Santorini is a destination to visit in Greece, renowned for its breathtaking scenery. Destroyed in part by a volcanic upheaval several centuries ago, the island has developed a distinctive charm. With its white houses and blue-domed churches, cliffs and breathtaking views of the Caldera, it’s the ideal place to stay in the Cyclades. And there’s no shortage of places to stay in Santorini!
The island is packed with charming villages, from the more well-known Fira and Oia, to those on the beaches around Kamari and Perissa, or inland.
This guide provides all the information you need to choose the ideal place and accommodation where to stay in Santorini. Geographical location, practical aspects, recommendations by budget, but also the best deals.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Santorini, here are the essentials to know from a tourism point of view. They should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Santorini:
- $ this accommodationis a great place to stay in Santorini on a budget
- $$ this hotel, conveniently located a few steps from the center of Fira
- $$$ this luxury establishment is one of the best places to stay in Santorini
Map of Santorini’s different areas to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Santorini, you’ll find on the map below all the Santorini accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Santorini
Places to stay in Santorini
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Santorini.
Stay in Oia, Santorini's most beautiful village
At the northern tip of the island lies the typical village of Oia. It's often called the most beautiful spot on Santorini, thanks to its traditional houses and splendid views over the Caldera, the bay to the west of the island formed by an eruption. This is certainly the most popular spot. Many visitors come here to take the most representative photos of Santorini.
Oia is home to a number of sites of interest to history buffs. You can see traditional windmills, visit several churches, including the blue-crowned Orthodox building of Panagia. Or the ruins of a Byzantine castle. One of the most popular spots for photographers is the church of Agia Aikaterini, which offers a breathtaking view of the archipelago.
Given the location, the accommodation on offer is in the higher price range. There are several luxury accommodations in the area. However, it is also possible to find places to stay at more reasonable prices. Oia is the ideal place to stay if you want to enjoy the views and typical Santorini setting.
In short, this part of the island is a photographer's paradise! Wherever you go, you'll have a wide choice of places to take beautiful photos. However, it's also a victim of its own success, and it's often difficult to avoid the crowds when taking photos, especially as sunset approaches...
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Establishment offering suites with outdoor hot tub. Swimming pool and terrace in a very quiet setting.
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It offers tastefully decorated family rooms with balconies overlooking Oia. There are several restaurants and amenities nearby.
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Located to the east of Oia, this 5-star hotel offers family rooms with balconies. The Cycladic-inspired architecture is part of the hotel's charm.
Staying in Fira, Santorini's main town
Santorini's capital, the charming town of Fira, lies to the east. Fira has the advantage of a convenient location, around 10 kilometers from the airport. It's from here that buses leave for all corners of the island.
It's characterized by narrow lanes and alleys dominated by the white and blue of small houses. You'll easily recognize these postcard-perfect landscapes. The area is also renowned for its breathtaking views of the Nea Kameni volcano and the surrounding area.
If you want to enjoy Santorini's lively nightlife, this is clearly the place to stay! There are many bars and restaurants, as well as a few clubs. There are plenty of traditional tavernas where you can enjoy typical Greek dishes. Shopping is also well developed in this city. In the pretty pedestrian streets of the town center, you can store in clothing and fashion accessory boutiques, as well as in small craft shops.
When it comes to accommodation, there's a wide range of places to stay at a fairly high price. However, given the abundance of accommodation on offer, you'll also be able to find some very affordable propositions. The best thing to do is to find a hotel with a view of the Caldera - the spectacle is breathtaking at sunset!
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This 3-star hotel is ideally located just a few minutes' walk from the center of Fira. It features a swimming pool and a traditional restaurant. Rooms are well-equipped and offer a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea.
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Right in the heart of the capital, this 4-star hotel offers spacious, modern rooms. It features an outdoor swimming pool and spa.
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This 5-star establishment is ideally located near the heart of the capital. It features a restaurant, bar, gym and 3 swimming pools. A large buffet is served every morning. It's one of the best places to stay in Santorini.
Stay by the sea in Kamari and Perissa
The villages on the Caldera side are pleasant places to stay and offer breathtaking scenery. However, they have the disadvantage of not being directly on the beach. If you want to stay as close as possible to the beaches, head for the south-east coast!
Staying in Kamari means enjoying a real seaside resort right next to the airport. The black sand beach is very popular, and there are plenty of water sports on offer. The advantage here is that the price range for accommodation is lower than on the other coast.
The village itself doesn't offer the typical Santorini setting. On the other hand, there's a wide range of bars, restaurants and clubs to enjoy a good night out.
If we now turn our attention to Perissa, you should know that it's located in the south-east, a 20-minute drive from Kamari. A welcoming and lively seaside resort, Perissa is popular for its many water sports activities and seaside restaurants. There's a wide choice of accommodation, and prices are even lower than in Kamari. On the whole, the conditions of stay remain more or less the same between the two seaside resorts.
Between Perissa and Kamari lies the ancient site of Thera, well worth a visit. From Perissa, you can even take a footpath less than 5 kilometers long to reach the ruins. From Kamari, it's a 10-minute bus or car ride.
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Just a 5-minute walk from the beach. All rooms open onto a balcony or patio with views of the garden or the Aegean Sea. A large outdoor swimming pool is also available. It's a great place to stay in Santorini on a budget.
