Updated: August 11, 2025
Greece › Santorini › Best Towns
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
Quick Tips
• Stay on the caldera (Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, Firostefani) for the absolute best views and that magical Santorini vibe.
• Choose your caldera spot: Oia (sunsets & luxury), Fira (lively hub), Imerovigli (stunning views & quiet romance), Firostefani (lowkey but easy walk to Fira).
• If beach time is your top priority consider Kamari or Perissa. These coastal villages have great swimming, lots of tavernas, and a more relaxed, traditional beach resort vibe, but they’re 20-30 minute drives from the caldera views.
Perched right above dramatic Skaros Rock, Grace is my favorite hotel in Imerovigli, the highest town with the best views on the Santorini caldera.
The Best Areas to Stay in Santorini
See Also
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Family Hotels in Santorini
• Santorini MapsWhere to Stay in Santorini: An Introduction
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.
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).
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.
The sunset view from Pyrgos, the village with the highest elevation on the island.
Beach vs. Caldera
The biggest decision when planning your Santorini trip is choosing between the iconic caldera cliffs and the famous black sand beaches. Unlike other islands where the beach is prime real estate, in Santorini, the caldera is the main event. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide.
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.
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
My son and I at Athina Luxury Suites, my favorite hotel in Fira.
- Best Luxury Hotels in Santorini
Grace Santorini • Katikies • Canaves Oia Suites • Kivotos • Athina Luxury Suites • Santo Mine- Best Boutique Hotels in Santorini
Tsitouras Collection • The Vasilicos • Carpe Diem- Best Hotels for Couples or Honeymoons
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)- Best Hotels for Families
Aria Suites (Fira) • Andronis Concept Wellness Resort (Imerovigli) • Andronis Arcadia (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
Our villa at Aria Suites in Fira. A great place for families, couples, or a small group looking for side-by-side villas.
Jaw-dropping view of Oia’s iconic domes and the caldera from our suite at Oia Spirit when we stayed there.
Our room at Anteliz Suites in Firostefani.
Our balcony at Astra Suites in Imerovigli.
Our suite and private pool at Sea Breeze Beach Resort in Perivolos.
Our suite at Reverie Santorini Hotel in Firostefani. With a small pool and a shared rooftop view terrace, this is a great affordable option for staying on one of the cliffside villages.
Our suite at Danae Suites in Finikia, just outside of Oia.
This is from our stay in the 6-bedroom Patina villa with private pool, hot tub, and outdoor kitchen at Patina Vivera Estate in Pyrgos. Impeccably appointed, situated next to a beautiful historic church, and with amazing sea views, we can’t recommend this enough.
Map of Santorini Towns & Beaches
The Best Areas in Santorini for…
- Best Places in Santorini for Couples: Oia and Imerovigli
- Best Place in Santorini for First-Timers: Fira
- Best Place in Santorini for Nightlife: Fira
- Best Places in Santorini for Shopping: Fira and Oia
- Best Places in Santorini for Sunsets: Imerovigli, Fira, Firostefani, Akrotiri, Oia, and Pyrgos
- Best Places in Santorini for Caldera Views: Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, Firostefani, Akrotiri
- Best Places in Santorini for Restaurants: Imerovigli and Oia
- Best Places in Santorini for Families: Fira, Oia, Perissa, and Kamari
- Best Places in Santorini for the Beach: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos
- Best Places in Santorini to Avoid Crowds: Pyrgos, Imerovigli, Akrotiri and Thirassia
- Best Places in Santorini for Budget Stays: Fira, Firostefani, Kamari, Perissa, Mesaria
- Best Places in Santorini for a Local Vibe: Emporio, Mesaria, Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Finikia
Best Places to Stay in Santorini
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
Poolside cocktails come with a killer view at the fantastic Athina Luxury Suites, the best hotel in Fira.
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 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
View over the caldera from the pool at Anteliz Suites in Firostefani.
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 open 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, unless your hotel has it’s own lot. But renting a car is not necessary here.
- Best Hotels in Imerovigli:
Grace Santorini • Astra Suites • Aenaon Villas • Kivotos • Cavo Tagoo • Canaves Elefas Villas • Andronis Concept Wellness Resort • White Pearl Cavalieri- Best Value/Midrange Hotels:
Abelonas Retreat • Merovigliosso • Aghios Artemios Traditional Houses
The incredible Astra Suites in Imerovigli.
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
The Two-Bedroom Villa at Canaves Oia Suites features a spacious private terrace with a plunge pool and a large private infinity pool.
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
Incredible views from the bedroom and private jacuzzi terrace in the Caldera Residence at Akrotiri’s Coco-Mat Hotel.
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
View looking east to Anafi island from the swim terrace at Pyrgos’ Elessa Hotel.
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
Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort at Kamari Beach.
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
The Recit Suite at beautiful Istoria Hotel on Perivolos Beach has a private outdoor hot tub.
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
The luxury facilities at Vedema Resort in Megalochori are centered around a centuries-old winery.
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 Engish), 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 a way. 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
Church of Panagia Mesani (Annunciation of the Virgin Mary) in Emporio.
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
View over the caldera and Athinios port from Celestia Grand in Mesaria.
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
The cave villas at 270 Oia’s View in Finika all feature private pools or hot tubs, and sleep up to 10 guests.
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
Golden hour over the village of Oia. Photo taken while we were on a Santorini helicopter tour.
Summary: My Favorite Santorini Hotels
• Fira: Athina
• Oia: Katikies • Canaves
• Imerovigli: Grace • Astra
• Firostefani: Tsitouras
• Beach: Istoria
• For families: Aria
• For couples: Aenaon
• Best pool: Nous
• Midrange: Enigma • Kavalari
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Hi Dave,
My friends from San Diego recommended your site for my Santorini travel planning. They went last year and said your info was amazing. So now I’m here to ask for your help. Unfortunately, I have a bad left knee from a recent fall and am unable to climb many stairs. A few here or there is fine but multiple staircases are very taxing. What hotels do you recommend that have a low number of stairs to get in and out of my room and out to the nearby shops and restaurants?
I will be traveling with my husband. We are in our 30s, healthy and active (besides my bad knee), and would like to be near lots of restaurants and a bit of nightlife. We were planning on island hopping but are now only going to do Santorini and Athens. We’ll have 10 days in Santorini and plan on some beach time, a boat and winery tour, and stays in (depending on your recommendations) several different villages around the island. Our budget is 4-star but a few nights in a 5-star would be welcome too. What towns and hotels do you suggest.
Lauren
Your knee injury changes the game for Santorini, but it need not ruin it. You just need to be smart about where you stay. The classic caldera views often come with dozeens or hundreds of stairs, but there are excellent hotels that minimize the climb. A split stay between villages is a great idea for a 10 day trip.
10-Day Itinerary for Visitor with Limited Mobility
• Days 1-4: Perissa Beach. Start your trip here. It is completely flat, relaxed, and will let you ease into your vacation without worrying about your mobility. The 2km long beach promenade is lined with great restaurants and beach clubs. If you’re doing a boat or wine tour do them during your stay here as hotel pickup will be much easier than from Fira or Oia.
• Days 5-7: Fira. Move to the island’s capital. This is the hub for nightlife, shopping, and transportation. By choosing a hotel carefully, you can have caldera views and easy access to the action with very few steps.
• Days 8-10: Oia. Finish your trip in the most iconic village. While notoriously hilly, there are luxury hotels here with elevator access, a rarity in Santorini. The pedestrian walkway through town is relatively flat and lined with good restaurants, boutique shops, and wine/cocktail bars. This is where you can splurge on that 5-star experience.
Perissa (4 Nights)
Perissa and the adjoining Perivolos beach are your best bet for a completely flat experience. The main road and beach path have no significant stairs.
Best Hotels in Perissa:
• Istoria Hotel: A 5-star design hotel right on the black sand of Perivolos beach. The property is flat, and its suites are ground-level, offering incredible style without the stairs. The luxury hotels in Perissa are much better value than in Fira or Oia.
• Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa: A good 4-star hotel set just a minute back from the beach. It’s modern, has a great pool, and is built on flat ground. Some rooms have private pools.
• Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Spa: Located directly on the beach path at the quieter Perivolos end. It’s adults only and many rooms are on the ground level. You walk out of the hotel and are right on the beach with restaurants all around you.
• Kouros Village Hotel: Also adults only. A great value 4-star option. It’s on the main road, not the beach itself, but it’s a very short, flat walk to the beach and restaurants.
Fira (3 Nights)
Fira has the most restaurants and the best nightlife. The key is to stay on or very near the main pedestrian path at the top of the caldera, avoiding hotels that are built far down the cliff.
Best Hotels in Fira:
• Cosmopolitan Suites: My top recommendation for you in Fira. A fantastic boutique hotel located right on the main caldera path. You are steps away from everything. While there are some stairs within the property, its location means you avoid the big climbs from the main road. Request a room on an near the entrance with the easiest access.
• Aria Suites & Villas: A top-tier property with minimal steps to the suites and pool. The villas have more steps and have their own plunge pools but are a short walk from the main hotel and the pool. A short, flat walk gets you right to the center of Fira.
• Atlantis Hotel: This is one of the original luxury hotels (but a little dated now and good value), built right on the main caldera path with its entrance at street level. Taxis can pull right up to the front door. You walk out of the hotel and are in the middle of everything with incredible views and no climbing required to get to the nearby shops and restaurants. There are stairs within the hotel.
Oia (3 Nights)
Oia is famous for a reason, but it can be a maze of stairs. The trick is staying at a hotel on the village walkway or one of the few high-end properties that has invested in accessibility.
Best Hotels in Oia:
• Canaves Oia Suites: The best luxury hotel in Oia for someone with limited mobility. It has an elevator that takes you from street level down to the main pool and suite area. This is your 5-star splurge. The service is impeccable and the views are iconic.
• Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas: A superb 5-star option located on a flat area just a 5-minute walk from the entrance to Oia’s main pedestrian path. It’s quiet, luxurious, and spread out with multiple pools, avoiding the vertical challenges of central Oia. Getting from the property into town isn’t ideal for you however.
A Note on Imerovigli and Firostefani
• Imerovigli: Known as the “balcony of the Aegean,” it sits at the highest point of the caldera. The entire village is built down a steep cliffside and involves a huge number of stairs. It is the least accessible of the caldera towns.
• Firostefani: This village has a lovely, flat path with great views. The problem is that it’s very quiet. To get to the restaurants and nightlife in Fira, you face a 15 minute walk that is downhill on the way there and steeply uphill on the way back. This would be very taxing on your knee.
Hotel Communication is Key:
Before you book anything, you must email or call the hotel directly. Explain your mobility limitation and ask about the exact number of steps from the road to your room, the pool, and the restaurant. Ask for a room with the best possible access. Do not rely on generic booking website descriptions.
Transportation:
• Rent a car. This is my strongest recommendation. It will give you the freedom to get from door to door without relying on buses or walking to taxi stands. Ensure your hotel (especially in Fira or Oia) has nearby parking.
• Avoid the bus. The bus system is good, but stations can be a walk from your hotel and the buses get extremely crowded.
Tours & Sightseeing:
• Winery Tours: These are a perfect activity for you. The tours are van-based, and the major wineries like Santo Wines, Venetsanos, and Domaine Sigalas are modern and very accessible.
• Boat Tours: You can and should do a boat tour. Most companies provide hotel pickup.
• Do visit the Akrotiri archaeological site. It is largely flat with wooden walkways and is very easy to navigate.
• Do not attempt the Fira to Oia hike. It is a 3-hour walk with significant hills.
• Do not visit Ancient Thira. It’s on a mountaintop and requires a lot of walking on rough, uneven ground.
Good luck Lauren. I hope this helps.
Traveling with 5-8 couples who are 50 years old in mid-September. Want to stay in Oia or Fira or Imerovigli. Definitely want a caldera view and walking distance to shops and bars and restaurants. Don’t need hot tub or pool in room. Would like a 5 star with 4 star prices. Some are wiling to spend $1000 a night and others $500 so could even do two hotels next door to each other. What are your recs?
Accommodating a group of 5-8 couples with varying budgets ($500-$1000/night) in mid-September, all wanting caldera views and walkability, is a challenge but achievable, especially since you don’t need private pools. Given your criteria, I’d strongly recommend focusing on Firostefani; it offers stunning, wide-open caldera views similar to Imerovigli but provides a shorter 10-15 minute walk along the scenic path directly into Fira and its shops, restaurants, and bars. Firostefani allows for finding hotels at different price points very close to each other, satisfying varying budget levels within your group. Hope that helps.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for sharing some much valuable information. I would like to know your input on Manos Small World. It says it has the Caldera view, however, it’s not the list of your Santorini Hotels with Caldera Views. Thanks for your time.
Manos Small World is great for breathtaking, classic caldera views and a romantic, quieter atmosphere. Assuming you don’t mind the lack of a pool or the short walk into Fira.
Hi Dave,
My wife saw this Hotel Sepal Residence in Fira with a very good price and 9.8 review which is even better than many luxurious ones. What’s your thought on this one? Thank you!
Sepal Residence provides modern suites with excellent convenience in central Fira, close to shops and transport, but lacks direct caldera views as it’s not located on the cliff edge. It’s a solid value choice if easy town access and saving money are more important to you than having the iconic Santorini view from your room. It’s just a short walk to the caldera path.
Hi Dave,
I can’t pick between Andronis Boutique Hotel (Signature Suite) and Canaves Oia Suites (Honeymoon Suite). Which is better?
Thanks!
Anna
I love both places, but if forced to choose (and price was similar) I would go with Canaves.
Hi Dave
Fantastic wealth of information!
I am looking to travel to Santorini in September for my birthday on the 22nd of September. What is the weather usually like? Is there much nightlife in Fira? Are many tours still operating in late September?
As it’s our first time (couple), where would be best to stay?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Amanda
I love September in Greece. It has great weather, still warm enough for the beach but (usually) not crazy hot like July and August. Fira has the most nightlife of any town on Santorini and is the place to stay for clubs and bars, which are an easy walk from most hotels. Without a doubt, all tours will be running in September.
Hi Dave,
Looking for a hotel in Fira and came across Iriana Suites. Looks very nice with great reviews on Booking.com. What’s your thoughts on this place?
Pete
I like this hotel and it’s pretty affordable considering location and amenities. Lots of steps from here up to the town square, but that comes with the cliffside location and caldera views.
This site has been an amazing resource as I plan a late June trip with my 20 year old son. Deciding between Cosmopolitan and Aria, which would you recommend?
Jennifer Robinson
If you’re a family or able to afford the villas (family or not), go with Aria. If you’re a couple or solo, go with Cosmopolitan. I’ve made the same decision myself, staying at Aria when I’m with my family and staying at Cosmopolitan when I’m traveling on my own.
Hi Dave,
First, I want to thank you for such an incredible review! Honestly, this is the most thorough and well-put-together overview I’ve seen when researching vacation destinations.
My question: My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary in Santorini, and neither of us have been to Greece. We really want a super nice hotel with beautiful views and great service. We’re torn between Katikies in Oia and Grace. I know they are in different areas, so it’s a tough comparison. But I’m wondering what you think is the better hotel? Thanks again!
Micah
Both are fantastic hotels and two of my favorite places to stay on the island. Katikies is a little trendier and has more privacy. Grace has better views and a much larger pool and deck. I hope that helps.
Hi Dave,
Can you share your thoughts on the Gold Suites in Imerovigli vs the Katikies Garden Hotel in Fira? My wife and are looking for great views of the caldera and close accessibility (walking distance) to restaurants and shops.
