Planning a trip to Santorini but don’t know where to stay? Picking the right hotel is so important on a popular island like this! The good news is that Santorini Greece truly has hotels for every type of traveler. From accommodations with private pools and amazing caldera views to beachside escapes and mountain villages. No matter what type of place you’re looking for, Santorini will have it! Join us as we break down the island including Oia, Fira, and the best hotels in lesser-visited parts of Santorini.
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Where to Stay in Santorini Greece
Understanding the island is key to finding the best hotels in Santorini. The three most popular areas for where to stay in Santorini are Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira. They have the classic views and are filled with gorgeous hotels stacked on top of each other into the cliffside.
Still, there are more great areas to think about when looking for where to stay in Santorini. Don’t limit yourself to just the main parts of the island! Especially if you have more than just a couple of days. The bus system is great on Santorini so it will be easy to get around if you stay outside of Fira and Oia.
→ 7 Useful Santorini Bus Tips to Get Around the Famous Greek Island
Tips for Booking the Best Hotels in Santorini Greece
1. In the swing season Santorini hotels are often half the price of what they go for in the peak summer months. Think about visiting Santorini in May or October when the weather is still nice.
2. When making a booking double check if it is a caldera view or a sea view. Both are beautiful but the sea view may not face the famous cliffside Cyclidic homes you’ve seen in photos.
3. Know that getting to the Santorini Greece hotels may require a lot of steps up and down! Some of the best hotels in Santorini are far down into the cliffs. If this is an issue for you contact the accommodation for help getting there with your bags.
4. Santorini is an expensive island in general! When we recommend a “more affordable” hotel in this article keep in mind we are comparing it to the most upscale Santorini hotels.
Top 7 Towns & Santorini Greece Hotels
1. Oia Santorini
Let’s be honest… Photos of the iconic Oia village are probably what made you book a trip to Santorini in the first place! Whitewashed villas fill the cliffs of this small town at the far end of the island.
From the magical Oia sunset to nearby Amoudi Bay, this is a great area to stay in. Just know that the Santorini Greece hotels are the most expensive here! They can range from a few hundred a night to thousands of dollars in Oia.
This ritzy town is complete with fine dining restaurants, luxury shopping, and five-star Santorini hotels. You can expect large crowds, especially in the summer months for sunset. This is when it’s good to have a spot with a private pool and a view!
→ How to Visit Oia Santorini: Best Hotels + Sunset and Castle Tips
Oia Hotels in Santorini Greece
Ultra Luxury: Canaves Oia Epitome – Katikies Kirini Santorini – Thirea Suites – Armenaki – Kastro Oia Houses – Allure Breeze Suites
2. Imerovigli
If you are looking for the classic caldera view with fewer crowds than Fira or Oia, then this is the spot for you. On our first trip to Santorini, we actually stayed in Imerovigli and loved it. We felt like we were slightly away from all the craziness of Fira but still just a quick walk to town or the bus stop.
This area is known for its amazing views, high-end hotels, and the famous Skaros Rock. The rock was once the site of a Venetian Castle and is a great spot to watch the sunset. If you are staying in Imerovigli just make sure you are ready for plenty of steps!
Imerovigli Hotels in Santorini Greece
Ultra Luxury: Merovigliosso – Kasimatis by La Perla – Ilioperato Hotel
Fun Vacation: Whitedeck Santorini – Casa Bianca
More Affordable: Merovigla Studios
3. Fira
Just next door to Imerovigli is the bustling capital of Fira. When looking for where to stay in Santorini, this is a good place to start! Fira offers everything from world-class resorts to small family-run guesthouses that fit a range of different prices.
This is also the main transportation hub with the largest Santorini bus stop. It makes staying in Fira very easy to get around to all the different parts of the island.
→ 12 Fun Facts That Might Surprise You About Fira Santorini
Fira Hotels in Santorini Greece
Ultra Luxury: Atlantis Hotel – On the Cliff Suites – Este Luxury Suites – Palmariva Villas – Pantelia Suites
Fun Vacation: Ifestos Villa – Ptolemeos Pension – Costa Marina Villas
More Affordable: Villa Stella – Afrodete Hotel – Anessis – Antonia Hotel
4. Pyrgos
For those that want to see a different side of Santorini, Pyrgos is for you! This mountain village is the ancient capital and home to a handful of nice Santorini Greece hotels. It’s the highest sitting village on the island which makes it another fantastic spot to watch the sunset.
