Greece › Santorini › Hotels › Homeric Poems Review
Updated: March 9, 2023
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: Quiet area in Firostefani with caldera views
• Map
• Hotel website: homericpoems.gr
• Hotel phone: +30 22680 24661
• Check prices for Homeric Poems
Homeric Poems in Firostefani, Santorini.
Hotel Review
Homeric Poems – Luxury, boutique hotel on the caldera in Firostefani with an infinity pool, all-day pool bar, and elegant suites offering spectacular sunset views.
This small, family-owned hotel offers magnificent views from all over the property, including every room and suite, and especially the cliffside pool. Rooms and suites are spacious, with bespoke furnishings and cave-style showers. Cave Suites sleep up to 4 in a loft layout, and Grand Suites boast indoor jacuzzis and outdoor plunge pools. A rich, a la carte breakfast is delivered to each room daily with no time restrictions, while the pool bar serves outstanding Mediterranean dishes. Wonderful location in Firostefani just steps from dining and attractions, and only a short walk to the nightlife in Fira.
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Homeric Poems – Location
• Area: Absolutely gorgeous location in Firostefani, with spectacular views over the caldera to the volcanoes, Thirassia and Aspronisi islands, and Akrotiri. The hotel sits at the bottom of the caldera footpath, allowing for completely unobstructed views over the volcanoes; this also means there are quite a few stairs to get back up to the main path. Lovely, quiet area just steps from great restaurants, and just a short walk to romantic Imerovigli and the capital Fira.
• How to Get There: The hotel sits above the caldera in Firostefani, not far off the main road connecting Fira and Oia, making it easy to reach by bus, taxi, or driving yourself. It is approximately 8km from the Athinios ferry port and the Santorini Airport to the hotel, though they are in different directions.
There are always buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing hourly from Santorini Airport. There are no direct buses from the port or airport to Firostefani, however; buses from both locations go to Fira, where you must then board the Fira-Imerovigli bus, which stops at Firostefani – the entire trip from the port or airport to Firostefani will take at least an hour and cost about €5 in total. Tickets are purchased on the bus, in cash only. The bus stop is just 4 minutes away on foot near St. Gerasimos Church, and the walk from there to the hotel entrance is mostly flat, easy to navigate with luggage.
Taxis are also available from the port or airport, though there are only about 25 taxis serving the whole island, so there is often a wait; schedule a ride through a private car service in advance to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price with the driver before setting out. A taxi from the airport or ferry port to Homeric Poems will both cost roughly €25. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $45 (or €37), but is worth it to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.
For those who prefer to drive themselves, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival, or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with many tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave that for the locals to navigate. We strongly recommend reserving a vehicle in advance, especially if you require automatic transmission. Upon arrival in Firostefani, there is free parking in the lot nearby.
• Handy to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, the cable car to Fira’s Old Port, nightlife in Fira.
Map of Homeric Poems
Homeric Poems – The Basics
- Ages: An adults-only hotel, Homeric Poems is open to guests over 12 years. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a romantic occasion or families with teens.
- Beach: The nearest beach is Exo Gialos, a quiet, black sand beach with intriguing wind-sculpted cliffs at its southern end. The best beach bar and restaurant there is East Breeze, just a few meters from the cliffs (12-minute drive). The north end has a small harbor and another great beach bar and restaurant called Yalos (9-minute drive). From the hotel, it’s a short 4 km drive to the north end or 5 km to the south end, where the cliffs are.
- View: Magnificent, unobstructed caldera views of the volcanoes, Thirassia and Aspronisi islands, Skaros Rock, and Akrotiri. Beautiful sunsets.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Grand Suites include indoor jacuzzis and outdoor plunge pools.
- Parking: There is a large public parking lot at St. Gerasimos Church a 4-minute walk away.
- Extras: 24-hour reception, room service, concierge, massage therapy, hypoallergenic pillows.
- When to Book: The hotel is open from April 1 to October 31. Reserve at least 4 months in advance (6 months is better) for stays during high season from June through September and about 3 months in advance for the low and shoulder seasons.
