Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In Santorini
As I stated at the beginning of this article, I spent a week in Santorini and moved around to three different places . I loved all three in their own way and, while moving around every two days was a bit annoying, I think it also allowed me to better experience the island and each village I stayed in. With that in mind, if you plan on spending 3-5 days in Santorini, I do recommend you consider staying in two or more different places as well. While day trips are easy and possible, I honestly think that spending a night or two in the different villages is the best way to truly enjoy them and make the most of your time in Santorini.
Best Place To Stay For Nightlife Fira
Many people believe that Santorini is a sleepy island with little to no nightlife. Whilst there are areas on the island that are certainly quieter than others, a trip to Fira will be able to satisfy the needs of those who want to party through the night!
Fira is Santorinis capital and is the biggest and most cosmopolitan city on the island. It is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and comes to life at night. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene with bars, restaurants, and clubs open late for those wanting to enjoy Santorini past nightfall. Popular nightclubs such as Enigma, Koo and Town Club are all located in Fira and become very busy during summer.
After you have spent your evenings enjoying the lively atmosphere that Firas nightlife has to offer, you can spend the day wandering through the city. You will find plenty to do here, with an array of shops, beaches, and galleries that display eye-catching art throughout the streets.
Best Place For Nightlife
Santorinis nightlife is amazing in the summer months and the best place to enjoy it is Fira, the capital of the island.
Okthats an easy one.
If you really want to be as close as possible to all the nightlife of the island then you should stay at Fira.
Apart from Fira there is literally no serious nightlife elsewhere on the island.
Oia has literally no clubs or bars.
Just restaurants.
Its supposed to be a quiet place and rumour has it that Oias residents didnt want to ruin that with crazy club-goers or drunk tourists so they never let a big club or a bar to open in that area.
Fira has the best clubs and bars of the island and if you are looking into crazy nightlife then you should stay as close as possible to Fira. If you stay anywhere else than Fira, then coming back home early morning might be tricky as there might not be any buses you can take or not that many available taxis around.
I have to say though that if nightlife is the main purpose of your travel, then I would probably visit Mykonos as it is a place with much more options in clubs and bars.
Best Bars and Clubs in Santorini are:
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Why Stay In Pyrgos
This Santorini village is on the highest point of the island, so it offers impressive views of the blue-domed churches of Santorini and more. In fact, visitors can enjoy the traditional Santorini atmosphere of the hotels here.
Moreover, its winding lanes and old neoclassical structures make it the best area to stay for the Santorini scenery. In addition, its main square has a convenient bus stop that goes to other parts of the island. Because of this, Fira and Imerovigli are both easily accessible.
Kastro Oia Houses // Mid
Santorini sees a lot of tourists who try to capture the perfect Insta shot of whitewashed houses tumbling towards a gorgeous sunset. If you know the picture were talking about, you already know Kastro Oia Houses.
The Cycladic cave-like villas are quirky, comfy and compact. Theres a good blend of traditional inspiration and modern decoration. Plus, most suites have a jacuzzi, and the ocean views over Ammoudi Bay are indescribable.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | Kastro Oia Houses
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Aspaki By Art Maisons
Hotel phone: +30 22860 71831Art-centric, luxury hotel with 15 caldera-view suites, a small pool, and an organic spa. Honeymoon and Exclusive Suites boast private, outdoor jacuzzis, while Cave Pool Suites feature indoor or outdoor heated cave pools. The hotel is served by a delicious Mediterranean restaurant, and an a la carte breakfast is always included. Guests of Aspaki have access to the sunset view terrace at their sister property Art Maisons Oia Castle. Central yet serene location on the Oia caldera.
Best Place For Caldera Views
Caldera is the sea lagoon that was created by the volcano thousands of years ago. All the famous views in Santorini, overlook the caldera and it is the most expensive area to stay
I believe that my sketch on top of this article will give you a rough idea of where the famous views are.
Fira, Firostefani , Imerovigli, Oia and Akrotiri all have the famous views of the caldera .
You dont have to be a rocket scientist to understand that these are the most expensive areas to stay in Santorini.
Akrotiri is awesome in my opinion, but it is far away from.civilization . However, its still a great and possibly cheaper option if you want the amazing views but not willing to pay the high price of Oia or Imerovigli..
I have seen some amazing new hotels being built around Akrotiri the last years and I can easily predict that this is the area of the island that will be developed the most within the next years . If you stay in Akrotiri though, bear in mind that you will probably have to have a car as most of the shops and the restaurants are in Fira, in Oia or at the beach side areas of Perissa and Kamari.
So if you really want tot have the caldera and volcano famous views then you have to choose between Fira, Firostefani , Imerovigli, Oia and Akrotiri.
As I have said previously: You cannot have both caldera views and be close to Santorinis beaches , as there is no beach that overlooks the caldera and the volcano on the island.
