Santorini is a beautiful destination, but deciding where to stay in Santorini for first timers can be difficult. There are many things to consider, like the type of view you want, how close you want to be to the beach, and how much you’re willing to spend. In Santorini, it’s usually not possible to have both a beach view and a hotel right by the beach at the same time.
Let’s talk about the costs. Hotel prices in Santorini can range from 50€ to 500€ a night, depending on where you stay. If you want a fancy hotel with a pool and a caldera view, it will be on the expensive side. But there are also simpler hotels that don’t have the fancy features, and they can be much cheaper, sometimes as low as 40€ a night.
where to stay in santorini for first timers ?
Here are some of the main places to stay in Santorini:
- Fira and Nearby Areas (Firostefani and Imerovigli)
Fira is the capital of Santorini, and it’s where you’ll find some of the best views of the island. Hotels here can be expensive, ranging from 300 to 500 € a night. If you book early, you might get a discount. The pros of staying in Fira are that it’s very central, you’re close to many attractions, and the nightlife is great. However, the downside is that it’s busy, expensive, and the closest beach is 20 minutes away by car. It’s also not the most authentic place, as it’s mainly full of tourists.
- Oia
Oia is the most famous spot in Santorini, known for its stunning sunset views. Hotels here are very expensive, with prices starting at 350€ a night, and if you want a pool, it could be 600€. The pros are the amazing view and the iconic sunset, but Oia is also very crowded with tourists, and the restaurants and bars are expensive.
- East Coast (Perissa, Kamari, Perivolos, Monolithos, and Vlichada)
The east coast of Santorini is known for its beaches. Here, the prices are lower, starting at 40€ to 80€ a night. The pros are that you can walk to the beach and enjoy lower prices. However, the downside is that you’ll be far from the main attractions, and there are no sunset views. Also, buses aren’t very reliable, and renting a car might be a good idea.
- Villages with More Locals (Pyrgos and Megalochori)
If you want a more authentic, peaceful experience, consider staying in Pyrgos or Megalochori. These villages are quieter and less touristy, with prices around 100 to 200€ a night. The pros are that they are more peaceful and authentic, but the downside is that they are a bit more expensive compared to other parts of the island.
- Akrotiri
Akrotiri is a good option if you want both a great view and a more affordable price, with rooms around 200 € a night. It’s not as crowded as Fira or Oia, and it’s close to some nice beaches. However, it’s on the far south of the island, so you’ll need a car to get around, and the buses are not very reliable.
- Kodokori (Budget Option)
If you’re on a budget, Kodokori in Fira is a good option. Rooms here are cheap, around 40 to 60€ a night, and you’ll be close to the bus station and only 15 minutes on foot from the center of Fira. The downside is that Kodokori isn’t very scenic, and you won’t have a view or be close to the beaches.
where to stay in santorini for first timers best hotels
best affordable (lowest price) hotel in santorini
- Santorini Camping & Hostel Santorini Camping & Hostel is just 350 meters from Fira’s center, offering a pool, sun terrace, self-service restaurant, and poolside bar. Accommodation includes dorms with air conditioning or tents with fans, all sharing a bathroom. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean meals, relax by the pool, and access free Wi-Fi. The hostel is close to shops, bars, and restaurants, with free parking nearby. Ormos Athinios Port is 8 km away, and Santorini National Airport is 5 km. Couples particularly like the location, rating it 8.5 for a two-person trip.
- Antonia Hotel Antonia Hotel, fully renovated in 2023, is a Cycladic-style property just 80 meters from Fira’s main square. It features an outdoor pool, air-conditioned rooms with balconies, flat-screen TVs, and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy easy access to nearby restaurants, shops, and stunning views of the Thira Volcano. A bus stop is 90 meters away, and Santorini Airport is a 10-minute drive. Couples love the location, giving it a 9.5 rating for two-person trips.
- Sea Wave Villa Sea Wave Villa is ideally located in Perissa, just 150 meters from the beach and the main road. The hotel offers free WiFi and self-catering studios, each with air conditioning, a kitchenette, private bathroom, and veranda, along with satellite TV. Guests can relax by the large outdoor pool with a pool bar, enjoy the Jacuzzi, or unwind at the playground. Excursions to the volcano are available at discounted rates. Couples love the location, rating it 8.8 for a two-person trip.
best mid- range hotel in santorini
- Laokasti Villas The Laokasti Villas are located in the picturesque village of Oia in northern Santorini. This traditional complex features 17 spacious studios, apartments, and villas, offering comfortable accommodations and excellent services. Guests can enjoy a daily à la carte breakfast at the property’s restaurant or in the comfort of their own space. Couples especially love the location, rating it 9.5 for a two-person trip.
- The Best The Best is ideally located just 100 meters from Perissa’s black beach and village center, offering self-catering accommodations with easy access to public transport. The property features fully equipped rooms and studios, perfect for your stay. During the summer, guests can relax by the pool and enjoy cocktails from the pool bar. The bus stop is also just 100 meters away, providing convenient access to other parts of the island. With Perissa’s shops and tavernas within walking distance, The Best is an excellent base for your holiday.
