Where to Stay in Santorini: My Guide

Greece › Santorini › Best Towns
Updated: May 19, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

Quick Tips

• The golden rule: If the budget allows, stay on the caldera for at least part of your trip. The cliffside view of the volcano and flooded crater is what makes Santorini different from every other Greek island. My favorite hotels are mostly here, but you pay a real premium for the view.
• Caldera towns: Choose Oia for luxury hotels, boutique shopping, famous sunsets, and the classic postcard look; Fira for restaurants, nightlife, shopping, buses, and first-time convenience; Imerovigli for the best views and quiet romance; or Firostefani for a calmer base within easy walking distance of Fira.
• Beach alternatives: Stay in Kamari or Perissa if you want swimming, flatter streets, bigger pools, easier family logistics, and lower hotel prices. You lose the caldera view, but daily life is simpler and cheaper.
• Accessibility warning: The caldera towns have steep paths, uneven lanes, narrow stairways, and hotels built into the cliff. If mobility is a concern, or you’re traveling with toddlers and strollers, Kamari and Perissa are much easier.
• Don’t obsess over Oia sunset: Oia is beautiful, but sunset at the castle can be packed and unpleasant in high season. Sunset from Imerovigli, Firostefani, Akrotiri lighthouse, or a boat tour is often a better experience.
• Book early: For May through October, the best caldera-view rooms, family hotels, and private-pool suites sell out months ahead. Waiting usually means paying more for a worse location.

The Best Areas to Stay in Santorini

My Favorite Hotels in Santorini

• Fira: Athina
• Oia: Katikies • Canaves
• Imerovigli: Grace • Astra
• Firostefani: Tsitouras
• Beach: Istoria
• For families: Aria
• For couples: Aenaon
• Best pool: Nous
• Midrange: Enigma • Kavalari

Where to Stay in Santorini: My Favorite Spots

Choosing where to stay in Santorini comes down to one big question: do you want the famous caldera view, a more relaxed beach stay, or a quieter traditional village?

For most first-time visitors, I recommend staying on the caldera if the budget allows it. That is the Santorini people imagine before they arrive: cliffside hotels, whitewashed villages, volcano views, and sunsets over the Aegean. The beaches and inland villages are great, but the caldera is the main event.

The Caldera Villages: Best for Views
Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia sit along the western cliff edge, with views into the caldera and across to the volcano. These are the villages with the cave hotels, plunge pools, private terraces, blue domes, and the famous Fira to Oia hike connecting them.

The tradeoff is price, crowds, and stairs. Caldera hotels are expensive, rooms can be small for the money, and many properties involve steep steps or awkward luggage access. But if this is your first trip to Santorini, the view is worth the price.

• Fira: The capital and most practical base. Best for restaurants, nightlife, shopping, buses, and first-timers who want to explore without renting a car. It is busy and commercial, but the convenience is hard to beat.
• Oia: The most famous and photogenic village. Best for luxury hotels, honeymoon suites, boutiques, and the classic Santorini look. It is also the most crowded, expensive, and least convenient for getting around the island.
• Imerovigli: My favorite for romance and views. It sits high on the caldera and is quieter than Oia or Fira. Best for couples, honeymooners, and travelers who prioritize peace over nightlife.
• Firostefani: The best compromise. It has excellent caldera views and a calmer feel, but you can walk into Fira in about 10 to 15 minutes for restaurants, bars, and buses.

The Beach Towns: Best for Swimming and Value
Santorini’s main beach towns are on the east and southeast side of the island. You give up the caldera view, but you get lower prices, larger rooms, bigger pools, easier walking, and immediate access to the sea.

The beaches are black volcanic sand and pebbles, not soft white sand. They are dramatic, hot underfoot in summer, and very different from Naxos or Paros. Still, for families, beach lovers, and anyone trying to keep costs down, Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos can be excellent bases.

• Kamari: Easy, lively, family-friendly, and very walkable. Good hotels, a long beach promenade, casual restaurants, and frequent buses to Fira.
• Perissa and Perivolos: Long black-sand beach, sunbeds, tavernas, water sports, and beach clubs. Perissa is casual and good value. Perivolos is a little more stylish and beach-club oriented.

My take: Stay at the beach if you are traveling with young kids, want better value, need fewer stairs, or care more about swimming than sunset views. For a once-in-a-lifetime Santorini trip, I still prefer the caldera.

Traditional Inland Villages: Best for Atmosphere and Local Life
The inland villages are quieter, more traditional, and better value than the caldera towns. They work best for travelers with a rental car, repeat visitors, or anyone who wants a less polished, more local-feeling Santorini.

You will not wake up to the classic cliff-edge view, but you will get village squares, old churches, wineries, better parking, and a break from the crowds.

• Pyrgos: A beautiful hilltop village built around a Venetian castle. Great panoramic views, winding lanes, good restaurants, and a much calmer feel than Oia. One of my favorite non-caldera bases if you have a car.
• Megalochori: A charming wine village with a lovely square, old mansions, bell towers, and good tavernas. Quiet, romantic, and well placed for wineries, Akrotiri, and the south-coast beaches.
• Emporio: The largest traditional village and home to a wonderful medieval Kasteli. It is less polished and less touristy, which is part of the appeal.
• Mesaria: Central, practical, and more local than touristy. Not a major sightseeing base, but useful for good-value accommodation and easy access around the island by car.

My take: Inland villages are not the best choice for most first-timers without a car. But if you have already seen the caldera, want better value, or like traditional villages more than tourist hubs, they can be a smart choice.

Getting Away From It All: Akrotiri and Thirassia

• Akrotiri: Quiet, spread out, and better with a rental car. Some hotels have excellent caldera views from the southern side, looking back toward Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia. It is good for the Akrotiri archaeological site, Red Beach viewpoint, the lighthouse, and south-coast exploring. Not good if you want nightlife or easy bus-based sightseeing.
• Thirassia: The ultimate quiet escape, across the caldera from Santorini. It feels like Santorini before the crowds, with a handful of tavernas, simple guesthouses, and very little polish. Wonderful for solitude, not ideal for first-timers who want the full Santorini experience.

