If you want cheap and a central location then the best town to stay in is Karterados (lots of different spellings). Great views at reasonable prices and close to lots of shops, restaurants, and nightlife. First, I must say what a great site! Cosmopolitan Suites has incredible caldera views, a central location close to everything, and almost no steps or climb to get into town. Oia can be reached by catching a second, 20-minute bus from Fira. I can spend two or three days and really want to stay somewhere walkable. What is your opinion of that area? Me and wife are going to be in Santorini from April 26-29th. Forget Fira and Oia, the clifftop town of Imerovigli is the best area to stay in Santorini by far. These are the best places you can stay in Santorini. SANTORINI AIRPORT TRANSFERS I am after a hotel with a beautiful view of the caldera with lovely sunset views. Youre a 30 minute walk to Imerovigli and 1 hour to Oia both incredibly beautiful walks. Onyx Hotel & Suites. Perissa/Perivolosbeach has thebest beach bars of the island, the best beach restaurants of the island and overall the best beach life of Santorini. Luna Rossa is located exactly where the Booking.com map shows. Dave Chances are you are probably confused with the weird names of the islands towns, the different views, pros and cons each one has, or even wondering if Oia or Fira is better to stay. I had looked at Lilium and Enigma and was leaning towards Lilium (for its decor) but it appears Lilium is away from the main town of Fira so would be a hassle going into town? How to Charter a Yacht or Boat on Santorini. What you will get though ismuch lower prices in accommodationand amazing beach life and beach bars. The past couple of years has seen a handful of low key wine bars and upscale lounges open here. We would be going from the airport to Fira and then from Fira to the ferries. Would love to be able to afford the Grace Hotel, but I think thats a bit too expensive. Most shops, restaurants and businesses close at the end of October and open in late April. For example, Villa Calliope. Theres, of course, a bit of hassle involved (youll have to have your bags all packed and be out of the room before you go on your tour then get your old hotel to hold them until your return) but its worth it if youre worried about the lost time. Another area where you can find some good-priced hotels isAkrotiri. So, heres the thing: My sister is getting married this summer and before they say I do her and her fiance are doing a pre-wedding trip that will be right before their bachelor/bachelorette parties. Any ideas? Yes, book airport and port transfers here. Its much more convenient than Perissa for exploring the caldera towns. Best Areas To Stay in Santorini: A Concise Guide You should stay in Fira because Oia is far too expensive and it gets jam-packed every afternoon during sunset time. The best hotels in Santorini for 2023 | CN Traveller We love the look of the rooms/the view but we are also looking for something close to restaurants,etc. Wow, Now you have me worried, I have 5 adults in my group, We want to stay for 3 nights with some room to move around. The kids will always enjoy the beach more than just the amazing views! Another traditional village, Megalochori, sits in the heart of Santorinis wine region with an alluring village center to explore. Will there be any nightlife at all and will the beach towns and restaurants at the Amoudi Bay definitely be closed? We are looking to visit for 5 nights and are happy to have the hussle and bustle of Fira but be able to chill away from it with sea views. Yes, its been marketed as ahoneymoon destinationor a super romantic place (which is true by the way). Santorini View Hotel has great views and a good location a short walk to many restaurants, 15 minute walk to Fira. We will be travelling with our daughter (10) and after having read all the information, I think we want to stay in Firostefani or Imerovgli, as they will hopefully be quieter than Fira but still close in. People say that Santorini is only for romantic couples or for honeymooners or for solo travellers. Tripadvisor (482) 1 critic awards. Both are great. Which websites would you recommend for booking a villa? We have visited on day trips twice before. Hi Dave, this is such a great blog really helpful insight. For chartering a boat: The great thing about Perissa and Perivolos beaches is that accommodation prices are considerably lower than in the other areas that have caldera views. Santorini deserves 3 full days at least. A patio with a tub would be great too. Also, keeping budget and bus accessibility in