Greece › Santorini › Best Places to Stay
Updated: February 2, 2024
By Santorini Dave
My Favorite Santorini Hotels
• Fira: Athina
• Oia: Katikies • Canaves Suites
• Imerovigli: Grace • Astra
• Firostefani: Tsitouras
• Beach: Istoria
• For Families: Aria
• For Couples: Aenaon
• Best Pool: Nous
• Midrange: Enigma • Kavalari
A private plunge pool at Athina Luxury Suites in Fira.
Best Place in Santorini for First-Timers: Fira
The capital of Santorini, Fira is the island’s social, commercial, and transportation hub and the largest village on the caldera. Endless restaurants, bars, shops, and iconic domed churches and bell towers are built right into the cliffside in a picturesque maze of narrow lanes and stairways with sweeping views over the caldera, especially lovely at sunset. Attractions include The Archaeological Museum of Thera, The Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Gyzi Megaron (Gizi Mansion), and the landmark Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral that sits on the main pedestrian path at the top of the caldera. Some of the island’s best restaurants are here, ready to serve local specialties, like fava, tomatokeftedes, and of course Santorinian wine. All of Santorini’s nightclubs (and most of its bars) are here, with upscale cocktail lounges on the caldera and more raucous pubs and dance clubs in a tangle of backstreets. Fira is also home to the main bus station; all bus routes begin and end here. 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.Oia (quieter than Fira but still plenty of shopping and dining, and some low-key nightlife) and Imerovigli (great caldera and sunset views, expensive hotels, and several fantastic restaurants) are also good choices for first-timers to Santorini.
Fira for First-Timers
- Best Fira Hotels: Athina Luxury Suites • Katikies Garden • Cosmopolitan Suites • Aria Suites • Enigma Suites
- Best Cheap Fira Hotels: Kavalari Hotel • San Giorgio • Costa Marina Villa
Oia for First-Timers
- Best Oia Hotels with Caldera Views:
Katikies • Canaves Oia Suites • Saint- Best Oia Hotels with Sunset Views:
Charisma Suites • Andronis Arcadia • Canaves Epitome • Esperas- Best Cheap Oia Hotels:
Aspa Villas • Anemomilos HotelImerovigli for First-Timers
- Best Imerovigli Hotels:
Grace Santorini • Astra Suites • Aenaon Villas • Kivotos • Cavo Tagoo • Canaves Elefas Villas- Best Cheap Imerovigli Hotels:
Abelonas Retreat • Merovigliosso • Aghios Artemios Traditional Houses
Athina Luxury Suites is my favorite hotel in Fira.
Cosmopolitan Suites in Fira is great for couples and steps from bars and clubs.
Dinner with a view in Fira.
The bus station in Fira is the hub of transport around the island.
Fira has a number of cultural attractions like the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
Looking south from Canaves Oia Suites into the caldera.
Looking north from Canaves Oia Suites towards the town center.
Ammoudi Bay below Oia. One of the best places for fresh seafood.
Astra Suites in Imerovigli. The family suites are great for small groups or families.
The caldera view from Santo Wines.
The charming inland village of Pyrgos.
Metaxi Mas is my favorite Santorini restaurant.
The hike along the caldera between Fira and Oia is a Santorini highlight.
A boat tour of the caldera is also a must.
The Santorini airport is in the center of the island and not more than 25 minutes from any town.
See Also
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Family Hotels in Santorini
• Where to Stay in Santorini
About Santorini Dave