Santorini without the crowds and at a great price: how to travel in the off-season.

Vacation in Santorini during the off-season: a cost-effective and pleasant experience

According to The Sun: The off-season is the time when your travel expenses can be significantly reduced.

Santorini is often associated with high prices and crowds of tourists. I visited this island in May, and honestly, the prices here are much lower, and there are plenty of sunny days.

Alice Penwill Alice Penwill

The off-season is the period between peak and low travel seasons, and it's the best time for a budget-friendly vacation in Santorini. Prices for vacations rise during the summer season, so I recommend visiting the island between April and June or in September-October if you can.

Sunny days and fewer tourists

I was in Santorini at the end of May and enjoyed the warm weather and, most importantly, fewer tourists.

There are also many sunny days in September and October. The temperature in the autumn months ranges from 17°C to 26°C, which is significantly higher than in the UK during this time.

Before arriving on the island, I saw photos on social media of lines of tourists waiting to take pictures in Oia — a village on the northern edge of the island with famous blue-domed churches.

Alice Penwill

Picturesque views of Oia

Strolling through the village streets, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of tourists – there were significantly fewer than I had imagined.

While the busy street of Nikos Nomikos was crowded, you could stop at souvenir shops without any problems.

The best moment of the route is the small gaps between villas, where you get an impressive view of the sparkling Aegean Sea.

Alice Penwill

Santorini is famous for its stunning views over the caldera and the Aegean Sea. Some of the most beautiful panoramas I’ve seen were from Venetsanos Winery, which overlooks the winding road from the port and the submerged volcanic caldera.

Affordable accommodation

You can find accommodation in Santorini without significant expenses. I found an apartment in Kamari, which is a 25-minute drive from Oia, for only £47 a night in October.

The apartment has a shared pool and outdoor dining terraces adorned with vibrant pink bougainvilleas.

However, in Oia, prices are higher – the lowest price is £100 a night for two. This Airbnb villa is hidden in the winding streets and has a traditional Greek look with white and blue colors.

However, in the off-season, vacations become significantly cheaper — in July, the villa in Oia costs £595 a night.

Flight tickets are also cheaper – you can fly from Bristol to Santorini with easyJet for £24 in October. Flights from London Gatwick start from £29, while from Manchester they start from £45.

In the peak season next year, one-way tickets will cost between £108 and £361 in July and August.

Visit Santorini in the off-season for a more affordable vacationAlice Penwill Choosing the off-season for a vacation in Santorini seems like the perfect option for those who want to save on expenses, enjoy beautiful views, and avoid the crowds of tourists. In autumn and spring, this place offers wonderful weather conditions and attractive prices, making the vacation not only enjoyable but also affordable.