Thanks,
Joe
I really like both of these hotels. Gold Suites sits right on the caldera’s edge in the highest village on the caldera with amazing views. Katikies Garden is set a little back from the caldera’s edge with views from the infinity pool, but rooms have either garden or sunrise sea views (over the Aegean not the caldera). So, Gold Suites has the better views, and it’s in the heart of Imerovigli near restaurants and shops. That said, there is less to walk to in Imerovigli vs Fira, which has the most shops, dining, nightlife, and attractions of any village in Santorini and is the transportation hub of the island, so Katikies Garden is the better walking location.
Hi Dave
Do you have any recommendations for three adults coming in late August? We’d like adults-only, all with proper beds (no sofa beds), and a pool. Ideally, somewhere with some restaurants nearby, but we are happy to get public transport around the island.
Thanks so much!
I believe many hotels on the caldera are “adults-only” for safety reasons (lots of stairs, sheer cliffs, and no way to easily move around with a stroller). However, this usually means ages 12 and over, not truly “adults only.” The main thing to look for is a room or suite with two separate sleeping areas (nothing open-plan) to guarantee two real beds. Hotels in walkable areas that may fit the bill are Grace (14+ years, 2-bedroom suite or villa), Canaves Oia Suites (18+, a few suite and villa options), and Kivotos (18+, villas). All of these hotels have pools.
Picked my hotels in Mykonos and Athens studying your blogs but am stuck when it comes to Santorini this July. Single female traveler who wants the caldera views but will also want to go out and would like to be either walking distance without a steep hill on the way back or a hotel with a reliable shuttle service to Fira town. Where should I stay?
Cosmopolitan Suites is one of my favorite hotels in Fira. It has incredible caldera views, a central location close to everything, and almost no steps or climb to get into town. It’s a short walk to restaurants and nightlife so you needn’t worry about a long walk down alleys or footpaths late at night if alone.
Hi Dave, this is such a great blog – really helpful insight. Myself and my wife are looking to visit Santorini and we are trying to work out which hotel to stay at. I am struggling to work out whether Astra Suites, Above Blue Suites, or Absolute Bliss would be better to stay at? Ideally we want a restaurant on-site and a pool and a nice comfortable place to say – more likely to venture out to restaurants and beaches so does not need to biggest resort but comfortable enough? Any suggestions would be welcome :)
For what you’re looking for, I recommend Astra.
Hi Dave! This is literally the most impressive travel blog I’ve ever seen. I can’t even believe there is so much info!! I am a solo female traveler and am looking to be in Santorini mid-September before heading to Athens. I can spend two or three days and really want to stay somewhere walkable. I’m kind of in the mid-budget range, but could maybe splurge for a night. I’d absolutely love your opinion on things for solo travelers to see and where to stay. Thanks so much for all the fantastic content, keep up the excellent work!
Fira, Firostefani, and Imerovigli are all connected by a path along the caldera (I love this area). Staying here offers lots of walkable opportunities to explore the views of the volcano and caldera. Akrotiri is another highlight and easily enjoyed by a solo traveler.
Hi,
Is 2 weeks too long on Santorini? We’re looking at coming next summer and would like to come and chill out. We’re happy to be in a villa or hotel and don’t mind moving accommodation during the stay to get different experiences.
With two weeks I usually recommend visitors hit a different island for the second week. But you could easily fill two weeks on Santorini with a range of things to do – especially if you’re spending days by the pool or on the beach. Split your time between Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, and Perissa.
Hi Dave,
Thank you for all the great information! We will be in Santorini in June for our Honeymoon and I wanted to get your thoughts on choosing between Mystique and Vedema. We will be staying solely on Marriott points at either location, so cost is really not an issue as it is the same amount to stay at each. We will be there for 4 nights, would you recommend one or the other? Or stay at each hotel for 2 nights each? I am not sure it will be worth the hassle of switching hotels but I am having trouble deciding which one after reading many positives and negatives of each. I appreciate your help!
I love both hotels, but they have very different atmospheres. Vedema is a luxury boutique resort in a small village (Megalochori) without caldera views but walking distance to great wineries and untouristy restaurants. Mystique is a boutique hotel in the quiet section of Oia with magical caldera views. Walking distance to lots of shops and restaurants and views of the sunset. Hope that helps.
Hi Dave, we are going to Santorini from June 8-10. There are 5 of us traveling, 2 adults, and 3 teenagers (ages 14 and 16). We were looking at staying at Namaste Suites Oia. Could you give us some input on this villa? Is it in a good location? Or if you have any recommendations on hotels in Oia that could accommodate all of us? We would like to have a pool/jacuzzi. We want the kids to have an amazing, memorable, and fabulous trip!
Thanks in advance!
Great place in a great location – right in the heart of Oia and steps from sunset views. It is a busy area during the sunset. Shops and restaurants just up the hill.
Hi Dave,
Your site is awesome! My wife & I are planning to stay on Santorini for 3 nights in June (yes I know it’s a bit short notice but circumstances). Anyway, I don’t see Andromeda Villas hotel on your site but it has high reviews on booking.com and the price fits in our budget. Do you have any comments on this property? Also, we are in our 60’s and my wife has mild knee issues and we are a bit concerned with how many steps and how much incline we will have to navigate in the Imerovigli area? Would we be better to stay down in Kamari or Perissa area? Several of your recommended hotels are available. Thanks for any insight. Gregg
If avoiding stairs is your primary concern, then yes, I’d recommend Kamari and Perissa. But they don’t have caldera views. Andromeda has incredible views. There are also two elevators to help with getting up and down the cliff.
Do you have any tips for visiting Santorini on a budget? And what’s the minimum you can spend per day (per person) and still enjoy the island?
Yes, Santorini can be a very expensive island. There’s almost no limit to what you can spend per day if staying in a top luxury hotel along the caldera, taking helicopter tours, and eating at the best restaurants. But if you watch what you spend, where you stay, and where you eat it can be visited very affordably. The single best tip I can give you for saving money is to stay at hotels and eat at restaurants that are not along the caldera. This will immediately cut your expenses in half (and maybe more than that). Many hotels include a free breakfast. Certainly, at budget hotels, this will be a modest buffet with bread, cheese, yogurt, and coffee but it can save a lot of money. For lunch, eat a gyro or souvlaki. Delicious and cheap. For dinner find places on the main streets back from caldera. These won’t be fancy but can still be great and are usually very good value. Good luck!
We are planning to be in Santorini during early September of this year. Any thoughts regarding Remvi Suites vs Santorini View Studios?
In my opinion, both of these hotels are good value options with cave-style architecture and excellent caldera views in Firostefani. Remvi Suites’ accommodations are just a little bit more modern and luxurious than what you’ll find at Santorini View, plus they have a wonderful restaurant onsite (complimentary breakfast served here daily), and they are closer to the heart of the village, the bus stop, and the capital Fira. Santorini View is in a slightly quieter area and has a slightly better view; complimentary breakfast is served directly to each room daily. For stays of 3 nights or more, Santorini View offers free round trip port or airport transfers.
SANTORINI AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Hi Dave!
Do you recommend taking a taxi from the Santorini airport to hotel or reserving a private transfer? If a private option, are there any companies you would recommend? If a taxi, what is the average cost/ ease of catching a taxi?
Thanks!
It depends on the time of day and how busy the airport is, but in general, as long as you’re not in a super hurry, taxis will be available. (That can be different if it’s very late at night.) Taxi is usually much cheap than private transfer. Expect a taxi fare of 20€ to 40€ depending on where you’re going. If you do want a private transfer, then I would check with your hotel as they might pick you up for free.
Hi Dave!
First of all your blog is amazing and extremely informative.
We are only going to be in Santorini for two nights and wanted to know what would be the best option for us between Chromata Junior Suite, Nefali Suite at Dreams Luxury, Room at Katikies Hotel, Katikies Villa, Nefeli Homes (Grand View Maisonette with tub), Porto Fira Villas (Split Level Villa with Caldera View and Tub) or others. Almost all of these hotels only have one room left so it’s difficult to decide.
