Where to Stay in Santorini: My Guide

Updated: January 8, 2026
Greece › Santorini › Best Towns
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

Quick Tips

• The Golden Rule: If budget allows, stay on the caldera (cliffside). Waking up to the view of the volcano is what makes Santorini unique. My favorite hotels are all perched here.
• Village Cheat Sheet: Choose Oia for luxury and sunsets; Fira for nightlife and shopping; Imerovigli for the best views and quiet romance; or Firostefani for a low-key vibe within walking distance of Fira.
• The Beach Alternative: If you prefer swimming and flat ground over dramatic views, stay in Kamari or Perissa. These towns offer a relaxed Greek summer vibe, easy beach access, and significantly lower hotel prices.
• Accessibility Warning: The caldera towns are defined by steep cliffs and endless stairs. If you have mobility issues or young children in strollers, the beach towns (which are flat) are a much safer and easier choice.

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 main decision: do you want to stay on the caldera with dramatic sea views, at one of the black sand beaches, or in a quieter traditional village? For most visitors, especially first-timers, staying on the caldera is the best way to have the legendary Santorini experience.

The Caldera Villages: Best for Views
These four villages are built into the cliffside of the caldera, offering the most spectacular scenery on the island. This is where you’ll find the iconic white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, and infinity pools with breathtaking views. The famous Fira to Oia scenic hike connects them all.

• Fira: The lively capital and the island’s hub for nightlife, shopping, and transportation. It’s the busiest and most commercial of the caldera towns, with the widest range of restaurants and bars.
• Oia: The most famous (and most crowded) village, located on the northern tip of the island. Oia is known for its luxury hotels, high-end shopping, and iconic sunsets. It’s the most picturesque and upscale choice.
• Imerovigli: The quiet, romantic choice. Situated at the highest point of the caldera rim, Imerovigli offers incredible views and a peaceful atmosphere, making it the top destination for honeymooners.
• Firostefani: The perfect compromise between Fira’s energy and Imerovigli’s tranquility. It has the same great caldera views but is more relaxed, while still being just a 10-minute walk from the action in Fira.

The Beach Towns: Best for Swimming & Value
Santorini’s beaches are located on the east and southeast side of the island. Here, you trade direct caldera views for a more traditional beach vacation vibe. The hotels are more affordable, the rooms are often larger, and nearly all have pools. The beaches here are composed of black volcanic sand and pebbles.

• Kamari & Perissa/Perivolos: These are the two main beach resorts, separated by the rocky hill of Mesa Vouno (where you’ll find the ruins of Ancient Thera). Both are lively, organized beaches lined with sunbeds, umbrellas, and a huge variety of restaurants, beach clubs, and water sports centers. Perissa flows seamlessly into Perivolos, which is slightly more relaxed and upscale.

Traditional Inland Villages: Best for Atmosphere & Local Life
For a more authentic and often more affordable stay, consider one of the charming inland villages. You’ll give up the sea views but gain a quieter, more traditional Greek island experience.

• Pyrgos: A beautiful village built around a medieval Venetian castle. As one of the highest points on the island, its winding pathways lead to cafes and restaurants offering stunning 360-degree panoramic views.
• Megalochori: A charming, picturesque village with a lovely town square, located in the heart of Santorini’s wine country. While the village itself is inland, a few fantastic hotels on its western edge offer caldera views.
• Emporio: The largest traditional village, famous for its incredible, maze-like medieval Kasteli (castle), where the houses are built into the fortress walls.
• Mesaria: A central, non-touristy village where you’ll find more locals than visitors. It’s not a major tourist destination but offers good, affordable accommodation and a glimpse into everyday island life.

Getting Away From It All: Akrotiri & Thirassia
• Akrotiri: Located on the quiet southern tip of the caldera, Akrotiri has incredible views looking back towards Oia and is home to the famous Akrotiri Prehistoric Site and Red Beach. Hotels here are more isolated, and a rental car is essential.
• Thirassia: The ultimate escape. This small island forms the western side of the caldera and is just a short ferry ride from Oia. Staying here offers a peaceful look at what Santorini was like decades ago, with just a handful of tavernas and guesthouses.

Beach vs. Caldera

If you’re still deciding between Santorini’s cliff-edge views and its black-sand beach towns, here’s a closer look at the trade-offs.

The key choice when planning your stay is whether to wake up to the caldera cliffs or stay by the Aegean beaches. Unlike most Greek islands where the beach is prime real estate, in Santorini the caldera is the main event. Here’s how they compare.

