How to Elope in Santorini, Greece | Everything You Need to Know
Santorini, Greece Elopement Guide
Oh Santorini, forever one of my absolute favorite places that I have been and gotten to capture an elopement. The white villas hugging the hillsides and cliffs, the beautiful beaches, the crystal clear water, and some of the best food will forever hold a special place in my heart. This is the perfect elopement location because not only does it offer tons of opportunities for adventure, but it is one of the most romantic destinations.
In this guide, I share EVERYTHING you need to start planning your Santorini elopement: the best locations to elope, legalities, fun activities, the best places to stay, and more! Keep reading and you’ll have everything you need to plan the elopement of your dreams in Santorini!
Table of Contents
Santorini Elopement Checklist
Decide that you want to elope in Santorini Greece!
Hire your photo/video team — click here to figure out if we’re the best fit for you!
Chat about how you imagine your dream elopement! Do you imagine it on a boat at sunset or in the town surrounded by the beautiful architecture and streets of Santorini?
Pick a few dates and coordinate with your photo/video team on what the best date is.
Sit down with your partner and discuss what you want your elopement day to be like! Do you want adventure or more of a relaxed day?
Find all your other vendors!
Book your flights and accommodations!
Get your marriage license (more on how to do this later).
Stay in touch with your photo/video team because they will be one of your most valuable resources when planning your elopement!
Travel to Greece and have the best time of your life marrying your best friend in one of the most beautiful places!
FAQs About Eloping in Santorini
Can foreigners elope in Santorini?
Yes, foreigners can elope in Santorini. There are just a few more steps you will need to take. \
Where can we elope in Santorini?
There are so many beautiful places to elope in Santorini from venues to public beaches and hikes. I share more on this later in the blog.
When should we elope in Santorini?
Fall and spring are the best months to elope in Santorini. The weather is not too hot and you don’t have to deal with the summer crowds and as high of prices.
Do you need an officiant to elope in Santorini?
When you elope in Santorini, you have your legal ceremony at city hall where you will have an officiant At your private ceremony afterwards, you do not need an officiant.
Do you need witnesses to elope in Santorini?
At your legal ceremony at city hall, you will need to have 2 witnesses.
How much does it cost to elope in Santorini?
An elopement in Santorini can vary a lot in price. You can pay anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 depending on the vendors you choose, flights, and accommodations.
How far in advance should we start planning our Santorini elopement?
I would recommend at least 1 year in advance so you can coordinate with your vendors, especially your photographer and videographer.
Why Elope in Santorini?
I mean, have you seen the place? White sand beaches, cliffside villages of the most adorable white homes, dramatic red-stained cliffs, beautiful ocean views, and amazing local cuisine. Santorini is one of those places that doesn’t seem real and that is exactly why it is one of the most perfect places to elope. Whether you want to run through and explore the streets of Santorini, lay on the beach enjoying a delicious cocktail, or charter a fishing boat, there is something for everyone! And the best part is that your honeymoon can start right away cause why would you want to leave?
How to Get to Santorini
Okay, so this depends on where you are coming from. Most likely you will need to fly. When visiting Santorini Island, how you get there via plane depends on where you are coming from. If you live in Europe, a lot of nearby countries have direct flights to Santorini.
But, if you are flying from the US, UK, or Canada, your best option is to fly to Athens and then there are a few options on how you can get to Santorini. The first is by airplane through Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" and the other is by ferryboat from Piraeus Port. Flying to Santorini is a bit more expensive but only takes about 40 minutes. The fairy ride takes about 8 hours but the journey is pretty enjoyable as they make it very comfortable with TVs, restaurants, cafes, and decks from where you can enjoy views of the Aegean Sea.
Once you arrive in Santorini, you will want to determine how you are going to get to your hotel or Airbnb. If you are staying at a hotel, you can check with them ahead of time to see if they offer a hotel pickup service. Your other options include taking a taxi or bus.