There are so many beautiful options to choose from and I have points that I can use on the booking, to make it more affordable. I’m just trying to get the most value out of the stay – happy to spend more if its actually worth it. I really want something unique and special with jaw-dropping views for us to remember forever.
Also, we keep Kosher so restaurants/free breakfast doesn’t really make a difference for us?
Thank you very much for your help!
Since restaurants and breakfasts are not a factor, then you need a hotel with gorgeous rooms, outstanding facilities, and amazing views, which you will find at the Katikies properties: Katikies Hotel, Villa Katikies, and Chromata Santorini. Katikies Hotel is my favorite of the three. Even their standard double rooms are spacious, elegantly appointed, and offer private terraces with spectacular views over the caldera. Katikies Hotel’s amenities are second to none with 3 gorgeous infinity pools, 2 spa treatment rooms, and incredibly personalized service.
Nearby Villa Katikies, a 3-minute walk from the main hotel, offers similar views, personalized service, and outdoor jacuzzis in all room types, but the only usable amenity for you onsite would be the pool. It’s not quite as glamorous as the main hotel, but it is a great value option and does grant access to the facilities at Katikies Hotel if you don’t mind the walk.
Both Katikies Hotel and Villa Katikies are in Oia with sweeping caldera views, but they do not have direct sunset views. Chromata, their sister property in Imerovigli, has phenomenal sunset views from each room, an incredible caldera view infinity pool. This is more trendy but less refined than Katikies Hotel.
Also, guests from any of the Katikies properties (the 3 above, plus Kirini and Sun Rocks) have access to the facilities and restaurants of any of their sister properties. So you can stay at Katikies Hotel and visit Chromata for the sunset or Kirini for the full service spa.
Hi Dave,
I was enjoying your blog while researching where to stay with my family.
We will be coming to Santorini in early May for 4 nights. My wife and I with our 6 year old daughter (well-behaved), and also bringing my mother who would prefer a separate bedroom if possible. Our daughter can either sleep on the bed with her, or share the bed with us, or sleep on a sofa or something.
We were thinking Oia would be the nicest experience. And we really want a nice view, with preferably a hot tub on the patio. Also, my mom can’t spend too much time in direct sun, so an option for shade is nice.
We looked at your recommendations and also did our own research and found what seems like a nice place but wanted to ask your opinion. The reason for concern is that it’s a little bit tucked back, and I think the view might be very constricted and tight because of this. I don’t think we will be able to see the sunset from this view, which would be nice to have.
It’s Ifestio Villas – they have 2 villas on top of each other which both seem like they could work – Villa Hercules and Villa Agis.
Could you possibly offer your opinion on these?
FYI, my favorite place might be the Aspaki 2-bedroom cave, but it’s twice the price! There’s also an off-chance that my sister and her 1-year old will be joining us at the last minute, and it would be nice to have space to accommodate them just in case (though I won’t plan around this), and the ifestio villas offer that option.
Thanks very much!
Ifestio is very nice but does not have sunset views – for that you’ll have to walk about 5 minutes. The 2-bedroom Cave Suite with Private Pool at Aspaki is absolutely wonderful but also does not have sunset views. Though both have caldera views – which I prefer. If you want a sunset view the nicest suite in Oia is the Deluxe Pool Villa at Art Maisons Oia Castle. Amazing!
Hi Dave,
Your blog is the best place for all the information about Europe and especially Santorini. I am planning my honeymoon trip to Europe from February 25 to March 6. The cities to be included in the trip will be Venice, Rome, Paris, and Santorini. Will it be a good time to visit Europe and cover major attractions in these cities? Please advise me on the possibilities of each city and things to keep in mind if the trip can be planned.
The weather can be anything from cool and cloudy to warm and sunny (though still not swimming weather) so be prepared for a wide-range of temperatures. I think it’s a great time to visit if you’re into walking, sightseeing, and exploring.
Hi Dave,
Can you tell me more about Akrotiri? Would you recommend staying on that part of the island?
There are two parts of Akrotiri: a small village with a few shops, restaurants, and 2-star and 3-star hotels. It’s good value but not a lot here. The other area is north of the village along the caldera. There are several 4-star and 5-star hotels in this area. They are isolated (not walking distance to much of anything) but have wonderful views of the caldera. They’re fine if you only want to hang by the pool during your stay. But if you want to experience Santorini then Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia are far better choices.
Hi Dave.
Love your site! Thank you for so much information.
I am traveling to Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini soon with a group of 5 and it has become very difficult to plan due to budget. I was wondering what you think of the town of Karterados? Is it safe, easy to access in regards to transportation and landmarks of Santorini? Otherwise, I will continue searching. Thank you
I like Karterados. It’s a fine town with good local restaurants and a friendly vibe. It’s a 20 minute walk into Fira (with sidewalks most of the way). Buses pass about every 30 minutes on there way between Fira and Kamari.
Hi Dave,
What a great site, has really helped us to chose our accommodation in Santorini – otherwise we would have had no idea where was best. We finally decided on the vallas sunset apartment in Firostefani which will suit our requirements.
We are travelling for 3 weeks and visiting the following
Arriving in Mykonos staying for 3 nights.
Then Paros staying for 4 nights.
Then Naxos for 4 nights.
Then Santorini for 3 nights.
Then Crete for 7 days where we will meet up with family and friends. Travel home from there.
We were thinking of cutting down Paros and Naxos and visiting Ios – but thought we may be trying to squeeze in too much – what do you think?
We have booked the Seajet from Santorini to Rethymon (only seems to go twice a week) ahead as we have a hotel already booked in Rethymon and meeting our daughters there so needed to get that sorted.
Would you recommend booking the ferry service ahead for Mykonos to Paros and Paros to Naxos or should we able to book when we get there?
And one last question… How far is the beach from where we are staying in Firostefani – can we get a bus?
Thank you in advance for your help – will certainly be recommending you to our friends traveling.
Carol
I would stick with your current itinerary. You’ve got a lot of islands there (and a lot of ferry trips), no need to add Ios. And yes, I’d probably book ferry tickets in advance. It’s easy to do with FerryHopper (unlike in the past) and if you’re visiting in summer sell-outs are possible (though rare). The best swimming beach in Santorini is Perissa and it’s a 20 to 30 minute bus ride from Fira. You can catch the bus in Firostefani and then switch in Fira, or just walk down to Fira and bus from there to Perissa.
Dave,
Absolutely love your site. We are planning a trip to Santorini this July for our 10-year anniversary and I have narrowed down the hotels to:
Perivolas
Santorini Secrets Suites and Spa
Alta Mare by Andronis
Charisma Suites
We are looking for:
Gorgeous views
Awesome infinity pool
Great service
Some privacy
Easy walk to the center of Oia
A patio with a tub would be great too
Which hotel would you recommend?
Thank you in advance for your response.
I think all are great hotels so you won’t be disappointed. Santorini Secrets has the most infinity-like pool. Perivolas has the most privacy and largest pool but is a good walk to the center of town. Alta Mare and Santorini Secrets are the most central. Alta Mare has the least privacy. Charisma has a lot of privacy, is small and charming, but lots of steps up to street level. Charisma is the only one with a sunset view. The others have true caldera views (which I prefer).
I’m having my wedding in Santorini next year, I’m trying to find a cluster of hotels in Fira on the caldera side for people to stay in. Since the hotels are generally small, I’m looking for a good few that are around each other and may offer different price ranges. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Jackie
These hotels are all on the caldera in Fira and basically right beside each other (3 minute walk at most). Bars and restaurants are a 5 minute walk (or climb) away.
Cori Rigas Suites
Porto Fira Suites
Kavalari Hotel
Keti Hotel
Hi Dave,
I’ve never come across a more comprehensive and detailed blog. Kudos!
Me and wife are going to be in Santorini from April 26-29th.
– What is the weather like ? Would be need jackets ?
– We booked: Santorini View Firostefani Caldera from Booking.com. What do you think ?
