Three Days In Santorini With My BFF: ATV Rides, Volcano And Oia Sunset

In October 2015, I went to Greece with one of my wonderful friends. We visited Athens and then, way too early in the morning in my humble opinion, we flew to Santorini. This island is magical! I had the greatest time with Florence there. At first, we thought we would rent a car, but in the end, the best option was an ATV: amazingly cheap and ideal to go everywhere.

• When: October (fewer crowds)
• How long: 3 days, after Athens
• Getting around: ATV
• Highlights: Red Beach, Perissa black beach, volcano and hot springs boat trip, Oia sunset, cliffside wine tasting
• Best for: friends, active travelers who get bored on a deckchair

Last Updated: October 2026

How To Get From Athens To Santorini

From Athens, it’s quite easy to reach Santorini and it takes less than an hour by plane (about 45 minutes), the option we chose. It was a small plane that wasn’t super comfy and the airport is very small as well, but it was perfect for us.

Otherwise, you can decide to reach Santorini by ferry. From what I understand, it can be quite long (about 5 and a half hours) and the price can be similar to the one we paid for the plane ticket, so I’m not sure that’s a good option, unless you like boat trips.

Is An ATV The Best Way To Get Around Santorini?

For us, yes: an ATV is cheap, easy to park and perfect for Santorini’s narrow roads.

When we arrived at the hotel, we were exhausted. Not enough sleep, a headache, some problems with my credit card. We had no energy. So we sat on deckchairs on the beach to relax.

Except my friend and I are the same type of restless people, and we must have lasted about 10 minutes before starting to get bored. So we stood up and went for a walk. We saw ATVs, rented one and spent the next days driving on the island looking for beautiful places.

Why We Chose An ATV Over A Car

Well, at first, we chose it because it was crazy cheap compared to renting a car. Originally, we had planned to rent a car to explore the island but that’s only because we didn’t know about other options. When we saw the prices, we knew it was the right choice.

But then, another reason popped into our heads. When we saw how narrow the roads were, we were definitely glad that we hadn’t rented a car. Had we done it, we would have had cold sweats every time we crossed another vehicle!

My ATV Fail

Florence was the one doing the driving. I tried. When you drive an ATV, you have to constantly press on the handle, otherwise the engine stops.

It was an issue for me when I had to drive and signal that we were turning left at the same time. My hand turned on the signal, but let go of the handle. We were going uphill… Our ATV started going down and I grabbed the handle in a panic! Nothing happened, it was just a little fear, but then, Florence drove for the rest of the trip.

Practical Tips For Renting An ATV In Santorini

To rent an ATV in Santorini, you need to be at least 21 years old and have held your driving license for at least one year. Wearing a helmet is mandatory, so don’t skip it, even for short rides between villages.

As for the price, it really depends on the rental agency and the season: expect to pay between 20 and 80 euros per day. Ours was on the cheaper end of that range, which is one of the reasons we were so happy with our choice.

Before you hop on and drive off, here are a few things I recommend checking:

• Film the vehicle with your phone. Walk all the way around the ATV before you take it, so you have proof of any scratches or dents that were already there.
• Check that the tank is full. You don’t want to run out of fuel halfway up a hill (trust me, hills and I already had a complicated relationship on that ATV).
• Ask for one helmet per person. Not one to share, not “the passenger doesn’t need one.” Each of you should have your own.
• Make sure insurance is included in the price. Ask the question clearly before signing anything, so there are no surprises when you bring the ATV back.

Which Beaches Did We Visit In Santorini?

Red Beach In Akrotiri

There are all types of colors in Santorini: we went to red and black sand beaches.

The first beach we saw was the Red Beach, near the village of Akrotiri. It’s beautiful and surrounded by red cliffs. In October, there weren’t too many people, and it felt nice to walk around and sit for a bit. I don’t know about the summer months though, it’s probably much more crowded.

Sad note: today, it’s a different story. The Red Beach has become dangerous because the cliffs are not stable and rockfalls happen often. Going down to the beach itself is now strictly forbidden by the local authorities, and there are signs and barriers at the end of the path. You can still go to the viewpoint safely, and honestly, the view from up there is already beautiful. Please don’t climb over the barriers for a photo, it’s really not worth it!

Perissa Black Beach

We went later to the Black Beach of Perissa. It was less impressive than the Red Beach, but quite relaxing, and even less crowded. I don’t remember staying long though. We walked in the clear water and that was pretty much it.

Like I said, we had trouble resting on a beach doing nothing…

What We Ate In Santorini: Beware Of Tourist Traps!

There are good restaurants on the island, but also a lot of not-so-good ones. As Santorini is very touristy, some restaurants are just there to catch newcomers who don’t know where to go. The restaurants that we found on the coast were usually better than the ones next to beaches, but maybe it’s because we didn’t know where to look. Still, despite a few disappointing meals, we managed to eat good food.

Wine Tasting On A Cliff With A View

I was particularly pleased with a wine tasting in a winery at the top of a cliff: the Venetsanos Winery. We stopped there at the end of the day.

