Where to stay in Santorini: the 5 areas to know in 2026
Choosing where to stay on this island splits your trip down the middle. On one side you have the caldera, whitewashed houses clinging to the cliffside, and famous sunsets, though the view comes at a very high price. On the other side sit the black sand beaches of the eastern coast, three to four times cheaper, without the panorama.
A suite with a pool facing the crater easily climbs past $460* during the summer months, while a comfortable room in Kamari or Perissa stays around $79 to $136*. Our members also warn about one thing: the crowds. Five distinct villages follow, stretching from the cliffs down to the beaches.
I found everything I expected in Santorini. So, I wasn't disappointed, except for the number of tourists there.
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At a glance: our picks by traveller type
Pick the profile that suits you to head straight to the recommended area.
The area map in Santorini
Get your bearings on the areas and must-see sights before choosing where to drop your bags. Click a name to jump to its description.
Fira The capital, in the middle of the caldera
best for a first visit and getting around without a car
Fira acts as the island hub. Every bus routes through here, shops and museums sit right outside your door, and the cliffside path frames the entire crater view. It hits the sweet spot between scenery and practicality, with a wider range of pricing than Oia. The downside is the daytime crush and noisy nightlife around the bars in the centre.
The white houses with their turquoise pools are clinging to the cliffside. The show unfolds before your eyes, from a restaurant terrace or at the end of a small alley.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
Athina Luxury Suites Luxury
Cave suites carved into the rock featuring private pools and direct crater views. This is the classic setup you come for, with a price tag to match.
Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites Mid-range
A larger hotel with a pool right in the middle of Fira, steps away from the cliffside trail. Fewer direct views than cliffside properties, but significantly easier on the wallet.
Villa Roussa Budget
Small family-run guesthouse a hundred metres from the centre, without caldera views. One of the few affordable options in this location.
Pros
- Every bus on the island leaves from here
- The widest spread of rates facing the crater
Cons
- Crowded during the day
- Noisy bars in the centre at night
Oia At the northern tip of the island
for sunsets and honeymoons
This is the village from the postcards, featuring white alleys, blue domes, and the famous sunset over the caldera. Hotels here are the most expensive in Greece, often carved directly into the rockface with infinity pools. As one of our members points out: the view is incredible, but “There is not much to do or see” once the photo is taken. Late in the afternoon, crowds gathering for the sunset completely jam the narrow walkways.
Where to stay in this area
Esperas Hotel Oia Luxury
Traditional whitewashed homes stacked along the cliffside, complete with private terraces overlooking the crater. The classic sunset experience right from your room.
Santorini Ikies Luxury
Former cave dwellings turned into suites, tucked away off the main street. Noticeably quieter than the heart of the village.
Niko's Villas Mid-range
Studios with a view just outside the village, one kilometre from the centre. One of the rare addresses in Oia that avoids astronomical prices.
Pros
- The island's finest viewpoint
- Boutiques and fine dining
Cons
- The highest rates in Greece
- Packed with visitors every late afternoon
Imerovigli and Firostefani Perched on the ridge between Fira and Oia
for the view without the crowds
These two villages sit back-to-back on the ridge at the highest point of the caldera, a fifteen-minute walk from Fira along the cliffside path. You get the exact same views as Oia, often the same infinity pools, and a fraction of the tourists. It is the choice of those who come back to Santorini. The trade-off is that after dark, things go quiet outside of hotel dining rooms.
Where to stay in this area
Dana Villas & Infinity Suites Luxury
Terraced suites with infinity pools right on the Firostefani ridge. The view of Fira, a few minutes' walk from the centre.
Cocoon Suites Luxury
A quiet, tucked-away spot in Imerovigli facing the crater. For a stay for two away from the bustle of the villages.
Aeifos Boutique Hotel Mid-range
Simple rooms with caldera-facing terraces at rates you rarely find along this ridge. Easily the best view-to-price ratio in the guide.
Pros
- Caldera views without the Oia crowds
- Fira is walkable along the ridge path
Cons
- Little life outside the hotels
- Steep staircases make hauling heavy bags a workout
Kamari and Perissa The black sand beaches to the east and south
for swimming, families, and tighter budgets
On the other side of the island, the long black volcanic sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa reveal a completely different side of Santorini: flat, beachy, lined with tavernas and rows of lounge chairs. Prices bear no resemblance to the caldera, and you can jump straight into the sea right outside your hotel. You have to accept giving up the crater view, and taking the bus or a car to reach the whitewashed villages.
Where to stay in this area
ANTINEA SUITES & SPA Luxury
A complex with pools and a spa on the hills above Kamari, just minutes from the beach. Upscale for this area, yet a third of the price of the caldera.
Poseidon Beach Hotel Mid-range
A family-run spot right on the black sand of Perissa, featuring a pool. The classic setup for a beach holiday here.
AKIS Budget
A straightforward small hotel steps from the beach, run by a local family. One of the lowest rates on the island during peak season.
Pros
- Three to four times cheaper than the caldera
- Swimming right outside your door
Cons
- No crater views
- Bus or car required to reach Fira and Oia
Akrotiri and the south At the southern tip, surrounding the archaeological site
for the ancient site, peace and quiet, and the red beach
Down south, the Akrotiri archaeological site preserves a Minoan city buried by the eruption, protected under a large modern roof so you can explore out of the sun. It is the place on the island our members recommend most. The nearby village, the red beach, and the surrounding vineyards make this corner much quieter than the rest of Santorini. You do, however, need a car for almost everything.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
Vedema Luxury
Estate set in a southern wine village around a fifteenth-century cellar. Luxury without the caldera view, in total silence.
Hotel Mathios Village Mid-range
Complex of small houses with a pool situated between Akrotiri and the red beach. Convenient for families, with on-site parking.
Akrotiri Hotel Budget
Simple little spot near the archaeological site with a sea view. The south of the island at its lowest rates.
Pros
- The island's top ancient site right next door
- The most peaceful area
Cons
- Car essential
- Few restaurants and shops
Our tips for booking the right place
- Line up your transfer before you land: A member of our community skipped grabbing a port taxi after finding the quotes outrageous. Ferry arrivals bring serious chaos to the island, with packed buses and very few cabs to go around. Most hotels arrange a transfer, often for the price of a normal fare, so ask for it when you book.
- Walk the caldera, wheels for the rest: A cliffside trail links Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Fira, stretching all the way to Oia if you are up for a long hike. Getting across to the eastern beaches or down south means relying on the bus network or a rental. If your stay combines the two, grab a car or base yourself in Fira where every bus line converges.
- Stairs are just part of the architecture: The caldera villages cling to steep slopes, and many hotels are reached only by flights of stairs, sometimes dozens of steps up or down. This detail matters greatly if you are travelling with heavy luggage, young children, or mobility concerns. Always ask for the exact step count before booking.
- Booking Oia as a base to explore the island is a common pitfall. The village sits on the northern tip, the drive is long, and the buses get packed during peak season. Oia works best as a destination in itself rather than a hub for getting around, a role Fira handles much better.
- Booking a room advertised with a caldera view without checking the exact angle can lead to disappointment. Some properties sit back from the cliff edge, leaving your view squeezed between two buildings. Rely only on photos taken from the actual room window rather than pictures of the shared terrace.
- Choosing to stay on the eastern beaches with the idea of walking up to the white cliffside villages does not work. Kamari and Perissa sit on the other side of the island, separated from the caldera by a rugged mountain ridge. Without a car, every round trip is counted in hours.
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