Santorini Hotels with Sunset View

About Santorini Dave

I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.

1. Best Place to Stay for Exploring Island

   Hi, we’ll be in Santorini for two nights in late September – two couples in our sixties. It’s our first time visiting. We’re having a hard time deciding which area to stay in. Many of the hotels feel best suited for honeymooners. I thought we should stay in Oia, but now I’m not sure. We are active and plan to explore rather than go to beaches or hang at a hotel pool. Can you provide any guidance? Much appreciated.
   Margie.

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      For exploring the island, especially if you’re getting around by bus, Fira is the most central and convenient location to base yourself. I recommend staying in Fira for first-time visitors who really want to explore the island.

2. Hotels in Imerovigli

   Hi Dave,

   So appreciative for the work you’ve put into your site – it’s incredibly helpful! My wife and I are traveling at the end of August for an anniversary trip and will be spending 3 nights in Santorini. As with most travelers, the sunset is a huge draw for us, so based on your recommendation we’re looking at staying in Imerovigli. Have you ever stayed at or heard much about the Ilioperato?

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I like Ilioperato. It’s a good hotel with great caldera and sunset views and within easy walking distance of Imerovigli restaurants and the bus stop. Nice choice!

3. Hotel Thireas Sunset Views in Fira

   Hi Dave,

   My husband and I are planning a trip for our 30th Anniversary in September. I do have a junior suite with hot tub and sea view booked at the Hotel Thireas. Wondering if you know if that hotel has good sunset views? And can you get both the caldera view and sunset view from the same room? So looking forward to our trip!

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Yes, great sunset and caldera views.

4. Oia Hotel with Best Sunset View

   Thanks for all of your insight Dave, we have followed your advice for most of our trip. We are planning to stay two nights at the Mystique while in Oia but wanted to get your opinion on sunset views there. Would you recommend doing 4 nights there or is there another hotel you would recommend to stay for a better sunset view while in Oia for our other two nights in May?

   Thanks in advance!

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Mystique does not have direct sunset views (you need to walk a short distance to see them). Esperas has great sunsets views. But for the best views, I’d recommend staying in Imerovigli. Two days in Oia (at Mystique) and then two days in Imerovigli would be a perfect mix.

5. Santorini Hotel with Best Sunsets

   Hi Dave,

   Thanks for sharing your thoughts and recommendations, they are very helpful. I would like to get your opinion on where to stay in Santorini. It would be our first trip to this island for my husband and I (mid 30s), and we would be celebrating our anniversary. I’m looking for beautiful sunsets and a really nice hotel (5-4 stars). We would be going from November 7-12 (5 nights). Thank you so much.

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I think Imerovigli has the best sunsets of any town on Santorini. Grace, Astra, Tholos, and Sophia Suites all have great caldera and sunset views. Imerovigli will be quiet by mid-November and some hotels/restaurants might be closed (though most will still be open). Fira will have more open and it’s about a 20 minute walk away (or 5 minute bus ride).

6. Volcano View vs Oia Castle Hotel

   Hi Dave,

   My husband and I are visiting Santorini for 5 nights in October. Can’t decide between Volcano View or Art Maisons Oia Castle. Which would you recommend? We really appreciate your help.

   Ellen

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Two of my favorite hotels but with very different atmospheres and in very different locations. Art Maisons Oia Castle is a tiny hotel with only 6 rooms, located in luxurious Oia at the northern point of the island and in the very best spot for sunset views: right at the castle ruins but in a privileged location a little removed from the throngs of tourists. The cave-style rooms are all completely unique with bespoke furniture and all have some type of water feature, either an indoor or outdoor Jacuzzi and/or a private pool. Breakfast is included for all guests, but there is no restaurant offering lunch or dinner in the hotel. However, there are plenty of fine dining and casual restaurants and a couple of upscale bars within walking distance, as well as several luxury boutiques. This is also only a short drive from Sigalas winery, one of the best on the island, though it is about as far away from the Akrotiri archaeological site as you can get (the island is small, though, so nothing is ever terribly far).

      Volcano View is one of the largest hotels on the island, but with 73 rooms it is still boutique-sized. While services are not as personalized and rooms not as unique as at Oia Castle, they offer more facilities, including three pools, a massage area with caldera views, two restaurants, one bar, and weekly events (wine tasting, live piano music, and a Greek night with dancing and breaking plates). They also boast a spectacular sunset view, just not as famous as the view in Oia. This hotel is located 2 kilometers south of Fira, which is more central to the island, making it a great location for exploring the ruins of Akrotiri, the wine country in Megalochori, the sunsets of Oia, and the traditional village of Pyrgos. This is within a short drive (or take their free shuttle) to downtown Fira, the nightlife heart of the island, though there are not many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel itself.

7. Volcano View Hotel in Santorini

   Hi Dave,

   I will be traveling to Santorini for the first time with my husband. We were looking at a few hotels. Have you stayed or heard anything about the Volcano View Hotel & Villas?