- Best Hotel in Oia:
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Best Place To Stay For Views Oia
When deciding the best place in Santorini to stay, we couldnt miss the incredibly popular town of Oia off our list! Being a pedestrian town means that Oia is great for those who aim to navigate the streets easily as there is far less traffic here.
Oia is the perfect place to stay in Santorini for breathtaking views, with the best area for these being Oia Castle. Many locals and tourists go to the castle to watch the sunrise whilst taking in the incredible coastal panoramas.
For those who desire to watch the sunset, Amoudi Bay in Oia is where you want to go. With the white-washed buildings and the blue domes of the town in the background, the sun casts a golden glow over the town as it sets a must-see when staying here.
If you would rather spend your days lounging on the beach, then dont worry, as Oia doesnt fall short in this area either! Numerous rocky shores provide the perfect place to explore the coast or simply relax and unwind in a peaceful setting.
Best Hotels In Perissa / Perivolos
Perissa beach and its extension to the south, Perivolos, offer a wide choice of accommodation, from cheap hotels to a few expensive resorts.
The two areas are not clearly defined. You can easily walk along the beach from Perissa to Perivolos and vice versa. Perivolos and Agios Georgios, further south, are probably a little quieter than Perissa.
Here are some of the best hotels in Perissa / Perivolos:
Santa Barbara Basic, cozy accommodation in a central location in Perissa. Ideal for budget travelers ask whether they can provide a free shuttle from Santorini airport.
Stelios Place A family-run hotel with clean, sunny rooms and an outdoor pool.
Adelphi apartments A selection of spacious, self-catering apartments, some of which can accommodate families.
Kouros Village Hotel This adults-only hotel just a short walk from Perissa beach offers different types of rooms and suites.
Kasteli Luxury Rooms Stylish, minimally decorated rooms and suites, and exceptional service.
Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa A 5-star hotel with a spa & wellness center. Some rooms have a private jetted tub / pool. Family rooms available.
White and Blue A property in Perivolos offering large, luxurious apartments with different types of private pools.
Terra Nera Suites The ultimate luxury suites in Perivolos, with a large pool and on-site restaurant.
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Where To Stay At Perissa And Perivolos Beaches
These two gorgeous black sand beaches sit right next to each other.
Pros: Beautiful black sand beach, great for families Cons: Long drive to Oia
Stelios Place. This hotel is located just a short walk from Perissa Beach. This hotel has an outdoor pool and rooms can accommodate up to four people, so this makes a great pick for families.
Located between Perissa and Perivolos Beaches is this family-friendly property. The apartment can accommodate up to four people in three bedrooms. This hotel has a large swimming pool and it just takes a few minutes to walk to the beach.
Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Suites. If you want to stay near the beach but without the kids, this is an excellent choice. Rooms are beautifully decorated and some rooms have their own plunge pool or jacuzzi. The hotel also offers a large swimming pool with a poolside bar. Perissa Beach is just a one-minute walk from the hotel.
Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Suites | Where to Stay in Santorini
Perissa Best Place To Stay In Santorini For Family
Perissa is located south of Kamari and the town also has a beautiful black sand beach that is well-organized with sunbeds and umbrellas. Perivolos, which is an extension of Perissa beach, is shaping up to be the most luxurious beachfront area in Santorini.
There are plenty of water activities available for kids at Perissa beach and this area also boasts of vibrant nightlife.
The area of Perissa and Perivolos is definitely one of the best places to stay in Santorini for beach bars and beach restaurants and the area also appeals to tourists of all types of budgets.
You can also visit the largest church in Santorini, the Church of Holy Cross, and hike up the Mesa Vouno mountain to explore the ancient town of Thera.
Pros and cons of staying in Perissa
PROS
- Located close to the airport
- Offers stunning views of the sunrise
CONS
- You will be on the other side of the caldera and the best views if you opt to stay here
Best places to stay in Perissa
LUXURY
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Limestone Fira // Luxury
Limestone deserves its reputation as Firas top-rated hotel. Its everything you could want in a luxury Santorini stay: four independent cave suites that respect the islands heritage, unspoiled sunset views from a rooftop terrace, and privacy away from the crowds.
Limestone Fira is the next evolution of a 1925 mansion excavated from the rock in the bioclimatic yposkafo style. The result is a tranquil haven away from Firas bustling crowds, dedicated to pure sensual indulgence.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | Limestone Fira
Best Place Cheap Hotels
You dont have to break the bank to visit Santorini and the secret is to stay away from the famous views but closer to the beach areas
The secret to find the best cheap hotels in Santorini is to avoid the famous caldera views and Oia.
Basically, if you want to find the best cheap holidays in Santorini you have to stay in Perissa, Perivolos or Kamari.
Because all the beach side areas have less promotion than the famous cliff caldera views of Oia, Fira and Firostefani they have reduced prices.
But that doesnt mean you wont find amazing hotels in those areas! Quite the opposite
You will actually be getting more for your buck if you stay in Perissa or Kamari .