mind, are there any other areas you recommend that are cheaper and have good bus service, even if they arent on the caldera? Akrotiri is amazing to stay but you have to understand that is a bit further away from the main hub of the island which is Fira (25 mins drivethe island is small!). Santorini Secrets has the most infinity-like pool. Were from San Francisco USA, and will end our Greek trip (September) in Santorini after a week in Crete. A friend and I were thinking of staying at Alexander Boutique Hotel just outside Oia, but do you think it would be better to stay in Fira instead? Is there a reason for this? And in fact, summer meant that I was allowed to be on the beach in Greece for 4 consecutive summer months. If you have 9 days away from Boston, thats going to mean 7 full days in Greece. Were down to two hotels that fit our needs and budget: Sunny Villas in Imerovigli, or Ira Hotel in Firostefani. My parents and I wanted to give them a gift and were hoping to stay within $3,000. 5-Star: Grace 4-Star: Tsitouras Collection Boutique: Aenaon Villas Midrange: Enigma Cheap: Kavalari Family Hotel: Aria Suites Beach Resort: Istoria Best New Hotel: Sea Breeze Best Pool: Nous Best Caldera Sunset View: Astra Suites Almost sunset over Oia, the most luxurious village in Santorini. Any thoughts regarding Remvi Suites vs Santorini View Studios? Cheap/Midrange: Enigma Kavalari. It has the fewest steps and the main foot path that runs for almost a KM is mostly flat and even stroller-friendly for the most part. Answer 1 of 5: We are planning a trip to Greece at the end of May and will spend four nights in Santorini . I was actually born in Athens and I have been to almost all of the greek islands and pretty much most of mainland Greece. The villas at Aria Suites are absolutely wonderful. Like Oia, Imerovigli, and Firostefani, its perched on the caldera cliff and has marvelous views of the volcano. April usually has clear skies and warmish weather but not hot enough to swim. It has a small pool, good for a dip but youre not going to hang out poolside for the afternoon. Thank you for this wealth of information. Nomikos villas These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Santorini. This 300-meter high basin was created after a fierce volcanic eruption that occurred in 1613 BC. Oia. We do NOT need a pool or bar or anything really fancy. Expect a taxi fare of 20 to 40 depending on where youre going. Make no mistake, this place is both romantic and adventurous. The single best tip for saving money is to stay at hotels and eat at restaurants that are not along the caldera. Picked my hotels in Mykonos and Athens studying your blogs but am stuck when it comes to Santorini this July. Cliff side suites They are both 26 years old and love to eat and have a good time. My fiance and I are going to Santorini in July for out honeymoon, we are staying for 3 days and then traveling to Mykonos, and we would LOVE some advice. Read Also:Santorini in the Winter What to Expect. Stay in Fira if you do go. Then Blue Star Ferry on the 1st to Athens. Seclusive but also full of energy and with lots ofthings to do. Imerovigli: Grace Astra So you should always be able to get back to Fira and then worst-case you have to walk from there to your hotel. Very factual and indeed just what is required from knowledgeable person. Fira has the nightlife and lively restaurants. Both have wonderful views and are only a 2 minute walk from each other. Also, we are in our 60s and my wife has mild knee issues and we are a bit concerned with how many steps and how much incline we will have to navigate in the Imerovigli area? Its not walking distance to much of anything so youd want a rental car if you stayed there. Wed like adults-only, all with proper beds (no sofa beds), and a pool. If you want a sunset view the nicest suite in Oia is the Deluxe Pool Villa at Art Maisons Oia Castle. It offers suites with unique Caldera views and tailor-made services. 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. We are flying from Boston to Athens (simply because its the cheapest), and staying one night. We were thinking of cutting down Paros and Naxos and visiting Ios but thought we may be trying to squeeze in too much what do you think? I dont think we will be able to see the sunset from this view, which would be nice to have. The location is perfect, not far from Thira (5 min by scooter) and from Oia (20 min), very calm and silent area. I like the idea of this website, you are doing a great job! There are tricky parts and steep steps in places all around the village but in general I would not call it risky. Akrotiriis awesome in my opinion, but it is far away from.civilization (25mins drive from Fira). Thebest area to stay in Santoriniis thewest coast sidewhich actually offers the best uninterrupted famous views of the volcano, the caldera, and the sunset. Also, more generally, do you have any recommendations for us in terms of how to evaluate Santorini Villas on flipkey/airbnb other than scanning pictures, reading reviews on tripadvisor when theyre there (which btw is it odd if a property has zero reviews on tripadvisor?)