Greece › Santorini › Cheap Hotels
Updated: September 26, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
View of the caldera from the terrace at Aspa Villas, my favorite budget hotel in Oia. The hotel sits about a one-minute walk inland from the caldera’s edge.
Cheap Santorini Hotels – My Advice
- Booking.com is the best site for finding low rates and a good selection of budget hotels in Santorini.
- Santorini is expensive. The easiest way to save money is to skip the caldera view. For the lowest rates, look inland in Fira, Oia, and the caldera villages, or stay at the beach in Perissa, Perivolos, or Kamari.
- For June through September, book the best budget hotels 4 to 9 months in advance. Small, good-value hotels can sell out surprisingly early. There is less urgency in April, May, and October.
- I have never stayed in a truly bad hotel on Santorini. Even the cheaper places tend to be clean, friendly, and well run.
- These are not necessarily the absolute cheapest rooms on Santorini. They are the affordable hotels I would actually recommend based on location, quality, and value.
- To save money on food, buy yogurt, fruit, and breakfast basics at a local market. Gyros and souvlaki are cheap and filling for lunch. Lucky’s Souvlaki in Fira and Pitogyros in Oia are two of my favorites. For dinner, restaurants away from the caldera are usually cheaper.
- The best free activity on Santorini is the Fira-Oia hike. The beaches are free too.
- My favorite budget hotels: Costa Marina Villa in Fira, Abelonas Retreat in Imerovigli, Aspa Villas in Oia, and Reverie Santorini in Firostefani.
Cheap Hotels in Fira
Costa Marina Villa
Fantastic family-run hotel with beautiful gardens. Of the 21 double, triple, and quad rooms, all but two have private patios or balconies. Great location about a five-minute walk from Fira’s main square.San Giorgio Hotel
Great inexpensive hotel with a pool and clean, simple rooms. Super friendly staff. One minute from Fira’s main strip and nightlife and about three minutes from the caldera and bus station.Uma Ray Suites
Adults-only hotel with an outdoor pool and an indoor heated pool. Rooms have private balconies, most facing east toward the Aegean, not the caldera. Very convenient location near Fira’s main square, Orthodox cathedral, and bus station.Pelican Hotel
Simple hotel steps from Fira’s main strip. Very central, though rooms can get noise from nearby nightlife. Breakfast included.Santorini Main Square
Super central, right in the middle of Fira but set back from the caldera. Rooms have private balconies and unusually elaborate entertainment systems with TVs, projectors, and surround sound. Breakfast included. Tons of restaurants and shops just outside.Petini’s Place
It does not get any more central than this. If you put an arrow in the center of Fira, this hotel would be it. The main alley for bars and clubs is 10 seconds in one direction and the caldera is 10 seconds in the other. Rooms are simple but bright and clean.
Kavalari Hotel
Wonderful caldera views. Some rooms are simple and relatively inexpensive; others are larger and more expensive. One of the better choices in Fira for a caldera view without paying luxury-hotel prices.
Anemomilos Suites
Warm, friendly owners. Affordable two-bedroom apartments sleep up to six and are good for families. About a 10-minute walk into central Fira. Ask about the donkey-trail shortcut to avoid walking along the busy road.
Villa Soula
Cheap hotel close to the center of Fira. One of the few hotels on Santorini with a covered pool.
Villa Roussa
Inexpensive hotel in a very convenient location near central Fira and the bus station. Quadruple rooms available. No breakfast.
Thea Luxury Resort
Nice pool and east-facing Aegean views, but no caldera view. About a 15-minute walk from central Fira. Usually one of the cheaper resort-style options near town.
