Europe

2 Day Budapest Itinerary – A Perfect Weekend in Budapest

Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. And trust me I’m not just saying that because I’m a local! I’ve lived in Budapest for more than 5 years and it still amazes me to this day. If you’re looking for gorgeous architecture, romantic castles, world famous thermal baths, cool ruin bars and delicious cuisine – and all of that for a reasonable price – you need to visit Budapest! This 2 day Budapest itinerary will be perfect for you if you only have a weekend in Budapest but you still want to see the best of the city!

Disclosure: *This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link!*

Table of Contents

Is it enough to spend 2 days in Budapest?

There are so many amazing things to do in Budapest that you can easily spend weeks there without getting bored. The optimal amount of time for a first visit would be around 4-5 days. However if you only have limited time it’s still better to spend 2 days in Budapest than not going at all!

A weekend in Budapest is enough to visit the main attractions, try some of the best cafes and restaurants, get a drink in a ruin bar and experience the vibe of the city. Since two days are not a long amount of time get ready for a jam-packed itinerary! If you prefer a more relaxed pace and you have an extra day you can do the same itinerary in 3 days as well.

Day 1 of your Budapest Itinerary

1. Watch the sunrise at the Fisherman's Bastion

I know, I know, waking up early is always a struggle, especially if you are on a holiday. But trust me, you’re gonna love this! Watching the sunrise at the Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the best experiences you can have in Budapest. Since it gets really crowded during the day this is the only way to avoid the crowds.

The Fisherman’s Bastion is a panoramic lookout tower located on the Buda side of the city. It’s definitely one of the most breathtaking buildings in Budapest! Once you enter the area you will feel like you just stepped into a real-life fairytale.

You can see the Danube river and the whole Pest side from the towers including the Hungarian Parliament and the St. Stephen Basilica. Therefore it’s also one of the best photography locations in Budapest so don’t forget your camera at home!

Most part of the Fisherman’s Bastion is free to visit but for the upper towers you have to pay a small entrance fee of 1000 HUF (3.3$). However if you’re going early in the morning you don’t need to pay an entrance fee until 9 am – another advantage of getting up early! The upper towers are also free to visit in the winter period (between October 16 and March 15) and on August 20 (Hungarian national holiday).

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Szentháromság tér, 1014 Hungary

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2. See the beautiful Matthias Church

The Matthias Church is practically part of the Fisherman’s Bastion so it’s easy to visit them all at once. It was used as a coronation church by Hungarian kings for centuries and it’s still one of the most unique churches in Europe by this day.

The church is free to visit from the outside but you need to pay 1,800 HUF (5.9$) if you want to visit the inside as well. Since it only opens at 9 am (and at 1 pm on Sunday) I recommend not to wait for it to save some time.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Szentháromság tér 2, 1014 Hungary

3. Have a breakfast at Home of Franziska

If you didn’t have breakfast at your hotel you must be starving by now. Time to have a delicious breakfast! (If you already ate at your hotel you can skip this point and go straight to the next one.)

Budapest is full of amazing breakfast and brunch places but unfortunately there are not many around the Fisherman’s Bastion. However Home of Franziska is only an 8 minute walk from there and they have a delicious breakfast selection! You can find basically everything from various type of eggs, pastries, waffles to yoghurts, oatmeals and smoothie bowls. You can check their menu here.

They are open from 7.30 am on the weekdays and 9 am on the weekends so it’s the perfect place after seeing the sunrise at the Fisherman’s bastion. It’s a really popular place so if you’re not planning to go for opening time it’s best to reserve a table in advance.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Iskola u. 29, 1011 Hungary

4. Admire the Hungarian Parliament across the Danube river

If you’re finished with your breakfast it’s time to take a stroll along the Danube river! The Danube river divides Budapest into two main part: Buda and Pest. Walking along the riverside grants you amazing views no matter which side are you walking on.

One of the biggest highlight of walking on the Buda side is that you can to admire the Hungarian Parliament across the river. From the Home of Franziska walk in the direction of the Batthányi square and when you reach the river walk a little bit more to the left side.

The best spot is somewhere around the Novotel Budapest Danube Hotel where you can directly face the Hungarian Parliament. Needless to say, it’s also one of the best photography spots in Budapest so don’t forget to take some photos as well!

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Angelo Rotta rkp. 16, 1011 Hungaryv

5. Visit the Buda Castle

The Buda Castle is one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary. It was home for the Hungarian kings for centuries but today it’s no longer functioning as a castle. The former castle building is now housing two museums: the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.

For going up to the castle you have basically two options: walking or using the funicular. Although the funicular looks very cute and it’s a unique experience I would still recommend walking. The funicular ride takes around 1-2 minutes and it costs 1,200 HUF (4$) for one way and 1,800 HUF (6$) for a round trip. In comparison walking up is totally free and it takes only like 10 minutes in a normal pace. And you can get a pretty amazing view during the walk too!

If you’re not a museum person (trust me, I feel you!) it’s still worth going up to the Buda Castle. And if you have only 2 days in Budapest I would recommend skipping the museums anyway. But the Castle and the surrounding area looks absolutely incredible and the view is just breathtaking! You can see basically the whole Pest side from up there.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 Hungary

In case you prefer the guided walking tours you can choose one from the recommended tours below. They all have amazing ratings and you can get a personal guide during the tour who can tell you more about the history of Budapest.

6. Cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

There are 8 bridges in Budapest in total but the Széchenyi Chain Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous of all of them. It was actually the first permanent bridge that was built on the Danube river in Budapest! The bridge is 375 metres long and two giant lions guard both of the bridgeheads. Crossing the bridge is definitely one of the best things to do in Budapest as it offers amazing views both of the Buda and Pest side.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Széchenyi Lánchíd, 1051 Hungary

7. Have a coffee or a light lunch at the High Note SkyBar

The High Note SkyBar is one of the best rooftop bars in Budapest. You must be tired already from all the walking so it’s time to have some rest! The bar is located inside the Aria Hotel so you need to walk through their lobby to reach the elevator that takes you up to the bar.

The bar offers a wide selection of cocktails and barfood and they have a separate lunch menu between 12 pm and 3 pm. The food is absolutely amazing although it’s quite pricy. Therefore I wouldn’t recommend having a feast there but it’s a perfect place for having a coffee and a cake.

And let’s talk about the views! As the terrace is pretty big you can have almost a 360 view over Budapest. They have two separate private boxes: one of them offers an up-close view of the St. Stephen’s Basilica and the other one of the Budapest Eye. You can reserve these boxes in advance or if the bar is not so busy you are free to go up there for a photo.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Hercegprímás u. 5, 1051 Hungary

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8. Visit the St. Stephen's Basilica

I hope you managed to get some rest at the High Note SkyBar because here comes the other part of your walking trip around Budapest! After you admired the St. Stephen’s Basilica from the rooftop bar it’s time to have a closer view.

The St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and it’s an absolute must visit on every Budapest itinerary. It’s open every day from 9 am to 7 pm and going inside is absolutely free. Even if you’re not that into churches I would still recommend going in because the interior is just breathtaking!

But the most amazing part of the Basilica is that you can go up to the Panorama lookout for 1,000 HUF (3$) which grants a 360 view over Budapest! The opening time of the Panorama lookout is different in every season so be sure to check it out on their website in advance.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary

Tips for visiting in winter:

Winter is the only season when you can see the sunset from the Panorama lookout as the sun sets before the closing time. So it might be worth to shape your itinerary according to this!

If you are visiting Budapest in November or December be sure to check out the Christmas market in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica! It’s definitely one of the best Christmas markets in Budapest and there is even a light show projected on the Basilica. A pretty magical experience!

9. Pay your respect at the Shoes on the Danube Bank

After you finished visiting the Basilica make your way down to the Danube river once again. But this time you will be walking on the Pest side which offers a whole different view! Make sure to stop at the Shoes on the Danube Bank on your way.

The shoes are a haunting tribute dedicated to all the Jews who lost their lives during the World War II in Budapest. Nearly 20,000 of them were killed along the Danube Bank and they were all forced to remove their shoes before the gunfire. Therefore the monument consist 60 iron-made shoes along the Danube river in memory of those who tragically lost their lives.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Id. Antall József rkp., 1054 Hungary

10. Admire the Hungarian Parliament from up close (and go inside if you want)

Continue walking along the Danube river and in about 5 minutes you will reach the Hungarian Parliament building. You’ve seen it already across the Danube river from the Buda side but this time you can have a closer look!

The Hungarian Parliament is currently the largest building in Hungary. With its 96 metres height it’s also the third largest parliament building in the world! No matter how many times I’m walking past this building it never ceases to amaze me. There are no words how gorgeous it is!

If you want to see the Hungarian Parliament from the inside as well you need to book your ticket in advance. The guided tours are available in many different languages and the duration is usually around 45-50 minutes. Ticket price for EEA citizens is 3,200 HUF (10.5$) and 6,400 HUF (21$) for non-EEA citizens.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055 Hungary

Day 2 of your Budapest Itinerary

1. Start your day with a breakfast at New York Café Budapest

It’s already the second day of your weekend in Budapest, can you believe it? Yesterday was kinda busy so it’s time to pamper yourself a bit! And what would be a better start of the day than having a fancy breakfast?

The New York Café is the most beautiful coffeehouse in Budapest. And I’m not exaggerating, not even a bit! Even if breakfast is included in your hotel it’s still worth to make some space for the New York Café on your Budapest itinerary. Trust me, it will blow your mind!

The coffeehouse is inside the New York Palace building which is one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest. There is a hotel in the building as well and if you’re staying there you can eat your breakfast in this place every morning! (There is a separate room for hotel guests, just to be correct.) Can you imagine that?

There is a wide selection of food and drinks on their menu including many famous dishes from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy like Wiener Schnitzel, beef goulash, Somlói sponge cake or strudels. Although be prepared for the prices because this place is rather expensive. But given the location and that you’re basically dining in a 5-star hotel it’s not surprising. (Ps: You don’t need any fancy clothing for this place, I’m only wearing a gown because we did a photoshoot there!)

The New York Café Budapest opens at 8 am every day. If you’re not going there for opening time it’s worth to reserve a table in advance to avoid queuing for hours! (Yes, it’s that popular!)

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 9-11, 1073 Hungary

2. Check out the Heroes Square

Budapest is a totally walkable city and up until now you didn’t have to use any kind of public transportation. However your next stop will be the Heroes Square which is quite far away from the New York Café. If you like walking you can still do that – it’s like a 30 minutes walk from the New York Cafe to the Heroes Square. Plus you can walk though the Andrássy Avenue which is an amazing experience in itself!