How to Get Married in Santorini, Greece
Santorini Marriage License
While the paperwork and legal stuff is probably the least exciting part of planning your destination elopement, it is one of the most important steps. We want to make sure that you and your partner can get LEGALLY married when you elope in Santorini, so here is what you will need:
A valid passport
An Apostilled birth certificate with an official translation. This must be obtained in the US.
If applicable, apostilled documentary evidence (death certificate or final/irrevocable divorce decree) of the termination of all previous marriages.
An Affidavit of Marriage in Greek and English signed and sworn by the U.S. citizen(s) before a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
The fee for the notarization of the affidavit is USD $50. The service is available by online appointment only here. If you are both US citizens, you will both need to pay the fee. You must plan on being in Athens for at least two days to complete the required paperwork.
The Affidavit of Marriage in Greece must be authenticated by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs validation department.
Present the documents above in person at the City Hall.
Once you receive your license, you will jointly apply to the Mayor or President of the Community where they wish to marry.
Set a date for the ceremony at a city hall (there may be additional fees)
You must have two witnesses, one who must act as an interpreter (make sure they bring their passport or Greek ID).
The last step is to register your marriage. You must record your marriage at the Vital Statistics Office (Lixiarcheio) of the city where the marriage is performed within 40 days of the ceremony.
And once you get officially married at the city hall in Greece, you can then have your personal ceremony anywhere in Greece.
For more detailed information on the process of getting your marriage license for your Greece Elopement, click here.
Best Places to Elope in Santorini
Honestly, picking your elopement location in Santorini has to be one of the hardest decisions because everywhere is beautiful. The first thing you will want to consider is if you want to elope at a venue or if you want to elope in a public location. Below are some beautiful options for both:
Elopement Locations in Santorini
Oia Bell Tower Blue Domes
If you’ve seen photos of Greece then I’m sure you have seen the iconic Bell Tower Blue Domes. These are found all throughout Greece but the Village of Oia has the blue domes AND the best views. This makes for the most quinissentail Greece elopement location and the perfect backdrop for your elopement ceremony.
Amoudi Bay
Amoudi Bay is a beautiful neighborhood in Santorini known for its picturesque views. Imagine having your ceremony on the white sandy beach surrounded by red cliffs, iconic white buildings, and the turquoise Aegean Sea. And the best part is that this isn’t a super crowded area so you won’t have as many people around. After your ceremony, I recommend enjoying dinner at one of the local seafood restaurants on the beach.
Red Beach
If you visit this beach, you will understand why it is called Red Beach. There are beautiful red cliffs that tower over the beach creating a stark contrast with the blue water and dark sand. This seriously creates the most stunning backdrop for your ceremony and photos.
Fira to Oia
If you’re up for some hiking on your elopement day, this is one of the best places for that. It’s definitely a long hike with it being 6 miles one way. On the hike, you pass through four towns and have ocean views along the way. You also don’t need to hike all the way as there are plenty of spots on the hike where you can stop for your ceremony. And since you are going through four towns, I highly recommend stopping to explore each of them to enjoy some food and shopping.
Sunset Cliff Viewpoint
If you’re looking to elope in a location that is easily accessible but makes it seem like you hiked miles to get there, the Sunset Cliff Viewpoint is perfect! Sunset Cliff Viewpoints is located in the village of Oia where there is a small dirt path that leads you to a cliff that overlooks the sea. It’s truly a magical location for an elopement!
Elopement Venues in Sanrotini
Mystique Hotel Santorini
The Mystique Hotel in Santorini is a beautiful location to elope as the property is carved into the rugged Caldera cliffs of Oia with perfect views of the Aegean Sea. This hotel has the most stunning unobstructed views making it an ideal location for you to marry the love of your life! And what’s even better is that you can stay here and I don’t know if it gets much more romantic than the rooms they offer here. Some of the suites include private balconies with dipping pools. I can’t even fathom how amazing it would be to take some of your elopement photos on the balcony or in the pool!