Staying on the Caldera (Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, & Fira)
The Vibe: This is the postcard-perfect, jaw-dropping Santorini experience. The atmosphere is sophisticated and romantic, characterized by luxury hotels, infinity pools hanging over the cliff, fine dining restaurants, and spectacular sunset views. The restaurants are generally better and the nightlife is more chic.

Caldera – Best For:
• First-time visitors who want the classic Santorini views.
• Honeymooners and couples seeking a romantic setting.
• Photographers and luxury travelers.

Caldera – Downside:
• It is significantly more expensive.
• Hotel rooms and pools are typically smaller for the price.
• The villages get very crowded, especially in summer.
• The terrain is defined by steep cliffs and endless stairs, which can be difficult for those with mobility issues.
• You are not within walking distance of a swimming beach.

Caldera – Bottom Line: The views are the main attraction, and they are absolutely worth it. This is the experience most people dream of when they picture Santorini.

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, & Perivolos)
The Vibe: The beach towns offer a more traditional, relaxed, and fun Greek island vacation. The atmosphere is casual and budget-friendly. The long stretches of black volcanic sand are lined with sunbeds, umbrellas, casual tavernas, and lively beach clubs. Kamari and Perissa are the two main resorts, separated by the rocky hill of Mesa Vouno.

Beaches – Best For:
• Families with children (the flat landscape is much safer and easier to navigate).
• Budget-conscious travelers.
• Anyone who wants to spend their days swimming in the sea and enjoying a lively beach scene.

Beaches – Downside:
• You do not have the iconic caldera views. To see the famous sunsets over the volcano, you will need to take a 20 to 40-minute bus or car ride to the other side of the island.
• While improving, the food scene is generally more focused on casual and international fare than fine dining.

Beaches – Bottom Line: You get much more for your money here: larger hotel rooms, bigger pools, and more space and privacy than in the caldera villages.

The Verdict: My Recommendation
• For First-Timers & Couples: Stay on the caldera. The views are the reason you travel thousands of miles to Santorini, and waking up to them is an unforgettable experience. You can always visit the beaches for a day trip. Imerovigli is my favorite for romance and tranquility; Fira is best for nightlife.
• For Families with Young Children: Stay at the beach. The hotels are more family-friendly, you avoid the steep cliffs and stairs of the caldera, and you are right on the water for easy swimming and fun.
• The Best of Both Worlds: Split your stay. Spend 3 or 4 nights on the caldera to soak in the views and the romantic atmosphere, then move to a more affordable beach hotel for 2 or 3 nights to relax by the sea.

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

FIRA

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

Fira is the island’s capital and largest town, and one of the most picturesque spots in all of Greece. It’s an ideal destination for first-time visitors to Santorini. Like Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani, it sits atop the caldera cliff, offering marvelous views of the volcano. Fira is the island’s hub for dining, shopping, and nightlife, making it perfect for those who enjoy action, variety, and vibrant energy. If you’re seeking peace and quiet, you may find Fira a bit crowded, hectic, and touristy. (That said, if you’re just a little off the main street it’s pretty quiet.)

The town is a maze of narrow lanes and stairways lined with cliffside eateries, shops, and iconic churches with domed roofs and bell towers, offering stunning caldera views, especially at sunset. Fira is also family-friendly, with kid-friendly hotels, tavernas, and attractions like the Archaeological Museum of Thera, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Gyzi Megaron, and the Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. The closest beach to Fira is Kamari, about 20 minutes away by car or bus.

Many of the island’s best restaurants are here, as well as all of its nightclubs and most of its bars. High-end bars and lounges near the caldera serve local wines and cocktails with unforgettable sunset views, while casual inland bars and nightclubs offer stiff drinks, loud music, and all night dancing until 5:00 a.m. or later during the high season.

Sunset at MarinEra Restaurant & Cocktail Bar in Fira.

Shoppers will find everything from gold jewelry and trendy fashion to whimsical souvenirs and organic local foods. Most shops are located inland along bustling footpaths, though a few are nestled along the caldera among restaurants and bars.

Fira is home to the island’s main bus station and is the hub of Santorini’s bus network; all bus routes begin and end here, and you can get pretty much anywhere on the island with just one bus ride. If you don’t plan on renting a car, Fira is by far the best place to stay to get out and explore the red and black beaches, wine country, ancient ruins, and traditional villages.

Fira has many luxury hotels with wonderful caldera views but also a large number set back from the cliff and without a view, which means they’re cheaper and makes Fira a good choice for travelers on a budget.