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +30 22680 24661
- Email: info@homericpoems.gr
- Website: homericpoems.gr
Homeric Poems – Amenities
- Pool: Stunning infinity pool on the caldera’s edge with expansive, unobstructed views.
- Spa: There is a massage room onsite.
- Fitness Center: No gym.
- For Disabled Guests: This is a caldera hotel with lots of steps to get to and from the rooms as well as the main footpath. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
- For Families: An adults-only hotel, Homeric Poems is open for guests over 12 years. There are no amenities or facilities for children. Only 1 room type, the Cave Suite, can sleep up to 4 guests.
- Activities: The concierge is happy to arrange activities and excursions, including archaeological tours, sunset sailing, scuba diving, wine tours, and more.
Homeric Poems – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: The Pool Bar is open from 10 am to 10 pm, and serves an excellent menu of casually elegant Mediterranean cuisine for lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- Lounge/Bar: The Pool Bar offers a fantastic selection of local wine, Greek beer, and tasty cocktails. Open until 10 pm.
- Breakfast: A complimentary, a la carte breakfast is served to each room and suite daily at the time of your choosing.
- Room Service: Available for all meals and drinks until 9:30 pm.
Homeric Poems – Rooms
- Room Types: Double Room • Deluxe Double • Honeymoon Suite • Cave Suite • Grand Suite
- Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their rooms. Smoking is allowed on the private terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
- Best Room: The Grand Suite is the top tier suite, offering a generous space, amazing sunset caldera views, an indoor jacuzzi, and an outdoor plunge pool.
- For Families: An adults-only hotel, Homeric Poems is open for guests over 12 years. There are no amenities or facilities for children. Only 1 room type, the Cave Suite, can sleep up to 4 guests. These elegant loft-style suites set in a former captain’s mansion offer 1 bedroom in the loft with a queen bed and a separate living area with sofa beds.
Homeric Poems – Local Transport
- Walking: The hotel is located near the main square of Firostefani, above the caldera, and on the Oia-Fira hiking trail, with amazing restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions just a few meters away. Easy access to all dining and attractions in romantic Imerovigli as well as the nightlife and shopping in bustling Fira; both villages are within 15 to 20 minutes’ walk of the hotel.
- Bus: The nearest bus stop is a 4-minute walk from the hotel, near the parking lot at St. Gerasimos. Buses here serve all of the major villages and beaches on the island, often with a change in Fira if heading to the airport, port, or beaches. Tickets are bought on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per person in the daytime, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 am to 5 am) run less frequently and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can get very crowded, especially during the high season, so much so that they often fill to capacity and are unable to take on more passengers. There are only 23 public buses serving the island.
- Taxis: The nearest taxi stand is at Stathmos Taxi in Fira, about a 16-minute walk south. There is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island (with guests from about 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Book ahead to avoid the wait, and have the driver meet you near the hotel instead. There will be a small surcharge for advance reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Firostefani to the airport or port is around €25.
- Scooters/Motorcycles: Scooters are the main mode of transportation for the locals, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it can be very dangerous. The roads here are zigzagging, hilly, narrow, and have sheer drop-offs with no guardrails and no street lights in most areas. Lots of dirt roads and potholes.
- ATVs/Quads: ATVs are a fun and popular mode of transportation with tourists, but for the locals stuck driving behind them, they move too slowly and hold up traffic in an area where getting around is already a hassle. For those who don’t ride quads regularly (i.e. most people), they can be dangerous at high speeds and on turns. Crashing your ATV is a sure-fire way to ruin your vacation.
Homeric Poems – What’s Nearby?
Best Nearby Restaurants
- Aktaion: The oldest taverna on the island, Aktaion has been serving authentic Santorinian flavors since 1922.
- Da Vinci Restaurant: Fantastic Italian restaurant with spectacular caldera views.
- Argo Restaurant: Argo features a rich menu of Santorinian and Mediterranean flavors with modern, international influences. With amazing views over the caldera, this is a popular spot for sunset dining. Reserve in advance to ensure a view table.