   Thank you!
   Jackie

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I love the Volcano View. It’s a fantastic 5-star hotel on the caldera south of Fira with direct sunset views. The property is best known as the hotel where the Kardashians stayed in Season 8 of their TV series, though the wing that they stayed in is now a separate property, the Celestia Grand. With 73 rooms, this is one of the largest hotels in Santorini, where most hotels have fewer than 20 rooms. Being a larger property, it is less personalized than the tiny hotels. On the plus side, it has more facilities that smaller hotels often lack. The hotel has three pools, an outdoor massage area with breathtaking caldera views, events like wine tastings and Greek nights (breaking plates and dancing!), plus a complimentary shuttle to and from Fira seven times a day. If you prefer to drive, they have free parking. They also have way less stairs than other hotels on the caldera, so it’s much easier to get around the property.

      The only downside for some people may be the location. The hotel is located about two kilometers south of Fira with few restaurants within walking distance. The upside is that it’s much quieter here than anywhere in the capitol or in Oia. If you plan on staying here, consider renting a car for your stay. Buses are slow and infrequent, while taxis are hard to come by (there are only about 25 taxis in total serving the entire island).

8. Santorini Sunset Hotel with Kids

   Hi Dave,

   I’m travelling with my husband and 2 kids, a 7 years old and a 3 year old for the first time to Santorini. A little confused between which hotel/villa to stay at since we haven’t been before. The two properties I’m interested in is Cavo Tagoo and Epitome Oia, we have a room with a pool for the children and just stuck on which to choose, the location at Cavo Tagoo looks much nicer then the Epitome however concerned that is more honeymoon hotel and didn’t want to dispute other guests with kids around. If you could please give me your recommendation.
   Many Thanks,

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I think both are fine choices but I would go with Cavo Tagoo which is one of my favorites. Yes, it’s a bit more trendy and honeymoonish but if a hotel chooses to accept children I think it’s reasonable to stay there with children – that’s the hotel’s choice on whom they are marketing to. It’s a relaxed vibe with music playing and plenty of activity – it’s not a hotel with hushed tones and whispering servers.

9. Epitome Villa in Oia

   Hi, Dave.

   We are a family of 5 with teenage children looking to come to Santorini in August. I see that the Canaves Oia hotel is opening a new villa hotel called Epitome on the other side of Oia. These new villas seem like they would fit our family well. Do you know anything about the location? Are we going to feel too far away from the town? We will have a sunset view, but will we be sorry we don’t have a caldera view? Thanks for the information

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Epitome Villas are not far from central Oia but the walk is a little awkward and less than perfect. So, for many I’m sure they’d say, “the walk was no problem at all, perfectly fine,” and for others, “the walk was a hassle and really cuts you off from the town”. Hard to say what you’ll think. But is it a walkable distance? Yes.

10. Best Oia Hotel with Private Pool

    Hi Dave!
    Awesome website and amazing advice.
    Travelling to Oia on my birthday in May for 5 nights; me, my husband, and my 3.5 year old daughter. What’s the best hotel with a private pool and caldera view (ideally with sunset view if doable).
    Thanks Dave!
    Keep up the good work!

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       The best hotel with caldera view and private pool is Aspaki by Art Maisons. I like Art Maisons Oia Castle Hotel even better but the suites there with private pool don’t have a true caldera view but do have a sunset view.

11. Best Hotel for Santorini

    Hi Dave! Loving the site, thanks for all of the tips! We are looking at the following hotels in Santorini and I was wondering if you had a favorite: Vedema (we can use SPG points,) Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites, Splendour Resort, Pantheon Deluxe Villas, and Kasimatis Suites. We won’t be able to afford much more than these properties since we’re coming in July and the prices are pretty nuts. Appreciate any and all insight you have!!

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Vedema is far and away the most luxurious of those hotels. I really like this hotel. You won’t be on the caldera, but in a small charming village about a 15 minute drive from Fira. It’s fine if you have a rental car.

12. Friendly Inexpensive Hotel with View

    Hi Santorini Dave,

    Just wondering where would be a good place to stay late July. My family will be meeting another family (9 of us all together). We’re looking for: casual, some place you can meet other Europeans (of all ages), view of setting sun over ocean, not too expensive. Our stay will be 3 days – 1 week. Personable, warm – maybe the owner is there to talk with? Any thoughts for us?

    Minnesota Dave

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Two hotels to consider in Imerovigli: Ampelonas Apartments and Merovigliosso. Both have friendly owners that are often around the property. Ampelonas has a partial view, Merovigliosso has less of a view – but they’re steps from perfect caldera and sunset views. Ampelonas has a nice pool, Merovigliosso a smaller pool. Both are on the cheaper side for a Santorini hotel near the caldera.

