Santorini is beautiful, but it tests your luggage and budget differently than Athens: steep stepped lanes, hot sand, and higher prices in the famous caldera areas.

Shoes first: Main villages like Fira and Oia are full of stone steps and uneven pavement. Pack comfortable sneakers with a solid sole rather than thin sandals, since walking for hours daily is common. Add separate beach shoes, since black volcanic sand heats up extremely fast under midday sun.

Summer clothing (June-August): Light, breathable fabric, a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen — temperatures reach up to 29°C and sea breezes can mask how strong the sun actually is. Also pack a light jacket for sunset viewing evenings, which can be noticeably cooler due to altitude and wind.

Shoulder season (April-May, September-October): Adjustable layers are essential, since daytime heat is mild but evenings turn noticeably colder, especially in elevated areas like Imerovigli and Oia.

Daily budget, broken down: Santorini is clearly pricier than Athens. Expect €100-150 per person daily (excluding accommodation): €30-50 for meals (restaurants with caldera views run much higher than ones just a few steps back from the cliff edge), roughly €23 a day for a rental car or ATV if you plan on visiting the south coast beaches, and variable fees for caldera boat tours (often €60-100 per person depending on length and type). Accommodation itself makes the biggest difference: a caldera-view hotel in Oia can cost multiples of a similar hotel in Kamari or Perissa near the beach.

Money-saving tip: Book accommodation in Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Kamari instead of Oia for significant savings while staying reasonably close to top sights, and use the free coastal walking path between villages instead of taxis whenever possible.

One final reminder: Carry enough euro cash upon arrival, since some small hotels and family-run restaurants outside the busy tourist zones still prefer cash payment or add surcharges for cards.