Essentials
- City
- Santorini (Thera), Cyclades, Greece
- Population
- 15,500 (Permanent residents; swells significantly in peak season)
- Internet Speed
- Average 45 Mbps (Starlink available; 5G coverage strong in Fira and Oia)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include National Bank of Greece and Alpha Bank in Fira.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable (desalinated). Use bottled or filtered water for drinking; tap is fine for showering.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets (standard European)
- SIM Card
- Cosmote (best coverage), Vodafone, or Nova. Available at Germanos in Fira for approx. €20 for 20GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 widely used; local Alpha Bank for long-term residency.
- Accommodation
- Luxury villas in Oia, traditional 'cave houses' in Imerovigli, or apartments in Messaria.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere, though small kiosks (Periptero) prefer cash for tiny purchases.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and BlueVillas Santorini for high-end stays.
- Budget Accommodation
- Santorini Camping & Hostel (Fira), approx. €25-€40/night (March rates).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Oia (Sunset views) or Fira (Nightlife and transport hub).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Messaria or Karterados (Central island, lower costs, open year-round, less wind).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated 'official' coworking spaces; Nomads use 'The WorkHub' setup at many hotels or 'V-Office' remote solutions.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Confetti Dessert Boutique (Imerovigli) - quiet mornings, good Wi-Fi, and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings organized via 'Santorini Digital Nomads' Facebook group.
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Santorini Expats' group meets monthly at PK Cocktail Bar in Fira.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (Taxi version only) or 'Aegean Taxi' app. Minimum fare typically €25.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Moto Panos (Fira) - Scooters from €20/day, Quads (ATVs) from €35/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Perissa (Black Sand Beach) or Kamari Beach.
- Top Regional Airline
- Aegean Airlines / Olympic Air (Connects to Athens in 45 mins).
- Top International Airline
- Sky Express, Ryanair, and easyJet (seasonal starting March).
- Highway Access
- Main north-south road connects Oia to Akrotiri; traffic is heavy in Fira.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Local Bus Hub (KTEL) in Fira Square.
- Public Transport Passes
- Single tickets only (€1.60 - €2.50 depending on distance); pay driver in cash.
- Regional Travel
- Blue Star Ferries or SeaJets from Athinios Port to Naxos, Paros, or Crete.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Santorini Central Hospital (Thira General Hospital) in Karterados.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Cavo Tagoo Santorini (Wellness sessions) or Santorini Yoga (Oia).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Akro Fitness (Fira/Karterados) - approx. €60/month.
- Laundry Services
- Penguin Laundry (Fira/Karterados) - self-service wash and dry for €10.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Box (Available in Fira and Karterados areas).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fava (Yellow split pea puree) and Tomatokeftedes (Tomato fritters).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tranquilo (Perissa) - massive vegan salads and chill beachfront vibes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Lolita's Gelato (Oia) - famous for 'Greek Viagra' honey and nut flavor.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Sklavenitis Supermarket or Lidl (near Messaria) for mainland prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Skroutz.gr (The 'Amazon of Greece') delivers to the island via ACS or Geniki Taxydromiki.
- Grocery Delivery
- e-fresh.gr (Limited) or local supermarket delivery via Wolt.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Fira: Enigma Club and Two Brothers Bar.
- Local Brewery
- Santorini Brewing Company (Try the 'Yellow Donkey' beer) near Messaria.
- Wine Bars
- Santos Wines (Pyrgos) - incredible caldera views and flight tastings.
- Street Food Stalls
- Lucky's Souvlakis (Fira) - Best Gyros on the island for €4.50.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ginger Sushi Lounge (Fira) or Panagyris (Modern Mediterranean).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Blue Dome churches of Oia and the Skaros Rock hiking trail.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera (Fira).
- Historical Sites
- Akrotiri Archaeological Site (The 'Minoan Pompeii').
- Religious Sites
- Prophet Elias Monastery (Highest point on the island).
- Annual Events
- Ifestia Festival (Volcano fireworks re-enactment - usually September).
- Cultural Districts
- Pyrgos (Traditional village with medieval fortress vibes).
- Theater Venues
- Open Air Cinema Kamari (Iconic outdoor movie experience).
- Local Markets
- Fish market early mornings at Vlychada Port.
- Music Scene
- Jazz nights at Franco's Bar (Fira).
- Street Art
- Minimal street art; focus is on traditional white-and-blue architecture.
- Cooking Classes
- Petra Kouzina (Megalochori) - Traditional Greek cooking in a cave house.
- Art Galleries
- Mnemossyne Gallery (Oia) - high-end local photography and jewelry.
- Historic Buildings
- Venetian Castle ruins in Oia.
- Local Heritage
- Canava wine tradition and unique 'kouloura' basket-woven vines.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Caldera Path (Fira to Oia hike, 10km of volcanic views).
- National Parks Nearby
- Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni (The volcanic islands at the caldera center).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Vlychada Beach cliffs - walking trail through unique 'moon-like' rock formations.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Three Bells of Fira or 'The Heart of Santorini' in Megalochori.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Akrotiri lighthouse area during migration season.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited; use designated BBQ areas at Perivolos beach clubs.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ELTA (Hellenic Post), DHL, and ACS Courier (Fira).
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Service Santorini (Firostefani).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports hall in Fira; several luxury hotels have private tables.
- Language Classes
- Online tutors are best; 'Learn Greek in Santorini' intensive summer courses.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Laloūda Cultural Center (Emporio) - quiet space for reading.
- Community Centers
- Santorini Arts Factory (SAF) near Vlychada.
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most gaming is done via private high-speed setups.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- No casinos on Santorini; closest is in Athens (Parnes) or Loutraki.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €7,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €225,000 for a caldera-view studio).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €135,000 in villages like Emporio).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €8,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €425,000 in Oia/Fira).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €200,000 in Messaria).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €9,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €720,000 for prime caldera access).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €304,000 in Pyrgos/Exo Gonia).
- Corporate Tax
- 22% (Greek standard).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents; Greece has a Digital Nomad Visa with 50% tax reduction for 7 years.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 44% (for income over €40,000).
- VAT
- 24% (standard), reduced to 13% for food/hotel and 6% for medicines.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Greece applies CFC rules to prevent tax avoidance via foreign entities.
- Property Tax
- ENFIA (Annual tax based on location/size/age of property; variable).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3.09% transfer tax plus notary and legal fees (approx. 7-10% total purchase cost).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, Law 4758/2020 offers 50% income tax exemption for workers relocating to Greece.