Tips on Avoiding Santorini Island Tourist Traps

Santorini Island Tourist Traps

Santorini is a beautiful island with lots to see and do. If you’re traveling on a budget, avoid the tourist traps and save yourself some money.

Shopping Traps in Santorini

Being an island, the prices of jewelry, artwork and even food are marked up to take advantage of being a tourist area. Many of the same items found in Athens cost much more on Santorini. Also, if you buy jewelry on the island, be sure to ask for a receipt, certificate of quality and origin of manufacturing. What looks Greek is not necessarily Greek-made.

Inflated Food/Drink Prices

Food and drink at cliffside restaurants and bars are much more costly than they are on the high street or at an inland village. Often men in restaurant doorways try to entice passerby in by offering a balcony seat at a romantic table. Always be sure to check the price list beside the door before accepting the invite because these places are expensive. If these places are outside your budget range, there are plenty of supermarkets or you can purchase gyros and souvlaki at small, no-frills tavernas on the high street.

Visiting Oia and Fira

As nice as they are, Oia and Fira are both tourist traps. In Oia, everywhere you go you’ll have to pay for the sunset view or elbow the huge crowds. The restaurants also are notorious for inflating their prices even if the food isn’t great quality. Visitors recommend going to the less-crowded Fira for sunset pictures, but warn Fira is also expensive with several tourist traps. There are some places that even charge to use the toilets.

Several people report the volcano tours to be overpriced for what you see. A recommended alternative is ride a tiny fishing boat and still see fantastic views. Also, don’t mail anything out from the island, wait until you get on the mainland, fees are highly inflated.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about tourist traps on Santorini Island.