You should always avoid drinking tap water in Santorini as there are no natural springs on the island and instead opt for bottled water, which is usually very cheap and easy to come by.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about drinking water in Santorini, such as whether or not you can drink tap water, where to find bottled water, and how much you need to spend on the water on the island.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Santorini?
Although you technically can drink tap water in Santorini, it is not advised in most cases. The island health authorities recommend that you always purchase bottled water and avoid drinking from the tap where possible.
The reason behind this is that the island of Santorini has no natural sources of water.
Although the island has begun to implement drinkable tap water in the houses on the island, currently, only 50% are connected to any water source at all!
In these cases, the houses will rely entirely on delivering fresh, drinkable water.
The island has begun to install plants for desalinating the water supplied to the other 50% of homes, but in most cases, it is still recommended that you do not rely on tap water for drinking.
Many of the homes in Santorini still rely on collecting the water rain and will do so by placing a large tank on top of their houses. This water (in this state) is not advised for consumption, so bottled water is used.
Because of the island’s lack of drinkable tap water in the majority of its properties, bottled water is straightforward to get hold of.
What happens if you drink tap water in Santorini?
Although the chances of you getting very ill from drinking tap water in Santorini are very low, because bottled water is so cheap and easy to come by, it is not worth the risk unless you absolutely have to.
The health ministry in Santorini states that it is safe to brush your teeth using tap water and wash with it, but they do not recommend drinking it.
Even if you are lucky enough to stay in a place connected to a desalination plant, locals recommend that you still opt for drinking bottled water as the taste of the desalinated tap water is not very pleasant.
Check out these amazing water filter bottles that remove tap water impurities (perfect for both at home and on vacation): Water Filter Bottles.
Where can I buy bottled water in Santorini?
Because the vast majority of the island relies entirely on bottled water for drinking, the product is very popular easy to come by, and cheap.
There are many small and large stores on the island that have an ample supply of bottled water, and you will not need to travel too far to find some.
If you are planning on staying in Santorini for a bit of a while, it is recommended that you buy enough to last the entirety of your trip and always buy a little more than you think you will need.
Because the bottled water is so cheap and usually sold in very large bottles, it is undoubtedly worth being safe rather than sorry and having too much rather than too little.
There is usually a wide selection of bottled water brands to choose from. So, if you are choosing to drink bottled water because of the taste, the chances are that you will find one that you like.
Is bottled water expensive in Santorini?
Bottled water is relatively inexpensive in Santorini. The vast majority of the island relies on it for drinking and cooking as they do not have access to clean, fresh drinking water.
This high demand means that bottled water is cheap in most stores on the island. Note that the larger quantity of water you buy (i.e., the larger the single container of water is, not the total quantity), the cheaper it is.
Remember that in more touristy areas, you may end up having to pay more for bottled water, especially if you are only buying a small 500 ml bottle.
If you want to save costs on paying for water while you are out and about, consider buying the largest water bottle that you can from a store near where you are staying, and then fill up a reusable water bottle to take with you.
Can I use tap water for cooking in Santorini?
You can use tap water for cooking, and it is especially safe if you are going to boil it as this will remove anything harmful in the water.
However, locals still attest that the water does not have a particularly pleasant taste and so prefer to use bottled water for cooking. Given that it is so cheap, this is not a significant inconvenience.
If you are worried about the tap water condition in Santorini, then it is always best to use bottled drinking water as this will help ensure that you do not get ill and do not worry.
If you plan to use bottled water for everything, for example, drinking, washing up, cooking, and brushing your teeth, then make sure you buy enough of it as you will go through it faster than you think.
The last thing you want is to run out of bottled water when you want a drink in the middle of the night.
To sum up
Most places in Santorini do not have access to fresh, drinking water through the tap instead of relying on bottled water for drinking and collected rainwater for everything else.
Although some houses are connected to a desalination plant, many locals still prefer bottled water for drinking due to the taste.
Remenber to check out these amazing water filter bottles that remove tap water impurities (perfect for both at home and on vacation): Water Filter Bottles.
When traveling to the island, remember to stock up on enough bottled water to last you the trip as it will not cost you too much when purchased in large volumes.
