These are the best places you can stay in Santorini. Chances are, you are probably confused with the weird names of the island’s towns, the different views, pros, and cons each one has, or even wondering if Oia or Fira is better to stay in. So, my guide on where to stay in Santorini will hopefully help you.

BUT ALSO CHECK:
- For Sunset Views:White Pearl
- For Families:Nissia
- For Couples: Katikies
- For Swimming Pool:Grace Santorini
- For Honeymoon:Remezzo
- For Beach:Kastelli
- Budget:Stelios Place
- Boutique Hotel:Andronis
- Cave Hotel: Marizan Caves
- In Oia:Perivolas
- In Fira:Cosmopolitan Suites
- In Imerovigli:Astra Suites
Depending on your situation, this is where to stay in Santorini (Jump quickly with the links below or keep reading):
- Best Place To Stay In Santorini (Overall)
- Fira or Oia?
- Best Place For Honeymoon
- Best Place for Families & Kids
- Best Place for Young Couples
- Best place for Caldera Views
- Best Place for Solo Travellers
- Best Place for Seniors
- Best Place for Nightlife
- Best Place for Beach Life
- Best Place for Winter
- Best Place for Cheap Hotels
- Where to stay in Santorini without a car
READ ALSO:
Where to go in Santorini
So…you are probably wondering: Fira or Oia? Or maybe Imerovigli(that’s a weird name…)?
What about Firostefani, Perissa, or Kamari? Where can you see the famous Santorini sunset and the caldera?
(“Caldera” is the sea lagoon where the active volcano of Santorini sits). You can watch this video to understand how it was created.
Which town is the best to stay in, Santorini? Overall, what are the best places to stay in Santorini, Greece? The answer is pretty simple:“It really depends on your situation and what you are looking for from your trip to Santorini but it also depends on how much you are willing to spend per night, as prices differ a lot from place to place. As a rule of thumb though, the most expensive areas are the ones with the famous volcano views (Oia, Imerovigli and Fira) while the beach side towns of Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos are usually more affordable (but less Instagrammable…)“
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VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
The best area to stay in Santorini is the island’s west side, in the towns of Fira, Imerovigli, Firostefani, or Oia. This is where the famous cliff views are, the island’s most expensive and premium area. This is also the area with the best Santorini hotels. The only negative is that you won’t be very close to the beach, so you will have to spend most of your time at your swimming pool (which is not a bad thing…). If money is an issue, you should avoid all these areas and stay in Perissa, Perivolos, or Kamari, as these are generally more affordable.Which is the best area to stay in Santorini?
Where should I stay in Santorini for the first time?

If you are visiting Santorini for the first time, you should stay at Fira or Imerovigli, depending on your budget. I do not recommend staying in Oia because it gets too busy during sunset, and many tourists wander the streets.
Fira is the island’s transportation hub and offers the most famous views. If you are on a tight budget, you should head off to the beachside areas such as Perissa, Perivolos, or Kamari, where you won’t have any famous views, but the beach will be on your doorstep.
Where should I stay: Santorini, Oia, or Fira?
You should stay in Fira because Oia is too expensive and gets jam-packed every afternoon during sunset. Fira has many more hotel options (some of them can be quite affordable), and it is the capital of the island and the transportation hub for all the local buses.
Don’t get me wrong: Oia is magnificent, but it is also the main destination for all cruise ship passengers, and there is no way you can avoid that, unfortunately. Here you can read my full comparison between these 2 towns.
Keep reading…
1. Best Place To Stay In Santorini (overall)

The best area to stay in Santorini is the west coast, which offers uninterrupted views of the volcano, the caldera, and the sunset. If you have ever seen a picture of Santorini, the photographer was sitting on the cliff’s edge on that west coast side 99.9999% of the time.
The best towns to stay on that side of the island are Fira (where all the buzz is), Imerovigli (quieter and more secluded), Firostefani (within walking distance to Fira but quieter), and, of course, the famous Oia town. Staying in any of these towns will allow you to open your window to the fantastic, famous views every morning…but remember that these are also the most expensive areas to stay in Santorini.
- Best Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites
- Best Hotel in Imerovigli: Grace Santorini
- Best Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras Collection
- Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites
2. Fira Or Oia?

