An Alternative Guide to Santorini from a Local
My name is Marietta. I am Greek, but not originally from Santorini. Eight years ago, I first came to the island just for holidays – and I completely fell in love with it. I ended up quitting my job, staying longer “just for one season”, and, in the end, I never really left. Santorini slowly became home.
During these eight years, I worked in tourism, mainly in hotels, in the role I loved most: concierge. My everyday job was to listen to each guest, understand what kind of person I had in front of me and then recommend the best things to do on the island based on their interests, not just what was popular or trendy. I truly loved helping people experience the real Santorini in a way that felt personal to them.
That’s exactly why I created Be Local: to take what I used to do for hotel guests, and make it available to anyone visiting Santorini. Through this guide, I want to share with you the kind of places, moments and experiences I would suggest if we were sitting together over a coffee, planning your trip like a local, not just ticking boxes from a standard travel brochure.
BASIC IMPORTANT INFORMATION (from a local)
1. High vs Μid-season
High season in Santorini is June–September and prices for hotels and experiences can easily be around 20% higher. Mid-season (April–May and October–November) is calmer and cheaper, but the weather is less predictable and evenings can feel cool, especially on the caldera.
2. ATVs / quadbikes
Avoid renting an ATV or quadbike. You will be driving a vehicle you are not familiar with, in a place that you don’t know, on busy roads with crazy drivers, when ATVs are meant for dirtroads. A small car or scooter is a much safer and more comfortable option.
3. Basic pronunciation
Fira (Φηρά) is pronounced “Fi-rA”, with the stress on the last “a”. Oia (Οία) is “ee-A” – in Greek, O+I makes an “ee” sound. Thira is an older Greek name for the island, while “Santorini” is the Italian name given by the Venetians.
4. TripAdvisor & tourist restaurants
A high TripAdvisor ranking does not always mean a restaurant is truly good, especially in very touristy places. Be careful with restaurants that try to pull you in at the entrance – the experience often doesn’t match the view.
5. Tap water & buying water
Tap water in Santorini is not drinkable, so always buy bottled water. The cheapest way is to buy a 6‑pack of 1.5L bottles from the supermarket and keep some with you during the day.
6. Sunset in Oia
The sunset is beautiful all along the caldera, not only in Oia. If you don’t enjoy heavy crowds, choose Imerovigli, Firostefani, a quieter spot in Fira or a sunset boat instead of the very edge of Oia.
7. Stairs, slopes and shoes
Many villages in Santorini are built on the caldera, with narrow paths, steps, uphill and downhill sections. Leave the fancy shoes at home and bring comfortable, non‑slip footwear – your feet (and knees) will thank you.
Villages through My Eyes
Oia
Oia is the most famous village in Santorini – and not without reason. Its beauty is almost unreal, but that’s also why it’s almost always busy and full of people. Avoiding Oia completely would be a mistake; instead, I want to give you a few tips so you can enjoy it the way it deserves.
Early mornings feel like a different village
Choose your sunset wisely
The sunset is magical, but the castle viewpoint can feel like a packed concert. I usually prefer to enjoy sunset from a quieter spot along the caldera path or from a small terrace bar a bit away from the main crowd – you see the same sky, just with more breathing space.
Remember to look beyond the photos
Get off the main path
Slow down with food and wine
Instead of rushing to the first place with a “sunset view” sign, I like to choose smaller restaurants and wine bars in the back streets or slightly away from the castle. You often get more local flavours, warmer service and a more relaxed experience that feels less like a show and more like a real evening. For me, my favourite places in Oia are Candouni, Oenosart and Oia’s Gefsis with its amazing rooftop for sunset – they are all on the same street, which is why I created a dedicated “Oia’s Gastronomy Street” category.
Fira
Shopping streets for every taste
Like Oia, Fira is full of shops , from simple souvenir places to nicer boutiques, jewellery stores and small local designers. If you want to bring something back home or just enjoy an evening walk with window‑shopping, this is one of the best areas.
Caldera views with a city feel
Nightlife central
Use Fira as a starting point, not your whole story
Imerovigli
A village of views and hotels
Iconic photo locations and photoshoots
Imerovigli has some of the most famous and photographed corners of Santorini, with blue domes, white pathways and terraces that seem to float above the volcano. This is why many professional photographers choose it for couple sessions, weddings and flying dress photoshoots, as the light and the views create a truly magical result.
Restaurant gems inside hotels
Because there are few standalone restaurants, some of the best food here is actually inside hotel restaurants. One of my favourite places on the island is Five Senses, the restaurant of Astra Suites – a spot where the combination of food, service and view really creates a full experience.
Skaros Rock as a feeling, not a checklist
Firostefani
Firostefani sits right between Fira and Imerovigli, and in many places it feels like the two villages blend into one another. Like Imerovigli, it is mostly made up of hotels and quiet caldera stays, so it feels calmer than Fira but still very central.
A walk that connects the caldera villages
One of the nicest things to do here is the walking path that connects Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli. It takes around half an hour, and many people do it on their own, but I would personally recommend doing it with a local guide who can tell you more about the island’s history, culture and everyday life in Greece.
Views without the rush of Fira
Akrotiri
A village that feels more like real Santorini
Ancient Akrotiri and a favourite fish taverna by the sea
Sunset at the lighthouse and tavernas with a story
If you visit Akrotiri, I always suggest combining it with sunset at the lighthouse, one of the most beautiful and less crowded sunset points in Santorini. Nearby you’ll find two fantastic tavernas: Giorgaros, run by a fisherman and perfect if you want a traditional fish taverna with caldera view, and Faros, a family restaurant known for real home‑style Greek dishes.
Pyrgos
A village with the biggest kasteli
Traditional food, Greek style
Pyrgos is a great place if you want more traditional restaurants, the kind of places many Greeks would choose for a real meal. My personal recommendations are Κandouni and Madame Sousou, both perfect for a more authentic dining experience.
Megalochori
Megalochori is one of the most charming traditional villages in Santorini, with a quieter atmosphere and a more authentic feel than the busy caldera spots. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, walk around and really feel the village life.
A small square with real local spirit
Souvenirs made by locals
Emporio
Emporio is one of the most atmospheric villages in Santorini and feels like a small labyrinth. It’s less polished, more local, and ideal if you want to see a different, quieter face of the island.
Getting lost in the kasteli
Everyday life instead of polished tourism
Villages by the Beach
Perivolos – Black Sand Beach
Perivolos is one of the best organised black‑sand beaches in Santorini and has a more relaxed, stylish vibe than some of the busier spots. Here you’ll find my two favourite beach bars, Seaside and Forty One, both perfect if you want good food, nice cocktails and a full‑day beach experience on comfortable sunbeds.
Kamari
Kamari is the second most famous beach area on the island, with a long promenade full of cafés, restaurants and shops right next to the sea. It’s very organised, easy to walk and, in my opinion, a great choice for families or anyone who wants everything close by without needing to move around too much.
Vlychada
Vlychada is my personal favourite beach area, even though it’s not really a “village”. The beach has impressive white rock formations, there is a marina where many catamaran tours start from, and just above the sea you’ll find To Psaraki, one of my favourite tavernas on the island for fresh fish and simple, honest Greek food.
For me, Santorini is the kind of place you don’t rush — I always prefer to arrive, take it all in slowly, and let the island unfold at its own pace.
