48 hours in Santorini is a short time, but an amazing time. Things to do in Santorini are endless, but with limited time in Santorini, you have to prioritize to do the best things to get the ultimate experience of the most beautiful island in the Aegean Sea.

My sister and I stayed in Imerovigli at the lovely Ampelonas Apartments, which was the perfect base for things to do in Santorini. Imerovigli is in between Oía and Fira, the highest town area in Santorini, and this gives a great view of the caldera, volcano, and the sunset. Santorini was the beginning of our 10 Days in the Greek Islands.

48 Hours in Santorini, Greece

Day 1 Exploring Oía

From Fira to Oía

08.00-11.00

Waking up to the morning breeze, surrounded by azure blue water and having delicious greek yogurt with honey and fruit for breakfast, is great way to start the day. Making tough decisions un an empty stomach is not helping. What should you do? Either take the famous walk from Fira to Oía walk or take the bus. If you are morning riser, I highly recommend doing the scenic hike along the caledera. The light is beautiful, and the scenery is breathtaking. The walk is around three hours and is well marked, cannot get lost.

Take Extensive Pictures of Oía & Have Lunch

11:00-15:00

Arriving into Oía from the walk it’s time to find your photographer mode and get shooting, all those fantastic pictures that will make your friends back home a bit envy. Who cares, you are in Santorini, enjoy it! Walk around and get yourself a bit lost in between the small cobbled streets of Oía. Make sure that before leaving Oía, you have all the images you want to have of Oía

If going by night: Maybe drop the sunset at Oía and instead take pictures of the majestic view of the town. When the sun is down the blue hour is up, it changes the light entirely. Make sure to get Oia’s Famous three Blue Domes and the most important: Getting that Postcard shot of Oía & Santorini (A photography guide to Santorini).

Decisions, Should You stay in Oía Or Go to Imerovigli for the Night?

Decide if you want to have dinner in Oía or Imerovigli, depending on where you are are living and when you are leaving. If you are leaving the third day in the morning. Have dinner in Oía. If not go to Imerovigli for the night, to get bought villages into the itinerary of 48 hours in Santorini. Having dinner in Oía is beautiful with the sun changing the light over the scenic village facing the fascinating volcano. Oía is blessed with having one of the most exquisite sunset views in Santorini. I enjoyed Imerovigli equally at night.

Romantic Sunset in Santorini

Day 2 Exploring Red Beach & Santo Vinery

10:00-18:00

Rise and shine, when only having 48 hours in Santorini, you cannot sleep away the blissful morning. There are whitewashed houses to explore and furthermore countless churches and scenic beaches, that is quintessential beauty against the sensational blue Aegean Sea.

Get yourself on an ATW and drive carefully around the Island, exploring Red Beach, Kamari Beach, Mesa Gonia, Exa Gonia, Santo vinery for another breathtaking sunset view or a pre-drink.

Lunch suggestion: Metaxi Mas tavern in Exo Gonia is one of the best on the island. (Open 2 PM) Book table. Or have lunch at Kamari Beach.

One of the fun things do in Santorini is Santo Winery, which gives you the excellent pleasure of tasting delicious local wine from Santorini. That should be enjoyed. A simple wine tasting of six different wines with the cheese platter was 20 EUR, which was the perfect ending of the exploration of the Island. I found my wine favorite, and you have to discover yours! Did I mention the view? It’s spectacular, almost a panoramic view of the Santorini island surrounded with the velvet blue Aegean sea. We stayed for sunset, which we did not regret.

Decisions Are you leaving with the Ferry to Other Greek Islands in the Evening?

Naxos, Mykonos, Paros & Antiparos?

If you are leaving with the ferry to the other islands, I think it’s doable to do the Santo winery on the way. Leave a couple of hours before. The Santo Winery is close to the ferry terminal. If you are not leaving, but staying the third night, have the sunset at the winery and go to Imerovigli for dinner.

Dining with a View of Imerovigli by Night

19:00

Trust me on this recommendation, when being on vacation you have to splurge sometime. The dinner at Aegeon Restaurant is worth every penny. The restaurant has a magnificent view of Imerovigli town and the Caledera, which is also perfect for sunset dinner (If you are leaving the second day, maybe go to Imerovigli for the first night).

We ranged in the blue hour, and the view was a delight. The food was delicious, and it was heartwarming as greek food should be. Aegeon is a more pricey, but nothing you can’t afford, assuming that we were also paying for the view as well. Then again the atmosphere was a delight, and the large lemon tart for dessert was indeed the perfect ending of a great day in Santorini.

Day 3 Leaving from Santorini

Walking up early and having the last walk in Imerovigli before catching the ferry further on to the other Greek islands. Santorini was the beginning of our 10 Days in the Greek Islands. We also went exploring Antiparos, Paros, and Athens before our return home.