Greece › Santorini › Akrotiri Hotels
By Santorini Dave
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The Akrotiri lighthouse at sunset.
Akrotiri Hotels – My Advice
- Akrotiri is the best place to stay in Santorini for privacy, relaxation, and better value. It offers the same stunning caldera views as Fira and Oia but from the opposite end of the island, looking north towards the volcano and the white villages in the distance.
- You Need a Car: Unlike the pedestrian-friendly villages of Fira or Oia, Akrotiri is spread out. The hotels, beaches, and restaurants are not within easy walking distance of each other. A rental car is essential here.
- Best Boutique Hotels in Akrotiri: Phos The Boutique (ultra-luxury with heated infinity pools) and Astarte Suites (romantic, all-suite hotel with the award-winning Alali restaurant).
- Best Villas for Families: Santorini Princess Presidential Suites is the top choice, featuring massive three-bedroom villas with private gyms and pools. Maison des Lys is another excellent option that is both family and pet-friendly.
- Best Villa for Large Groups: Grand Ambassador. Their Presidential Villa has seven bedrooms and can sleep up to fourteen guests, which is a rarity on the caldera.
- Best Hotel Pool: Apanemo Hotel & Suites features a stunning three-level shared infinity pool that offers some of the best caldera views on the entire island.
- Best Value Hotel: Acroterra Rosa (moderately priced luxury with a large infinity pool).
- The View Difference: In Fira, you look down at the caldera. In Akrotiri, you look across it. The view here is panoramic, encompassing the entire crescent shape of the island. It’s spectacular.
Staying in Akrotiri: The Quiet Side of the Caldera
Akrotiri is a great choice for travelers looking to stay on the caldera, but in a quieter, more remote setting than the island’s popular towns of Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli. Located on the southern tip of the island, Akrotiri offers a more rural, relaxed atmosphere. The village itself is small and traditional, centered around a Venetian castle (La Ponta), but the hotel zone is spread along the cliff edge outside the village.
Because Akrotiri is less developed than the northern towns, the hotels here tend to be much more spacious. You get larger rooms, bigger private terraces, and private pools are the norm rather than the exception. It is the perfect destination for honeymooners who want total privacy or families who need space to spread out.
Best Things to Do in Akrotiri
- Visit the Excavations: This is the most significant historical site on the island. The prehistoric Minoan town of Akrotiri was buried by volcanic ash in 1600 BC (much like Pompeii) and is incredibly well-preserved. The site is covered by a bioclimatic roof, making it a great activity even on hot days.
- Red Beach & White Beach: Akrotiri is the gateway to the island’s most unique beaches. Red Beach is famous for its soaring russet cliffs (view it from the overlook or take a boat taxi; walking on the beach is often restricted due to rockfall). White Beach and Black Beach are accessible by small boat taxis that depart from the Akrotiri beach parking lot.
- Akrotiri Lighthouse (Faros): Located at the extreme southwestern tip of the island, the lighthouse offers one of the best sunset views in Santorini without the crushing crowds of Oia. It is rugged, windy, and romantic.
- Caldera Beach: This is the only beach on the island located inside the caldera. It offers a unique perspective (swimming while looking up at the cliffs) and is home to a dive center.
Best Restaurants in Akrotiri
- The Cave of Nikolas: A historic, family-run taverna located right on the water near the excavation site. It serves excellent fresh fish and traditional tomato fritters (tomatokeftedes) using produce from their own farm.
- The Good Heart (Kali Kardia): A local favorite located on the road to the lighthouse. It’s a traditional roadside taverna serving honest, delicious local food. It is family-friendly and totally unpretentious.
- Giorgaros: Located near the lighthouse, this spot offers great seafood and meze with a stunning sunset view that rivals any restaurant in Oia.
- Alali Restaurant: For a fine-dining experience, this hotel restaurant offers creative Mediterranean cuisine with a spectacular terrace overlooking the caldera.
Getting Around Akrotiri
- Rent a Car: I cannot stress this enough. Akrotiri is the one place on the caldera where a car is virtually mandatory. The distance from the hotels to the beaches or the main village is too far to walk comfortably, and taxis add up quickly.
- Bus: There is a bus that runs from Fira to the Akrotiri excavation site (stopping at the village), but it does not stop at most of the cliffside hotels. Relying on the bus here is difficult.
- Distances: Akrotiri is about a 20-minute drive to Fira, a 45-minute drive to Oia, and a 25-minute drive to the Airport or Ferry Port.
Note: This map is oriented with West at the top.