Cheap Hotels in Oia
Aspa Villas
My favorite budget hotel in Oia. About a 10-minute walk from the center. Some rooms have caldera views and some don’t, so check the room category carefully when booking.Anemomilos Hotel Apartments
Good-value hotel at the entrance to Oia with a beautiful pool. Rooms, apartments, and a private villa are available.Nikos Villas
Traditional rooms and suites with kitchenettes and patios or balconies. Most have caldera views; others face the Aegean or pool. Nice pool and a good location at the east end of Oia, about a five-minute walk from the main pedestrian path.Maria’s Place
Nice pool, kitchenettes, free parking, and east-facing sea views rather than caldera views. At the entrance to Oia, close to the bus stop and about a 10-minute walk from the main pedestrian path. Adults only; guests must be at least 16.
Cheap Hotels in Imerovigli
Abelonas Retreat
Good-value hotel in Imerovigli with a pool. Some caldera views are partly blocked by hotels on the opposite side of the footpath, but this is still a great location for the price. Several good restaurants are a short walk away.Casa Bianca
Quiet hotel with a pool, garden, and more privacy than many Imerovigli hotels. Rooms have balconies or patios, and breakfast is served outside your room. About a five-minute walk from the caldera, the Fira-Oia trail, and several excellent restaurants.Aghios Artemios Traditional Houses
Friendly hotel in a restored 15th-century complex on the quiet east side of the island, well away from central Imerovigli. Nice pool with Aegean views, plus a gym and tennis court. Breakfast is included. A rental car is useful here.
Cheap Hotels in Firostefani
Reverie Santorini
Excellent family-run hotel on the main Fira-Imerovigli footpath. There’s a shared pool and a rooftop terrace with caldera views. Rooms range from simple doubles to studios with kitchenettes and top-floor suites with caldera views.Villa Ilias
Pool and sun deck with excellent caldera views. Large suites sleep four. Breakfast is included, and there’s a pool bar for drinks and light meals.King Thiras Hotel
Owned by a very friendly Greek family. Clean, simple rooms and an easy walk to the caldera, restaurants, and a bakery.
Blue Dolphins
Simple rooms and suites, some with caldera views. A large private villa closer to Imerovigli is also available.
Hotel Mylos
Small family-owned hotel on the caldera with views over the volcanoes and toward the sunset. All rooms have caldera views from their windows, but the best views are from the shared terrace. Excellent location near St. Gerasimos Church and the bus stop.
Cheap Hotels in Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos
Smaragdi Hotel – Perivolos
Friendly family-owned hotel with a pool and snack bar. Good range of rooms, from inexpensive twins to family maisonettes sleeping five and suites with indoor or outdoor jacuzzis.Meltemi Village – Perissa
Family-friendly hotel with a large pool, gardens, and several room types. About a five-minute walk from Perissa Beach and just a few steps from the bus stop to Fira.Santellini Hotel – Kamari
Cheerful family-run hotel with a pool, about a two-minute walk from Kamari Beach. Very clean rooms and family maisonettes. Homemade breakfast included. Wonderful owner and staff.Narkissos Hotel – Kamari
Basic, clean rooms close to the beach, restaurants, and bars. Breakfast included.
Hotel Matina – Kamari
Friendly family-owned hotel with a large pool. Short walk to the beach and restaurants. Breakfast included.
Stelios Place – Perissa
Nice pool and just steps from Perissa Beach. Communal kitchen. Free airport and ferry-port transfers are offered for stays of three nights or longer; arrange the transfer at least two days in advance.
Cheap Hotels in Traditional Villages
Kalestesia Suites – Akrotiri
Family-run hotel above Akrotiri with a pool and wide caldera views. Rooms and suites range from 25 to 60 square meters; several have heated outdoor jacuzzis or plunge pools. About a 10-minute walk into Akrotiri village. The uphill location is quiet and scenic, but a rental car makes staying here much easier.Finikia Memories Hotel – Finikia
On the Oia side of Finikia, facing north toward the Aegean rather than the caldera. About a 15-minute walk to central Oia. Nice pool and a very good restaurant.
Hotel Eucalyptus – Mesaria
Good inexpensive base in central Santorini. Rooms sleep up to three; the larger Eucalyptus Houses have kitchenettes and sleep four or five. There’s a useful bus stop nearby for Fira and several other parts of the island, though many trips still require changing buses in Fira. Free public parking is nearby.Midrange Santorini Hotels with Good Value
These are a step up in price from the hotels above, but they can be very good value if you want a caldera view, private jacuzzi, or more hotel facilities without paying top luxury prices.
