Santorini has been overcrowded in recent years, but a quiet season means it’s the perfect time to grab a bargain, or a better experience.
It’s June, and for perhaps the first time in modern history, Santorini isn’t crowded. Those earthquakes a good few months ago? Not even a flower pot was tipped over, yet incessant clickbait headlines managed to have a lasting impact.
And that’s a shame, because there’s been a lovely tourism revolution brewing there, where local hoteliers are bringing back the kind of experience and hospitality that you want to come back for over and over again.
As someone who goes at least once or twice a year, and will again very shortly, I can only advocate to tick it off the bucket list this summer, because you’ll never find prices, availability or an experience quite like it again for a while.
Old Santorini Again, Almost
In the last 20 years, Santorini got totally overrun. Cruise tourism and day trip mania somewhat ruined a once idyllic, low-key fishing island and then Instagram and TikTok lit the match.
But now the TikTok crowd is in Mykonos and Santorini, as unequalled in beauty as ever, is lovely again. Hotels like The Vasilicos and Santorini Sky bring wildly different, delightfully luxurious and hospitality driven experiences to the island.
Beach clubs, yes Santorini’s beaches are underrated, have made a nice little mark on quieter coasts with great effect too. Assyrtiko, the local grape has hit the world stage as a darling of sommeliers in top restaurants and vineyards like Vassaltis offer stunning tasting experiences.
And the food? There’s no Nobu, or Scorpios here, so there are plenty of places to feel the benefit of European pricing, including a personal favorite at Kantouni.
Prices And Availability
The trouble with Santorini has historically been that many of the best hotels are small, they fill up quickly, and as they do, they charge a fortune. For the best, like the ones mentioned above, it’s still worth it. But this season, all across the board, prices are lower and even if you don’t care about price, many of the best which might typically be sold out for the season have rooms.
As an additional tailwind for travelers, flights between the US and Europe are quieter this summer, which means there’s deals to be had with both points and cash from major markets to Santorini. If you don’t see cheap flights to Santorini, try a major hub and booking an onward ticket separately.
Thank The Media
Naturally, precaution is a good thing in life. But fear mongering for the sake of clicks is another beast and I can’t help but be fairly appalled by the many weeks and months of coverage and follow up coverage, reiterating a narrative of fear… despite no damage to anything, anywhere.
If you do bag a great deal this summer and visit one of my very favorite places, and use this great Santorini guide to make the most of your time, you can thank the media.
I was there last week, you can tell it’s the calm before the storm. I have large doubts on your thoughts that it’s going to be empty. Mykonos already had 4 cruise ships. Santorini had 3. Best of luck
Key difference though, cruise ship guests typically do not overnight and just stick to a well defined path from Fira. Virtually everywhere off this path, it’s a different season.