Ferries to Santorini

Discover Santorini or Thira (the second denomination of the island) by ferry boat departing either from Piraeus or from Rafina (both ports in Athens). The main port of Santorini is called Athinios and it is located about 10 km away from the island’s capital, Fira. The average time of travel with ferry boat (departing from Piraeus) is seven hours, while it takes five hours approximately to travel with catamaran.

Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Zante Ferries and Sea Jets operate daily scheduled itineraries with intermediate stops at Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Folegandros, Ios, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Milos etc. Thus you may plan in advance your hop on hop off vacations to the most popular Cyclades islands.   

Fira, the capital of Santorini extends spectacularly on the cliff of the island’s “Caldera”; so once you arrived at Athinios you may go to Fira either by taxi, or by local transportation (bus). Bus tickets can be bought on the spot (just ask the bus driver to provide you with your ticket). In general terms the public transportation of the island is very well organized. Modern buses frequently connect all points of interest (i.e. according to the timetable you arrive at Oia just in time for its notorious sunset). The bus tickets are quite cheap (3€ average ticket cost per passenger per way).  Besides Fira and Oia which might be more expensive than the rest of the island accommodation-wise, you may book a hotel room or apartment at villages close by, such as Firostefani, Imerovigli etc.

Arrange a one day cruise to the rest of the islands next to Santorini (Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palaia and Nea Kammeni). Once upon a time (before the enormous Volcano’s eruption 3.500 years ago) these isles were united with Santorini. The eruption has caused a significant geological interest and created a unique morphology which is reflected on the beaches of Santorini (White, red, black beach). Perissa and Kamari are the most popular beaches with bars, restaurants, and many facilities. Diving and watersports are a brief mention to the wide range of activities you may enjoy as well.

Although the summer heat won’t leave many alternatives but to spend your time at the magnificent beaches, or at your hotel swimming pool (which will probably have the most amazing view to the infinity of the Aegean Sea), don’t miss a visit to the Prehistoric Museum at Thira, neither to the archaeological place at Akrotiri. Akrotiri is the “Pompey” of Santorini: A prehistoric village left shockingly intact, buried underneath tons of volcanic ashes. This major volcanic eruption, not only changed forever the morphology of Santorini, but ferociously affected the rest of the islands of the Aegean Sea, especially Crete (the Minoan civilization of Heraklion).

In case Santorini is on your bucket list for your upcoming summer vacations, book in advance the cheapest ferry tickets possibly. The euroferries.com team will gladly assist you on planning your trip to Thira; by pointing out that the sooner you book the better, due to the crazy popularity that the island enjoys every summer.