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 a private infinity pool and amazing caldera views to beachside boutique hotel 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 best areas of the island including Oia, Fira, and hotels in the less-visited parts of Santorini.
Where to Stay in Santorini Greece
Understanding the island is key to finding the best hotels in Santorini. The three most popular towns are Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira. They have classic views and are filled with some of the most gorgeous Santorini hotels stacked 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 public transportation is great on Santorini and there are many bus routes. It will be easy to get around if you stay in one of the different areas outside of Fira and Oia.
Picking the best Santorini hotel will be different for each traveler and what they are looking for. Are you after your own private terrace to watch the famous Santorini sunset? Or are you looking for a simple accommodation on the island of Santorini with great views in one of the caldera towns?
Is being close to the best restaurants important, or will you stay more remote and rent a car to explore? There is literally something for everyone!
→ Is Renting a Car in Santorini Worth it? 2023 Car Rental Guide
How to Book 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 but there are much lower prices.
2. When making a booking double check if it is a caldera view or sea view. Both are beautiful but the sea view may not face the famous cliffside 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 you found the perfect place but the steps are an issue for you contact the accommodation and ask if they can help carry 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. It may be a family-run accommodation or in one of the smaller more traditional villages on the island.
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 specifically in the summer months for sunset. This is when it’s good to have a spot with a private swimming pool and a view of the caldera cliff!
→ 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 a 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 has one of the best sunset views on the island. If you are staying in Imerovigli just make sure you are ready for plenty of steps!
In Imerovigli you can do a long walk and see the famous blue-domed churches, cave houses, and many of the best luxury hotels on the island. If it’s your first visit and you have money to spend on a luxury hotel room, this area would be one of our top picks!
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. This is the largest town on the island so it’s a great place to start your search for where to stay in Santorini. As the capital of the Santorini, there are also many great restaurants and bars with spectacular views.
Fira offers everything from world-class resorts to small family-run guesthouses that fit a range of different prices. Just a short walk back from the main town area you will find great places that are much cheaper than the rest of the island.
Know that this is because they don’t have the classic Santorini views. If you’re on a budget and it’s your first time on the volcanic island this might be a good zone.
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.
One thing to note about Fira is that if you are visiting in peak season it’s also where the cruise ships come in. So during the day the small alleys and main streets can get very congested. That’s why if you’re here in high season Fira is not the best option to escape the crowds.
→ 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 great spot to watch the Santorini 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 and do one of the many wine tastings!
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.
This is the best area to stay if you like water sports and easy access to the Aegean sea. Perissa is a long black sand beach that stretches down the northern end of the island.
This seaside village 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 accommodation options!
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
On the east coast not far from Perissa is the small village of Kamari. Dark sand fills the beach and small cafes line the water. We recommend this over Perissa if you prefer a more local town feel.
Both Kamari and Preissa are two of the most popular black sand beaches on the island and are a short drive from one another.
Kamari has good vibes and a lot of fun stuff going on in the area. You can rent an ATV, head to the wineries, explore the archaeological site of Ancient Thera, or just simply relax and take in the views.
This is often considered the best of where to stay in Santorini for families. Many of the hotels have large pools, a fitness center, and space that you won’t find at the caldera side hotels.
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 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.
Akrotiri has amazing views and is close to some of the most important historical sites on Santorini. Here you can easily get to the infamous Red Beach and 3,000+ year old Minoan ruins.
There are also plenty of beautiful Santorini hotels! It’s actually the ideal place to stay if you want a quieter and more relaxing experience on one of the most popular greek islands.
That’s not to say it won’t get busy in high season. Yet, if that is the vacation you are looking for Akrotiri will be a better option than Oia or Fira.
If you are going to base your adventures from Akrotiri you should plan to have a vehicle. Just make sure to book your rental car in advance to get the best deal!
→ 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!
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
Explore all our Greece articles to help plan your trip! We cover everything from general travel tips to amazing destinations such as Santorini, Paros, Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete, Milos & more beautiful islands!
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Greece Travel Planning
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!