• 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

FIROSTEFANI

Best for…
Sunsets, Caldera Views, Budget Stays

A ten-minute walk along the footpath north from Fira is Firostefani, literally meaning the “crown of Fira.” As a sort of extension of the capital, there is no exact place where Firostefani begins and Fira ends, though most will agree it happens near Volkan on the Rocks and Anteliz Suites. From its elevation, Firostefani offers slightly better views over the caldera and volcanoes than Fira, especially spectacular at sunset. If you want to be close to the action and nightlife but don’t want crowds, then Firostefani is a perfect alternative.

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

As in the other caldera towns, hotels, restaurants, and shops in Firostefani are stacked in multiple levels and hand-carved into the cliffside like a honeycomb, so that almost every place has an excellent view of the caldera below. There are a handful of restaurants, cafes, a bakery, a great bookstore and a couple of markets, but no bars or nightclubs in Firostefani. The Fira bus station is about a 20-minute walk away (or a quick bus ride away) with connections all over the island, so renting a car is not necessary here.

Firostefani is also great for travelers on a budget, offering easy access to the caldera and the conveniences of Fira but thinner crowds and a little more distance from the nightlife.

• 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

IMEROVIGLI

Best for…
Couples, Sunsets, Caldera Views, Best Restaurants

Set at the highest point along the caldera and facing west, Imerovigli offers the island’s best sunset views, unimpeded by any neighboring islands – which isn’t always the case in Fira and Firostefani. Imerovigli is the quietest and most romantic of the four main villages along the caldera. The northern edge of Imerovigli, in particular, offers the most peace and serenity.

There are several fantastic restaurants in Imerovigli, including two of the top fine dining restaurants with caldera views, Athenian House and La Maison, plus casual favorites in the village center, Avocado and Anogi. In the past couple of years, a handful of low key wine bars and upscale lounges have opened here as well. Still there are no raucus, all-night bars or clubs in Imerovigli.

The trail from Imerovigli village out to Skaros Rock.

Imerovigli is also where you’ll find the footpath leading out to the striking Skaros Rock, which makes a great hike on its own, or as an add-on to the Oia-Fira trail. The village is a 20 to 30-minute walk from Fira (or a very short taxi, Uber, or bus ride). Parking is difficult. But renting a car is not necessary here.

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

OIA

Best for…
Couples, Shopping, Sunsets, Caldera Views, Best Restaurants, Families

Oia is Santorini’s most picturesque village, renowned for its stunning sunsets and luxurious accommodations. Located at the island’s northern tip, it offers a blend of high-end shopping, upscale dining, and stylish cocktail bars. The village buzzes with activity during the day, especially at sunset (when it’s packed in high season), but quiets down quickly after nightfall. Its marble pathways, lined with boutique shops featuring designer labels, local art, and handmade crafts, add to Oia’s glamorous appeal. The ruins of a 15th-century castle at the village’s western end provide one of the best sunset vantage points.

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.

Most of Oia’s hotels face south with breathtaking caldera views but no sunset vistas. A few hotels on the western edge offer direct sunset views over the Aegean Sea but lack caldera perspectives. Dining in Oia is exceptional, with standout options like Elinikon offering sunset views, and Candouni, known for its excellent food, live Greek music, and intimate atmosphere. Or head down the winding stairs to Ammoudi Bay, a charming fishing port below the castle ruins, where waterfront seafood tavernas like Ammoudi Fish Tavern serve the freshest catch. The bay also offers a great swimming spot, including diving off the tiny island of Saint Nicholas, and boat trips to nearby attractions like Thirassia island and volcanic islets.

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

Oia is generally family-friendly, with smooth, wide stroller-friendly paths, and loads of hotels and restaurants catering to all ages. One of our favorite things to do in Santorini, the walk from Oia to Fira is a scenic journey taking several hours, though the village is also easily accessible by taxi or bus from Fira, the island’s hub.

• 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

AKROTIRI

Best for…
Sunsets, Caldera Views, Less Crowds, Budget Stays

Akrotiri is a catchall name for the village, ruins, and southern peninsula of Santorini. The village itself is quite small, with just a few restaurants, chapels, and the ruins of a Venetian castle. From the village it’s only a 15-minute walk to the archaeological site of the Prehistoric Town of Akrotiri, a Bronze-Age Minoan settlement well-preserved by the ash of a volcanic eruption (like Pompeii). Prehistoric Akrotiri was once believed to have inspired the Atlantis legend due in part to the ancient inhabitants’ use of relatively advanced technology.

The archaeological site of Ancient Akrotiri.

The Akrotiri Peninsula is also home to several wonderful beaches, including Red Beach, White Beach, Vlychada Beach, and Caldera Beach. At its western tip is a lighthouse (the quietest and most romantic sunset viewpoint on the island), while a handful of great restaurants are spread throughout the area.