- Pelican Kipos: Stellar, wine-centric restaurant with over 600 varieties of local and international wines in a charming garden setting. Wine tastings and cellar tours available daily.
- Lucky’s Souvlakis: Hands-down the very best gyros in Santorini. Eating at Lucky’s is an absolute must when in Santorini. Authentic, filling, and affordable.
- La Maison: Contemporary Greek fine dining with sweeping caldera views. Food, wine, and service are all phenomenal.
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
- Volkan on the Rocks: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.
- Kira Thira Jazz Bar: A Santorinian standby since 1976, Kira Thira is a cozy, casual bar with fantastic sangria, strong drinks, and an eclectic selection of music.
- Tango Champagne and Cocktail Bar: Refined lounge with a romantic vibe and picture-perfect sunset views.
- Tropical Bar: Great cocktails and a magnificent view make this a popular spot for catching the sunset. The drinks menu strips down to basic offerings after sundown, but at happy hours (9 pm to 11 pm), all cocktails are half price. Aussies take note: they sell VB here.
- MoMix: Half bar, half mad science lab, MoMix (short for Molecular Mixology) creates wild cocktails served in test tubes, as edible bites, or in bubble form.
- PK Cocktail Bar: The best bar in Santorini, PK Cocktail Bar offers superb sunset views, creative cocktails, and 3 levels of seating in the caldera.
- Buddha Bar Beach: Upscale cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Pricey but on point.
Best Nearby Cafes
- Galini Café: Super friendly, all-day café with superb coffee and amazing views. Best loved for their breakfasts and brunch, especially the crepes, bennies, and French toast.
- To Briki: Fantastic café, the best place to try traditional Greek coffee. Breakfasts are superb, and the sunset views are gorgeous.
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Little Dot: Trendy boutique offering men’s and women’s street, surf, and swim wear.
- Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique featuring Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear right on the Oia-Fira trail.
- White House Santorini: Specialty shop for all-white summer garb for men, women, and children. Located across the walking path from Idol Restaurant in Fira.
- Pegasus Boutique: Next to the hotel of the same name, this little boutique offers clothing, shoes, swimwear, and accessories by Greek designers.
- Ammos: This shop has 2 locations in Fira, 1 in Kamari, and 1 in Oia. All offer a wide selection of international and Greek brands.
- Noi: Upscale women’s boutique offering elegant summer clothing, shoes, and accessories on Santorini’s famous Gold Street.
- Caldera Jewelry/Golden Santorini: Right across from Noi, Golden Santorini/Caldera Jewelry has offered fine gold and precious stone jewelry since 1976.
- Spicy Boutique and The Lace: These sister boutiques are located right next door to each other in the heart of Fira. Both shops sell Greek-designed women’s clothing and accessories. Spicy offers edgier styles, while The Lace caters toward a femme crowd.
- The White: Across from Spicy, The White is a luxury boutique selling hand-crafted clothing and footwear by Santorinian designer Sophia H.
- Drakkar Santorini: International and Greek designer-brand clothing for women.
- Nick the Greek: One of the oldest jewelry shops in Santorini, Nick the Greek sells fine gold jewelry and luxury watches from Greek and international brands.
- Koukla: Eclectic, artsy jewelry in a range of styles and prices.
Nearby Attractions
- Oia-Fira Hiking Trail: One of the top attractions on the island is this scenic 10.5 km hiking trail connecting Oia and Fira. A mix of sidewalk, cobblestones, and dirt trail, this route boasts gorgeous vistas the entire way. Hiking northwest, the full length of the path from the hotel to Oia Castle takes from 2 to 5 hours (add about an hour for a detour at Skaros Rock when you head north); heading south to the trail’s end in Fira, near Keti Hotel, takes about 20 minutes. 1-minute walk from the hotel.
- St. Gerasimos Church: This blue-domed church is the most recognizable landmark in Firostefani. Many tours meet here as their starting point, and the village’s main parking lot is here.
