Where to Stay in Santorini: Your 2023 Guide to The Best Places

On a flooded historic volcano, Santorini is the crown jewel of the Cyclades islands. The mesmerizing sunsets and caldera views have lengthy held a grip on vacationers who can’t wait to expertise this quintessential Greek vacation spot. But selecting the place to remain in Santorini might be complicated. Where ought to I keep Oia or Fira, the professionals and cons of every a part of the island, and even the place you’ll be able to base your self for the perfect views? Well, we’re going to reply all of these questions for you in our final information to the perfect locations to remain in Santorini.

Best Places to Stay in Santorini

Running alongside the volcanic-burnt landscapes are pristine white properties, with a scattering of blue-domed cathedrals. Cobblestone streets information you thru historic cities the place romance and tradition meet in equal measure. It’s an island
of pure luxurious, the place the scars of the volcanic eruption have solely not too long ago been found.

Stay in beautiful Cycladic structure with every lodge attempting in earnest to raise its environment, yow will discover personal terraces and swimming swimming pools to observe the sundown over and over. It appears like a dream, and Santorini might be simply that.

First, let’s get a number of the hottest questions out of the way in which. After all, you need to have the perfect trip you presumably can, and understanding the solutions to those questions will help you resolve the perfect place so that you can keep in Santorini. One factor you need to be ready for is the price.

As the recognition of Santorini has grown so have the costs, particularly in excessive season. So, if you’re on the lookout for essentially the most lovely place with the perfect views be ready to pay for it.

Where ought to I keep in Santorini for the primary time?

If that is your first time visiting Santorini then you will need to keep in both Fira or Imerovigli. Which one you select can be based mostly in your price range degree. We don’t advocate staying in Oia on your first time as it may be extraordinarily crowded and overwhelming.

Fira is nice if you’re not renting a automobile as it’s the fundamental transportation hub on the island. Imerovigli is a quieter and extra secluded possibility, with beautiful caldera views and opulent lodging. It is a superb possibility for these on the lookout for a extra tranquil and romantic expertise.

Is it higher to remain in Fira or Oia?

We have stayed in each and advocate staying in Fira (the island’s capital) over Oia particularly if you’re visiting throughout the excessive season. Oia is extremely costly and it will get overcrowded when the cruise ships are available and is totally insane throughout sundown.

In Fira, you might have extra decisions in the case of resorts and you’ve got extra entry to the remainder of the island particularly if you’re with no automobile. The fundamental bus station is situated in Fira so you can also make your technique to completely different components of the island throughout the day. Oia is unquestionably lovely however you can be battling these cruise passengers every single day, so simply remember.

What is the perfect space to remain in Santorini?

Truthfully it is determined by what you might be on the lookout for and what your price range is. We consider the west facet of the island is the perfect space to remain in Santorini because it has the perfect views of the caldera, the perfect number of resorts, and the perfect sundown views. The cities you need o concentrate on are Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Fira. If you’d slightly hit the seaside than sit in your swimming pool then the east facet of the island round Perissa and Kamari is the place it would be best to look.

Our Recommendation: the Best place to remain in Santorini

Each city round Santorini has one thing distinctive to supply. Whether that’s chasing the famed native sunsets, lazing on the gorgeous black sand seaside, or exploring the archaeological web site in Akrotiri. From households to solo vacationers, you’ll discover one thing that works for you.

But having stayed on each the east and west sides of the island we extremely advocate basing your self on the west facet of Santorini. If you might be on the lookout for sundown views, luxurious resorts, your personal personal plunge pool, personal terraces, and people well-known caldera views then Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, or Firostefani is the place it would be best to select to remain in Santorini.

This can also be the place you will see the famed conventional cave homes/ resorts. If this pursuits you we have now an entire put up on the Best Cave Hotels in Santorini. But, keep in mind that these are the most costly cities in Santorini as properly.

The different facet of the island, which incorporates Perissa and Kamari caters extra to individuals on the lookout for that stunning black sand seaside, seaside bars, and a extra laid-back ambiance.

1. Best Place to Stay in Santorini for a Honeymoon

Santorini is without doubt one of the hottest locations on the planet for honeymoons, and you’ll see why. It combines the great thing about its environment, with a ton of issues to do in addition to providing seclusion and privateness while you want it. Idyllic while you consider the proper honeymoon vacation spot.

Most individuals immediately consider Oia for his or her honeymoon, however I feel you are able to do higher. Oia to me has change into so overcrowded in the previous few years that it takes away from that romantic feeling. It shouldn’t be as personal anymore.

Yes, there are some actual unique resorts that block individuals off however for essentially the most half, due to how it’s constructed, anybody can pop onto your terrace to take a look at any time and take a look at the view. Not actually romantic for my part. Combine that with the sheer mass of individuals at sundown and you’ll see why we have now taken Oia off the checklist for honeymooners.

