9 Best Places to Visit in Santorini (+Map)

Spectacular Santorini shines like a glamorous jewel in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Completing the set of Cyclades islands, Santorini itself is set on the site of a submerged volcano and is home to the famously breathtaking caldera which gives the island its distinct shape. Life on the island itself is pure luxury; secluded villas with infinity pools, private cliffside suites and honeymoon hideaways create an upscale vibe infused with a divine decadence.

The island has a distinct culture and a depth of history, and the local settlements are made up of villages, each of which vary in architecture and development and have their own unique charm. The romance of Santorini shines through with the sublime nature of its sunsets; as the sun sinks it illuminates the ocean and lights up the caldera, a spectacle which draws thousands of visitors daily.

Santorini is a luxury destination: some of the places to stay in Santorini are fantastically opulent and cater to a glitterati of chic visitors from across the globe. Whatever the budget, traveler who come to Santorini’s shores will enjoy the evenings watching in awe as the sky changes colour and bask in extravagance of the Greek holiday haven.

Days on the island are filled with delicious dining and the chance to recline on your own private terrace among the jigsaw of quintessentially Greek white block buildings, as the sun washes over you and you indulge in the delights of life on Santorini.

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Fira

Spend balmy evenings in buzzing Fira, the biggest town on the island and the lively heart of Santorini. With its abundance of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Fira is where you should stay on Santorini if you want to party until the early hours and then spend your days exploring the island, and browsing the many shops in the town in the shadow of the beautiful volcano in the distance.

Fira is the perfect place to base yourself in order to explore all that Santorini has to offer. All of the bus routes that traverse the island begin and end in the town meaning that you can travel all over the island.

If you don’t fancy catching the bus then it is simple to rent a scooter or even your own car and travel at your own pace. Hotels in Fira town are more expensive than neighboring villages but there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from.

Where to Stay in Fira

Lilium Santorini Villa – The style and luxury really shine through at this 5-star offering – thanks in part to its dramatic clifftop location, boasting uninterrupted sea views.
Astro Palace Hotel & Suites – Let yourself unwind in the sumptuous surroundings of this hotel as you lap up sweeping views of the Aegean Sea from the comfort of your balcony. Some rooms even come with their own Jacuzzi, while others look out onto a private pool.
Santorini Palace – Sea views and sun-soaked terraces, this hotel combines classic Santorini style with sleek furnishings to create a comfortable and chic place to stay.
Dream Island Hotel – A beautiful resort consisting of whitewashed buildings set around a chilled pool area.

Oia

Oia’s divine sunsets, sleepy nightlife and an artistic atmosphere is a big attraction to the many people who come here. The village’s serene vibe is appealing to those who want to stay close to the main transit hub of Fira, but don’t want to be in the middle of the action.

Situated on a steep slope of the caldera, Oia’s big draw is its sundowners: people gather in the village every evening in order to bask in the famous Santorini sunset. The glorious views from Oia of the sun sinking below the horizon does means that it gets busy at dusk, although the visitors soon slip away as night falls and Oia returns to its peaceful pace of life once again.

The stunning sunset views do come with a price tag, however, and accommodation in the town isn’t the cheapest. The village is home to a lot of 5-star luxury hotels and is often the top choice for newlyweds visiting the island on their honeymoon.

Where to Stay in Oia

Katikies Hotel – Set up high on rocky cliffs above glistening waters of the Aegean Sea, this is the ideal simple spot to chill out and enjoy the beauty of Santorini.
Anemoessa Villa – Located on the edge of Oia, this family-run hotel is a quiet and unfussy place that’s perfect for sunset views and poolside drinks.

Imerovigli

Close to Fira, quiet and placid Imerovigli is the dream spot for honeymooners. The village is one of the most expensive places to stay on the island, but with breathtaking views of the caldera lagoon and romantic luxury love nest hideaways, it offers a perfect slice of secluded Santorini.

The charming town doesn’t have a beach but does have awesome 4 and 5-star hotels to choose from, many offering beautifully designed private suites, some of which are built into the cliff and have views of the volcano. From Imerovigli it is easy to travel to nearby towns; a lot of hotels offer a free shuttle bus, although local busses also connect to busy Fira.

Where to Stay in Imerovigli

Astra Suites – This hotel feels like a secluded stay, but you won’t be isolated; the bars and restaurants of Fira are just two kilometers away.
Andromeda Villas Resort Relaxed and simply stylish, Andromeda Villas boasts not only three pools, but also three restaurants; one of these is situated by the pool for glittery night time dining.

Kamari

Kamari is considerably cheaper than villages with views of the Caldera, but what it lacks in famous views it makes up for in its beautiful beach. If you are visiting Santorini with children then staying in Kamari is a great choice of location.

The family friendly village boasts an expanse of sandy beach dotted with little local bars and restaurants, supermarkets and shops, meaning long days spent playing on the shoreline and evenings enjoying delicious meals with your family.