But if you’re feeling lazy you can use the M1 metro line from the Oktogon metro station to the Heroes Square metro station. From the New York Cafe you can either walk to Oktogon (approx. 12 minutes) or you can walk back a little to Blaha Lujza Square (2 minutes) and take the tram nr. 4 or nr. 6 for one stop.

The Heroes Square is the largest and most important square in Budapest. You can find a statue of Archangel Gabriel in the middle surrounded by the statue of the seven chieftains of the Magyar tribes and other important Hungarian national leaders on both sides. The monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000 year old history of Hungary.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Hősök tere, 1146 Hungary

3. Stroll around the City Park and visit the Vajdahunyad Castle

Right behind the Heroes Square you can find the biggest park in Budapest, the City Park (it’s called Városliget in Hungarian). It’s a nice place to escape from the busy city and take a stroll around in the nature. You can find many interesting places inside the park like the Budapest Zoo, the Gundel Restaurant, the Ice-skating rink (which is a normal lake during the summer), the Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath and a couple of museums.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Kós Károly stny., 1146 Hungary

4. Relax at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Exploring a new city is always exhausting. There is just so much things to do in Budapest in 2 days! But you’ve almost seen everything so you totally deserve few hours of relaxing. Visiting the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the perfect choice for that!

With its iconic yellow building the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the most famous bath in Budapest and definitely one of the best ones too. Ticket prices are usually between 5,600-6,800 HUF (18-22$) and you can buy them online on their website in advance.

You can find different kind of pools inside and outside as well. It’s still worth visiting the outside pools in winter too because the thermal water is always warm. I love the thermal bath in the cold weather the most, it’s such a special feeling to sit outside in the warm water when the weather is crispy!

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Hungary

5. Go for a ride on the Budapest eye

Did you know that there is a big ferris wheel in Budapest too? It’s called Budapest Eye (how original) and it’s located on the Erzsébet Square (right behind Deák Ferenc Square). An adult ticket costs 3,000 HUF (10$) but it’s worth checking the othert ticket options (like family ticket or children ticket) on their website in advance.

Getting to the Budapest Eye from the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is pretty easy. You just have to walk back to the Heroes Square metro station and take the M1 metro line to the Deák Ferenc Square metro station.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, 1051 Hungary

6. Explore the Jewish Quarter

One of the most interesting part of Budapest is the Jewish Quarter. It’s full of historical landmarks like the Dohány Street Synagoge or the Rumbach Street Synagoge and it’s also home to the coolest ruin bars and street food courts in Budapest. You can wander around for hours in this district but if you only have a limited time try to visit at least the Gozsdu Court and the Szimpla Kert.

Locations on Google Maps: Dohány Street Synagoge, Rumbach Street Synagoge, Gozsdu Court, Szimpla Kert

7. Go up to the Citadel for sunset

I saved the best (okay, one of the best) for last: the Citadel! The Citadel is a fortification located on the top of the Gellért Hill and it offers an amazing view over Budapest. The views are spectacular during the day as well but if you want to see real magic go there for sunset! It’s the perfect place to end your 2 days in Budapest.

It’s possible to go up there with public transportation – you can take the bus nr. 27 and get off at the Búsuló Juhász (Citadella) stop. Although the bus only runs on the Buda side so first you need to get to Móricz Zsigmond körtér with the bus nr. 7 or tram nr. 47, 48 or 49 and then change to the bus nr. 27.

Honestly I think walking up is much easier. Although it’s a 15-20 minutes walk which is quite steep so I totally understand if you want to skip that. But in case you wanna do this: you need to cross either the Erzsébet bridge or the Liberty bridge to get to the Buda side (by foot or by public transport) and you can walk up from both points to the Citadel.

Location on Google Maps: Budapest, Citadella stny. 350, 1118 Hungary

How to spend 2 days in Budapest - Map

I made a custom map for you that contains all the spots from the 2 day Budapest itinerary that I described above. You can easily open it up on your phone if you click on the bracket in the upper right corner! This way you can always check it during the day to ensure you’re not missing out on anything.

Find the best places to stay in Budapest

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Final thoughts

Budapest is definitely one of the best cities to visit in Europe. There are so many places to see in Budapest that you can easily spend weeks exploring the city. However if you only have two days in Budapest you can still cover a lot! I hope this 2 day Budapest itinerary encouraged you to visit this amazing city even if you can only spend a weekend in Budapest.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email, I always love helping you out! Is Budapest on your travel bucket list or have you already visited? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo, Kriszti

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Best Christmas Markets in Budapest

Visiting Christmas markets are one of my favourite winter activities in Budapest. The Christmas markets in Budapest are really amazing and they are often voted as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. I love strolling around the cute wooden chalets with a mulled wine in my hand, watching the sparkling Christmas lights and admiring the festive decoration. Are you ready to explore the best Christmas markets in Budapest with me? Read along to find the best locations in the city together with recommendations about what to eat and drink!

Best Christmas Markets in Budapest

If you are visiting Budapest during November and December then checking out the Christmas markets is a must do on your itinerary! You can find many Christmas markets across Budapest but the most famous ones are located in the city centre. They are actually really close to each other so you can easily walk from one spot to another.

