Questions About Driving In Santorini

We have been to Santorini before but this time when we return we'd like to rent a car. Before we decide we have some questions for those that have already done this.

1. Do you know if you need a special license to drive in Santorini or is a USA license sufficient?

2. How hard is it to drive in Santorini?

3. We are basically interested in visiting Oia, a winery, either the black or red sand beach and some good photo stops to capture the white and blue buildings. How long do you think this would take ... is 5 hours enough?

4. Is it hard to find parking in Oia?

5. Where are some good photo stops to get pictures of the white buildings with the blue tops?

Last time we were on a tour but if we rent a car this time we'd like to show the other people in our group who haven't been there all the main sites so any information would be greatly appreciated.

A US license is fine but go to AAA and get international license for around $20. We rented a car in all the ports and some ask for it and some don’t. However it’s the law and if your in an accident and don’t have it the costs of damages may not be covered by insurance.

If it’s not the busy season then driving is easy esp if you can handle a manual. The smaller the car the easier parking becomes. Oia has quite a few small public parking areas.

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We rented a car through Tony's, which is a reliable company, and often recommended here.

A USA driver's license is fine; no international license is required.

The roads are in good condition.

We wanted to beat the crowds in Oia, so we ensured we were on the first tender into Fira, and at the car rental company as soon as it opened. We drove straight to Oia and spend at least 2 hours there, until the tour buses arrived later in the morning. Parking was not an issue.

We then drove around the island, visited some beaches, a couple of wineries, as well as the brewery (Yellow Donkey - Santorini Brewing Co.), dropped the car off back at Tony's, and ended the day in Fira, and took the last tender back to the ship.

We were on a small ship, Azamara Quest, and luckily for us, there was one other small Windjammer ship in port, so the town never really felt too crowded.

There is also a Budget rental on the Main Street near the bus depot. Go to the fishing village below Oia first, then Oia. Try to visit Akrotiri, it is really Amazing! Then lunch at Kamari Black sand beach. And then the winery.

We have found it wise to have the international drivers license.