Beach vs. Caldera

If you are deciding between Santorini’s cliff-edge villages and the black-sand beach towns, the key thing to understand is this: on Santorini, the caldera is prime real estate, not the beach.

On most Greek islands, the best hotels are near the sand. Santorini is different. The most memorable hotels, restaurants, and views are on the cliff edge in Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia. The beach towns are easier, cheaper, flatter, and better for swimming, but they do not deliver the classic Santorini view.

Staying on the Caldera: Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Fira
The caldera villages give you the iconic Santorini experience: cave hotels, whitewashed terraces, infinity pools, sunset views, and cliffside walks. This is where the island feels most dramatic and unique.

Caldera: Best For

• First-time visitors who want the classic Santorini views.
• Couples and honeymooners.
• Luxury travelers and photographers.
• Travelers who want great restaurants, wine bars, and sunset terraces nearby.
• Short stays where you want the full Santorini impact immediately.

Caldera: Downsides

• It is significantly more expensive than the beach towns.
• Rooms and pools are smaller for the price.
• There are lots of stairs, steep paths, and luggage challenges.
• Oia and Fira are crowded, especially midday and around sunset.
• You are not walking distance from a proper swimming beach.
• Many boutique hotels are adults-only or not ideal for young children.

Caldera: Bottom Line
If this is your first trip to Santorini and the budget works, stay on the caldera. The views are the reason to come. You can always visit the beaches for a day, but you cannot recreate waking up to the volcano from a beach hotel.

My wife and I in Imerovigli (the highest point on the caldera, with the most expansive views) and Oia visible in the far distance.

Staying at the Beach: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos
The beach towns offer a more relaxed and affordable Santorini stay. They feel more like a normal Greek island beach holiday: flat streets, seaside tavernas, beach bars, sunbeds, casual hotels, and easy swimming.

Beach Towns: Best For

• Families with young children.
• Budget-conscious travelers.
• Travelers who want pools, space, and easier walking.
• Longer stays where you do not need the caldera view every day.
• Anyone who wants to swim often and keep logistics simple.

Beach Towns: Downsides

• No caldera views.
• No famous sunset-over-the-volcano setting.
• You need a bus, rental car, taxi, or transfer to visit Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, wineries, and Akrotiri.
• The food scene is more casual and beach-focused, with fewer destination restaurants.
• The beaches are black sand and pebbles, which get very hot in summer.

Beach Towns: Bottom Line
You get more space and better value at the beach. Hotels here have larger rooms, bigger pools, easier access, and lower prices than the caldera villages. This is a smart choice for families, budget travelers, and anyone who wants a simpler, more relaxed base.

The Verdict: My Recommendation

• First-timers and couples: Stay on the caldera. Choose Imerovigli for romance and views, Fira for convenience and nightlife, Firostefani for the best compromise, and Oia for the classic luxury postcard experience.
• Families with young children: Stay at the beach. The flat streets, pools, casual restaurants, and easier access to swimming make life much simpler.
• Travelers on a tighter budget: Stay in Fira without a caldera view, or choose Kamari, Perissa, or Perivolos. Spend the savings on a boat tour, wine tour, or one great caldera-view dinner.
• Repeat visitors: Consider Pyrgos, Megalochori, or Akrotiri if you want a quieter stay and plan to rent a car.
• Best of both worlds: Split your stay. Do 3 or 4 nights on the caldera, then 2 or 3 nights at the beach to relax and save money. This works especially well for longer trips, though I would not bother changing hotels on a short 3-night stay.

The Best Places to Stay in Santorini

Breakfast with a view on our balcony at Homeric Poems in Firostefani.

• Best Luxury Hotels in Santorini
  Grace Santorini • Katikies • Canaves Oia Suites • Kivotos • Athina Luxury Suites • Saint
• Best Boutique Hotels in Santorini
  Tsitouras Collection • The Vasilicos • Carpe Diem
• Best Hotels for Couples or Honeymoons
  Homeric Poems • Aenaon Villas • Katikies • Charisma • Cosmopolitan Suites • Santo Pure
• Best Hotels for Sunset Views
  Astra Suites (Imerovigli) • Athina Luxury Suites (Fira) • Sun Rocks (Firostefani) • Esperas (Oia) • Santo Mine (Oia) • Santo Pure (Oia)

My wife and our two boys eating breakfast on the front patio of Oia Mansion. Idyllic sunset views and a great place to stay for families and groups (sleeps 8).

• Best Hotels for Families
  Aria Suites (Fira) • Andronis Concept Wellness Resort (Imerovigli) • Andronis Arcadia (Oia) • Oia Mansion (Oia) • Sea Breeze Beach Resort (Perivolos)
• Best Hotels for Privacy
  Aenaon Villas • Carpe Diem Santorini • Coco-Mat Hotel • Vedema
• Best Hotels near Nightlife
  Katikies Garden • Cosmopolitan Suites • Enigma Suites
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels with Caldera Views
  Kavalari Hotel • Keti Hotel • Belvedere Suites • Reverie Santorini
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels without Views
  Costa Marina Villa • San Giorgio • Petini’s Place • Santellini Hotel
• Best Villas in Santorini
  Villa with Private Pool at Grace • Nafsika Estate • Aria Villas • Oia Mansion • Patina Vivera Estate

Santorini Towns & Beaches

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FIRA

Best for…
First-Timers, Nightlife, Shopping, Restaurants, Caldera Views, Buses, Families, Budget Stays

Fira is the capital of Santorini, the island’s main town, and the best place to stay for most first-time visitors. It has the caldera views, the most restaurants, the best nightlife, the most shopping, and the easiest bus connections. If you want Santorini to feel lively and convenient, stay in Fira.

Fira sits on the caldera cliff, like Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani, with views across the volcano, Thirassia, and the Aegean. The views are fantastic, but Fira is not as polished or romantic as Oia, and not as peaceful as Imerovigli. Its strength is variety. You can walk from a cliffside cocktail bar to a cheap gyro shop, a jewelry store, a museum, a nightclub, and the bus station in a few minutes.

I tell people this: if you’re visiting Santorini for the first time and you’re unsure where to stay, choose Fira or Firostefani. Fira is better for restaurants, buses, nightlife, and convenience. Firostefani is better if you want a similar central location with a calmer feel.