1. Vörösmarty Square

The biggest Christmas market in Budapest always takes place in Vörösmarty square. During this period the square turns into a festive market place where you can buy some unique gifts for your loved ones and try the best of the Hungarian cuisine.

In addition to the cute wooden stalls you will also find a huge Christmas tree and two outdoor stages in the square where you can enjoy several different performances during your visit.

The Vörösmarty square is in the heart of the city so it’s very easy to get there. It’s located in the end of Váci street and the Metro Line 1 also stops here.

Location: 1051 Budapest, Vörösmarty tér

Date: from 08 November 2019 to 1 January 2020

Opening times: 10.00-21.00 from Sunday to Thursday, 10.00-22.00 on Friday and Saturday (the merchant stalls are closing one hour earlier)

Opening times during Christmas and New Year’s Eve: 10.00-15.00 on 24 December, 10.00-18.00 on 25-26 December, 10.00-04.00 on 31 December

2. St. Stephen's Basilica

Although the Christmas market in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica is a lot smaller than the one on the Vörösmarty Square it is still the most popular Christmas market in Budapest.

You will also find small wooden stalls there selling a selection of craftworks and typical Hungarian food. But what makes this Christmas market really unique is the ice skating ring in the middle with a 12 metre high Christmas tree right in front of the Basilica.

And if it weren’t enough, there is a custom-designed light show projected on the Basilica in every half hour between 16.30-22.00. Currently this is the largest 3D Christmas Projection in Europe so it’s time to put it on your bucket list if you haven’t already!

You can also go up to the panorama viewpoint in the Basilica from where you will get a unique view over the Christmas market and the whole city. The ticket costs 1,000 Ft (around 3€) and it is open between 10.00 and 16.30. The best time to go is 30-60 minutes before sunset time because this way you can see the view in daylight, at sunset and in the night too.

Location: 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér

Date: from 22 November 2019 to 1 January 2020

Opening times: 10.00-20.00 from Monday to Thursday, 10.00-22.00 from Friday to Sunday

Opening times during Christmas and New Year’s Eve: 10.00-14.00 on 24 December, 10.00-18.00 on 25-26 December, 10.00-03.00 on 31 December

3. Deák Ferenc Street - Fashion Street

If you are looking for the best Christmas lights in the city you have to visit the Deák Ferenc street aka Fashion street! The street is packed with famous designer shops and it’s beautifully decorated during the festive season. You can also find a few stalls here but it’s more about the Christmas lights than the food or craftworks.

Location: 1052 Budapest, Deák Ferenc street

Date: from 13 November 2019 to 1 January 2020

What to eat & drink in the Christmas Markets in Budapest

The typical Hungarian cuisine is very heavy in general and the Christmas meals are no different. They are really delicious though so try to taste as many as you can! It’s better to go to the Christmas markets with an empty stomach so you can try various meals.

Lángos

Lángos is a typical Hungarian street food. It’s really popular in the Christmas markets but it can be found around the city any time of the year. A classic lángos is served with sour cream, garlic butter and shredded cheese but there are several other toppings that you can try like onions, sausages or bacon.

Mulled wine (Forralt bor)

Have you ever been to a Christmas market without trying the mulled wine? Hungary is really famous for its wines so drinking a cup of mulled wine is a must on the Christmas markets! If you don’t drink alcohol you can try the hot spicy apple juice or the hot chocolate instead.

Goulash (Gulyás)

The goulash soup is probably one of the most well-known Hungarian meal. This traditional soup is made of tender beef, onions, potatoes, carrots and a lots of paprika. It is a very hearty meal, usually served with white bread.

Stuffed cabbage (Töltött káposzta)

Stuffed cabbage is a traditional Christmas meal in Hungary. The stuffed cabbage is made of cooked cabbage leaves wrapped around ground beef and rice and layered in a baking dish on top of home-made tomato sauce. It’s typically served with sour cream and white bread.

Pálinka

Pálinka is a traditional Hungarian alcoholic drink. From 2002 you can only call a drink pálinka if it’s made of a fruit spirits and it was distilled, matured and bottled in Hungary. The minimum alcohol content is 37.5% but it can go up to 86%. It’s a really strong drink and it will definitely burn your throat so take it easy! The most popular flavours are apricot, pear and plum.

Roasted chestnuts (Sült gesztenye)

You will find many stalls selling roasted chestnuts in the Budapest Christmas markets. It’s a very popular autumn and winter street food not only in Budapest, but across East Asia, Europe and the US as well.

Grilled sausage (Grill kolbász és hurka)

There are basically three type of sausages in Hungary: the ‘kolbász’ is seasoned with paprika, the ‘májas hurka’ is made from pork liver and the ‘véres hurka’ made from pork blood. They are usually served with mustard or horse radish and white bread.

Strudel (Rétes)

Strudel is a layered pastry housing a super sweet filling like curd, sour cherry, apple or poppy seed. It is a typical dessert on the Christmas table in Hungary, my grandmother always makes it for Christmas in a chocolate and walnut flavour. They are my favourites! I recommend tasting as many flavours as you can because they are all delicious!

Chimney cake (Kürtőskalács)

Many people associate chimney cakes with Prague however it originates from Hungary. Chimney cakes are made from a sweet dough that is rolled in granulated sugar, wrapped around a cone and roasted over charcoal. During the baking process the sugar caramelises and becomes a crispy crust.