Our advice is to go to Imerovigli. You get the identical superb views however it’s quieter, extra personal and simply feels extra romantic. It is only a quick stroll to the nightlife of Fira (Instead of a 25-minute drive from Oia), it has essentially the most luxurious resorts on the island, and it has superb Caldera views so you’ll be able to take pleasure in these beautiful sundown views from your personal personal terrace or personal pool and you’re a quick drive from a number of the greatest wineries on Santorini.

2. Fira or Oia? How to Choose.

If there may be one query that we get typically it’s; Which is the higher place to remain in Santorini? Oia or Fira. And the truthful reply is it is determined by what you wish to get out of your trip. Are you trying to be near the motion or are you on the lookout for a quieter extra secluded trip?

If you might be on the lookout for the quieter possibility of the 2 then we’d recommend Oia. Located on the foothills of an historic volcano, Oia is straight out of a postcard. A mixture of shiny white and dense blues with a backdrop of earthy tones. It’s every thing you’d count on from the most effective locations to remain in Santorini. The mixture of blue-domed church buildings, turquoise plunge swimming pools, and white properties with the sundown is without doubt one of the most memorable sights in all of the Greek islands.

Of course, you’ll share this expertise with hoards of vacationers and cruise ship passengers however honestly this primarily occurs within the excessive season between 3 PM and eight PM. Most of the opposite occasions of the day it isn’t too loopy. And at night time you’ll be able to benefit from the quiet streets and higher-end eating places.

Choose to Stay in Oia if:

• Budget shouldn’t be a priority. Oia has a number of the costliest lodging on the island and in Greece for that matter.
• You need that well-known Santorini Sunset view.
• You are on the lookout for a non-public luxurious expertise. There are numerous unique resorts in Oia.

If you’re a couple that likes to have entry to every thing inside shut proximity then we’d recommend Fira. Having a central location and the majority of the island’s public transport, Fira is a superb possibility for these questioning the place to remain in Santorini. Fira is the most important city on the island, and whereas it might lack a number of the charms of Oia or Firostefani, it makes up for it in different methods.

The ambiance in Fira rises early and maintains its momentum all through the day. Here, locals and vacationers alike combine in nice numbers as they make their means across the busy city. With eating places, bars, and points of interest inside strolling distance, you’ll be capable to get about on foot most of the time. Importantly, you’ll by no means have a scarcity of issues to do.

Fira is house to Santorini’s fundamental bus terminal, which is in the course of city. After exploring your native points of interest, you’ll love having easy accessibility to far-off locations with out the necessity for a rental automobile. Being such an enormous hub for tourism means Fira can have greater than its justifiable share of tour workplaces promoting all types of island experiences so that you can attempt.

This has additionally led the city to have an immense number of eating places, resorts, and the perfect nightlife scene in Santorini. The vary of choices and competitors means life within the capital of Santorini is cheaper than different main cities alongside the Caldera facet of the island.

Choose to remain in Fira if:

• You don’t have a automobile and need to be near the bus station to entry different components of the island
• You need to benefit from the nightlife on the island
• You are visiting within the low season as most different components of the island can be closed
• You should not in Santorini for the seashores

The main downside of staying in Fira is the commercialization of the city. It’s a significant vacation spot for cruise ships, whose passengers flood the city, resulting in a much less genuine expertise. Away from the historic landmarks and epic views, you’ll discover rows of memento retailers, the sort many vacationers see and dread.

3. Where to Stay in Santorini for Families

We have given you solutions on the place to remain in Santorini if you’re in your honeymoon, however what if you’re touring with your loved ones? Contrary to common perception Santorini is not only for {couples} and lovers.

There is kind of a bit to see and do if you’re touring along with your children as properly. I’ll say although, a lot of the west facet of Santorini is extra fitted to {couples}, which implies you might be higher off staying within the seaside cities of Kamari Beach or Perissa if you’re visiting as a household.

Both locations are set on the Aegean Sea and provide cheaper lodging, which means you’ll be capable to fork out for that additional bed room. Without giant crowds, you’ll be able to take pleasure in your environment with out feeling rushed, good for households with youthful children.

Ideally, I might recommend Kamari Beach first as a result of not solely does it have a stupendous seaside however additionally it is inside strolling distance from a ton of eating places, taverns, cafes, and retailers the place you’ll be able to simply spend the day. Convenience is essential when touring with children.

Like Kamari, Perissa is way quieter and cheaper than the extra iconic cities across the island. The budget-friendly vacation spot is without doubt one of the greatest locations to remain in Santorini. South of Kamari, Perissa welcomes you with that very same heat, darkish sand with ample cocktail bars alongside the seaside. Just minutes from Santorini Airport, you’ll be lounging by the electrical blue ocean very quickly.

