Greek Islands Near Santorini: 5 Easy Day Trips & Ferries

The best islands near Santorini are Ios, Anafi, Folegandros, Naxos and Mykonos. Most are reachable by ferry from Santorini’s Athinios Port, with the quickest routes taking under 2 hours on high-speed ferries. Ios is the closest and easiest day trip, Anafi is the quietest, Folegandros is the most romantic, Naxos is best for food and beaches, and Mykonos is best for nightlife.

If you are planning Greek island hopping from Santorini, this guide compares the easiest nearby islands by ferry time, best use case, day-trip potential, beaches, hotels and overall travel vibe.

Best islands near Santorini at a glance

Can you really do day trips from Santorini?

Yes, but not every nearby island is a good day trip from Santorini. The biggest mistake is choosing an island only because it appears close on a map. What matters is the ferry timetable, return sailing, wind conditions, port transfer time and how much you can realistically see before heading back to Santorini.

Ios is the best day trip from Santorini because the ferry ride can be very short, and the island has a manageable layout for a quick visit. Anafi can also work if the schedule gives you enough time on land.

For most travelers, the smartest plan is this: use Santorini as your base, take one short day trip to Ios or Anafi, then add 1–3 nights on another island if your itinerary allows it. That gives you the island-hopping experience without turning your vacation into a ferry marathon.

Important ferry tips before island hopping from Santorini

1. Ios: the closest island to Santorini

Ios is the closest major island to Santorini and the easiest choice for a quick ferry trip. The ride can take as little as 35 minutes on a high-speed ferry, though some sailings take longer depending on the vessel and route.

Ios used to be known mainly as a young party island, but that reputation is too narrow now. The island still has nightlife, especially around Chora and Mylopotas, but it also has beautiful beaches, a charming hilltop town, sunset spots and a more relaxed side that many travelers miss.

If you want the simplest day trip from Santorini, choose Ios. You can arrive, visit Chora, swim at Mylopotas Beach, have lunch near the water and return to Santorini if the ferry schedule gives you a same-day return.

Best things to do in Ios

• Swim at Mylopotas Beach, the island’s most famous beach.
• Walk through Ios Chora, one of the prettiest small towns in the Cyclades.
• Visit Far Out Beach Club if you want the classic Ios party atmosphere.
• Stay for sunset if your ferry timetable allows it.
• Spend 1–2 nights if you want to see beaches beyond the obvious day-trip route.

How to get from Santorini to Ios

The ferry from Santorini to Ios usually takes about 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. High-speed ferries are fastest, while conventional ferries may take longer but can be more comfortable in windy weather. Ferries arrive at Ios Port, which is close to Chora and Mylopotas.

Best trip length: day trip if the ferry schedule is good; 1–2 nights if you want beaches, nightlife and a slower pace.

Best hotels in Ios

2. Anafi: the quietest island near Santorini

Anafi works as a day trip only when ferry times line up well. It is not the kind of island where you need a long checklist. The point is to slow down, walk around Chora, swim, eat simply and enjoy the lack of noise.

Best things to do in Anafi

• Swim at quiet beaches with clear water and little development.
• Walk through Anafi Chora and enjoy the whitewashed Cycladic lanes.
• Hike toward Kalamos if you have the time and energy.
• Eat at a simple taverna instead of chasing a fine-dining experience.
• Stay overnight if you want the true quiet-island mood after day trippers leave.

How to get from Santorini to Anafi

Best trip length: day trip only if the ferry schedule works; 1 night if you want the island at its quietest.

Best hotels in Anafi

3. Folegandros: the most romantic island near Santorini

The Chora of Folegandros is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades. It is not as famous as Oia, but that is part of the appeal. You get whitewashed lanes, squares, sea views and a slower evening rhythm without the same photo-shoot pressure.

Best things to do in Folegandros

• Walk through Folegandros Chora in the evening.
• Hike to the Church of Panagia above Chora for one of the island’s best views.
• Visit Agali Beach and nearby small coves.
• Use small local boats to reach harder-to-access beaches.
• Stay overnight so you can enjoy the island after the ferry-day rush fades.

How to get from Santorini to Folegandros

Best trip length: 1–2 nights. You can do a rushed day trip if the high-speed ferry schedule lines up, but Folegandros is much better when you stay overnight.

Best hotels in Folegandros

4. Naxos: best for food, beaches and families

If you only have one day, Naxos can feel too big. You might see Chora, the Portara and one nearby beach, but you will miss the villages, food, inland scenery and some of the best beaches. That is why Naxos is better as a 2–3 night stop after Santorini.