The surface of the chimney cakes can be topped with several ingredients such as walnuts, coconuts, cinnamon or chocolate. Nowadays the ice cream filled chimney cakes are becoming more and more popular so you can also find them in the Christmas markets.

Flódni

Flódni is a traditional Hungarian Jewish cake with five layers of dough and four different fillings: plum jam, walnut, apple and poppy seed. It’s like all the different flavours of strudel combined. Super delicious!

Best Christmas Markets in Budapest

I’ve been living in Budapest for more than 5 years now and I still can never get enough of the Christmas markets! Budapest is really amazing during winter and visiting the Christmas markets will make your stay even more magical!

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email, I always love helping you out! Is visiting Budapest on your bucket list or have you already been there? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo, Kriszti

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Where to See the Best Sunset in Santorini

Watching a sunset in Santorini is a truly magical experience. The view is always incredible from the west side of the island and the colors are just out of this world. Read along to know where to see the best sunset in Santorini, including their exact locations and tips about how to escape the crowds!

If you want to know more about Santorini including how to get there, when is the best time to go, where to stay and what to do, check out my Santorini Travel Guide! It is jam-packed with useful information about the island and it’s especially helpful if you are a first-timer!

Disclosure: *This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Best places to watch the sunset in Oia

Oia is the first place that comes to mind when talking about the best sunset in Santorini. If you are looking for that postcard perfect view you definitely need to visit Oia! Unfortunately since it is the most popular place it’s always crowded like crazy. I will share the most famous spot but I will also tell you about my favourite secret viewpoint where you can have an amazing sunset view without all the people, so keep reading!

Oia Sunset Spot nr. 1 - Oia Castle

I’ve already told you that Oia is the most popular place for sunset watching and Oia Castle is the most famous sunset spot in town. Based on that I think you can imagine how crowded this place gets around sunset. Now multiply it with three! It is really that crazy!

I would say that you should go early but based on what I saw early won’t help you either. Unless you plan to come like 3-4 hours earlier, go to the castle, secure you spot and not move until the sunset is over. Oh, and expect to share the experience with at least 300 other people. Seriously.

I tried to make my way up there around sunset but is was just impossible to find a spot. Don’t expect a normal castle at this place, unfortunately it was destroyed in an earthquake. Only a part of the old watchtower survived so there is no castle in reality, just the ruins of the castle. I don’t have any sunset pictures from here but you can see the view in the below photos during daytime.

Yes I know, the view is really beautiful but I think it just doesn’t worth it. Especially since I know another spot where the view is exactly the same and you can have it all to yourself! Let’s continue with that.

Oia Sunset Spot nr. 2 - The Byzantine Castle Ruins

Now that you know how crowded Oia Castle gets around sunset, let me show you another way to experience the sunset in a much calmer place. Most people go to the top of the castle where the old watchtower stood once. Instead of going up, start going down!

If you start to walk from the city center in the direction of the castle you will end up at this spot that you can see on the below photo. If you wanna go up to the castle you should continue to the left side but instead of doing that, continue right!

You have to take a few turns on the road and you will pass by this cute orange building called Kastro Oia Houses. (It’s also one of the instagrammable places in Santoroni, just FYI!)

Soon you will see the old castle walls in the hillside. This is your spot! You can easily climb up there and you will only have to share this place with a handful of people.

We were sitting on that road you can see in the left side of the photo. Since there were almost no other tourists we could take so many amazing photos! If you walk all the way to the door in the end of that road you will find a small cave so you can create a perfect frame for your photos. Let me show you the view you get from this spot!

Sunset spot nr. 3 - Go on a sunset cruise

Boat tours are one of the most popular things to do in Santorini as they offer an incredible view of the caldera and the surrounding towns. There are tons of different options to choose from, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

The sunset tours are one of the most expensive tours, they usually start from 100-150€. Since we had only one night in Oia we didn’t go for a cruise but I’ve heard many positive reviews. If you are staying there for more than one night and you have the budget, definitely go for it!

Where to stay in Oia

If you want to watch a magical sunset in Oia, it’s best to stay at a hotel nearby. Luckily Oia has many options to choose from, you can see all the hotels by clicking here. If you’re not in a mood for searching, check out my recommendations below!

*Please note that the below mentioned rates are calculated for 2 people and they are based on my independent research at the time of writing. Therefore I can not guarantee this rate in any way.*

LUXURY – Kima Villas Suites

Swimming in the outdoor pool and enjoying the view of the volcano is just another day at Kima Villas Suites in Oia. All suites have a private balcony and free Wi-Fi.

Room rates start from 410 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

MID-RANGE – Prime Suites

Prime Suites offers a collection of individually decorated suites and studios on the top of the cliff, in Oia Village. Guests enjoy stunning sea views from private or shared terraces or balconies, some with hot tubs.

Room rates start from 214 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

BUDGET – Laokasti Villas

The Laokasti Villas in Oia is a traditionally styled complex consisted of of 17 spacious and comfortable hotel studios, apartments and villas. The complex includes well-designed hotel facilities and offers excellent services.

Room rates start from 118 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

Best places to wacth the sunset in Fira

Fira is the capital city of Santorini and it offers a wide selection of hotels. Chances are pretty high that you will stay there at least for a few nights. Fira isn’t known for its sunsets but trust me you can witness some pretty amazing sunsets there too! And it’s less crowded than Oia so that’s definitely a plus point.

