Where to stay · Santorini · Greece
Where to stay in Santorini
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hartmut Inerle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Fira. The island's capital on the caldera edge, with the bus hub, museums and most nightlife. Best alternatives — families: Kamari.
Key facts
- First visit
- Fira
- Families
- Kamari
- Budget
- Fira
- Nightlife
- Fira
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Fira | The island's capital on the caldera edge, with the bus hub, museums and most nightlife |
| Families | Kamari | Black-sand beach resort on the east coast with a seafront promenade |
| Couples | Firostefani | Quiet caldera village a 15-minute walk north of Fira |
| Budget | Fira | The island's capital on the caldera edge, with the bus hub, museums and most nightlife |
| Luxury | Imerovigli | The highest point of the caldera rim, with Skaros Rock and cliff-hung honeymoon hotels |
| Nightlife | Fira | The island's capital on the caldera edge, with the bus hub, museums and most nightlife |
| Solo travellers | Perissa and Perivolos | Long black-sand beach on the south coast, with beach bars and budget stays |
| Quiet stays | Firostefani | Quiet caldera village a 15-minute walk north of Fira |
| Beach | Kamari | Black-sand beach resort on the east coast with a seafront promenade |
Santorini neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and budget
Fira
Fira is the most practical base: buses to every part of the island leave from its central station, and the caldera promenade, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the cable car down to the Old Port are all here. It has the widest range of hotels, from simple rooms set back from the cliff to caldera-view suites, and the island's busiest bar scene.
- Good
- Best bus connections; Wide choice of restaurants and rooms; Caldera views at lower prices than Oia
- Watch out
- Crowded with cruise passengers by day; Noisy at night near the bars
- Nearby
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira Old Port, Firostefani
$$$ · Best for couples and quiet stays
Firostefani
Firostefani has the same caldera views as Fira with far fewer crowds, and is home to the blue-domed Catholic church known as the Three Bells of Fira. The cliff path makes it an easy walk to Fira's restaurants and on to Imerovigli.
- Good
- Calmer than Fira; Walkable to Fira's buses and restaurants; Excellent sunset views
- Watch out
- Many hotels are down steep steps; Fewer shops and bars
- Nearby
- Fira, Imerovigli, Three Bells of Fira
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and quiet stays
Imerovigli
Imerovigli sits at the top of the caldera, so its cave hotels and infinity pools have some of the widest views on the island, including straight across to Oia's sunset. The path out to Skaros Rock, the site of a medieval Venetian castle, starts here. Evenings are quiet and restaurants are few but upmarket.
- Good
- Panoramic caldera views; Peaceful at night; Sunset views without Oia's crowds
- Watch out
- Very expensive; Many stairs; Limited dining choice
- Nearby
- Skaros Rock, Firostefani, Fira–Oia path
$$$$ · Best for couples and luxury
Oia
Oia is Santorini's postcard village, with captains' mansions, blue domes and cave hotels stepping down the cliff. Its marble main street has galleries and boutiques, and steps lead down to Amoudi Bay's fish tavernas. Crowds gather around the old castle ruins every evening for the sunset.
- Good
- The most photogenic village; Excellent restaurants; Magical early in the morning
- Watch out
- Extremely crowded at sunset; Highest prices on the island; Far from the beaches
- Nearby
- Amoudi Bay, Oia castle, Fira–Oia path
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Kamari
Kamari stretches along a long beach of dark sand and pebbles below the mountain of Ancient Thera. Its car-free promenade is lined with tavernas and bars, and its open-air cinema shows films on summer nights. Buses reach Fira in about 20 minutes and the airport is close by.
- Good
- Beach on the doorstep; Good value hotels with pools; Flat and easy with children
- Watch out
- No caldera views; Aircraft noise in some parts
- Nearby
- Ancient Thera, Airport, Monolithos Beach
$$ · Best for beach, budget, solo travellers and nightlife
Perissa and Perivolos
Perissa and Perivolos share a continuous stretch of black sand several kilometres long, lined with sunbeds, beach bars and tavernas. It has the island's best-value accommodation, including hostels and simple studios, and a path climbs from Perissa to Ancient Thera.
- Good
- Lowest prices on the island; Beach life all day; Lively beach bars
- Watch out
- About 30 minutes by bus from Fira; The sand gets very hot in summer
- Nearby
- Ancient Thera, Vlychada Beach, Emporio
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, culture and couples
Pyrgos
Pyrgos climbs a hill in the centre of the island, with the ruins of a Venetian kasteli at the top and views over both coasts. Its lanes are quieter than the caldera villages, and wineries such as Santo Wines are a short drive away.
- Good
- Authentic and calm; Close to wineries; Central for driving around the island
- Watch out
- No caldera-edge rooms; Few buses in the evening
- Nearby
- Santo Wines, Megalochori, Profitis Ilias Monastery
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Fira | $$$ | Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira Old Port, Firostefani |
| Firostefani | $$$ | Fira, Imerovigli, Three Bells of Fira |
| Imerovigli | $$$$ | Skaros Rock, Firostefani, Fira–Oia path |
| Oia | $$$$ | Amoudi Bay, Oia castle, Fira–Oia path |
| Kamari | $$ | Ancient Thera, Airport, Monolithos Beach |
| Perissa and Perivolos | $$ | Ancient Thera, Vlychada Beach, Emporio |
| Pyrgos | $$$ | Santo Wines, Megalochori, Profitis Ilias Monastery |
Getting to your hotel
Santorini (Thira) Airport is on the east coast near Kamari, about 6 km from Fira. Buses run to Fira's bus station in about 15–20 minutes, and taxis and pre-booked transfers take a similar time. Ferries dock at Athinios, about 10 km south of Fira, where buses and transfers meet arrivals.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Santorini for first-time visitors?
Fira. Fira is the most practical base: buses to every part of the island leave from its central station, and the caldera promenade, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the cable car down to the Old Port are all here.
+Where should families stay in Santorini?
Kamari: Beach on the doorstep.
+Which area of Santorini is best for a budget stay?
Fira ($$$): The island's capital on the caldera edge, with the bus hub, museums and most nightlife.