Best things to do in Naxos

• See the Portara, the marble gate of the unfinished Temple of Apollo.
• Walk around Naxos Chora and the old Kastro area.
• Visit villages such as Apeiranthos, Halki and Filoti.
• Swim at beaches such as Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka.
• Try local Naxos products, especially graviera cheese, potatoes and meat dishes.

How to get from Santorini to Naxos

Best trip length: 2–3 nights. Naxos is possible as a long day trip, but it is much better as the next island after Santorini.

Best hotels in Naxos

5. Mykonos: best for nightlife and luxury

Mykonos is not the best day trip from Santorini. The ferry can take around 2–3+ hours each way depending on the route, so a same-day return can feel exhausting. If you want Mykonos, stay at least 2 nights. That gives you time for Mykonos Town, Little Venice, the windmills, one or two beaches and a proper night out.

Best things to do in Mykonos

• Walk around Mykonos Town and Little Venice.
• See the famous Mykonos windmills.
• Spend a beach day at Ornos, Platis Gialos, Psarou, Paradise or Super Paradise.
• Book a sunset drink or beach club if nightlife is the reason you are going.
• Consider a day trip to Delos if you want history rather than another beach day.

How to get from Santorini to Mykonos

The ferry from Santorini to Mykonos usually takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes, depending on the ferry company, vessel and route. High-speed ferries are the fastest option, but they can be more expensive and more sensitive to windy weather.

Best trip length: 2–3 nights. A day trip is technically possible on some schedules, but it is rarely the best use of your time or money.

Best hotels in Mykonos

Bonus islands near Santorini: Milos and Paros

Milos: best for volcanic beaches and boat trips

Milos is one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades for beaches, boat tours and volcanic coastlines. The ferry from Santorini to Milos can take about 2 hours to 4 hours 45 minutes, depending on the route and ferry type. It is worth visiting, but not usually ideal as a Santorini day trip.

Best trip length: 2–3 nights if you want Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, Plaka and a proper boat day.

Paros: best for villages, beaches and balanced island hopping

Paros is one of the best all-around Greek islands, with Naoussa, Parikia, Lefkes, Golden Beach, Kolymbithres and easy access to Antiparos. The ferry from Santorini to Paros usually takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes. It is possible to reach from Santorini, but it is much better as a 2–4 night stop.

Best trip length: 3 nights if you want beaches, villages and a slower alternative to Mykonos.

Best island near Santorini by travel style

Is Santorini a good base for Greek island hopping?

Yes, Santorini is a strong base for Greek island hopping because it has ferry links to many Cyclades islands and an international airport. You can fly into Santorini, spend a few days enjoying the caldera, then continue by ferry to Ios, Naxos, Folegandros, Mykonos, Paros or Milos.

The key is not to overpack the itinerary. Every ferry transfer takes more than the sailing time. You also need to account for packing, hotel checkout, port transfers, waiting at Athinios Port, boarding, arrival and onward transportation. A “1-hour ferry” can easily become a half-day movement once everything is included.

For a balanced island-hopping route, I would usually choose one of these combinations:

• Santorini + Ios: best for a short trip with one easy nearby island.
• Santorini + Naxos: best for beaches, food and families.
• Santorini + Folegandros: best for romance and a quieter Cyclades feel.
• Santorini + Mykonos: best for a classic luxury-and-nightlife itinerary.
• Santorini + Paros + Naxos: best for a longer, balanced Cyclades trip.
• Santorini + Milos: best for dramatic beaches and volcanic landscapes.

Which islands are not easy day trips from Santorini?

Some Greek islands are amazing but not practical from Santorini unless you have a longer itinerary. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia are not good day trips from Santorini. Crete and Rhodes are large islands that deserve several days on their own, while Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia are in the Ionian Sea on the opposite side of Greece.

If your base is Santorini, focus on nearby Cyclades islands instead. Ios, Anafi, Folegandros, Naxos and Mykonos are the clearest options. Milos and Paros are excellent too, but they work better when you continue onward rather than rushing back the same day.

FAQs

Conclusion

The best islands near Santorini are Ios, Anafi, Folegandros, Naxos and Mykonos. If you want the easiest day trip, choose Ios. If you want quiet beaches, choose Anafi. If you want romance and hiking, choose Folegandros. If you want food, sandy beaches and families, choose Naxos. If you want nightlife and luxury, choose Mykonos.

My honest advice: do one true day trip from Santorini if you are short on time, then choose one island for an overnight stay if your schedule allows. Greek island hopping is much better when you are not rushing back to the ferry port every few hours.

Happy island hopping!