The main downside is that Fira can feel busy – very busy – especially from late morning through sunset when cruise passengers and day-trippers are wandering the lanes. The central lanes near the cable car, Gold Street, and the caldera path will be packed in July, August, and on heavy cruise days.

The town is a maze of narrow lanes, stairways, cliffside restaurants, small hotels, souvenir shops, jewelry stores, churches, bars, and viewpoints. It’s not a beach town. The closest beach is Kamari, about 20 minutes away by taxi, rental car, or bus.

For nightlife, Fira is easily the best town on Santorini. Bars start filling after sunset, and clubs run very late in July, August, and busy weekends. If you want quiet nights, book a hotel away from the bar streets and avoid rooms near the central lanes.

Sunset at MarinEra Restaurant & Cocktail Bar in Fira.

Fira is the transport hub of Santorini. The main bus station is here, and almost every public bus route starts or ends in Fira. That makes it the best base if you don’t want to rent a car. You can reach Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri, the ferry port, and the airport directly by bus. In summer buses can be crowded, hot, and chaotic. For the ferry port or airport, I still prefer a pre-booked transfer.

Stay in Fira if:

• You’re visiting Santorini for the first time and want the easiest base.
• You want caldera views but also restaurants, shops, bars, and transport.
• You don’t plan to rent a car and want to explore by bus.
• You want nightlife within walking distance.
• You want more hotel choice and better value than Oia or Imerovigli.

Do not stay in Fira if:

• You want a quiet honeymoon feel. Stay in Imerovigli or Oia instead.
• You want to walk straight onto a beach. Stay in Kamari, Perissa, or Perivolos.
• You dislike crowds, cruise traffic, and busy pedestrian lanes.
• You want the most famous sunset village. That’s Oia, though Fira’s sunsets are still excellent.

For hotels, Fira has the widest range on the caldera: luxury suites with plunge pools, mid-range view hotels, simple guesthouses, and cheaper inland rooms. Caldera-view rooms cost much more, especially from June through September. Inland hotels can be a smart choice if you care more about location than views. You’ll be just a five-minute walk from the caldera and paying far less.

Book early for the best caldera hotels, especially for May to October. For July, August, and early September, I’d book 6 to 8 months ahead if views, pool, or sunset terrace matter. Budget and family rooms also go quickly because Fira is the most practical base on the island.

Fira is not perfect, but it works. For most travelers, especially first-timers, it gives the best mix of views, convenience, food, nightlife, and transportation on Santorini.

• Best Hotels in Fira:
  Athina Luxury Suites • Katikies Garden • Cosmopolitan Suites • Aria Suites • Enigma Suites • Ethos Vegan Suites
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Kavalari Hotel • San Giorgio • Costa Marina Villa

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FIROSTEFANI

Best for…
Sunsets, Caldera Views, Couples, Quiet Stays, First-Timers, Easy Access to Fira

A 10 to 15-minute walk north of Fira along the caldera path, Firostefani is one of the best places to stay in Santorini if you want caldera views without the full chaos of the capital. The name means the “crown of Fira,” and that’s about right. It sits just above and beyond Fira, with a calmer feel and slightly higher views over the volcano and sea.

There is no hard line where Fira ends and Firostefani begins, though I put the change somewhere near Volkan on the Rocks and Anteliz Suites. From there north, the lanes feel quieter, the hotels a little more private, and the sunsets just as good, sometimes better, than what you get in Fira.

Firostefani is my favorite compromise for many first-time visitors: close enough to Fira for restaurants, buses, shopping, and nightlife, but far enough away that you can sleep without feeling like you’re staying in the middle of the tourist machine.

Sunset view from the rooftop terrace of To Briki restaurant in Firostefani.

Like the other caldera villages, Firostefani is built in layers down the cliff. Hotels, restaurants, cave suites, terraces, and footpaths are stacked above one another, so many places have excellent views. It’s not quite as dramatic as Imerovigli and not as famous as Oia, but it’s easier, more practical, and better value.

Firostefani has a small but useful collection of restaurants, cafés, markets, a bakery, a few shops, and a great bookstore. It does not have real nightlife. That’s a plus for most people staying here. When you want bars, clubs, more restaurants, or late-night energy, Fira is an easy walk away. When you want quiet, you come back uphill to Firostefani.

The caldera walk through Firostefani is one of the prettiest stretches on the island. South takes you into Fira. North takes you toward Imerovigli and, if you keep going, Oia. For most travelers, this is a huge part of the appeal. You don’t need a car to enjoy the best parts of the central caldera.

The Fira bus station is about a 15 to 20-minute walk from most Firostefani hotels. There are also buses along the Fira to Oia route that stop near Firostefani, but I would not build a transfer around that stop if you’re carrying luggage. For the airport and ferry port, book a taxi or private transfer in advance. For day trips to beaches, wineries, Akrotiri, or Oia, buses are doable.

Stay in Firostefani if:

• You want caldera views but don’t want the crowds and noise of Fira.
• You like being able to walk to restaurants, shops, bars, and buses.
• You’re a couple or first-time visitor who wants Santorini to feel romantic but still practical.
• You want better value than Oia or Imerovigli without giving up the view.
• You’re happy with quiet evenings and short walks to nightlife when needed.

Do not stay in Firostefani if:

• You want lots of restaurants, bars, and shops right outside your door. Stay in Fira.
• You want the most dramatic cliffside luxury hotels. Stay in Imerovigli.
• You want the postcard Oia experience. Stay in Oia, but expect higher prices and bigger crowds.
• You want a beach holiday. Stay in Kamari, Perissa, or Perivolos.

Hotel prices in Firostefani are not cheap, especially for caldera views, but they’re better value than Oia and Imerovigli. Inland rooms can be surprisingly reasonable and still very convenient. Caldera-view suites with plunge pools sell out early for May through October, so book far ahead if the view matters.

Firostefani is not the liveliest village and it’s not the most luxurious. But for many travelers, that’s exactly why it works. It gives you the caldera, the sunset, the walking path, and easy access to Fira, without making every moment feel crowded or expensive.