Aside from lounging below an umbrella at one of many many seaside bars, water sports activities are the factor to do. From your cozy spot on the sand, you’ll see jet skis skimming throughout the water. Without the sundown and caldera, the costs listed here are decrease regardless of providing such fantastic entry to the perfect seashores on the island.

4. Best Place to Stay in Santorini for Nightlife

For these chasing adventures after darkish, you then’ll have the perfect time staying in Fira. After the solar goes down, consideration rapidly turns to the array of dim-lit cocktail bars, boisterous pubs, and pumping dance halls.

Santorini will not be famed for its nightlife (there are actually solely eating places in Oia and Imerovigli) you shouldn’t stack it up in opposition to different notable social gathering spots round Europe. But that’s to not say you gained’t take pleasure in life after darkish in Fira.

In truth, the island’s largest city has somewhat little bit of one thing for everybody. Enjoy quiet and romantic bars by the Aegean Sea or enterprise to the place the music is loud, and the night time doesn’t finish. If you do select to remain elsewhere on the island simply remember that taxis and busses might be onerous to seek out early within the morning.

If nightlife is your jam then I might recommend testing the island of Mykonos. There is at all times a celebration taking place on that greek island.

5. Best Place to Stay for Caldera Views

Between Fira Town and Oia, the smaller cities of Imerovigli and Firostefani are teeming with whitewashed manors, personal terraces, and cave resorts situated with beautiful sea views of the caldera and sundown. Truthfully any of the cities on the west facet of the island will present good views of the caldera.

Our private favourite although is Imerovigli. Imerovigli is taken into account the Balcony of the Aegean. Built over 1000ft above sea degree, you’ll take pleasure in a spectacular platform from which to admire the Caldera itself. While many guests flock north for the sunsets in Oia, the small village of Imerovigli stays peaceable and charming.

Life right here is slower and also you’ll have room to breathe and roam as you uncover this a part of Santorini all to your self. Importantly, dealing with west, Imerovigli has equally spectacular sundown views whereas the caldera stays ever-present. At night time, Oia dazzles alongside the ridge to the north. But as we have now mentioned beforehand the lodging choices right here might be very costly.

If you might be on the lookout for a extra budget-friendly possibility I might have a look at Akrotiri. A rapidly growing city in Santorini, Akrotiri, is the perfect space to remain if you would like these beautiful caldera views with out the lofty price ticket. Boutique resorts proceed to pop up in Akrotiri because the city’s reputation grows. However, its distance from Fira (a 25-minute drive) permits the seaside city to stay with out crowded streets and a touristy expertise.

Fira and Oia have the majority of the island’s buying. With rows of outlets and boutique shops catering to vacationers, you’ll be capable to spend your afternoon shopping the retailers or selecting up some mementos and presents for these again house.

Fira caters to a wider viewers with extra price range choices and memento shops. On the opposite hand, Oia leans in the direction of high-end shops with a higher variety of worldwide manufacturers.

Between the 2, Firostefani has a full of life buying road within the middle of city that vacationers ought to expertise. With a higher variety of locals, the stroll down the road is an genuine expertise. Similar buying will also be present in Pyrgos.

7. Where to Stay in Santorini for Sightseeing

Owing to its central location and its transport hub, Fira is the perfect place to remain for sightseeing. If you rent a automobile, you’ll be well-placed to discover the 4 corners of the island. Whether that be the coastal cities of Akrotiri and Perissa or the mountain villages round Pyrgos.

Without a rental automobile, you’ll even have a better time exploring out of your base in Fira. The fundamental bus station is on the town with a higher variety of companies round Santorini.

But no village on the island has as a lot to do inside its boundaries as Fira. Visitors can have many points of interest close by, together with the Three Bells of Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Not to say the jaw-dropping Santorini Cable Car.

web site Lycabettus restaurant, the most effective eating places in Oia, for conventional Mediterranean delicacies that may blow your thoughts.

8. Best Place to Stay Off the Beaten Path

The fashionable city of Akrotiri is house to the Red Beach of Santorini. Although common throughout the day, the hanging seaside is peaceable come sundown. Allowing you to benefit from the uninhibited views with simply your family and friends. From the crimson sands, you’ll discover a dock, the place for a small charge you’ll be able to enterprise round to the black seashores on the jap coasts.

Although Akrotiri could also be thought of off the crushed path, it’s a traditionally important village. During the Neolithic Age, the primary inhabitants of Santorini settled on the cardinal shoreline. Over time, the settlement grew into one of the outstanding business facilities within the Aegean, permitting the area people to develop a captivating tradition. Until a historic volcano eruption coated the city.

