Is Santorini expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Santorini is the most expensive place to visit in Greece and one of the priciest islands in the Mediterranean in summer. A budget day costs about €100 per person, mid-range about €260 and comfort about €660, largely because of rooms with a caldera view. Away from the caldera, in Kamari, Perissa or the inland villages, prices are closer to other Cycladic islands.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €50 | €120 | €350 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €60 | €130 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €60 | €120 |
| Local transport | €6 | €20 | €60 |
| Per person, per day | €101 | €260 | €660 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Santorini day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Freddo espresso | about €3–5 |
| Pita gyros | €4.50–6 (more than in Athens) |
| Santorini fava in a taverna | €8–12 |
| Glass of Assyrtiko in a restaurant | €7–12 |
| KTEL bus ride (e.g. Fira–Oia) | €2–3 |
| Cable car Fira–Old Port | about €10 each way |
| Volcano and hot springs boat trip | €35–50 |
| Winery tasting (4–6 wines) | €20–35 |
| Caldera-view double room, high season | often €300–600+; non-view rooms in Kamari or Perissa roughly €90–180 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
The room is most of the bill: about €50 per person sharing at the budget end, €120 mid-range and €350 or more for caldera hotels in Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani, where a view and a plunge pool are what you pay for. Food is the next item, at about €30 a day on pitas, bakeries and village tavernas, rising to €60 with one meal facing the sunset. Sights are cheap compared with the rest (Akrotiri and the museum are a few euros to about €20), but boat trips, sunset catamarans (€100–150) and wine tours (€150 and up) add quickly. Transport is cheap by bus and expensive by taxi or private transfer.
When it is cheaper
Prices drop sharply in April, early May and from mid-October, often by a third or more for rooms. From November to March many hotels and restaurants close, so it is cheap but limited.
How to spend less
- Stay in Kamari, Perissa, Karterados or Megalochori and visit the caldera for sunset, instead of paying for a caldera room.
- Watch the sunset from a free public spot (Imerovigli, Skaros, the Fira cliff path or Pyrgos) and eat afterwards elsewhere.
- Ask about minimum spend, cover charges or 'sunset menus' before sitting at a view restaurant.
- Use the KTEL bus (€2–3) from Fira's bus station rather than taxis, which are few and expensive in summer.
- Buy bottled water at a supermarket (about €0.50–1 for 1.5 litres); tap water is desalinated and not for drinking.
- Book a shared volcano boat trip (€35–50) instead of a private cruise, and go in the morning when prices and crowds are lower.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Santorini cost?
About €100 per person on a budget (sharing a room), about €260 mid-range and about €660 at the comfortable end. Caldera-view hotels are the biggest cost.
Why is Santorini so expensive?
Demand for caldera views is very high, the season is short, and water, fuel and supplies are brought to the island. Staying in Kamari, Perissa or the inland villages cuts costs a lot.
Is food expensive in Santorini?
View restaurants are. A pita gyros is €4.50–6 and a village taverna dinner with fava, fritters and wine about €25–35 per person; caldera restaurants can be two or three times that.