• Best Hotels in Firostefani:
  Tsitouras Collection • Anteliz Suites • Sun Rocks • Homeric Poems • Belvedere Suites • Dana Villas & Infinity Suites
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Reverie Santorini Hotel • Villa Ilias • Blue Dolphins Apartments

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IMEROVIGLI

Best for…
Couples, Honeymoons, Sunsets, Caldera Views, Luxury Hotels, Quiet Stays, Romantic Restaurants

Set at the highest point of the caldera, Imerovigli has the best views in Santorini. Not the most famous views, that’s Oia. Not the most convenient views, that’s Fira. But for height, sunset, volcano, and privacy, Imerovigli is hard to beat.

This is the quietest and most romantic of the main caldera villages. It’s where I’d send most honeymooners, couples, and anyone who wants the “wow” Santorini view without the crowds right outside the door. The northern edge of Imerovigli is especially peaceful, with some of the island’s best luxury hotels and private terraces.

The tradeoff is that Imerovigli is not lively. There are good restaurants, a few cafés, a couple of small markets, and some low-key wine bars and lounges, but no real nightlife and very little shopping. If you want busy lanes, late bars, and lots of restaurant choice, stay in Fira. If you want famous blue domes and postcard streets, stay in Oia. If you want the best caldera hotel experience, stay in Imerovigli.

Restaurants are better here than the village size suggests. Athenian House is the big romantic splurge, with polished Greek food and caldera views. Avocado is casual, friendly, and reliable, especially good for healthy Mediterranean food and vegetarians. Anogi is lively, good-value, and one of the better casual tavernas near the caldera. Hotel restaurants have also improved a lot in Imerovigli, especially at the high-end properties. For sunset dining, reserve early and expect to pay for the view.

The trail from Imerovigli village out to Skaros Rock.

Imerovigli is also the starting point for the trail to Skaros Rock, one of the best short hikes on Santorini. It’s steep in places and exposed to the sun, but the views back toward Imerovigli and across the caldera are excellent. You can do Skaros as a short outing on its own or add it to the Fira to Oia hike.

Fira is about a 25 to 35-minute walk south along the caldera path, depending on where you’re staying and how often you stop for photos. Firostefani is closer, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. Oia is a long but spectacular hike north. Buses run on the Fira to Oia road and stop near Imerovigli, but the main bus hub is still in Fira.

You do not need a rental car if you’re mainly staying on the caldera, walking to restaurants, and booking tours with hotel pickup. A car is useful if you want to explore beaches, wineries, Pyrgos, Akrotiri, and the quieter parts of the island on your own schedule. Parking in Imerovigli is limited and can be frustrating, but with patience you’ll always be able to find something.

Stay in Imerovigli if:

• You want the best caldera views on Santorini.
• You’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary, or romantic trip.
• You want a quiet village with excellent hotels and private terraces.
• You care more about views and atmosphere than nightlife and shopping.
• You want easy access to the Fira to Oia hike and Skaros Rock.

Do not stay in Imerovigli if:

• You want lots of restaurants, bars, and shops within a few steps. Stay in Fira.
• You want the famous Oia streets and blue-dome photo spots. Stay in Oia.
• You’re on a tight budget. Inland Fira, Firostefani, or the beach towns are better value.
• You dislike stairs. Many of the best hotels are built into the cliff and involve lots of steps.
• You want a beach holiday. Stay in Kamari, Perissa, or Perivolos.

Hotels in Imerovigli are some of the most expensive on the island, especially caldera-view suites with plunge pools. But this is also where the splurge makes sense. A private terrace in Imerovigli can be the best part of the trip. If you’re paying Santorini prices for a view, I’d rather do it here than in busier Oia.

Book early for the best hotels, especially from June through September. For honeymoons and peak-season trips, book 6 to 9 months ahead if you want a specific hotel, suite, or sunset-facing terrace. Inland rooms and smaller guesthouses can be better value, but Imerovigli is not the place to chase bargains.

Imerovigli is not for everyone, and that’s its strength. It’s quiet, beautiful, romantic, and a little inconvenient. For couples who want the caldera at its most dramatic, it’s the best place to stay in Santorini.

• Best Hotels in Imerovigli:
  Grace Santorini • Astra Suites • Aenaon Villas • Kivotos • Iconic • Cavo Tagoo • Andronis Concept Wellness Resort • White Pearl Cavalieri
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Merovigliosso • Aghios Artemios Traditional Houses

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OIA

Best for…
Couples, Honeymoons, Shopping, Sunsets, Caldera Views, Luxury Hotels, Romantic Restaurants, Families

Oia is Santorini’s most famous village, and for good reason. It has the whitewashed lanes, blue domes, cave hotels, luxury suites, boutique shopping, and postcard views that most people picture when they think of Santorini. If you want the classic Santorini experience and are happy to pay for it, Oia is the place.

Oia sits at the northern tip of the island, wrapped around the caldera with views toward the volcano, Thirassia, Ammoudi Bay, and the open Aegean. It is beautiful, polished, expensive, and very crowded in high season. The village is at its best early in the morning, after sunset, and outside the peak summer months. From late morning through sunset, especially in July and August, the main lanes can feel like a moving queue of people taking photos.

The big misconception about Oia is that every hotel has sunset views. Most do not. Many of the best Oia hotels face south into the caldera, with incredible volcano and sea views but no direct sunset. A smaller number of hotels on the western edge face the sunset over the Aegean but don’t have true caldera views. A few properties manage both, read more about that here: Santorini hotels with sunset views.

The Venetian castle ruins of Oia make a great vantage point for photos, and are the most popular spot on the island for sunset viewing.

Shopping in Oia is the best on the island for boutique-style browsing. You’ll find jewelry, fashion, ceramics, art, sandals, linen, and higher-end souvenirs. Prices are higher than in Fira, but the setting is prettier and the shops are more curated. Oia is not where I’d go for bargain shopping.

Dining is very good, though uneven. Elinikon is a good choice for sunset views and Greek food. Candouni is one of the warmer, more atmospheric restaurants in the village, with good food, live Greek music on some nights, and a more local feel than many of the caldera-view places. For seafood and a completely different setting, walk or taxi down to Ammoudi Bay.

All of the Ammoudi Bay restaurants are great, but we especially love to eat at Ammoudi Fish Tavern.

