Where to Stay in Santorini

Well, we must say that it’s definitely a difficult question to answer!

Santorini has several villages that stand out for their unparalleled beauty, each in its own way. The island is interwoven with colorful streets featuring amazing views, a unique terrain morphology, enthralling sunsets, idyllic summers, and the very famous volcano.

The wild, natural beauty of the island captivates the visitors. There are endless options for activities and entertainment for thrill-seekers. Regardless of the time of the year, it makes for an ideal destination for travelers, offering a magical place to explore and just be grateful.

Santorini holds a great cultural heritage as well as offers a splendid sightseeing experience with various resplendent landmarks and attractions to visit. Therefore, when it comes to choosing the best place to stay in Santorini, it boils down to personal needs, expectations, and traveling taste of the travelers.

The Best Place to Stay in Santorini: The Hotels on the Caldera Cliff

Caldera is perhaps the most popular spot in Santorini and travelers from all over the world enjoy staying there.

In fact, it is one of the most beautiful natural sights in the world. This 300-meter high basin was created after a fierce volcanic eruption that occurred in 1613 BC. Due to the great eruption, the center of Santorini sank into the bottom of the Aegean Sea and resulted in the creation of this unique terrain morphology.

Many first-time travelers prefer staying at a hotel on the Caldera cliff. Thanks to the unique morphology of the island, many hotels provide the luxury of infinity pools. These pools literally stand on the edge of the Caldera cliff, offering a marvelous sight by merging with the vast Aegean Sea and creating an endless, peaceful blue image. Spending time at this spot is the perfect way to unwind with your feet dipped in the pool and a glass of your favorite cocktail in your hand. The feeling of being surrounded by a jaw-dropping view is everything!

Most hotels with infinity pools can be found at the Caldera settlements (Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, Firostefani, Akrotiri, Megaloachor) and are ideal for a lavish vacation. While the top hotels are all located at Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli, you can find some more affordable hotels at Megalochori or Akrotiri.

Fira is the capital of Santorini, offering an exceptional experience at shopping malls and bar clubs. Oia, on the other hand, is popular for luxury hotels, shopping malls, and its village feel. It is also near Ammoudi, allowing you to enjoy gourmet dinners. However, it tends to get crowded during sunset time.

So, if you’re looking for a more peaceful location, Imerovigli is the answer! It also provides access to luxury hotels in Santorini. Megalochori is another quiet village in the center of the island, which is close to Perissa and Perivolos beaches. If you have your own transportation, Akrotiri may also be a good place to stay in, as it is close to Red Beach.

To make it easy for you to decide where to stay in Santorini, we offer a superb handpicked list of the best hotels with a view on the Caldera cliff. Check it out and choose the best deal for your stay!

Best Places to Stay in Santorini for Different Types of Travelers

Best Place for Honeymoon

Santorini is one of the top destinations for newlyweds to make their honeymoon unforgettable!

The best hotels for honeymoon are those with private pools. Although a bit expensive, they offer majestic views over the cliff of Santorini, guaranteeing romantic moments that you’ll cherish forever!

Here is a list of the top hotels with a private pool and a list of selected hotels with deluxe honeymoon suites.

The island of Santorini makes visitors feel like they have just fallen into a fairytale. If we add to that a welcoming, lavish hotel with an inviting swimming pool, the image of the perfect holiday is complete. Lounging by your own private plunge pool with the love of your life and with your favorite drinks in hand, you can take in the beauty of Santorini and live the ultimate dream. Apart from the luxury of a private pool, these high-end hotels offer many more unique amenities to make your trip memorable!

We suggest you book a hotel located in Oia or Imerovigli for the best experience.

Best Place for Couples

If you’re planning a trip with your partner, you should check out the hotels in Caldera or Pyrgos. These hotels spell luxury and comfort, promising to treat like royalty! Moreover, they are more affordable than hotels on Caldera with zero compromises on the deluxe treatment. So, if you can’t afford to stay in a Caldera hotel, you can book one in Pyrgos village and enjoy the same royal treatment!

Best Places to Stay with Friends and Enjoy the Nightlife of Santorini

The best place to stay in Santorini on a friends’ trip is Fira town. This place combines the beauty of natural landscapes and an exciting nightlife. It is also the hub of shopping, where you can enjoy the liveliness of the island, and where all the action takes place. What makes it exceptionally ravishing is the Caldera view that promises to leave visitors speechless every time they visit.