El Viento Santorini
El Viento Santorini is a luxury wedding venue located on the cliffside of Megalochori village. Elopement ceremonies at this venue take place on their beautiful terrace overlooking the Aegean Sea. This is one of the most romantic and timeless elopement venues in Santorini. From the cobblestone steps to the luxurious renovated windmill, it will seriously take your breath away.
Canaves Oia
Canaves Oia is a stunning and private wedding and elopement venue that offers the best sunset views and romantic twinkle lights for up to 30 guests on their private terrace. They also have hotel accommodations and great restaurants on the property making it an all-in-one-experience.
Aenaon Villas
The Aeneon Villas are located on the Northern part of the Island on the top of a cliff. These villas have a mix of both classic and modern styles with all-white interiors and small touches of wood details. When you step outside of the villa, you are greeted by the beautiful views of the Aegean Sea and the perfect sunset views. The terrace is where I would recommend you have your ceremony as it overlooks the best views.
Best Time of Year for Your Santorini Elopement
Because Santorini’s weather never falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, this is an island paradise where you can definitely elope year-round.
Winter
The winter months in Santorini are pretty rainy but because it doesn’t get too cold, it’s not too bad. The best part about the winter months is that this is the slow season in Santorini for tourism so there are far fewer people and so accommodations are typically much cheaper. If Santorini is your dream elopement location and you want it to be more affordable, I think the winter months are great and I personally love how dramatic elopement photos in the rain can be!
Spring & Fall
The spring and fall months in Santorini are the best months to visit. It’s not too hot and you get to avoid the summer crowds.
Summer
Summer is by far the busiest season in Santorini, so if you want a more private and intimate ceremony, avoid the summertime. But if that doesn’t bother you and you want to be able to swim and enjoy a cocktail on the beach during your trip, it's definitely worth the crowds.
Where to Stay When Eloping in Santorini
Hotels
Airbnbs/ VRBOs
Fun Activities to do on your Elopement Day in Santorini
Santorini is a place chalked full of different things to experience. If you are eloping in Santorini, I’m sure you will be there for at least a week, so take advantage of some of these fun and unforgettable activities during your trip:
Go on a Private Fishing Charter (Captain Makis is the best!)
Snorkeling
Enjoy some cocktails on the beach
Boat Tours
Cliff jumping at Ammoudi Bay
Go on an early morning hike
Shop and explore the cute towns
Devour the amazing cuisine
Watch the sunset in Imerovigli
Book a sunset dinner cruise
Go wine tasting
Enjoy a private catered dinner back at your Airbnb
Spend some time alone at your hotel or Airbnb and enjoy the balcony or private pool
How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Santorini?
Okay, so there really is no definitive answer to this question. There are so many different areas that play a role in how much your Santorini elopement will cost. The time of year you choose to elope, where you choose to elope, travel, accommodations, and vendors will all play a factor. In general, you can expect to pay a minimum of $6,000. On the higher end, you are probably looking at somewhere around $15,000 to $20,000.
What to Wear for Your Santorini Elopement
Well, it’s your day so you can wear whatever you want, but I do recommend considering a few things. Santorini is a very hilly island so odds are you are going to be doing a decent amount of walking uphill and/or hiking so wearing something comfortable is a must. Here is what I recommend:
Wear a lighter and more flowy dress so you can move around more easily.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring your elopement shoes with you for the ceremony/photos.
For suits, a dress shirt and pants are perfect and just bring your jacket for later in the evening.
Santorini, Greece Elopement Vendors
Hair/Makeup
Florists
Videographers
Montana Diaries: We’re a full coverage photography + videography team!
Planning/Design
Santorini Elopement Photographer & Videographer
Heyyy, I’m Shay, your Santorini elopement photographer and videographer for the adventurous and laid-back. I love traveling all over the world capturing vlogs-mixed-with-indie-films for the raddest couples. Learn more about how to work with me for your Greece wedding or elopement by clicking HERE.
Santorini Elopement Inspiration