Pyrgos has some luxury options as well as lower-cost villas. It’s also home to a historic castle that sits high above the town. One of the best things to do in Santorini is to sample the local vineyards. You’ll be happy to know that popular wineries like Santo and Venetsanos are within walking distance of Pyrgos village!
→ 10 Amazing Things to Know About Pyrgos Village in Santorini Greece
Pyrgos Hotels in Santorini Greece
Ultra Luxury: Apikia Santorini – Nova Luxury Suites – White & Co. Exclusive Island Villas
Fun Vacation: Pyrgos 1870, A restored Winery – Flora’s House & Cave Winery – Bluewhite Villa Santorini
5. Perissa
Are you more of a beach person? Well, Santorini has some incredibly unique ones! Even though it’s not particularly known for it, the volcanic beaches of Santorini feature red, black, and white sand.
Perissa is a long black sand beach that stretches down the northern end of the island. The area is full of upscale beach bars and restaurants which is a different experience than being in Fira or Oia. The hip and swanky beach town also features some awesome and affordable Santorini hotels!
Perissa Hotels in Santorini Greece
Fun Vacation: Stelios Place – Exi Sea Side Suites – Demilmar Luxury Suites – Aqua Blue Beach Hotel
More Affordable: Studio Paul’s – Thera Incognita Studios – Mark & Joanna Studios – Philoxenia Hotel & Studios
6. Kamari
Kamari Hotels in Santorini Greece
Ultra Luxury: Costa Grand Resort & Spa – La Mer Deluxe Hotel & Spa – Bellonias Villas – Secret Earth Villas – Epavlis Grace
Fun Vacation: Nissia Beach Apartments & Suites – King’s Suites – Seaside by Manos – Kalya Suites – Strogili Hotel
More Affordable: Blue Waves Suites & Apartments – Irini’s Rooms Fteoura – Atlas Boutique Hotel – Kamarela Studios – Acqua Vatos Santorini Hotel
7. Akrotiri
When first arriving on the island our local guide referred to Akrotiri as the gem of Santorini. It’s a small mountain town that isn’t nearly as visited as other parts of the island. This may be due to its location being far away from Fira and Oia.
Nevertheless, Akrotiri has amazing views and is close to some of the most important sites on Santorini. Here you can get to the infamous Red Beach and 3,000+ year old Minoan ruins. There are also plenty of beautiful Santorini hotels here!
One thing to note is that if you are going to base your adventure from Akrotiri you should plan to have a vehicle. Just make sure to book your rental car in advance to get the best deal as they go fast.
→ Red Beach Santorini Guide: How to Get There, Fun Hiking Trails, & More
Akrotiri Hotels in Santorini Greece
Luxury Hotels: Kalestesia Suites – Santonero – Potnia Theron Suites
Fun Vacation: Black Bay Caves Suites – Kokkinos Villas
Inexpensive: Kalimera Hotel – Carlos Pension
Have any questions about where to stay in Santorini or have a hotel you loved and want to recommend? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Santorini Travel Inspiration
- 20 Fun Things to do in Santorini Greece on Your First Visit
- Fira to Oia Hike: Fun Guide to the Can’t Miss Santorini Trail
- Amoudi Bay Santorini: How to Explore the Charming Bay Below Oia Village
- How to Get to Santorini from Athens: 6 Helpful Tips to Know First
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Greece Travel Planning
Information: Explore all our articles on Greece and the many different islands we cover such as Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete & Milos!
For island hopping use FerriesinGreece to compare different routes, prices, and companies. The fast ferries like Sea Jets will cost more but often takes half the time of slower ferries like Blue Star.
Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Athens to Santorini for under $50 USD!
Accommodation: Always compare multiple sites to get the best deal. We search both Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: You can book a rental car for as little as $20 a day in Greece! We use Discover Cars to explore the larger islands with a vehicle.
Tours: Go to Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities in Santorini. You can find everything from group sailing tours to private catamaran cruises. Go wine tasting around the island, horseback riding down the beach, or even jump on an ATV tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without insurance. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