A walk in the scenic alleys during the daytime will fill you with harmony, while at night you can dance your worries away at a big party. Moreover, a wealth of restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs will welcome you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the tremendous view or dance and have fun. Fira features the greatest dining out and entertainment selection of the island and the largest shopping center, too. You’ll also find plenty of clothing stores, gift shops, souvenir shops, supermarkets, and other facilities to suit your needs.

Check out the wide range of Fira hotels.

Best Place for Families and Kids

The best places to stay in Santorini with your family and kids are those near the beach, including Kamari, Perivolos, and Perissa. Consider booking a room in a hotel next to a beach and enjoy walking to the beach every day! Your kids will love playing on the beach while you can sit by the shore and unwind with your favorite book or drink.

The hotels near the beaches are affordable as compared to the other side of the island. On Kamari and Perissa, you can find many restaurants on the beachside along with mini markers, shops, and cafes on the coastal. It also makes a great walking route to spend some quality time with your family.

Check out the options of Kamari hotels, Perissa hotels, and Perivolos hotels.

Best Place for Solo Travelers

If you’re out on an expedition of exploring Santorini Island alone, the best way to make the most of your trip is by staying at the capital, Fira. Whether you want to shop until you drop or enjoy the social and nightlife of Santorini, this place has got you covered! Additionally, the central bus station is located at Fira only, which means you’ll have easy access to all other places on the island.

Which Area is Better to Stay: Fira or Oia

Both Fira and Oia are great places to stay in Santorini, each with their own special atmosphere and things to see. Which one is perfect for you will depend on what you're looking for when you come.

Fira is the island's hot spot-the central area is buzzing and functional. Because of this, it is a very convenient location to stay in while exploring other parts of Santorini. With plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife, Fira is pretty vibrant. It also hosts the main bus station, making travel very easy to nearby villages like Oia or Akrotiri. Moreover, Fira offers a wider variety of lodging options to suit any budget, which makes it the perfect choice if you're searching for something less expensive.

By contrast, Oia is an amazing village known for its relaxing atmosphere and romance. It offers spectacular sunsets from any of the hotels or every scenic viewpoint. This pretty village with several hotels offering luxurious rooms or suites would be ideal for a couple seeking a tranquil encounter. Oia really has the best setting to host a romantic getaway as it has luxurious boutique hotels with infinity pools and astonishing views of the caldera. But this exclusivity comes at a price, as dining and lodging in Oia are usually more expensive. It has less of a nightlife compared to Fira, focusing on more romantic dinners and laid-back evenings. In addition, busses to other parts of the island run less frequently in Oia, which is farther from the port and airport.

If you're looking for a more vibrant, handily located base with more budget-friendly options, Fira's your better bet. However, Oia is ideal for those who like peace and elegance, and if fantastic sunsets are their sort of thing. To make the most of both worlds, you can divide your stay between the two!

Best Places to Stay Without a Car

If you don't have a car in Santorini, the best areas to stay are Fira, Firostefani, and Oia, depending on your preferences. Fira is the island's central hub, offering excellent bus connections to other villages and attractions. It's vibrant, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and nightlife, making it ideal for those seeking convenience and affordability. For a quieter atmosphere, Firostefani is a great option. Situated within walking distance from Fira, the views are stunning and far less crowded.

Oia is famous for its sunsets and iconic white-washed architecture, perfect for a romantic and luxurious stay. It's well-connected to Fira but less convenient for exploring other parts of the island. If you like spending most of your time on the beach, Kamari and Perissa offer more affordable accommodation options, pedestrian-friendly streets, and easy access to black sand beaches. These areas, however, are farther from the caldera and sightseeing spots, requiring more reliance on buses.

Overall, Fira is for convenience, Firostefani balances tranquility with accessibility, Oia is ideal for romance and luxury, while the beach villages of Kamari or Perissa offer a relaxed, economy class stay.

Economical Hotels in Santorini for a Convenient Stay

If you don’t want to spend too much on accommodation, you can easily find economical hotels in Santorini in the Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, and Karterados regions. The hotels located on the Caldera side are more lavish and expensive. Nevertheless, you can try your luck by booking in advance to get an affordable room with a nice view. Check out the list of hotels here.

During the summer season, Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, and Karterados regions are accessible by bus every 15 minutes.

Check out these lists of Kamari hotels, Perissa hotels, Perivolos hotels, and Karterados hotels.