Santorini question and Greece itinerary ?

I think 5-5-4 is a good mix, although some people will disagree, saying Santorini doesn't need that much time. There's plenty to see and do. I always recommend taking it slow and spending some time just relaxing at your hotel. I prefer Paros over Naxos, so I'd do the second 5 nights there, after 4 on Naxos. There are plenty of options in Fira that are not close to the "nightlife", but it will be hellishly crowded all over that part of the island. Firostefani is just a short, easy 15-minute walk from all that Fira has to offer, so take advantage of it's proximity to all the shops, restaurants and galleries with a much quieter and more peaceful surrounding.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189433-Activities-Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html

The number of days to stay on an island depends on what you want/can do there. This could be 2 days or 2 weeks.

In Santorini, visiting the basics that millions of tourists come to see every year will take you 3 days maximum.
Then you will probably only want to get out of this hell.
But if you rent a car and go explore the villages, see vineyards, go hiking (other than Fira-Oia at peak times), it could take you a week.

On the same principle, staying 4 or 5 days in Paros or Naxos can be more than enough if your only activities is to stay "in town", do a little shopping, go to restaurants and spend a few hours at the beach.

On the other hand, if you rent a car, go discover the many villages, hang out there, learn a few words of Greek, visit farms, winegrowers, churches, go hiking, diving or windsurfing without being in a hurry, 2 weeks will not be enough but this will be the best way to "get a sense of Greek culture".

Firostefani is a great place to escape from the crowds but still be near Fira Town. It's really just a 15-minute walk downhill and you'll find yourself right in Fira's city center. The challenge is the return which is uphill, so it might be a bit tiring or need a few stops if you're not used to walking.

Aside from that small detail, Firostefani is a place I highly recommend. It offers stunning views and is surrounded by plenty of restaurants where you can grab a bite for lunch or dinner. And, it's just a quick, 15-minute walk from Imerovigli, a wonderful village that's worth a visit.

If you choose to stay in Fira, remember that even though it's not too noisy - after all, Santorini doesn't really have wild nightlife - there are quite a few steps to deal with. This is because Fira and Firostefani are pedestrian areas located on the cliffside, which means there are plenty of steps to climb.

just to add a detail to santoafro's rrecommendation of Firostefani ... yes, you can take the scenic rimside path downhill about 15-20 mins to the heart of Fira. To avoid the tourist-clogged 2nd/3rd "shopping lanes" , stay on rim-path which becomes a broad promenade to the Cathedral and Museum at end, and descend between them to the main road into the "square" (which is really just a wide space surrounded by shops cafes bank etc). But when returning to FIrostefani, no need to use the steep uphill rimpath ... follow a lane that parallels the N-S main road... when it goes thru a collonnade (church?), it becomes a 'hidden" flagstoned little street that is gradual ... you see the locals on it, pushing baby strollers ... until the first hotels in Firostephani,,, easy, llittle-used.

As for a long walk to dinner, there are plenty of enjoyable cafes in FIrostefani, including Remvi Cafe with glorious sunset views, and the venerable Taverna Aktaion (oldest continuous taverna on th island). Naturally since u r coming at height of high season, u need reservations almost everywhere.

I would take two nights away from Santorini and add one of them to Paros. No time in Athens? Add that extra night there. I love Greece except for overtouristed Santorini. Couldn’t wait to leave.
Loved Paros, Crete and the Peloponnesean Peninsula.

wow! such great info. Thank you very much! So happy I found this forum.

I don't want to dissuade you if you really want to see Santorini, because it is beautiful. But the culture you will get there is that of drunken British and German teenagers and 20-somethings riding ATV's and generally acting like morons. If you must go stay as far from Fira as you can. We stayed in a gated resort in Oia and quite enjoyed that, but it was excruciating every time we left Oia.

Also Santorini, Naxos and Paros are all so similar. You will see the Cyclades, but not really see Greece. For real Greek culture, go to the mainland or non-Cycladic islands: Kalambaka/Meteora, Nafplio, Skiathos/Skopelos, Hydra, Kalavryta, so many places to avoid tourists and meet Greeks.