Santorini on a backpacker budget (yes, really)

Santorini is famous for infinity pools and €500-a-night cave hotels. It is also home to one of the cheapest hostels in the Cyclades, a black-sand beach with free sunbeds if you buy a drink, and a local bus that goes everywhere for a couple of euros.

Stay in Perissa or Kamari on the east coast, where the beaches are. Take the bus to Fira and walk the caldera path to Oia (about 10 kilometres, three to four hours), which is the best thing on the island and costs nothing. Watch the sunset from the path rather than fighting for space in Oia.

When to go

May, June and late September to October. In July and August the island is overwhelmed by cruise ships and prices double. The ferry from Athens takes five to eight hours; the slow ones are much cheaper.