Sunset spot nr. 1 - Franco's Bar

We arrived to Fira in the afternoon and I was searching for a place to have a coffee with a nice view. That’s how we ended up in Franco’s Bar. The bar was practically empty and there were no other people around us on the terrace. As the view was just perfect we decided to stay here for a sunset. What a great decision we made!

The only downside of the bar is that it’s quite pricy. Coffees, beers, ciders and wines cost around 6-10 EUR while cocktails are between 15-20 EUR. I know it’s a lot but I think it’s totally worth watching the sunset from there even with prices that high. This is definitely not the place to get drunk but buying one beer wouldn’t break the bank. And it’s so worth it for the view!

But let the pictures do the talk instead of me! You can see the view during daytime in the below pictures.

When the sun slowly started to set it gave the whole city a warm golden glow. The view was absolutely fantastic! The staff at the bar changed the music to a beautiful classic song which made the experience even more memorable. Half an hour later the whole city was lit up and the sky turned into a soft purple color. What a magical night it was!

Sunset spot nr. 2 - Along the wall

If you wanna experience the same view for totally free – you can do it as well! You can simply stop anywhere along the low walls in Fira (even around Franco’s Bar) and you will get the exact same view.

The downside is that the walls will be crowded so try to be there as early as you can to secure a good spot for yourself! You won’t be able to get good photos of yourself due to the crowds and the lack of space but if your goal is just only sunset watching you will still get a memorable experience from there as well.

Where to stay in Fira

As I’ve mentioned before, Fira offers a wide selection of hotels so I can absolutely recommend staying there for a few nights. You can check all the accommodations by clicking here or if you’re not in the mood for searching, look at my recommendations below!

*Please note that the below mentioned rates are calculated for 2 people and they are based on my independent research at the time of writing. Therefore I can not guarantee this rate in any way.*

LUXURY – Athina Luxury Suites

Nestled upon a rock in Fira Town, the Cycladic-style Athina Luxury Suites feature a swimming pool and a sun terrace with panoramic views of the Caldera and the volcano.

Room rates start from 412 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

MID-RANGE – Porto Fira Suites

These traditional suites on the edge of the cliff offer panoramic views of Fira Bay and the volcano. Each unit has a furnished balcony or terrace overlooking Santorini’s world-famous sunsets.

Room rates start from 192 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

BUDGET – Galatia Villas

Set in a quiet location, just a 10-minute walk from the center of Fira, the Greek-style Galatia Villas offers a welcoming lounge, and spacious, air conditioned rooms. The well-furnished guest rooms and studios feature a balcony or offer access to the courtyard.

Room rates start from 66 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

Best places to wacth the sunset in Akrotiri

Akrotiri lies in the south-west corner of Santorini. Since it is quite far from the main touristy area it’s not so popular amongst visitors and only a handful of people go there. The Akrotiri peninsula is famous for the ruins from the Minoan period so if you’re a fan of archeological sites I can totally recommend checking it out!

What got me really excited is that I accidentally found out that there is a lighthouse in the south-west edge of the island. I don’t know why but I’m obsessed with lighthouses! So I instantly knew I had to go there.

While the view is pretty epic I only recommend going there if you have your own car and you already seen the sunsets in Oia and Fira. It takes like a 50 minute drive from Oia or a 25 minute drive from Fira to get there. You can park your car along the road close to the lighthouse and since it’s not so popular it’s easy to find a parking spot.

Most people who go there walk all the way to the lighthouse but there is a hill behind the lighthouse where you can easily climb up (there are even stairs in the hillside). I think the view from the hill is far more better because this way you can have a view of the lighthouse and the sunset as well! You can find some little caves in the hillside that make a perfect framing for the photos but the smell is really awful inside so I only recommend going there if you are truly passionate about photography!

Oh and one more thing: Santorini was really windy almost all the time while we were there in mid-September but this place was the windiest of all! Since you are practically on top of a hill in the edge of the island it’s only natural. I’m only saying this to be prepared for some serious gust of wind!

Final thoughts

Since we had only three nights in Santorini we could only watch three sunsets. All of them were really different but they had one thing in common: every one of them was so magical! The sunsets in Santorini are really out of this world. I hope you liked this post about where to see the best sunset in Santorini and you will be able to witness some pretty epic sunsets as well while visiting this beautiful island!

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email, I always love helping you out! Do you know some other great sunset spots in Santorini? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo, Kriszti

What camera gear do we use?

Camera body: Sony Alpha 7 III
Standard zoom lens: TAMRON 28-75 mm f/2.8
Wide angle lens: Sony FE 16-35mm f/4
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
GoPro: GoPro Hero 7
Camera Bag: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L
Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action

If you want to read more about what is in our camera bag, check out my detailed post about our travel photography gear!

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The Ultimate Santorini Travel Guide for First Timers

I’ve been dreaming of visiting Santorini like forever. This island is hands down the most famous one of the Greek islands, and for a good reason! Seeing the white washed cliff-side towns, the deep blue roofs and the endless views of the shimmering sea with my own eyes was an incredible experience. Are you dreaming of visiting Santorini as well? If yes, I have some good news for you! In this Santorini travel guide I collected all the information you need to know before visiting this magical island. It’s especially useful for first-timers!