- Salida Del Sol Santorini Located in Éxo Goniá, Salida Del Sol Santorini offers a relaxing stay with pool and garden views, along with a year-round outdoor pool, hot tub, and steam room. The property provides free private parking, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. The recently renovated accommodation features a bedroom, bathroom with bathrobes and slippers, air conditioning, a terrace, and a flat-screen TV with streaming services. Guests can enjoy à la carte and continental breakfast options, along with a coffee shop and packed lunches. Sightseeing tours and car rentals are available nearby. Santorini Port is 6.4 km away, and the airport is just 3 km from the property. Couples rate the location 8.6 for two-person trips.
best luxurious hotel in santorini
- Aqua Luxury Suites by NOMÉE Hospitality Group Aqua Luxury Suites, located in Imerovigli, offers upscale Suites and Villas with stunning Caldera and Volcano views. Each suite is uniquely decorated and features private balconies or terraces, with some offering hot tubs or plunge pools. The hotel does not have a common swimming pool but has a heated tub at the Restaurant-Bar terrace, available from May to October. Breakfast is served à la carte in the privacy of your suite. The property is 3 km from Fira, 8 km from Oia, and 8 km from the airport. Couples love the location, rating it 9.8 for a two-person trip.
- Art Maisons Oia Castle Art Maisons Oia Castle is perfectly located on the edge of the caldera, offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the world-famous Santorini sunset. This charming property combines traditional Cycladic architecture with modern amenities, creating a perfect blend of style and comfort. Each suite is uniquely designed, reflecting the minimalist yet luxurious feel of Santorini. Guests enjoy free internet access throughout the property and also have access to the swimming pool at a sister property, Aspaki Exclusive Hotel, which offers incredible views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. This hotel is especially popular among couples, who have rated it highly for its romantic location.
- Aspaki by Art Maisons Aspaki by Art Maisons Hotel offers stunning views of Oia, the Aegean Sea, and the volcano. The Cycladic-style hotel features elegant suites with free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, a spa, and a sauna. Suites come with minibars, coffee machines, and some have hot tubs or private pools. Breakfast is served with beautiful views, and the hotel is a short walk from shops and restaurants. Wellness facilities include a steam bath and massages. It’s 19 km from Athinios Port and 17 km from Santorini Airport. Couples love the location, rating it 9.9 for a two-person trip.
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santorini travel guide for first timers
I’ll share some of the amazing things to do in Santorini. I’ll cover the main attractions, the costs, and give you some tips for your trip. I spent five days there with my wife Carol, and we definitely saw why this island is so famous.
We flew from Athens to Santorini. Flights can be as cheap as €30, or you can take a ferry for about €45, but it takes longer. Santorini is part of the Cyclades Islands and has a unique look due to a massive volcanic eruption that happened around 3,600 years ago.
We stayed in the village of Firostefani, which is near the capital, Fira. Our apartment, Alon Studios, cost around €90 per night during the off-season, but prices can go up to €100 in the high season. If you’re on a budget, you can find simpler accommodations for about €40-60 per night during low season. In the high season, prices for cheaper rooms can be €70-100, but there are also luxury options that can cost over €4,000 per night.
Firostefani is a great location because it’s quieter than Fira, but still just a 15-minute walk to the center of the capital. It’s also right by the cliffs, where you can see the famous views of the whitewashed buildings and the iconic Greek churches. From here, you can take boat tours to other nearby islands.
One of our highlights was walking around the different villages on the cliffs, especially in May when it wasn’t too crowded. In the peak months, it can get really busy, making it harder to walk around the narrow streets. Fira has a lot of shopping streets and restaurants with amazing sea views. We ate at a restaurant called Kalia, where a meat dish costs around €27-30, and a veggie pasta is €21. Drinks are pricey, but you can always find cheaper street food options if you’re on a budget.
If you like hiking, we recommend the coastal walk from Fira to Oia. It takes about 3 hours, but it’s not too difficult, and you’ll pass through quieter villages and see the untouched parts of the island. Oia is one of the most popular places to visit and has many shops, restaurants, and old windmills. It also has a 15th-century Venetian Castle and is a famous spot to watch the sunset. Amoudi Bay, below Oia, is a lovely place with seafront restaurants serving fresh seafood. We had a big fish for two, which cost €57. There’s also a swimming area where people can cliff jump and swim.
Oia is a popular sunset spot, but it gets crowded, even in May. We found quieter spots along the coast near our apartment, where we could enjoy the views without the crowds. For transport, we used local buses, which cost between €2 and €2.50 depending on where you’re going. You can rent a car for about €20 in the low season and €40 in the high season. We took a bus to Kamari Beach, one of the best beaches on the island. It’s a beautiful volcanic beach, and in May, it was almost empty.
Santorini also has historical sites. One is the ancient city of Thira, near Kamari Beach. It costs €6 to enter, and it was inhabited around the 8th century BC. Another site is the Akrotiri archaeological site, which costs €16 to visit. It was destroyed by the volcanic eruption I mentioned earlier.
Fira is also nice at night when it’s more relaxed. You can visit bars and nightclubs for a fun time. Santorini is close to other islands, and we ended up visiting Milos, Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos. Milos was the quietest island with moon-like landscapes, while Paros had beautiful beaches and villages. Naxos was our favorite island, with many beaches and historic sites. Mykonos was beautiful but very crowded, and the prices were higher than on the other islands.
From Santorini, you can also take ferries to Crete, which is Greece’s largest island. We visited Crete before, and it has amazing beaches like Elafonissi and Balos. Crete also has a different architectural style from the Cyclades, with more Venetian influences in some towns.
I hope this post gave you some good ideas for your trip to Santorini and where to stay. It’s best to visit in the off-season to avoid the big crowds. If you enjoyed the post, don’t forget to comment, and we’ll see you in the next new post!