? [See Map] #6 in Best Hotels in Santorini. Thank you for the time and effort you put into answering eveyones questions. We were considering the Ambassador Suites in Akrotiri, but wondering if it would be an inconvenient area of the island to stay. I am now concerned that this hotel is only reached by many steps. What a great site, has really helped us to chose our accommodation in Santorini otherwise we would have had no idea where was best. But I am not saying that you shouldnt go toOia. Read Also:Best Honeymoon Hotels in Santorini. Whether this time of the year (May) is good for visiting Mykonos (considering weather for beaches as well as party scene)? If you are wondering where to saty in Santorini without a car then you need to stay in Fira where you will be very close to the main Santorini Bus station and the taxi terminal in Fira. For Couples: Aenaon After weeks of researching and overanalysis I finally booked (prepaid) for a studio rental at Luna Rossa through booking.com. Perhaps Paros or Naxos? Santorini Perissa Perissa Hotels THE 10 BEST Hotels in Perissa 2023 Perissa Hotels and Places to Stay Enter dates to find the best prices Check In / / Check Out / / Guests 1 room, 2 adults, 0 children Popular Breakfast included 5 Star & up Family-friendly Property types B&Bs & Inns Villa View Vacation Rentals Amenities Free Wifi The village itself is quite small, with just a few restaurants, chapels, and the ruins of a Venetian castle. Theres not a lot around here but its not a terrible area by any means. If you stay in Perissa or Perivolos black beaches you are not going to have the famous views that Santorini is known for but you will be in walking distance to the beach! We really like the location which is in the city centre of Fira with the perfect view of sunset. For lunch, eat a gyro or souvlaki. Considering Perissa and taking time out to visit to see the sunset/ volcano area(s) on a day trip? Gorgeous views Astra Suites has incredible reviews but we cant help but thinking that the rooms look a bit dated (a little 70s style?). Thanks for all of the wonderful information! If you cannot find something nice atImeroviglitry searching the available hotels and rooms inFirostefani,which is pretty close and also has some very impressive hotels and private rooms. But I will say that AirBnb is not great for Santorini. Her bridal shower is 5 days away. We will be coming to Santorini in early May for 4 nights. Even world famous DJs often play in Perissas beach bars. THE 10 BEST Hotels in Perissa 2023 - Tripadvisor The luxurious Katikies Garden in Fira is one of the best hotels in Santorini. Yes, 3 nights in Imerovigli and 2 in Oia. If you want to be closer to nightclubs, restaurants, shops, and the local buses that can take you almost anywhere on the island, then stay inFira. Most of Santorinis beaches (including those listed above) are made of black sand and pebbles and are situated along the eastern and southeastern coast of the island. Was hoping to spend less than $400 a night. Fantastic views from both. Since the hotels are generally small, Im looking for a good few that are around each other and may offer different price ranges. From Katikies and Canaves its a 10 minute walk to the north tip of Oia where you can watch the sunset. Santorini is known for its fantastic hotels and the best luxury hotels on Santorini are essentially boutique hotels small, privately-owned hotels. Fira is my choice as it is near to public transport, etc. Awesome infinity pool Both towns are uphill from Fira, so the walk into town is easy and relaxing. Great, informative website for a first timer heading to Santorini for one leg of my upcoming honeymoon. Will it be a good time to visit Europe and cover major attractions in these cities? For our honeymoon, if we are spending 5 nights in Santorini do you recommend doing 3 nights in Imerovigli and 2 nights in Oia? Do you have any recommendations for a place to hold a yoga retreat? (You can see the general area around the hotel on Google Maps.) 2) Close proximity to shops, restaurants, etc Have booked a flight to Santorini October 18 