’s reception can usually help you book tickets. Otherwise, there are many travel agents located in Naxos’ main town who can also help you. Ferry tickets typically cost around 60 EUR each way, and the travel time from Naxos to Santorini port is approximately 1.5-2 hours.
Note: Ferry tickets usually become available for purchase approximately 2 – 3 months prior to the desired travel date. For example, if you need a ferry in May, you can start booking it online starting in February or March.
Things to do in Santorini
There are plenty of things to see and do in Santorini. Fira is the most famous town on the island, and many choose to walk around the charming streets and admire the caldera. Fira also has numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes to choose from.
For stunning views of the island and caldera, you can take a cable car or walk down the famous steps to the Old Port. If you love the beach, head to Kamari for some R&R on the volcanic sand and a swim in the clear blue waters. We also suggest trying some of the local wines, as there are many wineries around the island where you can participate in a tasting. If you’re looking for additional experiences like a Flying dress photoshoot or horseback riding on the black beach, you can find them on Viator or Get Your Guide, or other online travel agents.
Visiting Santorini is a bucket list item for many, and with good reason; it is a beautiful place! Just be sure to have realistic expectations about your time there, and you’ll have an amazing experience. Happy travels!