Disclosure: *This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

The Ultimate Santorini Travel Guide for First Timers

Location & History

Santorini (officially known as Thira) is part of the Cycladic island group on the Aegean Sea, located roughly halfway between Athens and Crete. In the Ancient times the island was called Stongili (which means round in Greek) due to its round shape.

Around 1,500 BC the island suffered a huge volcanic explosion, probably one of the largest explosions on Earth in the last few thousand years. As a consequence, the center of the island sank and the rest of the island got heavily damaged.

What remains today of Santorini is a crescent-shaped island with a huge caldera (a crater created by the volcanic eruption) on its western side. The caldera is surrounded by the steep cliffs of Santorini and the island of Thirassia.

There are two islands in the middle, the smaller one is the remains of the old volcano (Palea Cameni) and the bigger one is a new volcano (Nea Cameni). Although the new volcano is still active, but right now there is no risk of eruption.

Santorini is quite a small island, the area is only 76km². The length of the island is 16 km and the width varies between 1 and 5 km. It takes roughly 45 minutes to drive from one end of Santorini to the other.

Population & Turism

Santorini is home to roughly 15,500 people. In contrast to this, the island received over 2 million tourist in 2018. Shocking, right?

And this number does not even include the cruise passengers who are only coming to the island during the day. Santorini is a really popular cruise destination, which means in peak season the number of cruise visitors can be as high as 15,000 per day.

In addition to the 2 million regular tourists. Crazy.

Currency

Greece is a member of the European Union and they are using Euro (€) as their official currency. Credit cards are widely accepted across the country and there are many ATMs where you can withdraw cash. It’s always good to have some cash with you as the smaller bazaars usually don’t accept credit cards.

Visa

Many visitors can enter Greece up to 90 days as a tourist without having to apply for a visa. If you are traveling from another European country, from the USA, Canada, Australia, or Japan, you don’t need a visa for entering Greece. For a detailed list of visa requirements for each countries, visit the website of the Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

How to get to Santorini

By plane

The easiest way of visiting Santorini is by plane. Santorini has only one airport, Thira Airport (JTR), located on the east side of the island. The airport is close to Kamari village and it is roughly 6km from Fira. It’s a small airport with no special facilities or airline lounges, therefore sleeping at the airport is not allowed.

Getting to Santorini from Europe is quite easy, as in the summer period there are numerous direct flights from many European cities like London, Vienna, Paris or Amsterdam. The island can be reached all-year round with direct flight from Athens. If you’re planning to arrive via Athens and you have a few extra days, you might be interested in reading an article about How to Spend 4 Days in Athens as well!

If you wanna visit Santorini from the USA, Canada, Australia or other non-European countries, you must get a connecting flight to Athens or another European city that operates a direct flight to Santorini.

By ferry

The other option for getting to Santorini is via ferry. The ferry routes are very well established therefore getting to Santorini via ferry is very easy.

There are daily ferries from Athens, Naxos and Paros to Santorini all year round. It takes like 5-7 hours to reach Santorini from Athens, a one-way standard ticket costs between 33-70€. Since Paros and Naxos are closer, you only need like 2-3 hours to reach Santorini, a one-way standard ticket costs between 23-45€.

From mid-March until the end of September you can catch direct ferries from Mykonos, Ios, Milos, Folegandros and Crete as well.

I recommend using Ferryhopper to check the ferry routes, durations and prices. Usually there are more ferry operator companies on the same route with various prices and duration. As a rule of thumb, longer duration means lower price.

You can purchase different ticket categories on a ferry like deck-lounge, standard seats, business, cabin or VIP. It kinda works like economy or business class on an airplane. The same rules apply here as well: if you pay more, you can have a higher comfort level.

We traveled from Mykonos to Santorini and vice versa with the cheapest ticket option and it was really good. So if you don’t have any special needs, there’s really no need to pay more for tickets.

Where to stay in Santorini

One of the most important topic that a Santorini travel guide has to cover is the question of where to stay. Basically we can divide Santorini into 2 main parts, each of them have their pros and cons.

Booking.com

*Please note that the below mentioned rates are calculated for 2 people and they are based on my independent research at the time of writing. Therefore I can not guarantee this rate in any way.*

Caldera towns

The most popular side of Santorini is the western side. This is where you can have amazing views of the caldera and the volcano, not to mention the breathtaking sunset views! All of the luxury hotels are located along the caldera along with great restaurants and clubs. If you are interested in a nightlife guide check out the best things to do in Santorini at night!

I think you can guess what the downside is: the price. This part of Santorini is really expensive. There is literally no limit when it comes to luxury hotels along the caldera, so if you wanna have a splurge during your holiday, you will definitely find it here!

The best and most popular caldera towns are Oia and Fira. If you are visiting Santorini for the first time, I would recommend to stay in one of these towns! Apart from Oia and Fira, staying at Firostefani and Imerovigli can be a great choice as well.

Where to stay in Oia

LUXURY – Kima Villas Suites

Swimming in the outdoor pool and enjoying the view of the volcano is just another day at Kima Villas Suites in Oia. All suites have a private balcony and free Wi-Fi.

Room rates start from 410 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

MID-RANGE – Prime Suites

Room rates start from 214 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

BUDGET – Laokasti Villas

Room rates start from 118 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

Where to stay in Fira

LUXURY – Athina Luxury Suites

Nestled upon a rock in Fira Town, the Cycladic-style Athina Luxury Suites feature a swimming pool and a sun terrace with panoramic views of the Caldera and the volcano.