Keti Hotel – Fira
Excellent caldera views from every room and suite. Some rooms have private outdoor jacuzzis. Breakfast included. Central Fira location close to restaurants, nightlife, and the bus station.Eternity Suites – Fira
Small eight-suite hotel with east-facing Aegean views, not caldera views. Seven suites have outdoor jacuzzis; one has an indoor cave-style jacuzzi. Very central, with restaurants and nightlife about five minutes away and the caldera and bus station about a 10-minute walk.Kamares Apartments – Fira
Traditional cave-style apartments on the caldera, some with private outdoor jacuzzis. Breakfast is delivered to the room. At the south end of Fira, close to restaurants and nightlife but quieter than the center of town.Callia Retreat Suites – Fira
Adults-only hotel with a nice pool and east-facing Aegean views, not caldera views. About a 10-minute walk from central Fira.
Mr & Mrs White – Finikia
Modern hotel on the caldera side of Finikia, about a 10-minute walk from Oia. Rooms can have caldera, Aegean, or garden views, so check the category before booking. Two pools, restaurant, and some suites with outdoor jacuzzis.Heliotopos Hotel – Imerovigli
Cave-style hotel with a small pool overlooking the caldera and views from all rooms. Most rooms have kitchenettes. The little wine bar is a great place for sunset.Akra Suites – Imerovigli
Adults-only hotel with excellent caldera and sunset views. Most suites have an indoor or outdoor jacuzzi. The pool, restaurant, and spa make this more of a full-service stay than most hotels in this price range. Quiet location at the south end of Imerovigli, about a five-minute walk from the village center.Merovigliosso – Imerovigli
Wonderful little place in central Imerovigli. Owners and staff are super friendly and helpful. Small pool is nice but doesn’t get much sun and can be chilly.
Gizis Exclusive Hotel – Imerovigli
Quiet hotel about a 10-minute walk north of central Imerovigli. Pool and snack bar. All rooms have caldera views, and all but one have a private balcony; suites add outdoor jacuzzis.
Belvedere Suites – Firostefani
Caldera-view pool and sun terrace in a central Firostefani location. Most rooms and suites have private balconies with caldera views. A good choice if you want a luxury feel without jumping to the most expensive caldera hotels.Orabel Suites – Perivolos
Small hotel about 500 meters from Perivolos Beach. Two pools, pool bar, and breakfast delivered to your suite. All suites have a private indoor or outdoor jacuzzi.Art Hotel – Pyrgos
Small design-focused hotel with a pool and contemporary art throughout the property. Several suites have private outdoor jacuzzis or plunge pools, and larger suites work well for families and groups. About a 10-minute walk from Pyrgos village.Danae Suites – Finikia
All-suite hotel with a pool in Finikia, about a 15-minute walk from Oia. All suites have a private balcony or patio; some add private outdoor jacuzzis or pools. A good way to get a more upscale room near Oia without paying central Oia prices.Cheap Santorini Hotels with Caldera Views
Cheap hotels directly on the caldera are hard to find, especially in summer. These are the hotels on this page I would check first if a caldera view matters but you still want to keep the price down. At several of them, only certain room categories have the view, so check carefully before booking.
- Reverie Santorini – Firostefani
- Villa Ilias – Firostefani
- Akra Suites – Imerovigli
- Aspa Villas – Oia
- Belvedere Suites – Firostefani
- Blue Dolphins – Firostefani
- Gizis Exclusive Hotel – Imerovigli
- Kalestesia Suites – Akrotiri
- Kavalari Hotel – Fira
- Hotel Mylos – Firostefani
- Nikos Villas – Oia
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 
I am stuck between Costa Marina Villas and San Giorgio Hotel. They are close in price. Is San Giorgio rooms newly renovated? Are both central and near the bus terminal? Which is better for a solo female traveller?