The wine tasting was done on an individual table, on a terrace with a splendid view of the sea and the cliffs. We ordered stuffed vine leaves with the wine, and it was perfect.

Lobster Pasta

For some reason, we got obsessed with the idea of eating lobster pasta, but it was often too pricey for us. At the end of our stay, we decided that we should do it anyway and shared a plate. It was good, but not as amazing as we had imagined. However, I do think that eating seafood in Santorini is a great idea.

Santorini’s Cats

In most of the places where we ate, there were cats. They are used to people, so they are a good subject for photos. Next to the sea, on a white wall, near flowers, just let out the cat lover inside you!

PS: if you like cats, check out my article about Chefchaouen.

Santorini Boat Trip: Volcano, Hot Springs And Oia

In Santorini, we did a boat trip with the Albatross. On a wooden boat, we saw the coast and some villages. Then, we stopped for a short hike on a volcano to see some active craters.

Hiking The Volcano

Santorini is one of the most beautiful calderas in the world. And yes, the volcano is still active. When I heard that, I wasn’t sure how I felt about walking on it, but don’t worry, it’s very safe!

The landscape reminded me of images of the moon: everything is brown and rocky. A few hours earlier, we were driving past white houses and blue domes, and now we were in the middle of this weird world. I loved it.

The trail is easy, you don’t need to be a great hiker. But make sure you have solid shoes: the rocks are sharp and can cut soft shoes. Avoid flip flops at all costs, your feet will thank you.

Swimming In The Hot Springs

Then, when we came back from the hike, we had the chance to swim next to the coast where there are hot springs. These are supposed to be good for your health.

I chose to stay onboard, but Florence jumped in for a swim and loved it!

Riding A Donkey: Yeah Or Nah?

At the end of the day, we stopped in Oia and climbed to the village on the backs of donkeys. This was a test for me, as I really don’t feel comfortable with horses. Donkeys are smaller, yes, but still. I got really scared because my donkey was walking too close to the edge and I had to regularly move my leg so as not to be scratched by the wall. And also, it was way too close to the edge of the cliff for me to be at ease. I might have imagined myself falling on the pointy rocks at least a dozen times.

I’m always unsure when riding an animal for tourism. They didn’t seem to be badly treated, but I don’t know if I would make the same choice today. When I visited India, I refused to ride elephants, but that’s another debate.

Anyway, I survived. And we proceeded to visit the village.

Watching The Sunset In Oia

Oia is quite stunning, this is the typical image of Greece on postcards. And just like a thousand tourists on that day, we took several pictures of the sunset. People applauded, and we laughed. It was a bit ridiculous and Florence was saying “Well done, Sun, well done!” as a joke.

Is Santorini Worth Visiting In October?

Yes, I would definitely recommend going to Santorini in October! There are fewer people, the weather is still warm but not too hot, and prices for transport and accommodation are usually lower than in summer. We could swim, drive around all day on our ATV and never felt like we were fighting the crowds.

Just so you know, Greece now has a new fee for cruise passengers to help manage the flow of tourists. If you arrive in Santorini by cruise ship, you pay up to 20 euros per person in high season, and around 12 euros in October. If you arrive by plane or ferry like we did, it doesn’t apply to you.

Even if you don’t come by cruise ship, there’s another tax to keep in mind: the Climate Crisis Resilience Fee. It’s a flat fee you pay per night and per room, in every type of tourist accommodation in Greece: hotels, Airbnbs, guesthouses, campsites and hostels. The money goes to protecting the environment and helping the country adapt to climate change. The amount depends on where you stay: in 2026, it’s only 0.50 euros per night at a campsite, but it can go up to 15 euros in a luxury hotel. Be careful, it’s not always included in the price you see on booking websites, so you may have to pay it when you arrive!

Final Thoughts On My 3 Days In Santorini

This trip felt like a dream. We did so many other fun things, like a fish pedicure. Try not to laugh when the little fish tickle your feet! Today, I regret not taking notes, because some memories fade. But the feelings remain, and I cherish those.

It was one of several trips I took with Florence. Since then, we’ve met again in Venice, Toronto and the French Alps, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Many Days Do You Need In Santorini?

Honestly, it’s up to you. I think three days is good to see most of it, but you could totally stay for a week and spend more time on the beach. It depends on your budget as well.

Do You Need A License To Rent An ATV In Santorini?

Yes, you do and you need to have had it for at least a year.

What Is The Best Place To Watch The Sunset In Santorini?

The whole archipelago is extraordinary, so I would say from anywhere, but Oia is the most magical place. However, like all great tourist sites, it can be very crowded. You do you: if you prefer to be alone, you might prefer another village or maybe rent a place there and watch the sunset from your window or garden.

Is The Red Beach In Santorini Open?

You can still visit the viewpoint, but going down to the beach is forbidden because of frequent rockfalls. Signs and barriers mark the end of the safe path.