Where to stay in Santorini

Santorini is not the cheapest place, that’s for sure. But it doesn’t mean you can’t organise more budget-friendly trips. You can get to Santorini on cheap airlines and get around the island by bus. You can also find there just standard accommodation, not every place is Instagram-like luxurious.

In this article, you can read about where to sleep and where to stay in Santorini.

First small advice, although it doesn’t apply only to Santorini, rather all Greek islands, or maybe generally southern countries? If there is a possibility, rent a room with a balcony. Even if it’s without ‘sea view’, there is nothing better than an evening with local wine and the sound of cicadas.

Second, regarding Santorini itself. Don’t expect large hotels, those typical all-inclusive, with animations at swimming pools, etc. There are such hotels on Greek islands, but not on Santorini. It’s mostly small family hotels, pensions, or boutique hotels.

What type of accommodation can you find in Santorini

Boutique hotels

Santorini, the one we know from newspapers and Instagram, is very elegant and luxurious. With expensive boutique hotels like in the catalogue, on the edge of a cliff, in a cave, with your own private pool or jacuzzi.

Such hotels are especially in Oia and Imerovigli. The prices are in line with the impression, in high season, it is even 300-600 Euro per night.

I can imagine it’s a dream for many people. Don’t forget, that you can always combine staying in different hotels during one trip, in case you want to try such a hotel, but can’t afford it for more nights.

Just remember that there can be minuses of these boutique hotels: a lot of stairs, and as they are in caves, some issues with fresh air. I didn’t stay in such a hotel, but there was one more thing I was wondering about, namely privacy. Especially in Oia, I had the impression some (not all!) of these terraces with ‘private bathtubs’ were very visible to other tourists, who were just walking around and taking pictures. For myself, I wouldn’t feel comfortable about it, but of course it depends on the person.

Just read carefully the comments and opinions before you book to check if any of these things wouldn’t be a problem in a particular place.

Studios, guest houses, villas

But! Santorini is not only about this type of accommodation. You can also find many small, family-run hotels and guest houses for typical (in touristic places) prices of up to 100 Euros a night per room to stay in Santorini. They often come with a small pool. In Fira I’ve stayed in 3 different places, and one of them I can recommend, as it was quite new, clean, in Fira’s centre, and had a small swimming pool: Markakis Studios.

The other two I can’t recommend, as one was not clean enough and the second had a not nice, very cheap-touristic- cheesy atmosphere.

Where to stay in Santorini, in which towns?

Beach towns

It depends on what you are searching for. More ‘beach-like’ towns? Then look at Perissa or Kamari. Looking at the prices, they are even cheaper. And not far from Fira, it takes 20-30 minutes to get to the capital by bus.

I’m not really a beach person, so I haven’t stayed there, but my parents did when ‘I sent’ them to Santorini last year. They truly recommend Santorini Crystal Blue Boutique Hotel.

Fira

In my opinion, a good option is accommodation in Fira. The prices are quite OK, with a wider choice of standards than in Oia. While Fira is still a Santorini-view type of place, with cliffs and views of the caldera. Or Firostefani, it’s a village walking distance from Fira (you walk on a beautiful promenade).

It’s also easy to get to various places on the island from Fira, so it’s a good transfer spot. If you fly to Santorini, but soon after go by ferry to other islands, think about staying in Fira, close to the bus station.

Villa Roussa is where my parents stayed when they arrived in Santorini around 11 p.m. The next day, in the morning, they had to catch the bus to the port and ferry to Naxos. It wasn’t anything special, but it was fine enough for such a night. And what I liked about the place was the communication. I was quite nervous, if they would enter hotel after reception’s working hours without problems, and wrote to the hotel a few times. The replies were quick and all worked well, that’s why I posted here the name of the place.

Oia

Many people want to spend nights in Oia, the most famous, like a postcard town. It’s an expensive place. Think also about whether this is a good solution because of crowds. If you don’t like crowds, it may be tiring for you, especially during the day when organised trips arrive (unless you go completely out of season). Of course, you need to see Oia and its famous sunsets (well, honestly, I think the sunset in Fira was as spectacular as in Oia), but you can just get there by bus.

Finikia

Or… by walk! I recommend having a look at the village of Finikia, which is about 15-20 minutes walk from Oia. The walk is on a good road (for most of the time, not on the main street or uphill). You can be quickly in the centre of everything, but also get away from the crowds. It’s like a different world there, quiet place with great views and a few very local style restaurants.

In addition, there are traditional cave hotels at more affordable prices. Here I stayed in Heliophos Caves and it was just a dreamy place. No swimming pool, but room in traditional caves, nicely designed. Breakfast was ready-to-eat, prepared in the fridge, and you could eat it on your small terrace. Not even talking about views. Santorini vibes in an affordable way.

I hope this article helps you decide where is the best place to stay in Santorini for you and  choose your perfect spot on this amazing island.

Wondering how to get to Santorini? Here is the answer.

Wondering if you should choose another island instead? Check the Greek Islands’ description.

Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at NO extra cost to you.