Santorini isn’t just one picture-perfect spot – it’s an entire island with vastly different areas. The caldera towns (on the cliff above the volcanic crater) offer the iconic views and luxurious cave hotels, while the beach towns on the east coast offer relaxed seaside holidays and significantly cheaper prices.
The most important thing to understand about Santorini is this: the reason you’re travelling here is the caldera. The dramatic, crescent-shaped cliff wall above the flooded volcanic crater is what makes Santorini unique. And waking up to that view – with the deep blue Aegean Sea, the volcanic island of Nea Kameni and the sunset on the horizon – is an experience that’s hard to match anywhere in the world.
In this guide I’ll go through the best areas to stay on Santorini with hotels across several price ranges, so you can find the perfect spot regardless of budget.
Where to stay in Santorini? Let’s get started with the guide.
Best Areas in Santorini
Here’s a quick overview of the best areas to stay in Santorini:
- Imerovigli – The highest town on the caldera with the best views and romantic tranquillity 🌅
- Oia – The Santorini postcard with luxury hotels and famous sunsets 📸
- Fira – The island’s lively capital with nightlife, shopping and caldera views 🏙️
- Firostefani – The cosy middle ground between Fira and Imerovigli 🏘️
- Kamari & Perissa – Beach life, budget-friendly and family-friendly 🏖️
Click on the area name to see the best hotels in that area.
1. Imerovigli – The Island’s Best Views and Romantic Tranquillity 🌅
Quick Info – Imerovigli
- Distance from the airport: Approximately 15 minutes by car
- Transport: Approximately 20 minutes’ walk to Fira. Limited bus service
- Price level: 💰💰💰💰 (expensive – but better value than Oia)
- Beach: None – you’re on the cliff
- Atmosphere: Calm, romantic, spectacular
Imerovigli is the highest town on Santorini’s caldera and my absolute favourite place to stay. The town sits 300 metres above the sea and offers perhaps the best views on the entire island – you can see all the way along the caldera with Oia in the distance, the volcano Nea Kameni below, and a sunset that’s even better than Oia’s (yes, I’m saying it).
See the best hotels in Imerovigli.
But the best thing about Imerovigli is what it’s NOT: overcrowded. While Oia drowns in cruise ship tourists, Imerovigli is a peaceful oasis with only around 500 permanent residents.
Here you’ll find stylish boutique hotels carved into the cliffside, fantastic restaurants with caldera views, and an atmosphere that’s perfect for romance.
The famous Skaros Rock – the ruins of a Venetian fortress – is a short hike away and offers one of the island’s best views.
Imerovigli is only 2 km from Fira, connected by a spectacular cliff path, so you have easy access to restaurants, nightlife and buses – but escape the noise. It’s the best of both worlds.
Best for: Couples, honeymooners, those who want the best views without the crowds.
Places to stay in Imerovigli
Grace Hotel Santorini ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the best hotels on all of Santorini – and probably all of Greece. Grace Santorini is an adults-only boutique hotel carved into the cliffside with just 21 suites, many with private plunge pools and panoramic caldera views. The restaurant serves excellent Mediterranean cuisine with caldera views, and the spa offers yoga with volcano views. Everything about this hotel is carefully considered and perfect.
Previous guests particularly highlight: “The most magical hotel we’ve ever stayed at. The view from our suite with a private pool was unbelievable. Breakfast on the terrace with the sunset over the caldera – unforgettable.”
Check prices and availability at Grace Hotel Santorini
Kivotos Santorini ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A more modern alternative to the classic white cave hotels. Kivotos stands out with dark volcanic stone and a more sophisticated aesthetic. A huge advantage: you don’t need to climb up and down stairs to get to your room – a rarity on the caldera. Pools in dark volcanic stone create a unique contrast to the blue sea.
Check prices and availability at Kivotos Santorini
White Santorini Suites & Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐
An elegant boutique hotel with spacious suites, many with private terraces, pool or jacuzzi and panoramic caldera views. White Santorini offers personalised breakfast delivered to your terrace, a relaxing spa and an intimate atmosphere. It’s a touch cheaper than Grace and Kivotos but delivers an almost equally good experience.
Check prices and availability at White Santorini
2. Oia – The Santorini Postcard 📸
Quick Info – Oia
- Distance from the airport: Approximately 25-30 minutes by car
- Transport: Bus from Fira (approx. 25 min). Taxi expensive. Parking difficult
- Price level: 💰💰💰💰💰 (the most expensive area on Santorini)
- Beach: Ammoudi Bay below (small pebble cove with fish restaurants)
- Atmosphere: Instagram-perfect, luxurious, but overcrowded during the day
Oia (pronounced “ee-ah”) is the Santorini you see in dreams, on Instagram and in travel magazines. This village on the northern tip of the caldera is home to the iconic blue domes, whitewashed houses and the famous sunset spot at the ruins of the Venetian castle.
It’s hard to overstate how beautiful it is here.