Ammoudi is a small fishing port below the village, reached by a long stairway or by road. The seafood tavernas are touristy but fun and enjoyable. Ammoudi Fish Tavern is a personal favorite. From the bay, a gravel path leads around the rocks to a swimming and cliff-jumping spot near Saint Nicholas. It’s fun, but it is not a sandy beach and not ideal for small kids or anyone unsteady on rocks.

Oia is generally family-friendly in the village center, with smoother pedestrian lanes than Fira or Imerovigli and plenty of restaurants that welcome kids. But many cliffside hotels have steep steps and age restrictions, so families need to choose hotels carefully. The best family stays in Oia are on or near the main pedestrian lane, not buried deep down the cliff.

One of my favorite things to do in Santorini, the walk from Oia to Fira, starts from the main Oia walkway. Most people do it in the other direction, from Fira to Oia, because ending in Oia feels more dramatic. But starting in Oia is perfectly fine too. Either way, bring water, wear real shoes, and avoid the middle of the day.

Oia is not the most convenient base for exploring the island. It’s at the far northern end, so trips to the airport, ferry port, beaches, Akrotiri, Pyrgos, and the wineries take longer than from Fira or Imerovigli. Buses run between Oia and Fira, and from Fira you connect elsewhere, but a rental car or private transfer is easier if you’re doing a lot outside the village. Parking is difficult in high season, and taxis are hard to get near sunset.

Stay in Oia if:

• You want the most famous and photogenic village in Santorini.
• You’re on a honeymoon, anniversary, or splurge stay.
• You want boutique shopping, romantic restaurants, and polished hotels.
• You’re happy to pay more for atmosphere and location.
• You want to stay somewhere that feels magical early in the morning and late at night.

Do not stay in Oia if:

• You hate crowds. Oia gets the worst crowding on the island, especially at sunset.
• You want the best value. Fira, Firostefani, and the beach towns are better.
• You want easy transport around the island. Fira is much more convenient.
• You want nightlife. Oia has stylish bars, but it gets quiet early compared with Fira.
• You want a beach holiday. Stay in Kamari, Perissa, or Perivolos.

Oia hotels are the most expensive on Santorini, and the best rooms sell out early. For May through October, book 6 to 9 months ahead if possible. Read room descriptions carefully: “caldera view,” “sea view,” “sunset view,” and “volcano view” can mean very different things.

• Best Oia Hotels with Caldera Views:
  Katikies • Canaves Oia Suites • Saint
• Best Hotels Oia with Sunset Views:
  Santo Mine • Santo Pure • Charisma Suites • Andronis Arcadia • Canaves Epitome • Domes Novos • Esperas
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels in Oia:
  Aspa Villas • Anemomilos Hotel

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AKROTIRI

Best for…
Sunsets, Caldera Views, Archaeology, Beaches, Less Crowds, Car Trips, Better Value

Akrotiri is the best place to stay in Santorini if you want caldera views, history, quiet, and better value, but don’t need to be in the middle of the action. It’s not one single village in the way Fira or Oia is. The name is used for the small inland village, the archaeological site, and the whole southwestern peninsula.

The village itself is small and traditional, with a few tavernas, churches, local houses, and the remains of a Venetian castle. It’s pleasant but sleepy. You don’t stay here for shopping, nightlife, or a wide choice of restaurants. You stay here because the surrounding peninsula has some of Santorini’s most interesting sights, quietest views, and best-value caldera hotels.

The main attraction is the archaeological site of Ancient Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement preserved under volcanic ash. It’s often compared to Pompeii, though it’s older, smaller, and covered by a modern protective roof. The site is fascinating and easy to visit, even if you’re not a ruins person.

The archaeological site of Ancient Akrotiri.

Akrotiri is also close to several of Santorini’s most distinctive beaches. Red Beach is famous and dramatic, but it’s not a beach I recommend for a long lazy day. The cliffs are unstable, access can be awkward, and it gets crowded. Go for the view and photos, then move on. White Beach is reached by boat and is more of a novelty than a must-do. Caldera Beach is small, quiet, and good for a simple swim with caldera views. Vlychada Beach, farther east, is one of my favorites on Santorini, with sculpted volcanic cliffs, a nearby marina, and a more relaxed feel than Kamari or Perissa.

The lighthouse at the far western tip of the peninsula is one of the best sunset spots on the island. It does not have the famous village backdrop of Oia, but it has open sea views, smaller crowds, and a much calmer mood. It’s romantic in a simple, rugged way. Bring a light jacket outside summer, and don’t expect facilities. Parking gets tight before sunset, but it’s still far less chaotic than Oia.

The best hotels in Akrotiri are not in the village center. Many sit along the caldera edge or scattered across the peninsula, with wide views toward the volcano, Fira, and Oia. The views are fantastic and the hotels cost less than comparable rooms in Oia, Imerovigli, or Fira. The downside is convenience. You’ll be farther from restaurants, shops, nightlife, and the main bus hub.

A rental car is strongly recommended in Akrotiri. The peninsula is spread out, and most hotels are not within an easy walk of restaurants. A car makes the area work beautifully. Without one, you’ll spend more time waiting for buses, booking transfers, or limiting where you go.

Stay in Akrotiri if:

• You want caldera views for less than Oia, Imerovigli, or Fira.
• You plan to rent a car and explore the island independently.
• You want a quieter, less touristy base.
• You’re interested in Ancient Akrotiri, Red Beach, Vlychada, wineries, and the lighthouse sunset.
• You don’t need nightlife or lots of restaurants within walking distance.

Do not stay in Akrotiri if:

• You want the classic cliffside village experience. Stay in Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia.
• You don’t want to rent a car. Fira is much easier without one.
• You want nightlife, shopping, and a wide restaurant choice.
• You want to walk everywhere from your hotel.
• You’re staying only one or two nights and want maximum convenience.

Akrotiri is one of the best areas on Santorini for travelers who have already seen the main caldera towns or who prefer quiet, space, and value over buzz. It’s a smart choice for longer stays, repeat visitors, and couples who want a pool, a view, and a car to explore during the day.

For first-time visitors staying just two or three nights, I’d choose Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia instead. But for the right traveler, Akrotiri can be a great base: less crowded, less expensive, and more relaxed, with some of the island’s best sunsets and most interesting sights nearby.