Both are great affordable hotels, a very short walk to the bus station. San Giorgio (a personal favorite) is closer to town and the caldera. Both are fine for solo female travellers.
Hi,
My mother and I will be staying in Santorini late June. We are looking at hotels in Akrotiri, would that be somewhere you would recommend? We want to avoid popular nightlife places, just looking for a quiet time. Would there be shops/restaurants there?
Akrotiri is pretty quiet without much around. Unless you just want to stay by your pool and enjoy the caldera views (assuming you were at a view hotel) you’d probably wish you were closer to the main towns. Firostefani is what I recommend for being in a quiet location but still an easy walk to restaurants, shops, and great views.
Hello Dave. Which hotel would you recommend? We are a group of 14 people. It’s a family trip we are taking in September. Our budget is around 400 euros per night for 14 people. Some hotel suggestions would be great.
You could get 3 or 4 rooms at San Giorgio Hotel (simple, clean, great location, and one of my favorite budget hotels in Santorini) and that should keep you under the 400€ mark.
Hi Dave,
We will be staying at the Kavalari hotel for 5 nights. My husband booked a rental car for a week for $150.00. Just wondering if it is worth it to rent a car and will we be using it often to go out for dinner.
Much appreciated for your time.
Rebecca
You probably won’t use it every single day. Could you get away with renting a car for just a day or two? For sure. But you’ve got a great rate and I think it’s worth it for the flexibility and just the possibility that you might use it. You’ll use it for dinner once or twice (maybe Metaxy Mas and a restaurant or two in Pyrgos). There are plenty of great restaurants within walking distance of Kavalari so I wouldn’t say it’s a necessity.
Hi Dave, staying 3 nights in September. Open to any village. 4 adults each needing their own bed. It should be accessible by taxi (we don’t want to carry our luggage too far). We like the beach, shopping, and sightseeing. Great food near by is a must, night life not important. A safe place to walk around after dark is the highest priority. Where should we stay? Thanks!
No one town has everything you’re looking for but Oia and Imerovigli are probably the best bets as they have the best restaurants. Neither are close to the beach and Imerovigli doesn’t have any shopping (beyond grocery markets). Fira has shopping, closer proximity to the beaches, but fewer great restaurants. Sightseeing is spread all over the island. I hope that helps you make your decision.
Love your site Dave. Is the Regina Mare Hotel a good choice for a reasonable price and still a good view?
Yes, incredible views and usually pretty reasonable rates. It’s just north of Imerovigli. Quiet but with many of my favorite restaurants within walking distance. There is no nightlife or shopping (besides a few markets) nearby.
We have booked Epavlis. Is it well located? Any good? We have two weeks, and would like to charter a sailboat for a day. Is this possible? We are experienced sailors. Should we have a hire car?
It’s a fine hotel an easy walk to Kamari’s shops and restaurants. Is it well located? It’s good for Kamari but it does not have volcano views and you’re a long way from the caldera. If you rent a car it’s easy to get around the island and explore so not a big issue since you have two weeks. (That said, I would mix it up and spend at least one week at a different locale.) I’ve never heard of chartering a boat all for yourself but can you get a private boat for the day? Yes, absolutely.
Hi Dave !
Great website. Very informative. We are planning a trip to Greece in September. Where should we stay in Santorini Oia or Fira? Some people recommend staying 2 days in Fira and 2 in Oia. Is it worth the effort or we should stay put in one place itself? The other question is in a 10 day trip is Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete doable or we should only visit 2 islands.
Thanks !
Madhurima
Yes, I would recommend splitting your nights between Oia and Fira. You really do get a different experience staying in a town than just visiting and it’s worth the extra effort and hassle of switching hotels. If you have a full 10 days (11 nights) for Crete, Santorini, and Mykonos then you doing all 3 is busy but doable. If by 10 days you mean 8 full days then I’d stick to 2 islands.
