Getting from Santorini to Igoumenitsa

If you are heading to Igoumenitsa from Santorini, you are in for a journey. The town sits on Greece's northwestern coast facing the Ionian Sea, with Corfu visible across the water and the mountains of Thesprotia rising steeply behind. The region around it is one of the most undervisited in Greece, with Parga a short drive south along the coast, the spectacular Vikos Gorge inland and beaches that see a fraction of the crowds you find in the Cyclades. It is a part of Greece that rewards the effort it takes to get there.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Santorini to Igoumenitsa. Igoumenitsa is not connected to the Aegean ferry network and the only way there by sea means taking the ferry to Piraeus and then making a very long road journey across Greece to the northwest coast, which takes around 6 to 7 hours from Athens. Flying is the only practical option.

What about flying?

Igoumenitsa has no airport. Your two realistic options are to fly from Santorini to Ioannina via Athens and take the bus from Ioannina to Igoumenitsa, around 1 hour by road and a total journey time of around 5 to 6 hours, or to fly from Santorini to Corfu via Athens and take the short ferry across to Igoumenitsa, which adds up to roughly 7 to 8 hours total.

Your best option

Fly to Ioannina via Athens and take the bus down to Igoumenitsa. It is the fastest route and Ioannina is worth time if your schedule allows. The lake, the old bazaar and the island in the middle of the water with its monastery and the house where Ali Pasha was killed make it one of the most compelling cities in northern Greece.