Why We Chose Ten Days in Santorini
As one of our mutual friends who are couple planned their honeymoon, everyone insisted that they should visit Santorini and that should stay for no longer than 3 days they booked 10 just in case. Ten days seemed like too much of a treat, if you ask me. However, there is one aspect of Santorini that not many people tell you about it's not a postcard photo you take and then never look at again. It's a slow island where patience is key and a reward to those who stay for a while. As we came to the end we weren't quite ready to go home.
So, if you're thinking about going on a longer honeymoon to Santorini, here's what they did, what they would do again, and some of the little things they wish they had learned prior to our arrival.
They read a book called Ten Days, felt it was the best for trip as well.
Most couples visit Santorini as a brief trip on a longer trip across the Greek Islands. They pretty much did the same. However, after a hectic wedding season, they wished to have just one place, one suitcase they didn't have to repack, and no more ferry timetables to worry about.
Ten days allowed them a time to be lazy some mornings and other mornings that were adventurous . They discovered the groove of the island, the times of the cruise visitors phenomenon in Oia, the times when the lights changed to gold, the tavernas that filled up by 8pm. Such knowledge can only be acquired over time. When their budget would allow it, the one best thing that they did was slowed down.
Imerovigli Over Oia
Imerovigli Over Oia is located at the heart of Santorini.
Their first piece of advice is that you shouldn't book Oia without thinking about it.
Oia is beautiful and, indeed, the renowned blue domes reside there. However, it is also the busiest, costliest and the most photographed bit of the island. Rather, we stayed in the smaller community of Imerovigli, which was located at the highest part of the caldera. It offers the same breathtaking vistas, a little less crowd and a slower pace.
We stayed in a suite of suites, which was in a cave style and had a mini private terrace overlooking the water. Every morning, we had breakfast there, marveling at the ferries meandering across the caldera as they were like little toys. We walked to Fira but it took us about 25 minutes, via a cliff path that was one of our highlights of the day.
If we were to do it again, we'd be right where we were.
The First Few Days
The first few days are going to be devoted to doing nothing.
They arrived jet lagged and exhausted, and allowed themselves to do nothing for the first 48 hours.
This was a gift! After three days they were well rested, and they actually enjoyed the island, rather than dragging their tired selves through it. When flying from a long distance, take this into account. The start of your honeymoon shouldn't be tiring.
The Famous Oia Sunset
In its final moments, Sunset is the topic of conversation for everyone, and the best part is that it's the one they loved more.
Yes they have done the sunset at Oia. Once. Early they were, and they took their place near the ruins of the castle, and watched the sky turn orange and pink. It's genuinely beautiful. It is also positioned side by side with hundreds of others holding up phones.
They did it, and crossed it off!
They adored much more, however, the peaceful dusks on their own terrace in Imerovigli. The lesson? Watch the famous sunset but do not feel that you missed it out as after that, enjoy the rest of the night in a more peaceful environment.
The Best Things We Did in Santorini
Their indulgence – and we can't note it enough, it's all worthwhile. They snorkeled around the hot springs, went to a freshly grilled lunch onboard and experienced the sunset not off the cliffs. Make the sunset cruise appointment, it's the best one to take on a honeymoon.
At Santo Wines, they were tasting wines made from the volcanic soil of Santorini which were really crisp and mineral, as they have not enjoyed before. The terrace with a view over the caldera is not to be overlooked either.
A truly amazing Bronze Age city buried in volcanic ash, sometimes referred to as the "Greek Pompeii. It added some depth to our trip, away from the beaches.
Below Oia is little Amoudi Bay, to which you will find the freshest seafood, literally at the back of the waves.
Three hours hike from Fira to Oia, with 360° views throughout. Get up early to avoid the heat and bring lots of water.
What We'd Skip Next Time
A little bit of realism – there were some things that were not to their taste, but being honest, not selling a dream.
The well known 'Red Beach' was indeed smaller and rockier than the photographs indicate, and even getting there was difficult as there was a continuing risk of landslides. The black sand beaches at Perissa and Kamari are charming but have no pretensions to being dreamy caldera villages, rather they are more like an ordinary beach town.
They also decided not to use the donkeys to ascend the steps of the Fira. They read about the working conditions of the animals and then went by cable car. A small selection but one that they would recommend others to use when travelling.
Let's be honest about money and some helpful ideas
Santorini is not cheap to stay at – particularly on a honeymoon. Some tips that helped them save some money and stress:
Travel during the "shoulder seasons. They made the trip late in September when the water was warm, people were not nearly as numerous and prices were significantly lower than they were in July or August.
Hire an ATV or small car for only a couple of days, instead of the whole trip. The taxis are available but there are only a limited number and are costly, but you don't need to have a car all the time.
Eat like the natives eat. The best meals that they had were not the cliff side restaurants with sea views, but the family owned tavernas found in small villages such as Pyrgos and Megalochori. Eat local specialties such as the fava, tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters) and white eggplant.
Was it too long? Ten Days? Not Even Close
By the end of the last morning, they were both in our new and better selves: slower, calmer, more present. No more keeping an eye on the time. But the real magic of Santorini is to be discovered if you live long enough.
If you're getting married, and someone says three days of vacation is plenty, then smile politely and take a longer vacation. As quirky and unique as an island may be, it is not about to change its spot, however, it is the opportunity for the two to begin their union together in a genuine sense of slowing down. Well worth a day's work.
Common Questions
Quick, practical answers to the questions travellers ask most about Santorini.
Don't book Oia without thinking about it. It's beautiful and home to the famous blue domes, but it's also the busiest, most expensive, and most photographed part of the island. We stayed in Imerovigli, the highest village on the caldera. It has the same breathtaking views, fewer crowds, and a slower pace, and it's about a 25-minute cliff-path walk to Fira.
Most people will tell you three days is enough, but they booked ten and wouldn't change a thing. A longer stay lets you slow down, learn the rhythm of the island, enjoy lazy mornings as well as adventurous ones. If your budget allows it, five to ten days turns a quick stop into a real honeymoon.
Their highlights were a sunset catamaran cruise around the caldera (snorkelling at the hot springs and a grilled lunch on board), wine tasting at Santo Wines, the Akrotiri archaeological site, fresh seafood at Amoudi Bay below Oia, and the roughly three-hour hike from Fira to Oia. The sunset cruise was their splurge and worth every bit of it.