April usually has clear skies and warmish weather – but not hot enough to swim. A light jacket is good to have. Santorini View Hotel has great views and a good location – a short walk to many restaurants, 15 minute walk to Fira.
Hi Dave, your blog is incredibly helpful! For our honeymoon, if we are spending 5 nights in Santorini do you recommend doing 3 nights in Imerovigli and 2 nights in Oia? We’d like to spend some time in both locations and wondering if it makes sense to break our stay up that way versus traveling from one to the other?
Yes, 3 nights in Imerovigli and 2 in Oia. Sounds great. You really do get a different experience by staying in different places. I think you’ll appreciate that you did it that way even though you do lose a little time by switching hotels. One thing I always do is plan a tour on a hotel-switch day. It’s a little counter-intuitive but it forces you to get out and experience something on the switch day as opposed to having it be a lost day. There’s, of course, a bit of hassle involved (you’ll have to have your bags all packed and be out of the room before you go on your tour – then get your old hotel to hold them until your return) but it’s worth it if you’re worried about the lost time. Then the days you’re not switching you feel like you have all to yourselves.
Hi Dave we are interested in Astarte Suites. Do you have any input on that hotel? Is it close to anything? We love the look of the rooms/the view but we are also looking for something close to restaurants,etc.
There is very little close to Astarte Suites – just a couple of tavernas – otherwise you need to taxi, bus, or drive to Fira and other towns (about a 15 minute drive). Stay here for quiet and solitude not for being close to the action.
Hi Dave, you are so helpful! My fiance and I are going to Santorini in July for out honeymoon, we are staying for 3 days and then traveling to Mykonos, and we would LOVE some advice. We want a hotel with a nice view but that is also close to restaurants/things to do! Looking to spend less than $400 a night. Any suggestions or advice on hotel and must-do things would be amazing.
Your best bet is Hotel Kavalari in Fira. Great views at reasonable prices and close to lots of shops, restaurants, and nightlife. I’ve always enjoyed my stays here.
I’m thinking of renting a small villa, 1 or 2 bedroom, on Santorini in April or May for one month. Nice views, walkable, secure. Your suggestions?
The villas at Aria Suites are absolutely wonderful. I can not recommend them enough.
Hey Dave! We’ll be in Santorini for three days (late May/early June) for the beginning of our honeymoon. I’d really like somewhere with a pool with a view and a pool bar but was also hoping for a private hot tub. Was hoping to spend less than $400 a night. Is there anywhere that has both of those things in our budget?
Anna Tarrant
Maybe Tholos.
Hi Dave
Have booked a flight to Santorini October 18 for one week. Have seen a new boutique hotel advertised in Akrotiri but Akrotiri is not mentioned in your towns to stay. Is there a reason for this?
Too isolated from Santorini’s main towns. (It’s fine if you want to hang by the pool all day.)
Hi Dave,
Wondering if you can help out with my itinerary. My husband and I are planning to travel to Greece next August. We are in our early 40s….Well, I’ll be celebrating my 40th. We love the beach and mostly want to relax, but also don’t mind having a couple of nights of dancing, partying, etc. We were thinking of going for 9 days. We are flying from Boston to Athens (simply because it’s the cheapest), and staying one night. Then hoping to go to Mykonos and Santorini for a few days each. We thought we might be able to fit in one more stop. Perhaps Paros or Naxos? So my questions are:
1) Would 9 days allow this schedule? If not, how many days do you suggest (also of course factoring what we lose in travel time)
2) If we do in fact have time for an additional stop, which is better to visit Paros or Naxos?
3) Can we get to all of these places via ferry?
Thanks so much!
Cici
Santorini deserves 3 full days at least. Naxos, Paros, Mykonos need at least 2 full days. If you have 9 days away from Boston, that’s going to mean 7 full days in Greece. 1 of those is in Athens, and then ferry time so you’ll do best to stick to Santorini and Mykonos. If you added one or two more days you could squeeze in Naxos or Paros (Naxos is more traditional, Paros more trendy and boutiquish). Yes, easy to get to all with ferry but you might want to fly back from Santorini to Athens to save time (it’s the farthest island from Athens).
Yes, book airport and port transfers here.
Hi Dave,
I just booked Tholos resort in Imerovigili although it was not on your list it looks amazing. How is this hotel in comparison to your lists? Budget friendly, somewhat luxury, villa/boutique style?
Mare
Tholos Resort is wonderful. Recently refurbished, incredible views. Similar to Astra Suites (and similar locations) but just a half-star down in the luxury category and the pool a little smaller. Good choice.
Hey Dave. Quick question. After weeks of researching and overanalysis I finally booked (prepaid) for a studio rental at Luna Rossa through booking.com. I trust this site but find that the lack of reviews and an accurate address for map locating is a bit concerning. Are you able to confirm that this is a legit place and we are all set? Greatly appreciate your help?
Luna Rossa Apartments – Eparx odos Firon Oias Imerovigli, Vourvoulos, 84700, Greece.
Allison
Luna Rossa is located exactly where the Booking.com map shows. On the road between Imerovigli and Oia, directly across from Cavo Tagoo. It’s not on the caldera but does have sunset views from the rooftop of the Deluxe Apartment. There’s a bus stop across the street with buses to Fira and Oia.
Dave, really impressive blog – well done! We’re heading to Santorini and would like to stay in the traditional cave style, would like a patio with a great/wide caldera view, and don’t need the fancy hotel-things like breakfast etc etc. I’ve been looking on hotels.com, booking.com, etc and now see less hotel-y villas/caves on flipkey, but sometimes it’s so hard to tell if they’re in the right place or have great expansive views, etc. For example, Villa Calliope. Thoughts on if that is in a good area, the view, etc?
Also, more generally, do you have any recommendations for us in terms of how to evaluate Santorini Villas on flipkey/airbnb other than scanning pictures, reading reviews on tripadvisor when they’re there (which btw is it odd if a property has zero reviews on tripadvisor?)? Many thanks in advance
Villa Calliope looks to have a great location in central Oia. There have been cases of fraud on Santorini (with people renting out villas that either didn’t exist or are just pictures of a hotel room re-posted as a private villa). If you can find the same listing on multiple websites (Airbnb, Flipkey, VRBO, Tripadvisor) – and it all looks consistent and legit then I’d feel pretty good about booking it. The gold standard is Booking.com as the verification process is more robust – whereas I could post a rental on Airbnb in about 5 minutes.
Hi Dave,
Is Vourvoulos a good place to stay with kids/teens?
Thanks!
It’s not terrible, but no I wouldn’t say it was a “good place” for kids/teens. It’s not walking distance to much of anything so you’d want a rental car if you stayed there.
Hi Dave – I’d love to stay in Santorini in one of the Caldera towns but I have difficulty managing too many steps. Can you see any way around this? Are there any hotels which are on the same level as the main shops/ restaurants etc with not too many steps to negotiate for bedrooms, etc.? Or is it a pipe dream?
Thanks – hopefully !
Jan
Hotels with few steps in Fira: Cosmopolitan (the best view), Atlantis (fewest steps, good value, not all rooms have views), Aria Suites (most luxurious, the villas are brand new and beautiful with great views).
Hi Dave,
I love your website! I’m trying to figure out where to stay in Santorini when I go in June, and I’m looking at Perissa because it seems those are the best deals. However, I know I want to travel around the island by bus, and looking at the bus schedule, it seems that buses stop running around 20:00. Is this the same in the summer as well? Budget is most important, but accessibility is as well…I don’t have to stay in the nicest place, but do want to be able to get around! If I want to stay for the sunset in Oia, or if I want to go out in Fira, would I be able to take a late bus back to Perissa?
Also, keeping budget and bus accessibility in mind, are there any other areas you recommend that are cheaper and have good bus service, even if they aren’t on the caldera? Or perhaps areas you would suggest I avoid considering I will need to take a bus everywhere?
Last question, would it be possible to taxi from Oia to Perissa if necessary? Or is it cost prohibitive?