Hotels on Map: Potnia Theron Suites • Phos the Boutique • Coco-Mat • Astarte Suites • Maison des Lys • Melidonia Suites • Kalestesia Suites • Cape 9 • Apanemo Hotel • Black Diamond Suites • Acroterra Rosa • Avatar Suites • Neptune Luxury Spa Suites • Grand Ambassador • Santorini Princess Presidential Suites
4 Best Akrotiri Hotels
1. Santorini Princess Presidential Suites
Hotel phone: +30 2286 085150
Lavish, family-friendly, and serviced villa collection overlooking the Akrotiri caldera, with sweeping sunset and panoramic views. Its four three-bedroom, three-bathroom villas each feature private gyms and outdoor jacuzzis and pools with direct caldera views. Villas are serviced 24-hours, with daily breakfast delivery and maid service. In addition to each villa’s private facilities, the Santorini Princess property also houses a full-service spa, community pool, kids’ pool, restaurant, and bar.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com2. Grand Ambassador
Hotel phone: +30 2286 085270
Caldera-view villas and suites, each with its own private pool. There is also a shared pool with pool bar, on-site holistic spa, and hotel restaurant – with kids’ menu. Most suites have one to three bedrooms, but the seven-bedroom Presidential Villa can accommodate up to fourteen guests. A great option for couples, friends’ trip, or families.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com3. Cape 9 Suites and Villas
Hotel phone: +30 2286 083595
Nine villas and suites, each done in contemporary Cycladic-style decor and boasting a private patio and plunge pool. There are also two, larger shared pools that overlook the caldera. Breakfast is delivered daily to each suite or villa. Suites sleep three, villas can accommodate five to six people.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com4. Astarte Suites
Hotel phone: +30 22860 83388
All-suite boutique hotel with a cave-style infinity pool (with pool bar) overlooking the Aegean and an award-winning Mediterranean restaurant, Alali. Suites sleep 2-4, and each is unique in layout and décor, featuring a private terrace and either an indoor or outdoor jacuzzi; some add private pools.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comMore Great Akrotiri Hotels
Kalestesia Suites
Hotel phone: +30 2286 085097
Hilltop hotel with great views, on-site spa, game room, and large shared swimming pool – with pool bar and dedicated kids’ area. The Deluxe Suite, Deluxe Family Suite, and Luxury Suite also have private outdoor jacuzzis. The Family Maisonette sleeps 5.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comApanemo Hotel & Suites
Twenty-five guest rooms and serviced apartments; all have private balconies, many with incredible views of the caldera. Shared three-level infinity pool, jacuzzi, kids’ pool, and pool bar.
Hotel phone: +30 2286 082831
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comBlack Diamond Suites
Hotel phone: +30 2286 027001
Modern suites sleep up to five people, each suite with its own balcony or terrace with a caldera-view heated swimming pool or jacuzzi.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comAcroterra Rosa
Hotel phone: +30 2286 085342
Moderately-priced luxury boutique hotel with on-site restaurant, gym, and spa. Deluxe suites have private indoor or outdoor hot tubs, and the Honeymoon Suite features a private plunge pool. There is also a large, partially-covered infinity pool (with pool bar) facing the caldera (from across the road).
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comAvatar Suites
Hotel phone: +30 695 861 6351
Two serviced suites, sleeping 2-4 persons, both with private pools overlooking the caldera. Decor is modern Cycladic, and bathrooms feature hamam, hydromassage shower, and aromatherapy options. Breakfast is delivered daily, and spa treatments are available on request.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comMaison des Lys
Hotel phone: +30 2286 081877
15 luxury family and pet-friendly suites, many with private caldera-view infinity pools. There is also a large shared pool with jacuzzi, kids’ area, and pool bar; and on-site lounge. Nicely landscaped with flowers and palms. Free port/airport transfer.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comMelidonia Suites
Hotel phone: +30 693 209 1052
New, modern, bright, and spacious detatched luxury suites, each with private heated pool and caldera view. 24-hour front desk and room service. The three-bedroom Grand Superior Suite is spread over two levels, and sleeps six. Spa treatments available on request.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comNeptune Luxury Spa Suites
Hotel phone: +30 2286 027550
This is a small property, with only two suites; each featuring private outdoor pools and caldera views. Also iPhone/iPad docking stations, luxury bath amenities. Massage programs, spa treatments, and candlelight dinner with butler service are available on request, for an extra fee.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comPotnia Theron Suites
Hotel phone: +30 697 686 9659
Brand new caldera-view luxury serviced suites. All have private pools (with built-in floating sun beds) or outdoor jacuzzis – but most have both. Two Executive Suites can be combined to form a mega-suite that sleeps five, with two private pools and jacuzzis.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comPhos the Boutique
Hotel phone: +30 2286 085219
Luxury suite and villa collection. All have private, caldera-view terraces heated infinity pools with floating sun beds. Breakfast, cocktails, and gourmet dining and cocktails delivered to your terrace daily – even a romantic candlelight dinner by advance request.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.comThe Ancient Ruins & Historical Site of Akrotiri
The entrance into the archaeological site.
Entrance to the building the excavation is housed inside of.
Large viewing area for groups and individuals.
Raised boardwalk winds above and through the site.
Well presented historical information.
Scale model of the excavation.
Video monitors throughout show short videos that highlight elements of the site.
Excellent information and signage throughout the site.
There’s a large paid parking lot directly across the street from the entrance.
The public bus stops directly across the street from the entrance.
After you purchase your ticket, there’s a short walk from the entrance down to the ruins.
There are a few excellent beaches not far away.
The lighthouse is another popular site to visit in Akrotiri.
A short walk above the village of Akrotiri is a Venetian Castle.
About Santorini Dave