With ample warning time, residents have been in a position to evacuate, and Akrotiri was written off the pages of historical past. No one knew what lay beneath the floor till the mid-Nineteenth century. Making Akrotiri a newer and doubtlessly extra fascinating discovery than Pompeii.

The city is now a charming archaeological web site with fresco buildings from 1600 BC having been frozen in time below the hardened lava. It’s mentioned that solely 5% of the city has been excavated with many extra superb discoveries ready within the wings.

Aside from lounging by the seaside and having fun with the spectacular sunsets, Akrotiri supplies an intriguing look into the primary communities that have been created in Santorini.

With new resorts, nice views, and an unbelievable historical past, Akrotiri is a tremendous place to remain when visiting Santorini. However, its distance from Fira will imply you’ll have to lease a automobile to discover the remainder of the island.

9. Where to Stay in Santorini Away From the Crowds

Like Akrotiri, Megalochori and Pyrgos are a good way to expertise Santorini away from the crowds. Pyrgos is a captivating hilltop city near the best level in Santorini. From your lodge room or restaurant terrace, you’ll expertise superb views in each course.

Look to the west to see the traditional caldera enveloped by the Aegean Sea. Capture the cities alongside the cliffside surrounded by lush inexperienced landscapes. To the east, see the black sand portray the sting of the coast whereas having fun with the crisp mountain air.

The west coast might have a higher focus of blue-domed buildings and chalky properties, however Pyrgos has a conventional Greek really feel. Here, solely 1000 residents go about their day by day lives, driving up and down the windy roads that caress the mountainside.

On your explorations of Pyrgos, you’ll move neoclassical museums, rows of vineyards basking within the heat Greek solar, and charming cafes surrounding the city sq.. At night time, chill out of your elevated place and take within the sundown at any of the hillside eating places providing unbeatable vistas.

Like Pyrgos, Megalochori has a rural vibe untouched by the motion of time. While not fairly Akrotiri, the village hails again to the 1600s the place pirate dens popped up, conventional cottages arose and wine caverns first made an look.

There is an aura of historical past as you wander round city. Much of that is due to the efforts of locals who’ve maintained a reverence for the historic buildings, maintaining them in wonderful situation so that you can admire.

Here you’ll be able to reside like an area. Wake up every morning and make your technique to the village sq. the place you’ll be able to be a part of the neighborhood in sipping on a espresso because the solar soars ever greater.

From Megalochori and Pyrgos, you’ll be able to catch the bus from the primary streets to discover Santorini. While the cheaper lodging ought to depart some room within the price range for automobile rent and loads of day journeys.

Our Money-Saving Tips for Santorini

Santorini isn’t a haven for price range vacationers, due to its reputation and unbelievable views. But what makes the island such an iconic vacation spot additionally opens the door for price range vacationers to save cash. Unlike different Greek islands, Santorini stays open throughout the winter. During this era you’ll be able to take pleasure in cheaper lodging. It is simple to get luxurious resorts proper on the Aegean Sea for a fraction of what they might price in excessive season.

If you’ve arrived in peak season, you’ll discover it isn’t low-cost to eat out. Especially if the restaurant has a view. Forego the view for lunch and dinner to assist steadiness the price range.

Getting Around Santorini

Driving round Santorini shouldn’t be solely a good way to discover the forgotten villages away from Oia, however it would prevent time and persistence. Check out the greatest automobile rental costs right here.

Santorini has a good public bus community that companies all the key villages on the island. But until you might be in Fira, you’ll be restricted by the restricted choices, particularly when you want to go to the east coast.

In peak season, you’ll be sharing the buses, not simply with locals however the mass of vacationers who all had the identical thought as you. If you need to see all of Santorini and it suits the price range, we advocate selecting a automobile up for the journey.

How to Get to Santorini

You can fly or take the ferry to Santorini. Daily flights depart Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) and take 40 minutes to get to the island. Once there you’ll be able to catch a taxi to your lodge.

Ferries additionally function day by day to Santorini from the Piraeus in Athens. Santorini can also be related by ferry to different Greek Islands. We flew from Athens to Santorini after which continued on the Crete by ferry.

Best Time to Visit Santorini

The busiest occasions to go to Santorini are throughout the summer time months. This is the perfect climate as Santorini has a Mediterranean local weather nonetheless, additionally it is essentially the most crowded with cruise ships. However, if you’re staying in a luxurious lodge or a boutique lodge with a non-public pool, you could not care in regards to the crowds. You can loosen up on the pool bar away from the crowds and look ahead to the cruise ships to depart.

If you might be staying in one of many seaside cities, the perfect climate is from June to September.

To keep away from the crowds it would be best to go to in shoulder season both September and October or April and May. We visited in October and the climate was nonetheless very heat.