• Best Hotels in Akrotiri:
  Coco-Mat Hotel • Astarte Suites • Cape 9 Villas and Suites • Santorini Princess Presidential Suites • Maison des Lys
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Kalestesia Suites • Apanemo Hotel & Suites

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PYRGOS

Best for…
Sunsets, Traditional Village Feel, Less Crowds, Wineries, Quiet Stays, Better Value

Pyrgos is the best place to stay in Santorini if you want a traditional village, fewer crowds, good food, wineries nearby, and wide island views instead of classic caldera cliff views. It’s not the obvious choice for a first visit, but it’s one of the most rewarding bases for travelers who want Santorini to feel slower, more local, and less polished.

The village sits on a hill near the center of the island, below Profitis Ilias, the highest point on Santorini. From the upper lanes and castle ruins, you get panoramic views across much of the island: vineyards, villages, sea, airport runway, caldera rim, and both coasts. Sunset here is excellent, but different from Oia or Imerovigli. You don’t get the same dramatic cliff-and-volcano view. You get a wider, quieter, more pastoral sunset with far fewer people.

Pyrgos is one of Santorini’s prettiest inland villages, with narrow footpaths, stone houses, churches, small shops, boutique hotels, and the ruins of a Venetian castle at the top. Much of the old village is pedestrian-only, which is part of the charm. It’s a place for wandering, climbing, stopping for coffee, and finding quiet corners. It also means luggage, parking, and steep lanes can be annoying.

This is not a nightlife base and it’s not a beach base. Pyrgos has good restaurants, cafés, wine bars, galleries, and a few local shops, but it does not have the energy of Fira or the glamour of Oia. That’s the point. If you want late bars, easy buses, and lots of choice every night, stay in Fira. If you want a beautiful village with better value and less crowd pressure, Pyrgos is a strong choice.

The food scene is better than many visitors expect. Pyrgos has some excellent restaurants, from casual tavernas to more polished sunset dining. It’s also one of the best bases for wine country. Many of Santorini’s wineries are a short drive away, and the vineyards around Pyrgos give the area a very different feel from the caldera towns. If wine tasting is a priority, Pyrgos makes a lot of sense.

Hotels here are smaller, quieter, and better value than the caldera villages. Many are restored traditional houses, cave-style suites, or boutique hotels with private pools or jacuzzis. Views vary a lot. Some rooms have sweeping island or sea views. Others look into village lanes or courtyards. Do not assume “Pyrgos view” means caldera view.

A rental car is strongly recommended if you stay in Pyrgos. Buses connect Pyrgos with Fira and some beach areas, but schedules are not as convenient as staying in Fira, and evening transport will be limiting. With a car, Pyrgos becomes a great central base: easy for wineries, beaches, Akrotiri, Fira, the airport, and exploring the quieter inland villages. Without a car, it can feel a little isolated.

Stay in Pyrgos if:

• You want a quieter, more traditional Santorini village.
• You plan to rent a car and explore the island.
• You like wineries, local restaurants, and inland scenery.
• You want better value than Oia, Imerovigli, or Fira.
• You’ve already seen the caldera towns or want something less obvious.

Do not stay in Pyrgos if:

• You want classic caldera cliff views from your hotel. Stay in Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia.
• You don’t want to rent a car. Fira is much easier for buses.
• You want nightlife, shopping, and lots of restaurants within a few steps.
• You want to be near the beach. Stay in Kamari, Perissa, or Perivolos.
• You have mobility issues. The old village has steep lanes, steps, and uneven paths.

Pyrgos is one of my favorite alternatives to the caldera towns, but it works best for the right traveler. It’s quiet, atmospheric, central, and better value. It does not deliver the classic “hotel hanging over the caldera”, but it gives you something else: a beautiful village, great sunsets, good food, nearby wineries, and a calmer version of the island.

• Best Hotels in Pyrgos:
  Carpe Diem • Santorini Sky • North Santorini • Elessa Hotel • Voreina Gallery Suites • Skyfall Suites • Patina Vivera Estate (Villas)
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Cultural House

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KAMARI BEACH

Best for…
Families, Beach, Budget Stays, Easy Restaurants, Casual Nightlife, Local Vibe

Kamari is an easy beach stay, especially for families. It has a long black-sand-and-pebble beach, a flat pedestrian seafront promenade, lots of casual restaurants, beach bars, mini-markets, rental car offices, and hotels that are much better value than the caldera villages.

Kamari is not the place for cliff views, sunsets, or honeymoon charm. It’s a practical beach base. You stay here because you want a pool, a beach, easy meals, lower prices, and fewer stairs. For families, older travelers, and anyone who wants Santorini to feel simple, Kamari works well.

The beach is volcanic, with dark sand and pebbles. It gets hot underfoot in summer, so bring sandals or water shoes. The water is clear, deep blue, and refreshing, but it gets deep quickly in places. Most of the beach is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas tied to restaurants or beach clubs. In high season, expect to buy drinks or food, or pay for sunbeds depending on the section.

The seafront promenade is the best part of Kamari. It’s flat, mostly pedestrian, and easy for walking with kids or strollers. Restaurants line the beach, and while very few are destination dining, many are friendly, fun, and good enough for a relaxed meal. This is not where I’d send food-focused travelers for their best dinner on Santorini, but it’s one of the best places on the island to eat casually without planning ahead.

Hotels in Kamari have larger rooms, bigger pools, and lower prices than the caldera towns. Many are family-run and simple rather than luxurious. A few have a polished boutique feel, but the main appeal is value. For the same price as a small inland room in Fira, you can often get a nicer hotel with a pool near the beach in Kamari.

Kamari also has more to do in the evening than most beach towns. It’s not nightlife like Fira, but there are beach bars, cocktail spots, casual restaurants, shops, mini golf, and the excellent open-air cinema near the entrance to town. The cinema shows films in English with Greek subtitles, with doors opening around 8:30pm and the movie starting around 9:30pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early in busy months.