- St Mark the Evangelist: One of only a few Catholic churches in Santorini, St. Mark is recognizable by its colorful bell tower. It’s right next to The Tsitouras Collection.
- Old Port of Fira: A.K.A. Fira Skala, the Old Port has a few tavernas, shops, and pretty sea views. The only connections from the port to the village are the cable cars, donkeys, or walking up the 587 steps. Nowadays, the Old Port is mostly used by cruise ship passengers, arriving daily by the thousands in the high season. To avoid the largest crowds, plan excursions around the cruise ship calendar. The beginning of the stairway down is a 15-minute walk away, plus 16 more minutes to hike down. The cable car to the bottom is closer than the stairway.
- Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral: This imposing cathedral dominates the main square in Fira. Fully renovated after the ’56 earthquake, this landmark church is surrounded by a series of grand archways, and is adorned with frescoed walls and ceilings inside in gold and vivid colors.
- Skaros Rock: Impressive volcanic rock formation housing the ruins of a medieval castle and town, dating to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, is the only part of Skaros that is still active.
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
- Mini Market Sigalas: Small market with a good selection of staples, snacks, and wine near St. Gerasimos Church.
- Creta Alpha Market: Convenience store with a decent range of drinks, food, and sundries.
- Green Market Organics: Small but well-stocked grocery store in Fira with specialty items (gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, etc.), organic, and local products.
Homeric Poems – The Hotel
Unobstructed caldera views from Homeric Poems.
Standing above Homeric Poems, the first thing you’ll see is their boat marking the path to the entrance. From here, there is a gorgeous view to Thirassia Island straight ahead, Skaros Rock on the right, and Oia village on the right in the distance.
Turning a little left, the volcanoes and tiny Aspronisi Island come into view.
Continuing through the entrance, there are plenty of stairs leading to the rooms and facilities, like all caldera hotels.
The wooden sign points the way to reception on the right, which is marked by the donkey statue.
The little donkey outside the reception area.
Downstairs from reception is the infinity pool, on a marble terrace perched on the very edge of the caldera.
The infinity pool offers the best caldera views on the property. From left to right is Akrotiri, the volcanoes, Aspronisi Island, and Thirassia Island. Cruise ships pass by a few times a day, docking at the Old Port below.
The poolside terrace offers plenty of sun loungers and spectacular caldera views, especially during sunset.
The all-day pool bar serves excellent Mediterranean dishes, a great selection of local wines, and fabulous cocktails from 10 am until 10 pm.
The private terraces of the newly renovated Cave Suites. Each suite has an al fresco dining table for 4. The umbrellas seen here have been closed and laid down temporarily due to the wind.
Double-size sunbeds for the Cave Suites. From the terrace, guests can see over the caldera to Oia, Skaros Rock, and Imerovigli.
Inside one of the Cave Suites. These are all loft-style suites with a bedroom, sitting area, and bathroom on the ground floor, and a second sitting area upstairs. The beds are queen-size, and the sofas (1 upstairs and 1 downstairs) are single-size. Cave Suites are the only room type that sleep up to 4 guests.
Closer look at the ground floor sitting area.
A view of the main bedroom. Architecture is contemporary, Cycladic-style with hand-carved archways, marble floors, blue and white palette, and a subtle nautical flair.
View from the opposite side. The archway on the right leads to the bathroom, loft stairs, and the mini-bar.
Some nautical-themed décor. The Cave Suites were formerly a sea captain’s mansion.
Through the archway. The minibar and coffee station are on the left, and the bathroom is on the right.
The bathroom is more obviously done in a cave-style with hand-sculpted walls and ceilings.
The bathroom features a large open-style, Greek shower with a rainfall showerhead.
Upstairs in the loft is the second sitting room with a single-sized sofa bed.
From the loft level looking down, the bed is mostly hidden from view.
Looking out the upper window from the loft, guests can see directly to the suite’s terrace and sunbed, the caldera, and Thirassia Island. Check rates and availability: Homeric Poems
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