for one week. Another option to get some lower prices on accommodation is to look at the villages ofEmporeioandPirgos. It comfortably sleeps 8 people. I am concerned that we wont know exactly what we are going to get when booking through Air BnB as opposed to booking through a hotel. Can you see any way around this? A car can pull right up to the front door and you can get to the caldera views with a just a short walk and not much up and down. Staying here offers lots of walkable opportunities to explore the views of the volcano and caldera. However, Firais the capital of Santorini, and it is the liveliest place on the island. For stays of 3 nights or more, Santorini View offers free round trip port or airport transfers. Thank you so much for this amazing site. Ive never come across a more comprehensive and detailed blog. So my questions are: Read Also:My Ultimate Guide on Santorini Nightlife. Depending on your situation, this is where to stay in Santorini (Jump quickly with the links below or keep reading): The place and the area you willstay in Santorinican really make or break your holidays on this magical greek island, but its also true that the famous views of the island come at a very high price, so you should be prepared to spend a lot of money as these areas are in high demand nowadays. Thinking about 3 days in Santorini, 4 in Crete and a day or two at the last island. Thanks. Or is it cost prohibitive? Offering an outdoor heated pool, The Vasilicos is a boutique hotel located by the Byzantine Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, at the highest point of the Caldera between Fira and Imerovigli. Where To Stay In Santorini - The Island Voyager Hi Dave! We will be using the bus, rather than a car so again Fira seems a good option for the bus terminal. Last question, would it be possible to taxi from Oia to Perissa if necessary? Akrotiri is where the prehistoric ruins are (you have to go there) and Perissa will be very quiet in October. Prehistoric Akrotiri was once believed to have inspired the Atlantis legend due in part to the ancient inhabitants use of relatively advanced technology. Thebest towns to stayon that side of the island areFira(where all the buzz is),Imerovigli(more quiet and seclusive),Firostefani(within walking distance to Fira but quieter) and of course, the famousOiatown. In Emporio, youll find a medieval tower, unusual old churches, traditional kafenia, and casual tavernas catering to local tastes. We will visit for 3/4 nights end of March ie very soon! A slightly more modern village (dating to the 17th century), Mesaria sits almost in the center of the island. From its mountaintop perch at the second-highest point on the island, it offers panoramic sunset views over the whole of Santorini. I would like to know about the weather in April? Here is an example of one of the potential suites that interested me. Typically its a great time to visit if youre into walking, sightseeing, and exploring. READ ALSO:Best Hotels in OiaBest Hotels in PyrgosBest Hotels in ImerovigliWhere To Stay in AthensBest Santorini Boat ToursBest Greek Islands for Older Couples. Great website. From Perivolas, youre best to walk the other way (towards Imerovigli) where you can get a great sunset view in about a 10 minute walk. If youre more interested in shopping, eating, and sightseeing, then Fira, Oia, Firostefani, and Imerovigli are better bases. Its a great option but you probably need a car if you are staying there as its not that close to Fira or Oia or the main attractions. Also, we keep Kosher so restaurants/free breakfast doesnt really make a difference for us? Canaves Oia Suites. Most of Pyrgos is designed for pedestrian use only with its maze-like footpaths dotted with excellent restaurants, local boutiques, picturesque churches, and the ruins of a Venetian castle. But please avoid Oia in any case!! Santorini is a small island and getting from one town or beach to the next is quick and easy so you dont have to feel limited by the place you pick. THE BEST AREA TO STAY IN SANTORINI #1 IMEROVIGLI. Hi Dave The weather can be anything from cool and cloudy to warm and sunny (though still not swimming weather) so be prepared for a wide-range of temperatures. My fiance and I are younger, so leaning towards staying in Fira to be close to public transportation and the nightlife. Firais the hub of the island and it hasgreat nightlife,and lots of shops and most importantly:it is the bus hub of the island. Their anniversary falls on 9th of May and the maximum time they can spare is one week. (Not awful people, but they know nothing about Santorini or the hotels