Santorini is a dream — but it’s also a real place, with real people, traditions, and limits. With over 2 million tourists visiting each year, even paradise can suffer from overtourism. So if you want to experience the island respectfully — and not as a walking cliché — here’s what not to do.
1. Don’t Ride the Donkeys or Horses
It may look charming, but donkey rides are anything but romantic behind the scenes. Animal rights organisations have long documented the toll it takes on these creatures: heat exhaustion, back injuries, dehydration. Santorini’s steps are steep — climb them on foot, not on the back of an overworked animal.
2. Don’t Stand on Churches or Locals’ Homes
That perfect Instagram photo? It’s often taken illegally. Many blue-domed churches and rooftops are private property or sacred spaces. Climbing on them is disrespectful and, in some areas, now banned by law. Just because you saw it online doesn’t make it OK.
3. Don’t Stay in a Caldera-View Hotel and Expect Privacy
The truth: most caldera-view hotels are stacked on top of one another. Balconies overlook each other, strangers stroll past your sun lounger, and romance gives way to selfie sticks and the sound of rolling suitcases. There’s a reason so many guests leave reviews like: “Beautiful view, but no peace.” If you want privacy, you’ll need to think beyond the postcard.
4. Don’t Assume Oia is the Only Place to See the Sunset
Oia is beautiful — but it’s also a sunset stampede. Hundreds jostle for the same view, holding up phones, blocking alleys, clambering over each other. The magic disappears. Instead? Watch the sunset from Pyrgos, the island’s highest village, or your own private terrace. Let the moment be yours.
5. Don’t Expect Tap Water to Be Drinkable
Santorini’s tap water is not safe to drink — and it doesn’t taste great either. Always opt for bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. And stay hydrated — the island sun is fierce.
6. Don’t Visit for Just One Day
Day-trippers often rush in and out, ticking boxes without feeling the island’s rhythm. Santorini rewards those who linger. Stay a few nights. Wander. Sit. Feel. Discover the hidden corners beyond the cruise ship crowds.
7. Don’t Use Drones in Restricted Areas
Drones are tempting — Santorini is absurdly photogenic — but many areas are no-fly zones. That includes archaeological sites, private villas, and parts of Oia. Flying a drone illegally can earn you a fine and furious glares. Respect the peace.
8. Don’t Skip the Local Food
It’s easy to end up with pizza or overpriced tourist menus in the wrong spots. But Santorini has a phenomenal local food scene — rich with tomatoes, fava, capers, and sun-soaked flavours. Find the family-run tavernas. Order what they recommend. Say yes to the wine.
9. Don’t Ignore the Dress Code in Churches
You wouldn’t wear swimwear into a cathedral in Florence — so don’t do it here either. Shoulders and knees should be covered when entering churches or monasteries. A shawl or scarf is all you need.
10. Don’t Litter or Leave Cigarette Butts Behind
Santorini’s beauty isn’t self-sustaining. Every plastic bottle, cigarette butt or wet wipe tossed into the landscape stays there. Be better. Carry your trash out. Leave no trace.
11. Don’t Expect Big Nightlife in Every Village
Santorini isn’t Mykonos. If you’re seeking 24/7 clubs, it’s not the place. Villages like Pyrgos or Megalochori are made for quiet evenings, not wild nights. Let the island’s pace slow you down.
12. Don’t Queue for the Cable Car at Peak Times
If you’re coming or going by cruise ship, the cable car from Fira to the port gets backed up quickly. Wait times can stretch beyond an hour. Consider alternatives, and plan with plenty of time to spare.
13. Don’t Rush
Santorini isn’t a checklist. It’s a feeling. A light. A breeze that slips through ancient alleyways. Don’t chase every sight — savour the space between them.
Want to experience Santorini the slow, respectful, beautiful way?
Discover Demeter Cave House — a romantic, design-led sanctuary in Pyrgos, away from the crowds, and close to the soul of the island.
