Greece › Santorini › Akrotiri Hotels
By Santorini Dave
See Also
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Towns in Santorini
• Maps of Santorini
The Akrotiri lighthouse at sunset.
Staying in Akrotiri
Akrotiri is a great choice for travelers looking to stay on the caldera, but in a quieter and more remote setting than the island’s more popular towns of Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli. Akrotiri village itself is quite small, with just a handful of restaurants and churches; the name is also used to refer to the entire southern peninsula of Santorini. Aside from stunning caldera views, Akrotiri is best known for the archaeological site that bears its name, a Bronze-Age Minoan settlement that many scholars believe inspired the legend of Atlantis. Like Pompeii in Italy, the prehistoric town of Akrotiri is well-preserved by volcanic ash, but unlike Pompeii, Akrotiri was abandoned prior to the volcanic eruption, leaving no human remains.
The Akrotiri peninsula is home to some of Santorini’s more interesting beaches, including Red Beach, White Beach, and Caldera Beach (with dive center). The lighthouse at its western tip is the quietest and most romantic sunset place on the island for sunset viewing, and there are a handful of great restaurants scattered throughout. Travelers who stay here will want to rent a car, as most hotels, restaurants, beaches, and attractions are fairly far apart. Because Akrotiri is more expansive and recently-developed than other Santorini cliff towns, hotels and villas here tend to be quite spacious, with most accommodation featuring private pools and hot tubs with excellent views over the caldera.
Over 3,700 years ago, the ancient city of Akrotiri was covered in ash when a massive earthquake set off a volcano. Today, the indoor archaeological site is a popular cultural attraction for visitors to Santorini.
Ancient Ruins of Akrotiri, Santorini – Video
Map of Akrotiri Hotels
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 • Adelante 88 Villas • Acroterra Rosa • Avatar Suites • Neptune Luxury Spa Suites • Ambassador Aegean Luxury Hotel and Suites • 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. Ambassador Aegean Luxury Hotel and Suites
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.comAkrotiri Ruins Information
- Location: Southwest tip of Santorini.
- Hours (April 4 – October 31): 8am to 8pm. Thursday 8am to 3pm. Closed Monday.
- Hours (November 1 – March 31): 8am to 3pm. Closed Monday.
- Tickets: €12 for adults, €6 for E.U. senior citizens and individuals <25 from non-E.U. countries. Combined ticket of €15 per person includes one entrance to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the archaeological site of Ancient Thera in Kamari, and the museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira. The combined ticket is valid for 3 days at each.
- Phone: +30 22860 81366
- Parking: Paid parking is available in the lot across from the museum entrance.
- Bus: Accessible on the Fira-Akrotiri route, with a stop directly in front of the site entrance.
- Dining: There’s a small snack shop at the ruins, a couple of great restaurants, Melina’s Tavern and The Cave of Nikolas, down on the adjacent beach, and a handful of cafes 10-15 minutes walk away.
Akrotiri Ruins
The very well preserved ruins of Akrotiri are the most popular cultural attraction for visitors to Santorini. The ancient city was buried in ash during a volcano triggered by an earthquake in the 17th century B.C., and many historians believe Akritiri to be the inspiration behind Plato’s Atlantis legend. Archaeologists began modern excavation of the site in 1967.
Currently the ruins are housed in a building covered by a bioclimatic roof that opens and closes to allow air flow. This makes it a cool dry place great to escape the heat of summer days. A raised boardwalk winds through the large area, with staircases down into sections of the the dig. The exhibits are well signed, and there are video monitors with visual displays as well.
We highly recommend booking an Akrotiri tour guide (meet guide at entrance) to show you around the site and discuss the history of the island, the eruption, and the ensuing destruction. Many tours include hotel pick up and drop off. One excellent option is the private tour of Akrotiri and 3 Santorini wineries.
Further Reading
• Santorini.com
• Archaeology Travel
• Atlas ObscuraAkrotiri Village
The village of Akrotiri is a short 10-minute walk away from the ruins, and has a handful of good cafes and shops. There’s a Venetian Castle above the village, a lighthouse at the southwestern tip of the island with fabulous views into the caldera (especially popular at sunset), and a handful of nice beaches in the area, including Red Beach and Vlychada Beach. There are some great hotels in Akrotiri along the caldera – but too far to walk to the ruins.
More 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, jacuuzzi, 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.comAdelante 88 Villas
Hotel phone: +30 2286 085495
Five detached non-serviced villas (2-5 bedrooms) with sweeping caldera veiws, each with a private infinity pool. All villas have kitchens, dining areas, and contemporary Cycladic design.
• 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.
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