The weather in Santorini is typically high 80s during the day/mid 70s at night. Seawater is at its warmest and beautiful for swimming. Don't forget your sunscreen! There's a 95% chance of sunshine every day during the summer months. Summer is peak season in Greece, so we're stressing the importance of securing a hotel or Airbnb early.
For walking around the island, tennis shoes or sandals with a good sole are best. The smooth stone streets of Santorini can be slippery, and there are a lot of stairs. Save the heels for the wedding events. Ladies, the wind can be unpredictable. Sometimes, it can be extreme. Pack dresses accordingly. Don't forget a European electrical plug adaptor for your phone charger, laptop, etc. Alternatively, most places will have USB outlets. For Greece, there are two plug types: C and F. Plug type C is the plug that has two round pins and plug type F is the plug that has two round pins with two indentions on the top & bottom. Greece operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz, so check your hair tools!
Yes, you can use Uber in Santorini and other parts of Greece. Uber recently started charging a 1.5% conversion fee for international rides unless you opt-out by de-selecting USD as your preferred currency. Most credit cards already do the conversion for you without foreign transaction fees. Go into your Uber app > Account > Wallet > Preferred Currency From this page, select "No preferred currency"
The best ways to get around Santorini are by foot, Uber, or taxi. The public bus (KTEL) covers routes to almost all places on the island and most touristy spots. Ubers typically take ~10 mins to arrive, and most places will be less than a 15 min drive.
Pretty much everywhere you go will accept credit cards, so no need to exchange USD for Euros. Most credit cards are ok, but a lot of places don't accept AMEX. When you use your card, always select the local currency (EUR, not USD). The ATM fees can be quite pricey. Try to avoid them. A lot of places open at noon and close very late. A normal dinner time in Greece is between 8:30-10pm and will go for a couple hours. Plan on slowing down and spending time enjoying the food. Waiters will let you hang out as long as you want, but let them know if you're in a hurry. The sunset is famous & a busy time for any restaurant with a view. Keep that in-mind when making reservations. ***IMPORTANT*** Passports should have at least 6 months of remaining validity. To be safe, your passport should be good through February 2026 or later, depending on how long you'll be abroad.
The wedding venue is located in the town of Pyrgos & the welcome party will take place in Fira. We would recommend staying in one of these two locations. It is about a 15 min drive from Pyrgos to Fira. If you're using Uber, give yourself ~10 mins for the car to arrive. Fira is the capital of Santorini. It's known for its beautiful cliffside views of the Aegean Sea. Due to its popularity, it's typically more crowded & more expensive than other towns. Pyrgos is less crowded, and therefore, a more affordable option. This is where we will be staying.
Tips are generally not necessary nor expected in Greece. However, if you receive excellent service and want to leave a tip, around 5% is standard.
Most everyone you meet will speak English, but it's always nice to learn a couple of phrases to greet the locals. Here's a few to get you through the weekend: Hello - Yeia sou (Pronounced “Yah-Soo”) Good Morning - Kalimera Good Evening - Kalispera Please/You're Welcome - Parakalo Thank You - Efharisto Excuse Me - Signomi Cheers! - Yamas
We love the island of Crete, and it's a quick 1.5-2 hr boat ride. We booked through SeaJets, and the experience was very nice. The ferry will drop you off at Heraklion or Chania, depending on the day you travel. If you land in Heraklion, we recommend either renting a car or reserving a car service to get to Chania. Crete offers beautiful beaches, hiking, archeological sites & incredible seafood. The locals are exceptionally friendly. Mykonos is also a very popular destination. You can book a ferry (typically 2.5 hrs) through SeaJets. For Athens, we recommend spending a day or two visiting the ancient historical sites, but the islands are (in our opinion) the best place to spend your time in Greece.
Reach out to us, should you have any questions! Carrie 678-499-0199 Mark 347-675-6711