Though the heart of Akrotiri village sits inland from the caldera, many hotels are built along the caldera’s edge and offer fantastic views. A car is strongly recommended here, as hotels, restaurants, beaches, and attractions across the peninsula are fairly spread out. The bus from Akrotiri to Fira takes about 20 minutes; add a second 20-minute bus ride (change buses in Fira) to reach Oia.

• 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

PYRGOS

Best for…
Sunsets, Less Crowds

Pyrgos is the most charming of Santorini’s traditional villages. From its mountaintop perch at the second-highest point on the island (only the mountain peak, Profitis Ilias, is higher), it offers panoramic sunset views over the whole of Santorini. Most of Pyrgos is designed for pedestrian use only with its maze-like footpaths dotted with excellent restaurants, local boutiques, picturesque churches, and the ruins of a Venetian castle. Its foothills are brimming with vineyards, many offering tours and tasting rooms.

This is an ideal place to stay for seclusion and tranquility, and many hotels in Pyrgos offer rooms with private pools or jacuzzis. It’s also great for travelers seeking a glimpse into the old Santorini, with its warren of footpaths and stairways weaving past traditionally built homes, though few locals live here full-time. Buses to Fira and Perissa run hourly for most of the day, but we recommend renting a car when staying in Pyrgos.

• 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 • Aenaon Estate 1896

KAMARI BEACH

Best for…
Families, Beach, Budget Stays, Local Vibe

Kamari has a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere, a pedestrian beach-front walkway, plenty of good, casual restaurants (but not many really great ones). Hotels here often feature larger than average rooms and suites – at lower prices than those in the caldera villages. Kamari also has mini golf and a popular open-air cinema that makes for a fun night out.

Like most Santorini beaches, Kamari has a black sand and pebble mix with cool, refreshing, deep blue water. Kamari is connected via boat taxi to Perissa several times a day during the high season. It’s a 15-minute bus ride to Fira making day trips to the caldera easy. To get to Oia, switch buses in Fira and ride another 20 minutes.

• 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

PERISSA & PERIVOLOS

Best for…
Families, Beach, budget Stays

There’s no defining border between Perissa and Perivolos Beaches (Perivolos is essentially an extension of Perissa Beach); Perissa is the northern busier section, Perivolos is the southern quieter section, and the name Perissa is often used for the whole strip.

Perissa Beach has finer sand than Kamari, but it’s farther from Fira, which makes visiting the caldera a bit more time-consuming. A few luxury hotels and upscale restaurants have opened here, though there are still plenty of great, affordable hotels and beach bars all along the pedestrian-friendly beachfront road. Excellent swimming, casual restaurants, and larger than average accommodations make Perissa a great choice for families.

Perivolos also has some new luxury hotels opening up, as well as a mix of fine dining and casual restaurants and beach clubs, especially at the south end of the strip, known as Agios Georgios Beach. Buses from Perissa to Fira run regularly, but often include meandering loops to Vlychada and Pyrgos that can add a lot of time to your trip. It’s best to rent a car if staying here.

• 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

MEGALOCHORI

Best for…
Families, Local Vibe

In the heart of Santorini’s wine region, Megalochori is a picturesque village known for its traditional architecture and plethora of vineyards and wineries. Once the largest village on the island, Megalochori dates back to the 1600s, and you’ll still find some of the cave houses from this era here, along with neoclassical mansions and centuries-old churches.

The village center with its family-run tavernas, tasting rooms, and handicraft workshops is set back about a 10-minute walk from the caldera’s edge. Megalochori’s best hotels pepper the landscape from the main square to the caldera (many here offering spectacular sunset views over the volcanoes). There are regular buses from Megalochori to Fira, Perissa, and Akrotiri, but renting a car makes island exploration easier.

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

EMPORIO

Best for…
Budget Stays, Local Vibe

There are only a few people who call Santorini their home year-round, and the majority of them live in Emporio. 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, though it is only infrequently visited by tourists.

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

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. The village center is about 500 meters inland, a 1.5 km drive along the winding roads. 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.

Mesaria feels a little more modern than Emporio but remains blissfully free of tourists for much of the year. 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

FINIKIA

Best for…
Less Crowds, Budget Stays, Local Vibe

Charming Finikia is a teeny village with only 50 inhabitants, perched to the east just outside of Oia. Hotels on the caldera south of Finikia often 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 that its renown brings. 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 village center is pedestrian-only, and the public parking lot is impossibly small. 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

THIRASSIA ISLAND

Best for…
Less Crowds, Local Vibe

To escape the crowds, look no further than Thirassia. 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 wild 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 main mode of transportation 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 usually 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 and annually, 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