Thank you!!!!
Julia B.
If you want cheap and a central location then the best town to stay in is Karterados. It’s walking distance to Fira (2km) and buses to southern Santorini go right by the town on the main road. Karterados has some good markets and inexpensive tavernas. It’s much more convenient than Perissa for exploring the caldera towns. Buses will run later than 8pm in summer (to beaches and elsewhere) but the latest buses are always the Oia-Fira route. So you should always be able to get back to Fira and then worst-case you have to walk from there to your hotel.
Hey Dave – Great site, making our planning for first trip to Santorini so much easier!! Question – I don’t see you mention Celestia Grand in Fira anywhere on the site. It’s #2 rated on TripAdvisor and wondering what you opinion is. We’re planning an anniversary trip and want something special. Thanks so much!
Jimmy
Celestia Grand is a wonderful luxury hotel (many of the villas/suites have private pools and hot tub). The one drawback (for me) is the location. It’s located a 30 minute walk south of Fira with very little around it. If you have a rental car or just want to sit by the pool and enjoy the caldera views then it’s a superb choice. But I enjoy staying in one of the lively towns along the caldera.
Hello dave
We want to come to santorini for a honeymoon the travel agency gave us the Mediteranian Hotal at Kamari but I wanted to know is Kamari close to Fira and Oia for a walk or it’s most in taxi or bus? We want romance, nightlife, and within walking distance. Thank you for you’re blog it really helps.
Like I always say, don’t use travel agents – they don’t know what they’re talking about and only promote hotels that they have pre-arranged deals with. Kamari is a relaxing beach town but does not have the magic, romance, views, nightlife, or fine dining of the caldera towns: Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia. Stay on the caldera to have the type of honeymoon that I think you’re dreaming of.
All the top hotels I’ve listed on Best Hotels in Santorini have caldera views (except for Vedema).
Hello Dave,
I like the idea of this website, you are doing a great job!
I am planning to travel to Santorini on my honeymoon in April, what I am really looking for are best views, romantic atmosphere, some night life, and a couple of days in a suite with a private pool (really private, no one can see us).
The travel agency offers me Pyrgos for 2 nights in Orizontes Hotel Villas then Astro Palace in Fira. Personally, I don’t think this will be the best plan only because I think Imerovigli and Oia are better.
What are your suggestions that fits my plan?
Thanks in advance, Ahmad
First rule is to ignore travel agents. They’re awful. (Not awful people, but they know nothing about Santorini or the hotels they’re recommending.) Oia and Imerovigli are indeed the most romantic towns. But the room with the most privacy of any hotel is the cave suite at Keti in Fira.
Dave
Great website. Thanks. I am looking at a house rental on Home Away. It is called Aegagras Caldera near the town of Megalochori. Is this location even worth considering? We will be renting a car so we can see the rest of the island, but even so, it is off the beaten track. What do you think? Thanks
Judy
Yes, it’s a long way from anything and there’s not much (nothing, really) within walking distance. If you hop in your car and are gone for the day then it’s not going to make much difference but personally, I like being closer to the activity of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia.
Hi Dave
Great website.
Which websites would you recommend for booking a villa? Only looked on Airbnb so far.
Olivia
Villas.com (owned by booking.com) is great and has the most high-end selection.
Hi there, I’m really starting to get my head round Santorini thanks to you. I’m looking to book to stay here July 17. I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind.
I am 30 and my gf is 29. We are looking to visit for 5 nights and are happy to have the hussle and bustle of Fira but be able to chill away from it with sea views.
I’ve provisionally booked to stay in Villa Maria Damigou in Firostefani. It is £720 for 5 nights. Is this good value? Prices seem all over the place, hard to get a handle on. A pool would be nice but I’d sacrifice it for the views.
Also would this be a good location for seeing things and having decent views?
Kind regards, James Fitz
Villa Maria Damigou has a great location (easy walk to both Imerovigli and Fira). Some rooms have views, some don’t – I imagine at that price you’ve got the rooms without views, which are fine. If you want a pool Villa Ilias is right next door and has a small pool with views.
Hi Dave, we are thinking of going to Santorini for the first time in September, wanting plenty of restaurants and bars in walking distance. We have seen a hotel called Santo Miramare Resort in Perivolos would like to know what you think of this area and hotel please, will be staying for two weeks. Thanks and great blog.
Tracy
The beach is nice here and there are some good restaurants nearby but for any sort of scene you’ll need to go to Perissa which is a 20 minute walk north. With 2 weeks I would definitely recommend splitting your time between here and somewhere along the caldera (preferably) or even Kamari which is closer to the caldera towns.
Hi Dave! My fiancé and I are getting married and honeymooning in Santorini in late July. We were considering the Ambassador Suites in Akrotiri, but wondering if it would be an inconvenient area of the island to stay. We plan to have our ceremony on the balcony of our hotel. Do you have suggestions of better hotels/parts of the island for this? Or do you think Akrotiri and the Ambassador would be fine? Thanks for all of the wonderful information!
Kristin
It’s a nice hotel and the views for your ceremony will be wonderful. That said, it is a little isolated. There’s very little within walking distance so for romantic meals, shopping, and nightlife you’ll be taking the taxi to Fira (or beyond). If you’re happy staying by your pool and relaxing then this is a fine choice.
Hi Dave!
My brother and I are planning a trip to Santorini in July of for our parents’ anniversary. Its our first time and we are trying to be budget conscious but also make this a great trip. We are looking at Aigialos Niche Residences & Suites – do you recommend this? We want to make sure there are not too many steps to climb, but it has great views and also close proximity to the center of the town. Do you also happen to know if there is a swimming pool – we couldn’t find on the website!
Your feedback will be very helpful – thank you!
Jeannie
Aigialos is very nice. It has a small pool, good for a dip but you’re not going to hang out poolside for the afternoon. Location is good and close to central Fira. There are steps but by Fira standards I wouldn’t say a lot.
Wow, Now you have me worried, I have 5 adults in my group, We want to stay for 3 nights with some room to move around.
I wanted to use the airbnb site, but you say that they are shady.
Do you still stand on that opinion?
Thoughts on these?
Luxury Villa Santorini and Fira Apartment
Lynda Miller
I didn’t call AirBnb shady – just that one listing. But I will say that AirBnb is not great for Santorini. The best views and locations all belong to the hotels, and it’s hard to determine where exactly a rental is located (and location is huge for Santorini). For the two you listed, neither have views of the volcano. They have “sea views,” which means they look to the east and not towards the caldera. The first is in Emporio (a quiet town that’s a 20 minute drive from Fira) and the second is in Fira (with probably a bit of an uphill walk to get to the town center and caldera foot path). Both look like fine places though.
Dave
We are going to Santorini and want to stay in Fira or Firastefani. We are looking to stay in any of the following hotels, leaning towards Cliff Side Suites .Do you know it or any of the others and which is best for location, views and hotel standards?
Cori rigas suites
Panorama boutique hotel
Nomikos villas
Infinity collection fira
Cliff side suites
Efterpi villas
For chartering a boat:
How to Charter a Yacht or Boat on Santorini.
For parking in Oia:
Yes it’s busy and parking can be tricky but you’ll always be able to find a place. There is nearly always parking down this street in Oia. It’s the turn off to Tholos and Baxedes (you can see the street sign in blue) – and if drive past the garbage you see on the right there will be space to park. But if you do indeed stay at Santorini Secret, they have free parking for guests so give them a call (+30 22860 27337) as you pull into town and they’ll tell you where to go.
Hi Dave,
Thank you for the very helpful and insightful website!
I am deciding to stay in Fira or Oia in June this year for our honeymoon. We’re struggling to decide on where we want to stay!
I am after a hotel with a beautiful view of the caldera with lovely sunset views.
I had looked at Lilium and Enigma and was leaning towards Lilium (for its decor) but it appears Lilium is away from the main town of Fira so would be a hassle going into town? My partner and I are young and would like to easily be able to go get food, shop and walk around.
