Where to Stay in Santorini: Best Villages and Hotels for Families, Couples and Budget Travellers
Where to Stay in Santorini: Best Villages and Hotels for Every Traveller
Where you stay in Santorini shapes your whole trip more than on almost any other Greek island. Pick the caldera rim and you wake up to the view everyone comes for. Pick the black-sand coast and you get beach days and lower bills. This guide sorts the villages and a shortlist of hotels by who is travelling: families, couples and budget travellers.
If you are still deciding whether Santorini is the right island, start with our Santorini island review. For sightseeing, beaches and food, see our Santorini travel guide.
Santorini at a glance: caldera side or beach side?
The island is a crescent. The west and north edge sits on the cliffs above the caldera, with the famous views and the highest prices. The east and south coast has the black-sand beaches, bigger hotels with pools and better value.
Our own ratings for the island, from our review: Scenery 5/5, Culture 4/5, Food 4/5, Nightlife 3/5, Beaches 2/5, Value 2/5. The low Value score is why choosing the right village matters.
The villages, in plain terms
Oia: best sunsets, galleries, polished dining. Busiest and priciest.
Imerovigli: the quietest caldera village, with dramatic terraces.
Firostefani: caldera views within walking distance of Fira.
Fira: livelier, with the best bus connections and the most nightlife. Also the chaotic bus station at peak times.
Akrotiri: calmer south, near the archaeological site and Red Beach.
Kamari and Perissa: beach life and family value.
Pyrgos: hilltop village atmosphere and wineries.
Best for families: Kamari, Perissa and Perivolos
Families usually do better on the east coast. The beaches are walkable, tavernas are close and room prices are kinder. Watch the heat: the black sand gets very hot in the sun, so pack sandals.
Hotels worth looking at:
Hotel The Best, Perissa. Described as a modest hotel with pools, a bar, a playground and a sea-view terrace. Rated 4.7 from 145 Google reviews.
Irigeneia Hotel, Perissa. On the main street in Perissa. Rated 4.6 from 159 Google reviews.
De Sol Hotel & Spa, near Fira. A resort-style hotel with a spa. Rated 4.7 from 840 Google reviews.
Check before booking: whether there is a family room or connecting rooms, pool depth and fencing, and the distance to the beach. Confirm all of these with the hotel.
Best for couples: Imerovigli, Oia and Firostefani
For honeymoons and anniversaries, stay on the caldera rim. Imerovigli gives you the view with fewer crowds than Oia. Book early for summer and expect to pay a premium.
Hotels worth looking at:
Astra Suites, Imerovigli. Clifftop suites with sea views and a pool. Rated 4.9 from 287 Google reviews.
Rocabella Santorini, Imerovigli. Caldera views, spa and dining. Rated 4.7 from 585 Google reviews.
Aqua Luxury Suites, Imerovigli. Sea views and a spa. Rated 4.6 from 399 Google reviews.
Canaves Oia Suites, Oia. Upscale suites with an infinity pool. Rated 4.8 from 651 Google reviews.
Katikies Chromata, Imerovigli. Upmarket, with an infinity pool and spa. Rated 4.7 from 296 Google reviews.
Tip: a room with a private terrace or plunge pool is often worth more than a bigger room. Ask exactly which side of the building the view faces.
Best for budget travellers: Fira, Firostefani and the east coast
Santorini is not cheap, but there are ways to spend less. Fira and Firostefani put you on the caldera edge without the Oia price tag. The beach villages are cheaper still, and buses connect them to Fira.
Hotels worth looking at:
Blue Dolphins Hotel, Firostefani. Described as informal, with sea views, free breakfast and cave houses. Rated 4.7 from 316 Google reviews.
Theoxenia Caldera Hotel, Fira. Rooftop hot tub and sea views. Rated 4.7 from 244 Google reviews.
Central Fira Suites, Fira. A modest hotel with free breakfast. Rated 4.2 from 273 Google reviews.
Hotel The Best and Irigeneia Hotel, Perissa. The east coast options listed above are among the lowest priced we found.
Budget tips: travel in late April to early June or September to October, check whether breakfast is included, and compare the cost of a rental car or bus against a village with walkable restaurants.
How to choose
If you want | Stay in |
Sunsets and romance | Oia or Imerovigli |
Views without Oia prices | Firostefani |
Nightlife and transport | Fira |
Beach days with children | Kamari or Perissa |
Quiet, history and wine | Akrotiri or Pyrgos |
Before you book
Check the ferry or flight arrival. The port at Athinios has a steep access road, so a transfer is sensible with luggage.
Ask about steps. Many caldera hotels are built on cliffs with many stairs.
Read recent reviews on the booking sites for your dates.
Final thoughts
Decide first what the trip is for, then choose the village, and only then compare hotels. For more ideas on choosing between islands, see our guide to the 10 best Greek islands to visit.
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