This is the place to stay in Santorini if your budget is a little tight, and the best priced hotel rooms are usually found outside of the peak summer season. With most of the accommodation in easy walking distance to the beach, there is no need to take a bus or taxi to reach the water as in other towns on the island.

Where to Stay in Kamari

Hotel Matina – Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, the whitewashed buildings of Hotel Matina provide the perfect setting for a sojourn to Santorini.

Perissa

Just a few kilometers away from the airport and another one of the cheaper places to stay on Santorini, Perissa is home to the famous black sand beach. Lined with busy beach bars and a party scene, Perissa is a fun loving beach town to stay on your Greek getaway.

There are plenty of activities to take part in, water sports to try out, and beach parties to enjoy with a cocktail in hand. Out of season Perissa is very quiet and many of the bars and shops are closed, so accommodation prices are considerably lower.

You can explore the rest of the island from Perissa by renting a car or scooter, but a lot of visitors find themselves spending their days on the beach, soaking up the sun and the surf and evenings eating in the villages eateries and beach bars.

Where to Stay in Perissa

Meltemi Village Hotel – Choose to stay in a private villa with its own walled sun terrace and plunge pool, or stay in a standard room and enjoy the multiple pools at this 4-star hotel – one of these features three different water slides!.

Firostefani

Calm and quiet Firostefani boasts the famous Santorini caldera sunset views and impressive secluded private rooms, which come with an equally impressive price tag. Firostefani is within an easy twenty minute walking distance to festive Fira village, but is much more laid back.

If you don’t fancy walking to neighboring Fira for dinner, Firostefani has its own delicious dining scene with plenty of restaurants and locally owned cafes that serve fresh food with fabulous views.

Hotels in Firostefani are nestled among the charming colorful buildings and are centered around the main shopping street in the village, where visitors can buy most of the things they need on their vacation.

Where to Stay in Firostefani

Agali Houses – From its outdoor pool – complete with panoramic sea views – to its cafe and bar boasting not only a terrace but a library, too, Agali Houses is most certainly a place to come to unwind on Santorini.

Pyrgos

Pyrgos (also known as Pirgos) is a little village on the highest point of Santorini and has incredible panoramic views across the whole of the island. The village still has a traditional Greek feel, with a population of less than 1,000 and many old remains.

Visitors to the village are charmed by the attractive winding lanes that lead up hillsides, past neoclassical mansions and authentic whitewashed houses and along sundrenched vineyards with views of unforgettable sunsets.

The main square in the center of Pyrgos is where you will find the bus stop to travel to other villages. There are quaint galleries and churches which are waiting to be explored and, further up the hillside, small cafes where you can sip on cocktails and take in views of Oia and the blue seas below. Hotels in Pyrgos are varied and visitors can choose from luxury holiday homes, extravagant hideaways or locally owned hotels.

Where to Stay in Pyrgos

Skyfall Suites – It’s adults only here, meaning you’ll be able to relax in peace and quiet. The suites in the whitewashed surroundings of this 5-star offering feature private terraces – or balconies – and exquisite sea views.

Megalochori

Megalochori is made up of magnificent mansions, rumored pirate dens, traditional Greek villas and wine caverns. Dating back to the 17th century, the photogenic village is one of the most charming on the whole of Santorini thanks to the local people’s effort to maintain and restore traditional buildings to their original state.

Life in the village is based around the village square where you can linger over a coffee and watch the older inhabitants chat over a game of cards. There are tavernas and shops as well as restaurants that serve up delicious dishes and busses can be caught to either side of Santorini from the main road. Accommodation around the village is made up of sophisticated hotels with a range of rooms available.

Where to Stay in Megalochori

Athermi Suites – Complete with views of Santorini caldera, true to its name, this hotel features rooms that are exclusively suites.

Akrotiri

If you want to stay somewhere with the famous Santorini view of the Caldera, but don’t want to pay a huge amount for accommodation, then Akrotiri is your best choice. Tucked away on the South West coast, far away from lots of places on the island, Akrotiri is developing quickly.

In recent years it has seen lots of excellent hotels open up in the area. However, the village remains largely unspoiled and less touristy than the rest of the island, meaning better value for money but all of the luxury.

Akrotiri has some incredible coastal views along its largely undeveloped beaches, which are especially beautiful at sunset. The local tavernas serve up some of the island’s best fish for tasty evening meals; the village is also home to one of the island’s most interesting sites, the Akrotiri Excavations and Akrotiri Castle.

If you want to travel to other towns from Akrotiri you will need a car – from Akroti it’s around a twenty-five minute drive to Fira, but the island is fantastic to explore by car and there are many adventures to be had.

Where to Stay in Akrotiri

Kokkinos Villas – Sometimes a simple stay is all you want; at Kokkinos Villas, that is what you’ll get. It may be a simple, Cycladic whitewashed building, but the views from the upgraded rooms at this 3-star offering are still incredible.