Santorini is an intensely beautiful Greek island that draws visitors from around the world every summer to experience the iconic caldera, legendary sunsets, charming whitewashed villages with blue domes, and a culture that celebrates great food and wine. But the crowds can be intense, especially around sunset, in the capital city of Fira and the cliff-hugging picturesque town of Oia (“eee-ah”).

The high-season crowds can overwhelm local infrastructure, with narrow streets quickly becoming packed, taxis being in high demand, and movement generally taking longer. This popularity drives up the cost of food and accommodations and often reduces quality.

While avoiding travel in June, July, and August may be the best way to ensure a less-stressful experience, these tips can make Santorini sightseeing more enjoyable and relaxing.

Stay in a smaller town

Skip the bustling tourist centers of Fira and Oia, in favor of a quieter stay in a smaller town like Imerovigli, Firostefani, or Megalochori. Often, the accommodations are more luxurious, offer more space, and feature amenities that aren’t practical in more crowded parts of the island.

Vedema, a newly expanded hotel with spacious suites and private villas, acts as an extension of the quaint 17th century village of Megalochori, where you can explore free caves, dine in local tavernas, admire and shop for unique finds in this artist community, and find better prices than the rest of the island. Dine at Vedema’s restaurant Alati before 8pm and you might have the whole rooftop terrace to yourself for sunset.

Don’t miss the new Symposium Cultural Center, off a quaint white washed street filled with colorful little doors. This former winery offers an enchanting courtyard to sip wine, admire the rotating art gallery inside, learn about their collection of vintage Greek instruments, or become part of an interactive workshop reviving Greek mythology with music.

Taste wine all over the island

Santorini is known for low-growing vines that look like baskets, manipulated in this way to protect the grapes from wind and sun while also trapping moisture. Witness these volcanic-loving vines all over the island.

Appreciate the most beloved grapes at a 400-year-old wine cave at Vedema, a good place to start, as the refreshing mineral-forward dry white Assyrtiko is not found in the US. Sample Vinsanto, another sweet dessert pleasure made from Santorini’s sundried grapes. There are many old and modern wineries around the island to wine taste, some with views and some where a lunch elevates any day. Try a wine and food pairing at Cellar Door, Anhydrous Winerylocated in Kontochori, a village in Fira.

Read the full article on JohnnyJet.com published August 2026 to discover our top tips for escaping the crowds in Santorini.