Santorini is a dream. Our time on this volcano in the Aegean Sea was absolute perfection. Salty skin, ocean views, and lazy mornings—that's your definition of perfection too, right?

I know Santorini isn’t typically thought of as a budget-friendly destination, but even two budget-conscious backpackers were able to pull off five days in this Greek paradise. The island was more expensive than most of the cities we visited, but we found some easy ways to cut costs. Here’s how.

1. We went during the off-season

Visiting this popular getaway during the tourist off-season (October - February) is arguably the best way to make your Santorini dreams a reality. We went at the end of October and found an ocean-view Airbnb for three times less than it goes for during the summer.

The island was also considerably less crowded during this time. A local told us that during the summer, up to 10,000 cruise passengers come ashore every day! Cheaper accommodation and fewer people? Yep, off-season wins!

2. We took the ferry (and the bus)

To get from Athens to Santorini, you can either fly or ferry. The ferry ride takes eight hours, but it's a lot cheaper than hopping on a plane; it's also a unique way to get a peek at some other Greek islands. The ferry is very comfortable with various seating options, food and drinks, wifi, and an outdoor patio.

Once we landed in Santorini, we took the city bus to get to Oia instead of a taxi. The bus system on the island is easy to use and a much cheaper option than hiring a taxi.

3. We collected photos instead of souvenirs

I'm not a souvenir person, but out of all the places we visited in Europe, Santorini had some of the most tempting treasures. I resisted the urge to pick up a few things and looking back now, I have zero regrets. Instead of spending money on souvenirs, we took a lot of photos. You may be tempted to buy those sandals or magnets or whatever, but in this especially touristy city, expect these items to eat into your budget. Taking photos and exploring the city is free and, in my opinion, a much more memorable way to spend your time.

4. We ate a lot of cheap (and delicious) gyros

Pita, French fries, tzatziki sauce, three dollars—need I say more? Okay, I will. There are fancy ocean-view restaurants all over the place in Santorini, but they are way overpriced. I recommend talking to some locals to find out where they like to eat. It will probably lead you to a cheaper (and much better) restaurant.

We were recommended to a small gyro shop and ended up eating there almost every day. We also purchased some locally sourced foods from Oia's small grocery store, which is another fabulous way to get a great taste for the local culture.

5. We enjoyed the sunrise & sunset every day

Santorini is known for its dramatic views, blue and white buildings, and stunning sunsets and sunrises. So if you’re going to spend on this trip, spend on a room where you can enjoy all these things!

Staying somewhere with a view meant that we didn't feel the need to splurge on expensive sunset catamaran trips or dinners. Our balcony was the perfect spot to sit out with our morning coffee or evening drinks and soak up that epic island horizon.

6. We walked along the caldera from Fira to Oia

Between the cities of Fira and Oia there's a 5-mile path along the caldera. It's free to trek between these two cities and I highly recommend it to every Santorini visitor. The views along this trail are spectacular, to say the least.

We took the bus from Oia to Fira, spent some time exploring the city and then hit the trail. It took us about three hours to do this walk at a lazy pace. And because we were there during the off-season, we almost had the whole trail to ourselves.

7. We swam and relaxed at Amoudi Bay

Probably my favorite Santorini activity was spending the afternoon swimming in the Amoudi Bay. I still think about this spot all the time.

To get to the water, you have to hike down 300 steps from Oia Town, dodging large quantities of donkey shit along the way and maybe even a few donkeys. We found a corner of the bay all to ourselves and spent the better half of the day floating and sunbathing and being completely mesmerized by this little oasis.

Visiting this island was an experience that will stick with me for a long time. To my fellow budget travelers, I hope you feel inspired knowing that a dream trip to Santorini can be a reality for you, too.