What's considered rude that travelers do in Santorini?
Photographing strangers without permission tops the list, especially in Oia and Fira where locals are saturated with camera-wielding tourists. Entering Orthodox churches in swimwear or shorts is genuinely offensive — cover your shoulders and knees, or you'll be turned away at the door. Haggling aggressively at tavernas and shops is not part of Greek commercial culture; prices are set, and pushing back reads as disrespectful rather than savvy. Sitting at a restaurant table for hours without ordering, purely to watch the caldera sunset, is a real problem for owners running tight summer margins — order something or move on. Donkey rides down the Fira-to-port path are increasingly frowned upon by residents, and many Greeks are openly embarrassed that the practice still exists. Finally, treating the island as a backdrop rather than a place — blocking pedestrian paths mid-street for Instagram shots, especially in narrow Oia alleys during peak hours — generates visible frustration from both locals and other travelers.
Trip Friend knows Santorini cold.
Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.
Plan a trip to Santorini →