13. Imerovigli Hotels Are Fully Booked

    Hi Santorini Dave! This is sadly last minute but my husband & I are travelling to Santorini and looking to stay in Imerovigli September 24-27th with a sunset view. Unfortunately so many are booked already – can you recommend something with easy access to Oia?
    Alethea Anderson

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       I see West East Suites still has availability for your dates in September. It’s a beautiful place a little to the north of Imerovigli and is a little closer to Oia than most hotels.

14. Hotel with Private Plunge Pool and Sunset View

    Hey Santorini Dave!

    Love the Blog! Looking at coming to Santorini (Oia) this coming May. Two quick questions:
    1) Many hotels appeared booked – Are hotel rooms open for booking yet?
    2) Is there a location that offers all of the following a) private plunge pools b) privacy c) sunset views?

    Thanks!
    – Joey

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       They should not be fully booked yet (for May). Check back in September and they should have all their rooms online. For a hotel with private pool, privacy, and sunset views try the King Suite with Whirlpool at Keti Hotel. It has a wonderful spot down at the bottom of the hotel steps with lots of privacy and incredible views.

15. Oia or Imerovigli for Last Night in Santorini

    Hi Dave,

    I booked 2 nights at Vallais Villa in June, and need 1 more night in Santorini. Where would u recommend? Oia or a different view in Imerovigli? Or back in Fira because leaving to Crete the next afternoon? If I go for a close by place with infinity pool, do u prefer San Antonio or Rocabella? The rooms and balcony for these 2 hotels don’t seem great or spacious.

    Thanks,
    Peter Chan

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Since you will have already stayed in Imerovigli then certainly stay somewhere else for final night. Oia has a different feel so a good choice. But yes, getting to the ferry is a little easier from Fira than from Oia (if you’re taking the bus, if you’re taking a taxi it’s less of a difference).

16. Sunset View from Honeymoon Petra Villas

    Dave, thanks for the great information. We are booked in at the Petra Honeymoon Suites in July. The pictures on the website for the suite we booked seem to have a lot of rock views rather than ocean views and wondering if we will have a view of the sunset there. Any thoughts about the view or our hotel in general? We have a reservation that can be cancelled. Jeff

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Most suites at Honeymoon Petra Villas do not have sunset views – most look south towards Fira while the sun sets to the northwest (towards Oia). The views are still wonderful but perhaps not what you’re looking for. I’d email them at info@honeymoonpetra.com to enquire about your particular room.

17. White Pearl Villas vs Canvas Suites

    Hi Dave! Thank you so much for al your help, my family and I have been looking at White Pearl Villas (Sunset Chaser VIlla) or Canvas Suites. We will be going in August, do you think these villas have a good view?
    David Bengardi

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Views are great from both (but no sunset view – need to take a short walk to see sun set into the sea). Canvas Suites are nestled in amongst narrow little footpaths that descend the cliff – “magical”. White Pearl Villas is a little higher up and looks more directly into the caldera. So different but both great.

18. Best Islands in Greece in June

    Hi Dave,

    So wonderful of you to share all your expertise and wealth of information, thanks! My boyfriend and I are travelling through Europe and plan to arrive to Greece on June 3rd. We have a solid 9 nights and were thinking of arriving by plane to Crete first for 4-5 nights, then ferry to Santorini for 3-4 nights and 1 night in Athens. We are in our mid 30’s and are looking to explore 2 islands and their surrounding towns, do some hiking, some beach time, explore the culture and good food, and some night life. Just trying to figure out what are the best Islands to visit. Santorini is a must! What are your thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Anna

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Crete, Santorini, and Athens sounds great. Crete is big so you might feel rushed. For a similar trip that shortens ferry rides and has similar characteristics fly to Santorini then ferry to Naxos (a smaller version of Crete with great beaches, hikes, and history) then Athens.

19. Oia or Imerovigli

    Hi Dave

    We will be travelling late September – early October for our honeymoon (first time for both of us). This will be the last stop after 5 weeks through Europe before we return home. Which location do you recommend Oia or Imerovigli for a honeymoon? Is it better to have the sunset view or the caldera view? We want somewhere to relax that has amazing views and with a private pool.

    Many thanks

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       I prefer Imerovigli (the best views, wonderful restaurants, quiet vibe, and still walking distance to Fira for nightlife if you want). I always think you can find a sunset view anywhere but the caldera view is really really unique (and lasts all day as opposed to just 15 or 20 minutes).

20. Katikies, Canaves, Andronis Best Sunset View

    Does Katikies or Canaves or Andronis have a better sunset view?

    1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

       Katikies and Canaves are right beside each other and have identical views. Andronis is a little farther to the northwest and looks back into the caldera slightly more than Katikies and Canaves. None of those hotels have direct sunset views – the sun will be obscured by the town itself as it sets into the sea. Katikies and Canaves will have a little better angle but no great difference. Andronis is closer to the main sunset viewing area (by about a 5 minute walk). These are all great hotels with great views but don’t choose one over the other based on their sunset views as there’s a very small difference – and the caldera views are more important, in any case, as you experience that all day long, not just for 5 or 10 minutes.