It appears Oia is a good option for beautiful sunset views but my question is, does it offer just as breath-taking caldera views as Fira? My priority is stunning caldera view over sunset. Also, is Oia away from the hustle and bustle? But i’ve heard many good things about Oia which is why I am torn!
What hotels could you recommend for a budget of around 250euros/night? and whether we should stay in Fira or Oia?
Our preference in order of priority is:
1) Stunning views of Caldera
2) Close proximity to shops, restaurants, etc
3) Beautiful Sunset views
Thanks so much!
I slightly prefer Fira to Oia – but both are great. In Fira I highly recommend Kavalari Hotel and Nefeles Luxury Suites. Both have great views, are very central, and meet your budget requirements.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for an absolutely amazing website — this has been a ton of help helping me understand the layout of Santorini and where we might and might not want to stay. Can you give me a couple of particular hotel recommendations? We will be travelling with our daughter (10) and after having read all the information, I think we want to stay in Firostefani or Imerovgli, as they will hopefully be quieter than Fira but still close in. What we’re looking for, in order of importance, is (1) a hotel that accepts children, (2) a cave hotel, (3) not more than 300 Euros a night, max, (4) that is fairly quiet and private but (5) still has a caldera view. We do NOT need a pool or bar or anything really fancy. Is this too much to ask for, or are there any hotels that might work for us?
Thanks so much!
Angela
Sunny Villas is a great hotel, not too expensive, wonderful hotel, cave suites, and incredible views.
Hi Dave,
My husband and I are heading to Santorini for May 24th – May 29th. Do you think 5 nights is a good amount of time? I really want to stay in Imerovigli as it seems to suite us best.
I am looking at either Remezzo or White for hotels. Which would you recommend?
Thank you so much for your recommendations. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
Caroline
Both are great. Remezzo has more privacy. They are just a few minutes walk from each other but White has more people passing by and peering into your personal space. But it also feels more a part of the village with the lanes winding around the property, so there’s a tradeoff. Fantastic views from both. 5 nights is perfect for Santorini.
Yes, that looks like a shady listing to me. Partly because it’s really Nefeles Luxury Suites in Fira. They’ve taken the pictures from the website and the description (with some misspellings) and reposted it. It’s just about always better to book through Booking.com or the hotel directly. But in any case, Airbnb doesn’t work very well for the Greek Islands.
Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for this amazing site. As others have stated, I wish you had a site for many other locations.
So, here’s the thing: My sister is getting married this summer and before they say “I do” her and her fiance are doing a pre-wedding trip that will be right before their bachelor/bachelorette parties.
My parents and I wanted to give them a gift and were hoping to stay within $3,000. I have found some places that would be able to work in this price range, but still need a lot of help. Looking for June 22-27 and was thinking Imerovigli would be a great location, but after reading your replies to other travelers it seems that it might not be as lively. They are both 26 years old and love to eat and have a good time. I am afraid Imerovigli might get too sleepy for them.
If in Imerovigli, are there specific 5 star hotels you suggest? I was looking at Dreams Suites (either Nefeli Jacuzzi Suite or Villa Iaokasi, which do you suggest), Sophia Luxury Suites, or San Antonio Suites? Would love to be able to afford the Grace Hotel, but I think that’s a bit too expensive. Also, what do you think of Chromata?
If in Fira, what are your best recommendations? The requirements would be updated decor, direct water views, and if possible private pool or jacuzzi. Close to restaurants and night life.
If you can reply within the next couple days, it would mean a lot. Her bridal shower is 5 days away.
Thank you!
Dee
Imerovigli is my favorite town on Santorini and that’s where I’d recommend. Sophia Suites would be my top choice of the ones you mention unless you were looking for something very secluded and quiet, in which case go with San Antonio (but there’s almost nothing within walking distance). In Fira, the choices for 5 star hotels are much more limited but my favorite would be Cosmopolitan Suites.
We are planning a trip to Greece in August. We are planning to stay three nights in Santorini and three nights in Naxos. Which town on each of the islands do you think would be best for our group which consists of husband and wife in their mid 50’s, two daughters and theirs husbands all about 30 years old and a mother 70 years old. Some beach time, restaurants are important, nightlife but not disco type until maybe midnight.
Thanks,
Paul Dolan
On Santorini, since you want access to some nightlife, then you want to be in Fira or Firostefani (unless you don’t mind taking a taxi back in the late evening in which case it really doesn’t matter where you stay between Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia). In Naxos, Naxos Town is my favorite place to stay – easy access to several beaches and where you’ll find the best restaurants on the island.
Help us decide: Firostefani or Imerovigli.
Hi Dave,
We’re from San Francisco USA, and will end our Greek trip (September) in Santorini after a week in Crete. We’re down to two hotels that fit our needs and budget: Sunny Villas in Imerovigli, or Ira Hotel in Firostefani. Sunny Villas looks a bit more “wow”, whereas Ira seems to be in a bit of a better location. We’re only on the island for two days, not interested in shopping; just enjoying the views, maybe “walking the path” one of the day, sitting around a pool, and not walking too far to get our lunch or dinner meals.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jan Herwitz
Both are very nice with good locations and restaurants within a short walk. Sunny Villas is close to more of my favorites but this isn’t a huge difference. The two hotels are about a 12 minute walk from each other. Ira Hotel has more privacy while Sunny Villas has a more direct sunset view. Sunny Villas has more steps to get to the hotel, while Ira has some multi-level rooms that have tricky steps within the suite. I’d lean towards Sunny Villas but both are good moderately-priced hotels.
Dear Dave
At the outset, let me thank you for the advice you gave me for my trip to Greece 6 months back. We followed your advice and had an amazing time in your beautiful country.
Now, I’m planning a trip for my Mom-Dad (both in their early 50’s) in May, who will be celebrating their 30th Wedding anniversary there.
Their anniversary falls on 9th of May and the maximum time they can spare is one week. So, accordingly, I thought of following two options:
OPTION 1:
– 6th May – Arrive in Athens and stay one night at Electra Palace
– 7th May – Fly to Mykonos and stay for the weekend (7th and 8th) at Poseidon
– 9th May – Sail by Ferry to Santorini and stay at Andronis Luxury Suites in Oia for 2 nights
– 11th May – Fly back to Athens and stay one night
– 12th May – Fly Back home
OPTION 2:
– 8th May – Arrive in Athens and stay one night at Electra Palace
– 9th May – Fly to Santorini and stay at Andronis Luxury Suites in Oia for 2 nights
– 11th May – Sail by Ferry to Mykonos and stay for 2 nights at Poseidon
– 13th May – Fly back to Athens and stay one night
– 14th May – Fly Back home
Kindly help with the following:
1. Whether this time of the year (May) is good for visiting Mykonos (considering “weather for beaches” as well as “party scene”)?
2. If you say the time is good, is it better to arrive in Mykonos during weekend (OPTION 1 above) or weekdays are equally good (OPTION 2 above) ? I want them to be in Santorini from 9th to 11th May, so that they celebrate their anniversary there. So I’m confused whether they should visit Mykonos before or after Santorini. Coming later will mean a little more towards the mid-of-May (warmer weather) and coming earlier will mean being there on Saturday & Sunday. Kindly suggest.
3. Are the properties chosen at these locations good, or do you suggest some other instead?
Kindly help me with the above queries, I want their anniversary to be memorable in every which way.
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards
Aditya Grover
Both are fine but I’d lean towards option 2 as the ferry journey is substantially shorter between Athens and Mykonos than between Athens and Santorini – so flying Athens to Santorini is a good choice. Mykonos will be a little busier on weekends but no great difference – it’s still pretty quiet in May. Everything is open but there isn’t any rocking nightlife or large parties. Weather in May should be nice but they should be prepared for cool weather just in case.
HI Dave
I love your site. I had a query though – I want to visit santorini in April and I have a a very active 14 month toddler. I would love to stay in Oia and would prefer the caldera side of the island to stay in but I am worried about his safety regarding the steps and the pavements. Is it risky?
