Santorini in October

Hi there,

My wife and I are heading to Santorini from October 11th to 18th (it’s her birthday gift). I’ll admit I’m torn between spending the full 7 days on Santorini or combining it with another island (I was thinking Milos) for 2 or 3 days. Since the ferry schedules aren’t announced yet for October, it’s hard to plan ahead.

Do you think 7 days on Santorini is too much, or is splitting 7 days between 2 islands too short? Any other destinations worth considering?

Thanks in advance

Hi there,

I’d advise against going to Santorini—it’s lost its charm and no longer feels authentic because of mass tourism. The Santorini–Milos schedules are out for October, but the fare is still nearly 100 € per person one-way.

Instead, I’d recommend heading to Milos and pairing it with Sifnos, for example. It’ll be much more enjoyable for your vacation and your wallet.

Elenitsa

That's true Santorini is overcrowded during the day, especially with cruise ships... Accommodation is super expensive, especially with a sea view

But for me, it’s still an extraordinary and unique place in the world, and it’d be a shame to skip it You can spend 2-3 nights in Santorini and then head to Sifnos or Folegandros to find some peace

I traveled to Santorini in October, alone, and that’s probably what made the experience so powerful. It’s off-season, so it’s a bit further from the clichés of a crowded island—I found a more human pace, pleasant weather, and, above all, the chance to soak in the island in complete serenity. For a first solo getaway or a search for authenticity, I’d recommend this time of year without hesitation. If you're going as a couple, it’s a very romantic island. I highly recommend Alali Restaurant—it’s definitely worth the detour.

I wrote an article about this trip, hoping it’ll inspire others to take the plunge: My solo trip to Santorini, and another about a beautiful sea experience: Catamaran in Santorini.

Hi there! Which airport are you flying from? Does Santorini *have* to be part of your trip?

Hi there, What’s your departure airport, and does Santorini *have* to be part of your trip?

I’m doing Nantes–Santorini round-trip, so yeah, it’s absolutely part of the trip.

Santorini is a destination I’ve wanted to visit for years, but honestly, the overtourism and all the downsides that come with it have held me back for a long time.

That’s why I chose October—even though I’m sure there’ll still be crowds. The flight prices this season are low, which finally convinced me.

Re

Doing 3 days on Ios is the closest to Santorini—why not? (Not the most beautiful), but still worth it. Milos is very beautiful but more expensive for crossings and quite far. Folegandros is quieter and pretty nice.

Yeah, a week in Santorini is definitely too much, but to each their own!

Hi, A week in Santorini is a lot. It's pretty, but once you've seen the caldera and the sunset from Oia, you've seen the main highlights. Milos is something else—there are sites to see and beaches to visit, and you could even rent a 4x4 to explore the trails in the west and visit the Monastery of St. John Siderianos, whose festival happens to be in October. In any case, we did it, and we don’t regret it because it was the best moment of our trip to the Cyclades (Amorgos, Naxos, Santorini, and Milos).

Hi

Milos is indeed really beautiful, just like Amorgos, Kefalonia, and many others

Hi there, Santorini in October is great—neither too hot nor too cold, and fewer crowds than in summer (though prices stay the same). We spent 3 days in Santorini (visits: Fira, Oia, Akrotiri, Nea Kameni by boat) and then 3 days in Paros. The latter was completely dead off-season, which was amazing. Despite the overtourism, Santorini is still a must-see. It’s like spending a week in Paris and refusing to see the Eiffel Tower just because the Trocadéro is packed with tourist traps...

Hi Anthony,

I just finished a travel journal that ends in Santorini. We didn’t really enjoy Santorini (see the journal for more details)—we didn’t find the same charm as in the other islands we visited. I think it’s a shame to spend a whole week there without exploring another island, which will definitely be different (pick one based on your tastes and the travel times/routes).

Happy planning! 😉