We are travelling to Santorini at end of May for 3 nights. My wife and 2 kids aged 8 and 11 have booked at Alexandria hotel in Kamari. Any reviews of the hotel? Wanted to know if hotel is close to restaurants, beach, and shops. Thanks.
Nice good value hotel. It’s a 5 minute walk to the beach and 10 minutes to main strip of restaurants and shops. Planes fly very low overhead as the hotel is close to the airport – some people don’t like the noise, some enjoy watching the planes.
Hi Dave,
What do you think about the Golden Sunset Villas in Oia vs the Kavalari Hotel in Fira? Leaning toward the Golden Sunset because I’ve heard it will be a little less crowded in Oia in June than it will be in Fira. Howeve, Golden Sunset is a little more expensive and don’t want to pay more to get less.
I’d really appreciate your opinion. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Angela
Both are nice moderately-priced hotels and fine choices. But don’t stay at Golden Sunset hoping for a quieter spot. It’s smack in the center of the sunset viewing area. Trying to leave your hotel anytime around the sunset will require a good deal of patience to wade through the crowd. Kavalari is in the center of Fira and gets a steady stream of pedestrians passing its front entrance but nothing like the crowds in and around the Golden Sunset Villas.
Hey Dave,
What do you think of Sofi Rooms located in Fira?
Thanks!!
Clean, simple rooms with great view and central location. Good value.
Love the info you are providing! Had Santorini on my bucket list for years! Lucky enough to be eventually going in October. My partner has booked the Atlas Boutique Hotel in Kamari Beach. Your thoughts?
Nicola Lomax
Clean, simple, and small rooms. I think some/most of the bathrooms have no divider between toilet and shower so if you don’t take care then everything gets wet (not a big deal, and you do get good at it after a few years of practice). Small pool. Short walk to beach and many restaurants.
Hi Dave,
What are your thoughts on this hotel:
Andromeda Villas & Spa Resort.
We are looking at staying 4 nights.
Thanks so much in advance.
Eloise
Wonderful location and views. Not a luxury hotel – rooms and service can leave something to be desired but good value if you’re primarily interested in pool with a view.
Hey Dave. All your help has been fantastic thank you for all your insight. One place I haven’t read much about was San Antonio suites. I have a room booked there at the beginning of June. I’ve only read good reviews but I’d like your insight. We are both 30. And was wanting to know if we’d be better off somewhere else. Thank you.
Tom
Great place with marvelous views and suites. Only caveat is that there’s not much nearby in the form of restaurants, shops, or pretty much anything. I’d recommend having a rental car if you stay here though there is a bus that stops steps from the front door and the walk to either Oia or Imerovigli is beautiful (40 minutes to Imerovigli, 50 to Oia).
Hi Dave,
I’ve been waffling between booking an Airbnb or a room at the Abrazo 8 Villas in Imerovigli. Max we’re looking to spend is around $225 a night and the view is a top priority – do you have any experience with/knowledge of the Abrazo? Or are there any other hotels in that price range (but with good views) that you recommend?
Thanks so much!
Allison
Abrazo 8 is a nice property but does not have caldera views (the views you see on the website look east – they’re fine views but not the magical caldera views that you are probably dreaming of). It’s in a semi-isolated location. Likewise, most Airbnb rentals do not have great caldera views – they’re usually back from the cliff a bit (though also cheaper than the view hotels).
Hey Dave, we’re currently doing 5 days at the Hotel Keti, but thinking about splitting time between there and the Amber Light Villas. I don’t see any mention on the site even though the photos look amazing and the rooms are very large. Is it too good to be true? Thanks!
Jarrod Jenkins
Amber Light Villas are nice but in the middle of nowhere with very little within (easy) walking distance. Views are pleasant but they are not caldera views – they look east not west.
Hi, a group of 4 of us are planing a trip to Santorini at the end of April. We are looking for affordable accommodation for only 3 nights could you guide us to where would be a good place to stay and see us much as possible in such short stay. Thank you so much and hope to hear from you soon.