Another area, where you can find some good priced hotels is Akrotiri.
Akrotiri is the only area of Santorini where you can have caldera views without ripping the bank.
This is because most hotels in that area are quite new and they havent been promoted as much as Oia for example during the last 20-30 years.
Akrotiri is amazing to stay but you have to understand that is a bit furhter away from the main hub of the island which is Fira
So, if you stay in Akrotiri you probably need to get a car or a motorbike to get around the island though there is a local bus that can take you to and from Fira.
Another option to get some lower prices on accomodation is to look at the villages of Emporeio and Pirgos.
The prices in Pirgos or Emporeio are definitely lower than the ones you would pay in Oia .
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Best Place To Stay For Families Perissa
Perissa is a small coastal village on Santorini favoured for its excellent beach. The black sandy shores of Perissa are lined with restaurants and cafes, providing everything you need nearby, which is perfect for those travelling with kids.
The village of Perissa is quiet and away from the crowds, excellent for those seeking some serenity whilst on holiday. However, if you find yourself wishing for somewhere with a little more going on, the city of Fira is just a 20-minute bus ride away.
Sunbeds and umbrellas are available from Perissa Beach, which is excellent for those with little ones who require shade. You dont have to rent these, although the cafe, bar or restaurant they belong to asks you to buy a drink or snack from them.
Perissa offers a quieter location, another reason why it is a great place to stay for those visiting with larger groups or family.
Imerovigli: Best Place To Stay In Santorini For Luxury On A Budget
Imerovigli is located on the edge of the Caldera, between Thira and Oia . Another beautiful village, Imerovigli is mainly made up of hotels and villas for tourists. Itâs much quieter than either Fira and Oia and therefore a little cheaper. Donât get too excited though, this is Santorini weâre talking about, so prices are still steep.
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Best Hotels In Kamari
Many people visiting Santorini prefer to stay in Kamari. The seaside village has a range of accommodation. There are many hotels ideal for solo travelers or groups of friends, and also family hotels.
Sunray Lodgings Fully furnished studios and apartments, with a swimming pool.
Aegean Gem A lovely, stylish property in a quiet location in Kamari. It features a large pool, jacuzzi and pool bar.
Santellini Hotel An exceptional mid-range property, offering a range of rooms and suites with a pool, right next to Kamari beach.
La belle vie Spacious holiday apartments with a swimming pool in a quiet location, a short walk from Kamari beach.
Studios Marios Large, self-catering rooms in a family-run hotel with a small outdoor pool.
Santorini Crystal Blue Boutique Hotel A luxury option just on Kamari beach. Some rooms feature a hot tub, and the hotel offers spa / massage services.
Secret Earth Santorini A selection of elegant villas, some of which can accommodate up to 10 people. Ideal for larger families or groups of friends travelling together.
Oia Iconic Place To Stay In Santorini For Luxury
Oia is without doubt the most famous spot in Santorini. Everything here is all about being picture perfect and luxurious.
Its a hotbed for those Instagram-worthy cave hotels with infinity pools and sea views you may have seen during your scrolling.
This luxuriousness is paired with its location: perched high up on a cliff, overlooking the caldera with the island of Thirassia in the distance.
The downside is the lack of any real beach, with 300 steps down to the waters edge instead. And theres another downside, which is crowds.
Yes, unfortunately Oia can get very busy. However, as long as you choose the right hotel one where you can get your own private view of that iconic Oia sunset then youll have nothing to worry about.
Enjoying that iconic Santorini sunset from Oia Castle
Here are some amazing places to stay in Oia, Santorini, for every budget.
Budget Vrachia Studios & Apartments: If youre wondering where to stay in Oia, Santorini, and youre on a budget, dont worry: there are affordable options here. Vrachia Studios & Apartments is one of them.
The accommodation itself may be on the modest side compared to other places, but the views are still magnificent and having your own small kitchen helps keep costs extra low.
The iconic blue dome churches of Oia, Santorini
The white houses of Oia, Santorini, perched on top of its iconic black cliffs
The breakfast on offer here is noteworthy in its deliciousness.
Beautiful views in Oia, Santorini
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Best Areas To Stay In Santorini: A Concise Guide
Were pretty sure that planning a trip to Santorini must have crossed your minds at some point and in this guide youll learn everything you need to know about the best areas to stay in Santorini!
Santorini is probably the most popular of all Greek Islands and for good reason. From the islands epic sunsets and dramatic volcanic cliffs to its ancient wine-making traditions and gorgeous villages, Santorini is one of the best places to visit in Greece.
Sadly, as with all popular destinations, Santorini is very much affected by mass tourism. However, in our thorough Santorini Travel Guide, we are sharing the best sustainable travel tips for your trip to Santorini.
Picking the best areas to stay in Santorini is one of the topics that come up very often in our chats with our readers and viewers. This is why we decided to put together this useful Santorini accommodation guide to help you decide where to stay in Santorini for a trip that you will never forget.
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