But there’s a downside: Oia is incredibly popular. During the daytime – particularly when the cruise ships are in port – the main street is so packed with tourists that it’s hard to move.
Restaurants and shops are the most expensive on the island, and the “authentic” Santorini can be hard to find behind all the tourist traps. In the evening after sunset, however, things calm down and the magical atmosphere returns.
Best for: Honeymooners with a luxury budget, photographers, those who want the ultimate Santorini experience.
Places to stay in Oia
Perivolas Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A legendary Santorini hotel with 20 private houses carved into the cliff, many with panoramic terraces and private pools. Perivolas’ infinity pool is one of the most iconic on the entire island – it appears to merge with the Aegean Sea below.
Breakfast is divine, and the restaurant specialises in Cycladic cuisine. Located just outside Oia’s busiest area, so you have peace but are still within walking distance of everything.
Check prices and availability at Perivolas Hotel
Canaves Oia Suites ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An elegant boutique hotel with minimalist white aesthetics and an outstanding infinity pool with caldera views. Canaves offers suites with private jacuzzis or pools, a personal concierge and a restaurant that’s a culinary experience in itself. Perfect for couples who want modern luxury in classic surroundings.
Check prices and availability at Canaves Oia Suites
3. Fira – The Island’s Vibrant Heart 🏙️
Quick Info – Fira
- Distance from the airport: Approximately 10 minutes by car
- Transport: The island’s bus station is here – best starting point for public transport
- Price level: 💰💰💰 (wide range – cheaper than Oia and Imerovigli)
- Beach: No direct beach, but easy access to Kamari and Perissa by bus
- Atmosphere: Lively, urban, good nightlife
Fira is Santorini’s capital and the most practical base on the island. Here you’ll find the widest selection of restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife.
The ferry port and the central bus station are both located here, making it easy to get around without a car. And the view over the caldera from Fira’s cliff edge? It’s still fantastic.
Fira is more “city” than village – you can feel it in the pace, the noise level and the selection of international restaurants and cocktail bars. In the evening this is where the party is, with bars playing music and views over the illuminated caldera.
It’s not as romantic as Imerovigli or as photogenic as Oia, but it’s far more practical and significantly cheaper.
Best for: First-time visitors without a car, solo travellers, those who want nightlife, budget-conscious travellers.
Places to stay in Fira
Athina Luxury Suites ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An elegant boutique hotel on the caldera edge of Fira with suites that have private jacuzzis and unforgettable caldera views. Athina combines Fira’s practical location with a luxury experience that can match Oia’s best. Breakfast is delivered to your private terrace, and the concierge arranges everything from boat trips to wine tours.
Check prices and availability at Athina Luxury Suites
Cosmopolitan Suites ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A stylish boutique hotel with a fantastic terrace restaurant overlooking the entire caldera. Suites are decorated in white minimalism and many have private terraces. The location in the heart of Fira gives you walking distance to everything, and the price is more affordable than the most expensive caldera hotels.
Check prices and availability at Cosmopolitan Suites
Travelling around Greece? Also read my guides on where to stay in Crete, the best places to stay in Corfu and the guide to Athens’ best areas & hotels.
4. Firostefani – The Cosy Middle Ground 🏘️
Google Maps can’t find Firostefani, but the church on the map above is right in the heart of the town.
Quick Info – Firostefani
- Distance from the airport: Approximately 12 minutes by car
- Transport: 10-15 minutes’ walk to Fira, 15-20 min to Imerovigli
- Price level: 💰💰💰 (cheaper than Oia and Imerovigli)
- Beach: None
- Atmosphere: Relaxed, authentic, caldera views without the hype
Firostefani is my secret favourite among Santorini’s caldera towns. This small village sits between Fira and Imerovigli and offers fantastic caldera views at a more affordable price. The atmosphere is more relaxed and authentic than Oia – here it feels more like a real Greek place than a tourist attraction.
See the best hotels in Firostefani.
The great advantage of Firostefani is the location: you can walk to Fira in 10-15 minutes along the spectacular cliff path, and Imerovigli is 15-20 minutes in the other direction. So you have easy access to restaurants, nightlife and buses, but stay in a calmer spot.
Hotel prices are generally lower than in Oia and Imerovigli, but many hotels offer almost equally good views.
Best for: Couples who want caldera views without paying Oia prices, those who want to walk between towns.
Places to stay in Firostefani
Homeric Poems ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A romantic boutique hotel with suites that have private balconies with caldera views. Breakfast is delivered to your terrace, and the staff are warm and attentive. The hotel has a lovely pool with views and a relaxed atmosphere. Perfectly located for walking to both Fira and Imerovigli. Fantastic value for a caldera location.
Check prices and availability at Homeric Poems
Dana Villas & Infinity Suites ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the best caldera hotels in Firostefani with an infinity pool and suites with private jacuzzis. Dana Villas has an incredible caldera view and a romantic restaurant terrace. Prices are significantly lower than comparable hotels in Oia, and the quality is outstanding.