Transport is one of Kamari’s strengths. Buses to Fira are frequent in summer and take about 15 to 20 minutes. From Fira, you can connect to Oia, Akrotiri, the ferry port, and other villages. This makes Kamari one of the better beach bases if you don’t want to rent a car. That said, buses can be crowded in July and August, and late-night services are limited, so use taxis or transfers when timing or speed matters.

Kamari is also convenient for the airport, which is only a 10-minute drive away. That’s useful for arrivals and early departures, but it also means some airplane noise. It’s not constant, and most people are not bothered by it, but light sleepers should choose hotels away from the airport side of town.

A seasonal boat taxi connects Kamari and Perissa during the warmer months, crossing around the base of Mesa Vouno. It’s a fun and useful little trip when operating, but don’t rely on it for fixed plans. Wind, sea conditions, and seasonality affect service.

Stay in Kamari if:

• You want an easy beach holiday with restaurants and shops nearby.
• You’re traveling with kids and want flat walking, pools, and casual meals.
• You want better hotel value than the caldera villages.
• You don’t need sunset or caldera views from your hotel.
• You want decent bus access to Fira and the rest of the island.

Do not stay in Kamari if:

• You want the classic Santorini cliffside view. Stay in Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia.
• You want romantic cave suites and private plunge pools.
• You want the best restaurants on the island within walking distance.
• You’re sensitive to airplane noise.
• You want soft golden sand. Santorini does not really do that.

Kamari is one of the most practical places to stay on Santorini. It’s not the most beautiful village and it’s not where you go for the big caldera moment. But for beach days, family trips, easy evenings, and better-value hotels, it’s hard to beat.

• Best Hotels in Kamari:
  Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort • Sandblu Resort • Santorini Kastelli Resort • Bellonias Villas • Viva Nove Suites • Nikki Beach Resort & Spa – on Monolithos Beach
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Tamarix Del Mar Suites • Santellini Hotel

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PERISSA & PERIVOLOS

Best for…
Families, Beach, Budget Stays, Beach Clubs, Longer Stays, Casual Restaurants

This is the best part of Santorini for a true beach holiday. The beach is long, flat, organized, and easier to settle into than most beaches on the island. The sand is black volcanic sand mixed with pebbles, generally finer than Kamari, though still not soft golden sand. It gets very hot in summer, so bring sandals or water shoes. The water is clear and good for swimming, and the beach has plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, restaurants, water sports, and casual hotels.

(There is no clear border between Perissa and Perivolos Beaches. Perissa is the northern, busier section below Mesa Vouno mountain. Perivolos is the longer, more spread-out southern section. Agios Georgios is the quieter south end of the same beach strip. In casual use, people often say “Perissa” for the whole area.)

Perissa has more budget hotels, backpacker-friendly rooms, casual tavernas, beach bars, mini-markets, and the main bus stop. It’s the better choice if you want the easiest access to buses and lower prices.

Perivolos is more upscale and spread out. It has a wider, more stylish beach-club feel, with some of the island’s better beach restaurants, a few luxury hotels, and a more relaxed mood. It’s better for couples and travelers who want nicer beach clubs and a little more space. The south end around Agios Georgios is quieter and more laid-back, but less convenient without a car.

The big tradeoff is location. Perissa and Perivolos are farther from Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, and the caldera than Kamari is. If you plan to spend every evening in the caldera towns, this is not a good base. If you want to swim every day, eat casually by the beach, and take occasional trips around the island, it works well.

Hotels here are better value than in the caldera villages, and rooms are larger. You’ll find everything from simple budget hotels to polished beach resorts and a few luxury boutique properties. Families do well here because the area is flat, the beach is long, and prices are more forgiving than Oia or Imerovigli.

The restaurant scene is good for casual beach dining, not destination fine dining. Perivolos has the more stylish beach clubs and better restaurants overall, while Perissa has more affordable tavernas and simple places to eat. In summer, many beach clubs expect food or drink orders for use of sunbeds, and the nicer sections can be expensive. Always check the sunbed policy before settling in.

Figure roughly 25 to 45 minutes to Fira by bus. In high season, a small boat taxi connects Perissa and Kamari around the base of Mesa Vouno. It’s a fun way to see both beach towns, but service depends on weather and season, so don’t treat it like guaranteed public transport.

Stay in Perissa or Perivolos if:

• You want the best beach base on Santorini.
• You want better value and larger rooms than the caldera towns.
• You’re traveling with kids and want flat walking, easy meals, and beach days.
• You like beach clubs, casual restaurants, and a relaxed summer atmosphere.
• You plan to rent a car or don’t mind longer bus rides to the caldera.

Do not stay in Perissa or Perivolos if:

• You want to be near the caldera. Stay in Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia, or Akrotiri.
• You want romantic hotels and sunset terraces.
• You want nightlife beyond beach bars and casual summer energy.
• You’re visiting for only two or three nights and want the classic Santorini experience.

I recommend Perissa and Perivolos for families, longer stays, beach-focused trips, and travelers who want more space for the money. They are not the most atmospheric parts of Santorini, and they don’t deliver the caldera fantasy. But for swimming, sunbeds, affordable hotels, and a fun summer vibe, this is the island’s strongest beach area.

• Best Hotels in Perissa & Perivolos:
  Istoria • Sea Breeze – on Exomitis Beach • Orabel Suites • Santo Miramare Beach Resort • Aqua Blue Beach Hotel
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Meltemi Village Hotel • Smaragdi Hotel

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MEGALOCHORI

Best for…
Families, Local Vibe, Wineries, Quiet Stays, Traditional Village Feel, Better Value

In the heart of Santorini’s wine country, Megalochori is one of the best villages for travelers who want a quieter, more traditional base without being completely remote.. The village dates back centuries and has some of Santorini’s best traditional architecture: whitewashed houses, neoclassical mansions, arched doorways, bell towers, cave houses, and narrow lanes that twist into small courtyards. It’s charming without feeling as staged as Oia. You won’t find big shopping streets or nightlife here, but you will find a slower pace and a more local feel.

The restaurant scene is small but good for casual meals. Expect tavernas, cafés, tasting rooms, and a few more polished hotel restaurants nearby. This is not where I’d stay if I wanted a different restaurant every night within a five-minute walk, but it’s a good base if you like easy local meals and short drives to wineries or neighboring villages.