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This charming Cycladic-style apartment is located just a few meters from a black sand beach. The spacious rooms are decorated in traditional local style and feature balconies.
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This 4-star hotel offers classic rooms with unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea. The hotel's traditional restaurant serves Greek and Mediterranean buffets.
Accommodation in Akrotiri for a quiet stay in the south
Akrotiri is distinguished by its famous red sandy beach , Red Beach, with iron ore-stained cliffs. Situated in the south of the island, 2 kilometers from the beach, the village is ideal for staying away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Especially when compared with other seaside resorts such as Kamari or Perissa.
In terms of scenery, Akrotiri doesn't offer the spectacular views of Fira or Oia. You won't find the typical Santorini landscapes here, but rather a historical place. Known for its archaeological excavations, the area has been compared to the Pompeii of Greece. For lovers of ancient civilization and archaeology, there are many interesting sites to visit.
Accommodation is located in the heart of Akrotiri, around 2 kilometers from the beach. Otherwise, even on the seafront, it will still be rather complicated to find accommodation. Akrotiri is still pretty wild, so there aren't many options for staying there. All in all, it's a good place to stay, especially if you're looking for a cultural rather than a seaside trip.
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Just an 8-minute walk from the red sandy beach, this hotel boasts an excellent location in Akrotiri. All rooms have balconies with sea views.
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This charming 3-star hotel is located 150 meters from Caldera beach. Rooms offer views of the sea and Santorini's cliffs.
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The Santonero luxury hotel is an 8-minute walk from Caldera beach. This 5-star hotel features fully-equipped family rooms. Jacuzzi and infinity pool are available.
Staying inland in Pyrgos
Nestled on the island's highest point, Mount Profitis, Pyrgos is a charming little village on the west coast. Although it's a far cry from the typical Santorini image, you'll still find white houses and blue-roofed churches, as well as many colorful residences.
The advantage of this area is that it is much quieter than the other tourist villages of the archipelago. What's more, Pyrgos's elevated position makes for a magnificent panorama !
As you venture into the heart of this small town, you'll discover numerous narrow streets bustling with artisan workshops, art galleries and boutiques. Near the central square, you'll find several typical tavernas and restaurants serving delicious Greek specialties. The advantage is that these establishments close their doors late in the evening, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the nightlife on a terrace bar.
When it comes to where to stay, those in the historic center are quite authentic. If you want to stay in a troglodyte room, the heart of Pyrgos is the place to be! Otherwise, outside the town center, you'll find more modern accommodation as well as upmarket hotels with swimming pools.
The center is still the best place to stay if you want to be close to all the shops and amenities. It also gives you the freedom to move around the heart of the city on foot. You'll still need to walk a little, though, as parking is located outside the center.
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The apartment offers rooms with a garden, with a beautiful view of the town of Pyrgos. It is possible to rent a car directly on site.
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This charming hotel in the center of Pirgos offers modern suites with a garden and Jacuzzi. The view of the Aegean Sea from the terrace is breathtaking. Great value for money!
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Located in the heart of Pyrgos and 2 km from the beach, the establishment offers accommodation with a garden. A car rental service is available on site.
Accommodation in Megalochori for a traditional stay
Renowned for its vineyards and traditional village, Megalochori is an unusual place to stay. This small village in the center of Santorini is far removed from the usual Santorini tourism. With its small white houses, craft workshops and steep alleyways, the village bears witness to a strong, well-preserved tradition.
Megalochori is distinguished by the presence of vineyards that extend beyond the area. It's pleasant to step back a little to enjoy the magnificent setting, with a view of the sea. It's here that you'll discover the tradition of wine, notably at the famous Boutari winery. And for a taste of Greek culinary specialties, head for the tavernas in the town's main square.
If you'd like to stay in Megalochori, there are a number of options, often at affordable prices. If you want to stay in a picturesque setting, the center is the best option. However, views are not guaranteed and swimming pools are rare. Otherwise, the best place to stay is in a hotel slightly outside the village, where you can enjoy the views over the vineyards. You may also have the chance to swim in the hotel or villa pool, depending on your choice of accommodation.
To get around, it's convenient to take the bus to the island's main attractions. Having a car is also a practical way of getting around. What's more, parking is easy.
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Featuring a terrace with outdoor Jacuzzi, the suites are fully equipped and modern. Located in the heart of Megalochori.
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This 5-star hotel north of Megalochori offers luxurious rooms with breathtaking views of the Caldera. They are housed in renovated troglodyte rooms. Free parking is available on site.
Summary
This guide comes to an end. You can now choose where to stay in Santorini from the many interesting places on the archipelago. It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer the lively, touristy aspect of Fira and Oia, or the vacation and idleness of Kamari and Perissa. Alternatively, you could consider staying in places further away from tourist activity, such as Megalochori or Akrotiri.
During a stay on Santorini, it’s common to go to the four corners of the island for a different experience. While it’s perfectly possible to stay in a single accommodation, it’s also a good idea to visit several villages!
As this is a very popular holiday destination, make sure you book well in advance. This is particularly true during the high season, when hotels fill up at breakneck speed, leaving you with a much smaller choice afterwards