Check prices and availability at Dana Villas
5. Kamari & Perissa – Beach Life and Budget-Friendly 🏖️
Perissa is the beach just south of Kamari on the map here.
Quick Info – Kamari & Perissa
- Distance from the airport: Approximately 10-15 minutes by car
- Transport: Good bus connection to Fira
- Price level: 💰💰 (significantly cheaper than the caldera towns)
- Beach: Long beaches with black volcanic sand
- Atmosphere: Relaxed beach vibe, family-friendly
Kamari and Perissa are the two main beach towns on Santorini’s east side, separated by the impressive Mesa Vouno mountain. Both towns have long beaches with characteristic black volcanic sand, beach restaurants and a relaxed Greek holiday atmosphere.
This is where you’ll find the cheapest hotels on Santorini – often at half the price of the caldera towns.
See the best hotels in Kamari.
Kamari is the more organised of the two with a long beachfront promenade full of restaurants, bars and shops. Perissa and the adjacent Perivolos are a bit more alternative with beach bars and a younger vibe.
Both towns have good bus connections to Fira (approx. 20 min), so you can easily visit the caldera towns on day trips. From here you can also visit the archaeological site Ancient Thera on top of Mesa Vouno.
Best for: Families with children, budget travellers, those who prefer beach over views.
Places to stay in Kamari & Perissa
The best hotel in Kamari – a stylish resort right on the beach with a large pool, spa and several restaurants. Rooms are modern with white Cycladic aesthetics and many have sea views. The hotel has its own beach section with sun loungers and parasols. Fantastic value for a four-star hotel on Santorini.
Check prices and availability at Santo Miramare Resort
A charming beach hotel in Perissa with a pool, restaurant and a relaxed atmosphere. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and you’re literally 50 metres from the beach. The price level is what you’d pay for an average hotel in Athens – a rarity on expensive Santorini. Perfect budget choice.
Check prices and availability at Veggera Beach Hotel
Where NOT To Stay on Santorini ❗️
A hotel “with caldera views” in Fira that’s on the wrong side. Many cheaper hotels in Fira advertise caldera views but actually sit on the wrong side of the road with only partial or no views. Always check photos of the specific room before booking, and confirm that it’s the cliff side (caldera side).
Oia with a pushchair or mobility challenges. Oia is built into a cliffside with hundreds of stairs. Many hotels have no lift. If you need accessibility, choose a beach town or a hotel in Fira at street level.
Too close to the airport. Santorini’s small airport is near Kamari, but there’s no reason to stay right next to it. Hotel prices aren’t lower here, and you’re close to aircraft noise without any benefits.
Still Unsure Where to Stay on Santorini?
Here are my recommendations based on travel type:
Visiting Santorini for the first time? Imerovigli for the best views and romance, or Fira for the most practical base.
On your honeymoon? Imerovigli actually beats Oia for romance – it’s calmer, more private and almost equally beautiful.
Travelling with family? Kamari – flat terrain, beach and family-friendly hotels. Visit the caldera on day trips.
Want the best of both worlds? Split your stay: 2-3 nights in Imerovigli for the caldera experience, and 1-2 nights in Perissa for beach life.
On a budget? Perissa or Kamari with day trips to the caldera.
Santorini is one of those travel destinations that truly lives up to the hype. The dramatic caldera views, the iconic blue domes, the fantastic food and the magical sunsets – it’s all even more breathtaking in reality than in the pictures.
Important Things to Know About Santorini
Before you set off, there are a few things you should know about Santorini.
Caldera vs. beach – the most important decision. The single most important decision is whether you want to stay on the caldera (the cliff – Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Fira) or at the beach (the east coast – Kamari, Perissa). The caldera gives you the iconic views and the “real” Santorini experience, but it’s expensive and there are no beaches. The beach towns are cheaper and more relaxed, but you lose the spectacular views. My recommendation: stay on the caldera, visit the beaches on day trips.
Stairs, stairs everywhere. The caldera towns are built into the cliffside, and that means endless stairs. It’s fantastically beautiful, but it can be a challenge for people with reduced mobility or families with pushchairs. The beach towns are flat and far more accessible. Many caldera hotels don’t have lifts – always check before you book.
Book EARLY. Santorini is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, and the best caldera hotels book out months in advance. In peak season (June-September) you should book 3-6 months before departure. In shoulder season (April-May, October) you can often find better prices and fewer tourists.
Getting around the island. Santorini’s main bus station is in Fira, and from there buses run to most towns. An ATV/scooter is a popular way to get around, and taxis can be ordered but are expensive. A hire car is practical, but parking in Oia and Fira is a challenge. Many hotels offer free transfers from the airport or port.
Avoid the cruise ship hours. Santorini is a popular cruise ship stop, and between 10:00-17:00, Fira and Oia can be overwhelmingly crowded. Enjoy these towns early in the morning or late in the evening for the best experience. Santorini International Airport has direct flights from Athens and many European cities during the season.
Have a wonderful trip to Santorini 🙌
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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