Wine is a big reason to stay here. Megalochori is surrounded by vineyards, and several wineries and tasting rooms are close by. If you’re planning a wine-focused Santorini trip, Megalochori and Pyrgos are two of the best inland bases. You can visit nearby wineries by car, taxi, or organized wine tour, which is the safest and easiest option if everyone wants to taste.

Buses connect Megalochori with Fira, Perissa, and Akrotiri, but service is not as flexible as staying in Fira.

Stay in Megalochori if:

• You want a traditional village with a calmer, more local feel.
• You plan to rent a car and explore the island.
• You’re interested in wineries, Akrotiri, Pyrgos, and the south-coast beaches.
• You don’t need nightlife or constant caldera views.

Do not stay in Megalochori if:

• You want classic cliffside caldera views from your hotel.
• You don’t want to rent a car and want easy public transport.
• You want lots of restaurants, shops, and bars within walking distance.
• You want a beach holiday.

• Best Hotels in Megalochori:
  Vedema Resort • Alti Suites • Athermi Suites • Santorini Heritage Villas
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Hotel Star

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EMPORIO

Best for…
Budget Stays, Local Vibe

Its name literally means “commerce” in Greek (think of an “emporium” in English), which denotes its historic importance as the center for commercial activity on the island. Here you’ll find a medieval tower, unusual old churches, and a maze of alleyways peppered with tavernas and kafenia (traditional coffeehouses) catering to local tastes, and only a handful of family-run hotels. The island’s most populous village, Emporio features gorgeous traditional architecture.

This medieval stronghold is believed to date back to the 14th century, beginning with an enormous castle made of volcanic mortar and built at the base of Profitis Ilias Mountain. To protect against pirate raids, thick-walled, cave-style houses (many still inhabited) were built around the castle, one right against another, connected by archways and bridges, to create a fortified wall. Footpaths are designed for a single person to pass through at a time. Perissa Beach is nearby, and Fira is about a 20-minute drive away. Renting a car is strongly recommended for stays in Emporio, though there is regular bus service here.

• Best Hotels in Emporio:
  Timedrops Santorini Villas • Rock Villas • Nalas Suites

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MESARIA

Best for…
Budget Stays, Local Vibe

A slightly more “modern” village (dating to the 17th century), Mesaria sits almost in the center of the island. The western fringes face out over the caldera directly toward the Nea Kameni volcano. Here you’ll find some incredible luxury hotels and villas with astounding sunset views – at a fraction of the cost of the northern villages. Surrounded by vineyards, Mesaria features a bustling core of boxy, Cycladic houses, lovely churches, and neoclassical mansions, including Argyros Mansion, the only restored mansion of this era in Santorini that is open to visitors.

Accommodation and dining runs the gamut from luxury stays and fine dining on the caldera to affordable boutique hotels, casual tavernas, and grill houses in the village center. (Dining under the shade trees on the patio of Pentozali makes for a memorable night out.)

For travelers who prefer not to rent a car, central Mesaria (not the caldera side) is the second-best connected area on the island, after the capital Fira. Buses stop regularly in Mesaria on the way to Fira, Kamari Beach, Perissa Beach, and Vlychada Beach. However, a rental car does make it much easier to visit Oia village and the Akrotiri Archaeological Site.

• Best Hotels in Mesaria:
  Celestia Grand • Petit Palace Suites • Volcano View Hotel • Kallos Imar Hotel • Amity Suites • Markezini’s Suites
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Kalisperis Hotel

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FINIKIA

Best for…
Less Crowds, Budget Stays, Local Vibe

Charming Finikia is a teeny village, facing the east just outside of Oia. Hotels on the caldera south of Finikia market themselves as part of Oia, though the village of Finikia is quite distinct from the larger, more crowded, and much more expensive Oia. This is an ideal spot to stay for ease of access to the dining, sunset views, shopping, and attractions of Oia while avoiding the noise and crowds. Finikia has its own charms, too.

Traditionally home to the farmers who worked the nearby vineyards, Finikia features cobblestone pathways, authentic cave houses, and native fruit gardens. Profitis Ilias Church on the caldera’s edge, about a 15-minute walk from the village center, is a wonderful viewpoint, while Agia Matrona Church houses the village’s namesake (a palm tree) and offers an eye-catching bell tower and views toward the north beaches and Aegean Sea. Domaine Sigalas, one of Santorini’s best wineries, is about a 15-minute walk from the village center, while Baxedes Beach is about 20 minutes away on foot. The marble path in Oia begins about a 15-minute walk from central Finikia. To get to Fira, take the Oia-bound bus and stay on board when it stops at the Oia bus station; from there it’s about 25-minutes to Fira.

• Best Hotels in Finikia:
  270 Oia’s View • Elysian Santorini • Danae Suites • Sophia Boutique Hotel
• Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
  Red Stone Villa • Lotza Studios

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THIRASSIA ISLAND

Best for…
Less Crowds, Local Vibe

To escape the crowds, take the boat from Ammoudib Bay to Thirasssia. This rustic island only one nautical mile from Oia’s port was once a part of Santorini, until the eruption in 1500 BC that created the caldera. Almost untouched by tourism, Thirassia remains mostly undeveloped with just a few paved roads and plenty of footpaths and trails connecting its sparsely populated villages. There are a handful of family-run tavernas in the main clifftop town, Manolas, and two black volcanic beaches at Riva and Ormos Korfou. You’ll also find a great winery and the colorful, meticulously maintained Church of the Virgin Mary contrasting with its surroundings in the abandoned cave village of Agrilia.

Mikra Thira Winery on Thirassia Island.

Ferries are the only way to Thirassia from Santorini. From Oia, passengers (no cars) can take the 10-minute journey on a traditional boat, which stops first at Riva and then at Ormos Korfou. This ferry runs three times a day: 8:00, 12:30, and 17:20. Ferries from Athinios (the main port of Santorini) to Riva can transport cars, but they only run four days a week. Ferry schedules change seasonally, so check with your hotel for the latest ferry timetable.

• Best Hotels in Thirassia:
  Santa Irini Retreat • Perivolas Hideaway • Evanthia Best View • Agrilia Secluded Cave House
• Best Value/Midrange Hotel:
  Thirassia Paradise Suites