theyre recommending.) As for Oia or Fira, both towns are very touristy but in different ways. I strongly recommend that you stay in one of the caldera towns as this is what makes Santorini so special the incredible views and almost surreal setting. If money is an issue though, you should avoid all these areas and stay in Perissa, Perivolos or Kamari as these are generally more affordable areas. Is this location even worth considering? Staying in Oia is not ideal in my opinion as you wouldnt want to get surrounded by honeymooners and couples, wouldnt you? Thank you for the very helpful and insightful website! Arriving in Mykonos staying for 3 nights. A few luxury hotels and upscale restaurants have opened here, though there are still plenty of great, affordable hotels and casual restaurants and beach bars all along the pedestrian-friendly beachfront road. Imerovigli is the quietest and most romantic of the four main villages along the caldera. Santorini is ideal for family vacations with kids. 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. Are you able to confirm that this is a legit place and we are all set? The main reason for that is that Fira is the only place that stays busy during the winter months. Good luck! Thanks a lot. Fira has many more hotel options (some of them can be quite affordable), and it is the capital of the island and the transportation hub for all the local buses. We have booked the Seajet from Santorini to Rethymon (only seems to go twice a week) ahead as we have a hotel already booked in Rethymon and meeting our daughters there so needed to get that sorted. It is called Aegagras Caldera near the town of Megalochori. Luna Rossa Apartments Eparx odos Firon Oias Imerovigli, Vourvoulos, 84700, Greece. Why it's so awesome: Fir is everything that the beautiful, picturesque images of Greece claim it is. 2. Then Paros staying for 4 nights. It's the highest of the caldera towns, with sweeping views over the caldera, Skaros Rock, and endless sea make for some of the best sunset-watching on the island. As I have said previously:You cannot have both caldera views and be close toSantorinis beaches, as there is no beach that overlooks the caldera and the volcano on the island. However, I know I want to travel around the island by bus, and looking at the bus schedule, it seems that buses stop running around 20:00. I am planning my honeymoon for next Sept. we will be coming from the United States via Oktoberfest in Munich for 2/3 days. The gold standard is Booking.com as the verification process is more robust whereas I could post a rental on Airbnb in about 5 minutes. DO NOT make the mistake to book a honeymoon package for Santorini as I have discovered from friends that these are charged surprisingly more than just a hotel room that youd book by yourself. Would you recommend another place under $200/night where we could book multiple rooms? By Santorini Dave, Fira: Athina Answer 1 of 4: My friend and I are looking to travel across iconic Southern Germany in August 2016. Amazing! Im looking to book to stay here July 17. Hey Dave! October is a great month to visit Santorini as the island wont be that busy and you will have a great time. If you like action, shopping, lots of choices for where to eat, and dance clubs, then this is where youll want to be. We are only going to be in Santorini for two nights and wanted to know what would be the best option for us between Chromata Junior Suite, Nefali Suite at Dreams Luxury, Room at Katikies Hotel, Katikies Villa, Nefeli Homes (Grand View Maisonette with tub), Porto Fira Villas (Split Level Villa with Caldera View and Tub) or others. Were planning an anniversary trip and want something special. As this island is very big so we intend to stay in two locations and spend two nights in each of them. Similar to Astra Suites (and similar locations) but just a half-star down in the luxury category and the pool a little smaller. 3) Beautiful Sunset views. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. The best place to stay in Santoriniduring the winteror low season months of November, December, January, February, March and April isFira. A light jacket is good to have. Also, is Oia away from the hustle and bustle? Thank you in advance for your help will certainly be recommending you to our friends traveling. The hotel is down the cliff of the caldera, so no, there is no other way up to the town besides the steps. If you say the time is good, is it better to arrive in Mykonos during weekend (OPTION 1 above) or weekdays are equally good (OPTION 2 above) ? And yes, Id probably book ferry tickets in advance.