eagermike93

Hi everyone,

We will be doing 4 days in Santorini this June and we were thinking of renting a car for the duration. How is the driving in Santorini? I'm used to Montreal driving (somewhat crazy), but not quite sure what to expect in Santorini. Also, we were going to rent a Smart Cabrio (automatic, and I also have an International License). Is it powerful enough for the mountains? Any other important tips that we should know before getting in a car in Santorini?

Thanks!`

clausar

Driving in Santorini shouldn't be a problem at all, i don't know about Montreal, but driving on the island should be much easier, as this not a big busy city....

Of course full attention is always required when driving in unknown places, but i am sure you won't find any heavy traffic at all

I have been many times to Santorini and always had a car.. my biggest problem was not the driving it self, but where to park it in Oia or at night in Fira.

Santorini has actually no mountains... i don't know how you imagine it to be, but even a drive to Pyrgos the highest located village of the island is no problem at all....

Actually driving up the caldera from the port of Athinios is a small horror to some people, but you won't be there anyway.
The road from Fira to Oia requires some extra attention, as there is no railing, but that shouldn't stop you from driving

Personally i find Smart to be too small, i would rent perhaps a car of a higher category.. but that's me....

I find Smart to be a tiny car,

Mimar

We spent 4 days on Santorini without a car. Stayed in Oia, took a local bus to Fira and a tour bus to Akrotiri. (This tour continued to an afternoon at a beach.) Santorini is more a place for relaxing than action-packed sight-seeing.

eagermike93

Thanks Clausar for your reply! We thought a Smart Car was a little small, but it was the only one that is automatic... And actually, we will be arriving by port. Have you ever used Kronos rent-a-car located on the Thira port? Thanks again!

eagermike93

Mimar, did you feel that you had trouble getting around without a car? We're a combination of sight-seeing and relaxing people, so we figured a car would be the best option to getting everywhere we want to go in the little time we have. Do you have any suggestions for any day activities?

clausar

Mike

With the car you can visit all the places that you want, at your own pace. Unlike Mimar i don't like waiting for buses, and i believe that with a car you can see so many more places that you wouldn't if you would use the bus.

I only rent from very well companies such as Avis, Hertz etc, to avoid possible problems.... ( i got burned in the past and will never do the same mistake again)

Should you pick up your cat at the port, you would have to drive up all the way to the top of the caldera, along with several other buses and cars, which requires your attention.

You could have a small coffee break, wait until all the buses,
cars etc are gone, and then drive away.

clausar

oh Thira is the official name of the island, which is known more as Santorini.
Fira is the capital, and Athinios the name of the port

Activities on Santorini

Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri which reopened last April, go to ancient Thira which is near Kamari, visit some of the wineries for wine tasting, go on a boat tour to the volcano, or visit the island of Thirassia that is just opposite of Santorini.... if you stay in Oia walk to the nearby village of Finikia, hike from Oia to Fira...i guess these would be some the activities that would require more days than you will spend on the island

eagermike93

Excellent tips as usual! I will be sure to check out as many of those as possible! Thanks again everyone!