Veronica
San Giorgio is a nice clean hotel with central location close to caldera, restaurants, and bus station.
Never been to Greece or Santorini before, and may be our only time. I know you say caldera views are what we should shoot for, but we are considering Vedema. Do you think we would be making a mistake? Is the area not the best? We are also considering Mystique, but the price is more than we really want to spend. Do you have any better recommendation for a family of 4 adults, 2 parents and 2 20yr olds?
Lisa Hague
The caldera of Santorini is ultimately Santorini’s greatest asset. Waking up to breakfast on your balcony with the sun arising to the East slowly illuminating the twin island of Thirasia is an experience not to be missed. Equally, watching the sun set over the sea is one of the island’s greatest experiences. But it can all come at a cost.
Visitors are typically prepared to part with heard-earned cash for the sight of the Santorini caldera. And it is unique. The traditional rim locations are (from North to South), Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani and Fira. Of the four locations probably Imerovigli take top honours, though Oia (with the Mystique Hotel) carries the cachet of the most popular locale.
The Vedema Luxury Resort is the antidote to the caldera-overdose and is certainly well worth considering. It is located in the folksy village of Megalochori (Big Village) in the south of the island with nary a sea view in sight. Instead, you have a cosy self-contained resort complex that is surrounded by vineyards with an impressive pool, cellar dining options and the choice of large and airy villas to smaller studios for one or two persons. For four people consider a larger unit on the outer edges of the complex and relax in a way that you may not if on the caldera and unavoidable sunset crowding. It’s a solid choice, if you don’t need a caldera fix every day.
If you want to look at something that is caldera-based, but a little left-of-centre and equally stunning as the Imerovigli-Oia nexus, look in the gaps in between. Aenaon Villas, almost hiding from the crowds (where’s the sign?) might just be the antidote. For a family of four adults you might just like it here. It’s quiet and a little out of the way (between Oia and Imerovigli), but it is so nice … A little more up-beat is the ‘resort’ of the Santorini Princess Spa which may appeal to a group like yours. It’s also within walking distance of Imerovigli, while the Aenaon, for all its select splendor requires a car and Oia is a 15-minute drive away.
Note that almost all caldera rim locales – for all their stunning ambiance – require a lot of walking up and down steps and that is not suitable for everyone. The three options mentioned here are all generally ‘flat’ – the hilliest of the trio being the Aenaon – and that is not a lot.
Booking our honeymoon for June this year. We’re a little behind schedule here so we need make reservations soon. Any insight on White Santorini Hotel?
Also, Athens: Athens Gate (2 nights), Mykonos: Palladium or Semeli (3nights) and 4-5 nights in Santorini?
White Santorini is a wonderful hotel with fantastic views. Suites with private hot tubs are highly recommended. For Semelia vs Palladium it comes down to wether you want to be near the beach or in town (I prefer being in town but both have their appeal). Palladium is not right on the beach but is a short 5 minute walk down (and walking back is a good hill). There’s a bus stop to Mykonos Town right outside the hotel. Semeli has a little trendier vibe.
Hi Dave,
Would you know how Vedema compares to Aressana in Santorini? I want to stay at the better of the two. I know the Vedema doesn’t offer caldera view but it has other perks. Aressana is closer to town, but I’m wondering if that’s all it has going for it. I don’t see it mentioned at all on your site. Please give your opinion.
Thanks!
Rosetta
Vedema is definitely the better hotel. And Aressana doesn’t have caldera views anyways – it’s just steps to the caldera view but nothing from the actual hotel.
Hi Dave.
Great website.
I’m going to be in Santorini Oct 14 to 21 and was wondering – where can my friends and I do day trips to from Santorini? Ios? Anywhere else?
Thanks so much!
Elizabeth
At that time of year ferries are less regular. Your best/only option is Ios (until the 17th of October). You could go in the morning, get there about 11:30, wander around the town, have lunch, then catch the 3:40 ferry back to Santorini. Not sure if this is worth it but you don’t really have any other options.