I would like to know about the weather in April? Will it rain?
Thanks a lot.
Somna Nikhil
Oia is the best caldera town for young children. It has the fewest steps and the main foot path that runs for almost a KM is mostly flat and even stroller-friendly for the most part. There are tricky parts and steep steps in places all around the village but in general I would not call it “risky”. April is a transition month from the grey rainy weather of winter to the sunny clear skies of summer so you should expect (and plan for) both.
Hi Dave,
My boyfriend and I are booking a trip in June. We are debating between Astra Suites and Grace Santorini (junior or honeymoon suite). Astra Suites has incredible reviews but we can’t help but thinking that the rooms look a bit dated (a little 70s style?). What are we missing that we don’t see in the pictures? We love the look/decor of the rooms at Katikies but don’t want to stay in Oia. Do the rooms not do Astra justice? Do you prefer the rooms at Astra or Grace? Which hotel do you prefer as a whole? Let me know your thoughts, thanks so much! And thanks for having such an incredibly helpful website!
-Sarah
You’re right, the rooms at Grace are more luxurious and has a much larger pool. It’s usually a little more expensive than Astra but if budget is not an issue then I’d go with Grace. Both have wonderful views and are only a 2 minute walk from each other.
Hey Dave,
Great website!
I’m looking to spend 2 weeks in Greece and looking to break it up by Athens (2 days), Santorini (6 days), Naxos (4 days). Would you shift around any of the distribution of the days?
Thanks,
Shreyas Mehta
That sounds like the perfect amount of days in each place.
Hi Dave
Your website really is a great resource. I’m going to be in Santorini in January and was just wondering if the town is going to be completely dead? A friend and I were thinking of staying at Alexander Boutique Hotel just outside Oia, but do you think it would be better to stay in Fira instead? Will we still be able to see the famed sunsets in January and should we bother taking this into account when booking our accommodation? Where would you recommend staying for a perfect caldera view and sunset in Oia or Fira? Will there be any nightlife at all and will the beach towns and restaurants at the Amoudi Bay definitely be closed? Could you recommend things to do during Santorini’s ‘down time’? And also a ridiculously good place for delicious seafood? Lots of questions, I know!
I would stay in Fira and if you did stay in Oia it would be best to stay closer to the main area. (Unless you’re really after quiet and seclusion and then it’s a fine choice.)
Dave, Thank you very much in advance. This site is a gem! I am planning my honeymoon for next Sept. we will be coming from the United States via Oktoberfest in Munich for 2/3 days. We have Santorini as a must of our two island tour. We are considering for our second island Sifnos, Naxos or Folegandros. We will also spend a day or two in Athens before returning to the states. Please suggest a logical itinerary for minimal hassle. We arrive in Munich 9/21 and can fly via Athens to Santorini or Naxos on 9/23 or directly to Santorini 9/24. Depending on which day we arrive in Greece … We will have either 8 or 9 true days before our travel day home on 10/3. Thank you, Brendan
I would fly directly to Santorini on the 24th and save yourself the hassle of going through Athens and transiting to Santorini (since you’ll already be hitting Athens on the return). Then Blue Star Ferry to Naxos on the 28 or 29th. Then Blue Star Ferry on the 1st to Athens. (If your flight leaves late on the 3rd, giving you the whole day, you could leave Naxos on the 2nd instead.)
Hi Dave, I am planning to visit Santorini between 31th December ~ 2 January, will it a bad time to visit?
Regards,
Aileen Lee
I wouldn’t call it a bad time but it will be very quiet. Weather could be cold, grey, and rainy or might be spring-like, there’s no way to know. Stay in Fira if you do go.
Hi there,
Just came across your site – am thrilled to find a real person to ask!
Coming for a wedding in beginning of June and need about 7 rooms – all of various abilities and sizes (I know, tricky). We are speaking to Scirocco Apartments and they seem to have some great rooms.
Any advice if we do go with them or other hotels/apartments you would recommend?
Thanks!
Rebecca
Scirocco is great value for what you get. Nice pool and amazing views. Lots of steps to get from the hotel up to Fira’s main street – so not for anyone with mobility issues.
Thanks – so is there no other way to get into town or could we get taxis? There are some older folks in our group. Would you recommend another place under $200/night where we could book multiple rooms?
The hotel is down the cliff of the caldera, so no, there is no other way up to the town besides the steps. Two less expensive hotels in Firostefani you should check are Villa Ilias and Damigos Caldera World. Both have rooms with caldera views and not many steps, and taxis can pull relatively close to the hotel.
Hi Dave,
Staying in Santorini for 3 nights May 31 to June 3. Which hotel would you pick between: Katikies, Perivolas, or Canaves. They all look amazing so think the deciding factors would be 1. Are any of them adults only 2. Which has best sunset views and 3. Which has the nicest basic room (if we don’t splurge for a suite).
Thanks for your help! Might have a few questions on Naxos vs Paros as well!
Kristin
1. None of them allow children younger than twelve or thirteen. 2. None of them have direct sunset views, though from Perivolas you’ll see the moon set for the longest duration before setting over the town. From Katikies and Canaves it’s a 10 minute walk to the north tip of Oia where you can watch the sunset. From Perivolas, you’re best to walk the other way (towards Imerovigli) where you can get a great sunset view in about a 10 minute walk. 3. I’d say Perivolas has the best basic room (it’s also smaller than Canaves and Katikies and has fewer rooms). The only drawback to Perivolas is that it’s in the section of Oia that is beyond the end of the main foot path, so you need to walk on the road for a minute or two before re-finding the path.
Hi Dave,
We booked our honeymoon for San Antonio Suites in Imerovigli next August, what do you make of this hotel? Are there restaurants nearby and entertainment? Also is it walking distance to the busier resorts? Thanks! Brilliant site!
Nikki
San Antonio is a wonderful hotel with great views – but it is isolated from the main towns. There is not much nearby. You’re a 30 minute walk to Imerovigli and 1 hour to Oia – both incredibly beautiful walks. There’s a bus stop just up the road with buses heading to both Oia and Fira (opposite directions). Stay here if you want a quiet, peaceful honeymoon. Not so great for hitting lots of restaurants or nightlife. (There are always taxis too but they can be hard to get when you need them.)
First, I must say what a great site! Thank you for the time and effort you put into answering eveyones’ questions.
A friend and I will be in Santorini in June and I am making all the arrangments. Fira is my choice as it is near to public transport, etc. My friend suffers with swollen legs in the heat and although she can manage a few steps, a lot all the time would be an effort. She was very fit and active until chemotherapy. I have booked at King Thiras Hotel which I can cancel without fee. I am now concerned that this hotel is only reached by many steps. I have read conflicting reviews about this, that it is only two minutes walk from the centre. Also, is the centre of Fira level? Perhaps you can advise other hotels/apartments if you think the King Thiras not suitable.
Any hotel advice you can give would be most appreciated.
Susan
The hotel itself is pretty good for accessing without steps. A car can pull right up to the front door and you can get to the caldera views with a just a short walk and not much up and down. And you can get to a few restaurants (some with views) within a few minutes walk. So in that sense, good. But if you wanted to do much else – shopping or a wider choice of restaurants – then you’d be looking at a long walk (for someone in your friends’ condition) to Fira down a steep path with many steps. (Of course, you could have a taxi take you to Fira instead.) There are 2 hotels right in the center of the main shopping area in Fira that are in a more lively area – The Atlantis and the Aressana Spa Hotel, but they will be more expensive than the King Thiras.
What about staying in Mesaria? A couple places that look fairly nice on booking.com have shown up. What is your opinion of that area?
Mesaria is about 2 miles south of Fira. I don’t think any of the hotels listed as Mesaria will have caldera views but they are good value. You’d probably want to rent a car if you stayed here though there are buses and you can walk to Fira if you wanted. There’s not a lot around here but it’s not a terrible area by any means.