Where to stay in Santorini – The best cities and hotels
Spectacular Santorini sparkles like a glamorous jewel in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Completing the ensemble of the Cyclades islands, Santorini sits on the site of a submerged volcano and is home to the famous and impressive caldera that gives the island its distinctive shape. Island life itself is pure luxury; Secluded villas with infinity pools, private cliffside suites, and honeymoon hideaways create an exclusive vibe infused with divine decadence.
The island has a distinct culture and deep history, and the local settlements are made up of villages, each of which varies in architecture and development and has its own unique charm. The romanticism of Santorini shines with the sublime nature of its sunsets; As the sun sinks, it lights up the ocean and lights up the caldera, a spectacle that draws thousands of visitors every day.
Santorini is a luxury destination – some of the places to stay in Santorini are fantastically opulent, catering to a crowd of stylish visitors from all over the world. Whatever the budget, the traveler who comes to the shores of Santorini will enjoy the nights watching in awe as the sky changes colors and enjoying the extravagance of the Greek holiday paradise. Days on the island are filled with delicious meals and the opportunity to lounge on your own private terrace amongst the quintessential Greek puzzle of white-block buildings, while the sun bathes you and you enjoy the delights of Santorini life.
Spend pleasant evenings in bustling Fira, the largest city on the island and the lively heart of Santorini. With its abundance of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Fira is the place to stay in Santorini if you want to party until the wee hours and then spend the day exploring the island and browsing the town’s many shops in the shade of the beautiful volcano in the distance.
Fira is the perfect place as a base to explore all that Santorini has to offer. All the bus routes that run around the island start and end in the town, so you can travel all over the island. If you don’t feel like taking the bus, then you can hire a scooter or even your own car and travel at your own pace. Hotels in Fira town are more expensive than in neighboring towns, but there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from.
Close to Fira, the quiet and placid Imerovigli is the dream place for honeymooners. The town is one of the most expensive places to stay on the island, but with stunning views of the caldera lagoon and romantic, luxurious love-nest hideaways, it offers a perfect slice of secluded Santorini.
The charming town doesn’t have a beach, but it does have amazing 4 and 5 star hotels to choose from, many of which offer beautifully designed private suites, some of which are built into the cliffside and have volcano views. From Imerovigli it is easy to travel to nearby towns; many hotels offer a free bus service, although local buses also connect to busy Fira.
Kamari is considerably cheaper than the Caldera view towns, but what it lacks in famous views it makes up for in its beautiful beach. If you are visiting Santorini with children, staying in Kamari is a great location choice. The family-friendly village boasts a stretch of sandy beach dotted with small local bars and restaurants, supermarkets and shops, which means long days playing on the shoreline and nights enjoying delicious meals with your family.
This is the place to stay in Santorini if your budget is a bit tight, and the best priced hotel rooms are usually outside of the high summer season. With most accommodation within walking distance of the beach, there is no need to take a bus or taxi to get to the water like in other towns on the island.