Room rates start from 412 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

MID-RANGE – Porto Fira Suites

These traditional suites on the edge of the cliff offer panoramic views of Fira Bay and the volcano. Each unit has a furnished balcony or terrace overlooking Santorini’s world-famous sunsets.

Room rates start from 192 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

BUDGET – Galatia Villas

Room rates start from 66 USD per night – BOOK HERE!

Beach towns

If you are looking to save some money, one of the beach towns can be a good choice for you. The beaches are located on the eastern side of the island, the best nearby towns are Kamari or Perissa in the southern edge.

The hotels around the beaches are usually way more cheaper than the ones along the caldera. You can find some good restaurant and bars around too, but they are not so luxurious as the ones on the western side.

You will not see the sunset from this side of the island but in exchange you can watch the sunrise which is really beautiful too! Plus you will always get a sea view and you can go out and have a dip in the sea anytime.

Where to stay in Kamari

LUXURY – Tamarix Del Mar Suites

Tamarix Del Mar is a lovely, pleasant hotel just a short walk from the beautiful black-sand beach of Kamari. Facilities include both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a gym, and a restaurant.

Room rates start from 194 USD per night including breakfast – BOOK HERE!

MID-RANGE – Makris Beach Hotel

Overlooking the black pebble beach of Kamari, this charming apart-hotel offers rooms with sea or garden view. Featuring arched roofs and white-washed walls, the welcoming apartments include a seating area with sofa and a dining table.

Room rates start from 110 USD per night including breakfast – BOOK HERE!

BUDGET – Armonia

Family-run hotel Armonia is located in Kamari. Highlights include its outdoor pool, pool bar and short, 46 m distance from the resort’s Blue Flag beach. Free Wi-Fi is available in public hotel areas.

Room rates start from 50 USD per night including breakfast – BOOK HERE!

Where to stay in Perissa

LUXURY – Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Suites

Located in Perissa, in Santorini, the adult-only, Cycladic-style Anastasia Princess Hotel & Suites offers a private swimming pool. The black, sandy beach of Perissa is just one minute walk.

Room rates start from 163 USD per night including breakfast – BOOK HERE!

MID-RANGE – Meltemi Village Hotel

Meltemi Village Hotel is conveniently located only 350 metres from the black sandy beach of Perissa, right in the middle of the area’s main activities. The newly built suites with outdoor, refreshing whirlpool are designed for privacy and comfort.

Room rates start from 100 USD per night including breakfast – BOOK HERE!

BUDGET – Roula Villa Studios & Apartments

Roulla Villa, located just a short walk from Perissa Beach, offers a large outdoor pool with hot tub facilities and weekly Greek theme nights. Each of its comfortable rooms features private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen.

Room rates start from 57 USD per night including breakfast – BOOK HERE!

Best time to visit Santorini

High season

High season in Santorini runs from late June to early September. As you can imagine, the island is full of tourists in this season and the prices are at their peak. The weather is usually hot and sunny, which makes it perfect for relaxing at the beach. If you are more into sightseeing or hiking, if you don’t tolerate the crowds too well or you are a first-timer, I would recommend to avoid the high season.

Shoulder season

Visiting Santorini in the shoulder season, typically in May-June or September-October is a great choice. You can still easily reach the island as the direct flights and ferries are still in operation. All of the hotels and restaurants are open, the prices are better, and there are less tourists on the island. Please note that in May and October the sea can be too cold for swimming, so if you want a beach weather, try to aim for June or September.

Low season

Originally all the hotels and restaurants were closed between November and April on Santorini. However as the island got more and more popular over the years, more hotels and restaurants are staying open during winter. While visiting in this period can be great budget-wise, be prepared for challenges. First of all, you can’t reach Santorini directly, only through Athens. Second, the weather is not so good either: the average temperature is around 10-15 degrees with grey skies and many rainy days.

How much time do you need to spend in Santorini

While you can get a glimpse of Santorini in only one day, I don’t recommend this unless you are coming from a cruise. Getting in and out of Santorini can be time consuming so you will not have enough time to enjoy the breathtaking views during the day.

Allow yourself at least 2-3 full days on the island! There is so much things to do and see, so you will definitely need this time to properly explore the island.

If you prefer a more relaxed itinerary with lots of beach-time and shopping, you can easily spend 5-7 days on the island. However if you have 6 or more days, I would recommend to combine your trip with visiting another island instead of staying in Santorini for a week.

I personally did the same and we decided to visit both Mykonos and Santorini during our one week Greece trip. I wouldn’t have it any other way, it was perfect!

Getting around Santorini

Public transport

The cheapest way of getting around Santorini is to use the local buses. Fira is the main hub of the bus system and you can get a direct bus to almost every part of the island. However if you are stying outside of Fira, that means first you have to take a bus to Fira, and only then to your final destination.

Buses are operated by KTEL and they run regularly every day. Prices vary based on the routes, but usually a one-way ticket cost between 1.80-2.50€. You can check the timetable and the prices on the official website.

I’ve read many complaints about the buses in Santorini, but I personally never tried them, so I can’t share my personal experiences. That being said, try not to rely on public buses if you have an important appointment, like catching your flight or your ferry.