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Things to do · Etiquette

Dos and don'ts: visiting Santorini respectfully

Small, practical courtesies that go a long way on a small island that hosts a lot of visitors.

3 min read Things to do

Santorini receives a very large number of visitors relative to its size and permanent population, which makes a handful of small courtesies matter more here than on a typical trip.

Do

  • Keep noise down in residential lanes, especially in the evening — many caldera-village homes sit directly beside the photogenic streets everyone walks through.
  • Dress modestly if you step into a church or chapel, even an unstaffed one — see our churches guide.
  • Ask before photographing people directly, including shop owners and tour staff.
  • Tip service staff for good service — see our currency and tipping guide for typical amounts.

Don't

  • Don't block narrow lanes for a photo for an extended time — they're also how residents and deliveries get through.
  • Don't fly personal drones without checking local rules first; restrictions exist in parts of the island and are enforced.
  • Don't assume every "authentic" experience marketed to tourists is representative of local life — see our finding a real taverna guide for one concrete example of looking past the surface.

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