Your Santorini honeymoon itinerary: how to plan a romantic Aegean escape

With its stunning sunsets, powdery beaches, and wine galore, it’s no wonder that Santorini is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. The Greek island offers a range of romantic activities for any couple, from horse-riding to cruising on a catamaran, and its picturesque scenery makes it ideal for a honeymoon photoshoot. At night, watch the stars sparkle from a cave hotel, carved right into Santorini’s volcanic caldera wall.

While most tourists flock to the Cyclades in July and August for the best beach weather, the ideal time to visit Santorini for your honeymoon is during shoulder seasons like May, June, September, and October, when you can enjoy more private time away from the crowds.

Ready to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime vacation with your new spouse? Check out this 7-day itinerary for a romantic honeymoon in Santorini.

Once you’ve arrived at Santorini Airport (JTR), hop on a private transfer to Fira; if you’re docking at Santorini’s Old Port, you can take the cable car. Fira, Santorini’s capital, is made up of whitewashed houses built along the edge of the Greek island’s caldera, forming a dramatic landscape that slopes towards the sapphire Aegean Sea.

Enjoy homemade Italian dishes crafted from seasonal Greek ingredients at Convivium, a Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best restaurant conveniently located near Fira’s Central Square. Tholoto Restaurant is also an excellent choice—this cozy restaurant serves Greek favorites with a view.

After lunch, stroll around Fira’s labyrinth of alleyways, browse some local stores, and visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira. Along the way, you’ll come across the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. Take a break from sightseeing at Anhydrous Winery, where you can enjoy an immersive wine-tasting experience that even includes a massage.

At sunset, make your way to the Three Bells of Fira and snap some couple shots—this “flying dress” photo shoot will ensure you look like a model. Feeling peckish after all that posing? La Colline is a fine dining restaurant tucked away in a tranquil street overlooking the caldera. For a more wallet-friendly option, Argo Restaurant serves modern Mediterranean food; don’t miss out on their specialty, shrimp saganaki.

Where to stay in Fira:

Take a stroll to the village of Firostefani (Crown of Fira). Located on the highest point of Fira, Firostefani boasts one of Santorini’s most impressive panoramas, which you can admire while strolling down the village’s narrow paths.

Stop by To Briki for a classic Greek breakfast, or continue towards Imerovigli. Along the way, you’ll come across the Agios Nikolaos monastery, a 17th-century female monastery that also hosts a folklore and ecclesiastical museum with rare Byzantine icons.

Tuck into award-winning Greek food at Fly Away Creative Restaurant, located in the West East Suites hotel. If the weather is pleasant, we suggest hiking up to Skaros Rock, a medieval fortress that’s worth the climb, followed by a rejuvenating couple’s massage at Cave Santorini Spa.

Savor seafood specialties at Anogi, a traditional Greek restaurant, or sample the tasting menu at the romantic La Maison—whichever you pick, you’ll be rewarded with a picturesque sunset view. After dinner, head back to Fira, or check into one of Imerovigli’s top hotels.

Where to stay in Imerovigli:

Head out onto the shimmering sea on a 5-hour boat tour. This jam-packed tour will take you to Akrotiri’s Red Beach, White Beach, and lighthouse, as well as the uninhabited island of Aspronisi, where you can snorkel, swim, and even have a barbecue on the pebbled beach.

Experience the old-world charm of Pyrgos, a traditional Greek village with ancient castles and world-famous wineries. Watch the sun sink down into the caldera while enjoying a wine flight at Santo Winery, renowned for its Assyrtiko, a crisp white. Hatzidakis Winery is another legendary vineyard in Santorini, and is the only place you can find rare wines like Mavrotragano and Voudomato.

Where to stay in Pyrgos:

The coastal village Perissa boasts a spectacular black sand beach and calm waters that have earned the Blue Flag Award. Take a scuba diving course with the Santorini Dive Center, go on an inflatable ride with Volcano Water Sports, or laze around on a sun bed at Tranquilo.

Visit Ntomatini or Mezedaki, located right by the beach, for authentic Greek food. After lunch, take a romantic stroll around Perissa’s city center, spot the Church of Timios Stavros, do some shopping, and enjoy some drinks at Dorians Bar.

Join this sunset bike tour or hop on an ATV and follow your guide along the coastline. Explore Emporio, located on the foot of Mount Profitis Elias, where you’ll find the Venetian castle Castelli of Emporio. Don’t miss out on the 19th-century windmills scattered across Gavrilos Hill.

Probably the most traditional village in Santorini, Megalochori is home to Venetsanos Winery and Gavalas Winery, some of the oldest wineries on the island. We recommend climbing up to the Heart of Santorini to take some photos while admiring the view.

End off your night with dinner at the Alisachni Art & Wine Gallery, where you can choose to eat inside an underground cave or on a rooftop terrace.

Where to stay in Megalochori:

Head east to Kamari, a coastal resort town bursting with hidden treasures. Soak up more rays at Kamari Beach, or trek up to Ancient Thera and wander around the remains of an 11th-century Dorian settlement. On your way up, spot the Zoodochos Pigi Cave, which is home to a small spring.

Stroll around town and swing by Eduart Gjopalaj Workshop and Gabbiano Nero to browse handmade arts and crafts by local artists. Then, walk back to the beach for a tour at Gaia Winery, where you can sip on wine in a shaded seaside courtyard.

Enjoy dinner by the sea at Almira Restaurant, which serves a great rabbit stifado (stew), or visit Il Forno Pizza and Pasta for tasty Italian food. After your meal, catch a movie under the stars at Open Air Cinema Kamari, named one of the world’s best open-air cinemas.

Where to stay in Kamari:

Oia is perhaps the most recognizable landscape in Santorini: blue-tipped domes and whitewashed buildings dot a rugged cliff overlooking Armeni Bay. Spend the first part of your day exploring the town’s iconic attractions, from the Castle of St Nicholas to the Nikolaou Nomikou.

Dine at Pelekanos, a rooftop restaurant serving traditional Greek fare with a modern flair, or the vegetarian-friendly Karma Greek Restaurant. After lunch, walk around Oia’s main street and pick up some keepsakes from the Oia Treasures Art Gallery, Oria Art Gallery, Wave, and Mnemossyne Gallery.

Oia’s sunset is famously surreal, and the island’s views become even more spectacular with shades of pink and orange streaking across the sky. Pick a cliffside restaurant for a front row view; we recommend Travelers’ Choice favorites 1800-Floga Restaurant, Black Rock Restaurant, and Thalami.

Where to stay in Oia:

Spend your morning lazing around Katharos Beach. Just a 20-minute walk from Oia, Katharos is one of Santorini’s most isolated beaches, ideal for an intimate honeymoon getaway. Take a dip in crystal clear waters while gazing out at Thirassia on the horizon.

Savor seasonal local fare at Roka Kafeneio Ouzeri, known for its braised veal, Santorinian fava bean purée, and grilled sea bass, or visit Domaine Sigalas for a wine tasting and food pairing session.

If you can squeeze in some time, we recommend maximizing your last evening in Santorini with a couple’s massage at Caldera Massages Studio & Spa. After a refreshing wellness experience, head out onto the spa’s private terrace to take in the sunset while sipping a glass of bubbly.

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