I recently compared these 2 towns in my detailed post: Oia or Fira? However, Fira is the capital of Santorini and the liveliest place on the island.
If you want to be closer to nightclubs, restaurants, shops, and the local buses that can take you almost anywhere on the island, then stay in Fira. You will get amazing views of the volcano, caldera, and sunset, and be where all the buzz is simultaneously.
Stay at Fira if:
- You are visiting any month between November and April, as most other places on the island will be deserted and closed
- You want to be close to the nightlife and the shops
- You don’t care about the beaches and swimming
Stay in Oia if:
- You want to have the best sunset views (with lots of crowds every evening)
- You don’t care about the prices of the accommodation (Oia has by far the most expensive hotels in Greece and some of the most expensive hotels in Europe)
- You just want to say to everyone that you will be staying in the famous Oia town
- You also don’t care about swimming in the sea (but of course, there are some amazing hotels with incredible private pools in Oia)
- Best Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites
- Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites
3. Best Place for a Honeymoon in Santorini
Secluded but also full of energy and with lots of things to do. But when researching all the different areas to stay in Santorini, the wealth of information might confuse most people. I believe accommodation is the A and Z for a great honeymoon.
Read Also: Best Honeymoon Hotels in Santorini
You don’t want to be close to nightclubs and crazy parties (though you can certainly visit some…). You have to make the best of your time with your other half, and that’s all that matters during that short period. Many people consider Oia the perfect place for a honeymoon in Santorini.Even though there is nothing wrong with Oia, the fact that during the summer months of July and August, every afternoon is packed with people rushing to watch the magnificent and famous Santorini sunset is, to be honest, not ideal. That is why you need a place with equally beautiful views, equally amazing hotels or suites, but less touristy and crowded.
That place is called Imerovigli, my dear honeymooners. Hands down, Imerovigli is the best area to stay for a honeymoon in Santorini.Imerovigli has the quietest and most amazing hotels on the island, and the area with the perfect love nests… Imerovigli has the best Santorini resorts, with the best service and amenities.
DO NOT make the mistake of booking a honeymoon package for Santorini. I have discovered from friends that these are charged surprisingly more than a hotel room you’d book by yourself. Travel Agents market amazing Santorini honeymoon packages like the holy grail of honeymoons, but it’s just a nice room with your private pool, maybe.Depending on the hotel, you may get some extras, but I think it’s not worth it. Just head to Booking.com and book a suite or a room at Imerovigli.
I am warning you, though… Imerovigli (and Oia) are expensive, but you will find better hotels and private suites than in Oia. If you cannot find something nice at Imerovigli, try searching the hotels and rooms in Firostefani, which is pretty close and has some impressive hotels and private rooms.
- Best Hotel in Imerovigli: Grace Santorini
- Best Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras Collection
- Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites
4. Best Place for Families and Kids

READ ALSO: Best Family Hotels in Santorini
People say that Santorini is only for romantic couples, honeymooners, or solo travellers. I say it’s perfect for everyone, no matter what!
There is a catch, though. The most family-friendly places in Santorini are those close to the beaches of Kamari and Perissa/Perivolos.Santorini is ideal for family vacations with kids.
You shouldn’t stay in the west side areas of the famous cliff, which have views of the caldera and sunset.
Why do I say that?
Well…kids love to play on the beach, right? A day at the beach is a fun day for every child. At least…those were my best summer days as a kid.And in fact, summer meant that I was allowed to be on the beach in Greece for four consecutive summer months. Yayyyyy!
Read Also: Best Beach Hotels in Santorini & Best Hotels in Perissa
Santorini and Greece are super safe, and you don’t have to worry about anything (but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful every time you are on holiday). I believe the Best Place for family holidays with kids in Santorini is Kamari Beach.The long and wide famous Kamari beach is within walking distance, and there are tens of tavernas, restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and other shops to spend your time in and have a great summer day. There are lots of amenities, too, all within walking distance….
And tons of ice cream!! A family day in Santorini could easily include a day on the beach, evening walks, and dinner in Oia or Fira.
Can you think of anything better? You can also stay close to Perissa/Perivolos Beach (the famous black beach), but I‘d say that Perissa, with all its beach bars and parties, is probably crazier.There are areas, though, that are great for kids. If your kids are in their teens, they would probably enjoy Perissa and Perivolos beaches more, as plenty of watersports are available for them to try. The great thing about Kamari and Perissa/Perivolos places is that they are considerably cheaper than those with famous views (Fira, Oia, Firostefani, and Imerovigli).
- Best Hotel in Kamari Beach: Sunrise Studios
- Best Hotel in Perissa Beach: Anastasia Princess
- Best Hotel in Perivolos Beach: Orabel Suites
5. Best Place for Young Couples
If you don’t want to rent and drive a car or a scooter on the island (which will make your life much easier, to be honest…), try to find a place at Fira as all the buses start from and end there. As an extra tip, for those worried that Santorini is super expensive and that they could not afford a room with a view,… accept it and try to stay in Karterados.
It’s where most locals hung out and is close to Fira. I will not lie to you, though: there is nothing fancy about Karterados. Karterados is the place to be if money is an issue.
READ ALSO: Best Cheap Hotels of SantoriniOn the other hand, if money is not an issue, I would advise staying at Fira or Firostefani (15-20 minutes walk from Fira), where all the buzz is. You will enjoy the famous views and the incredible infinity swimming pools, and your Instagram will be on fire! Period. Here is a handy list of the best, but good, decent, and clean hotels in Santorini
- Best Cheap Hotel in Santorini: Stelios Place
- Best Cheap Hotel in Fira: King Thiras Hotel
- Best Cheap Hotel in Kamari: Selini Hotel
- Best Cheap Hotel in Oia: Kiklamino Suites & Apartments
6. Best Place for Caldera Views
Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia, and Akrotiri all have the famous views of the caldera (the famous sea lagoon with the active volcano-island).
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that these are the most expensive areas to stay in Santorini.
Akrotiri is incredible but far from… civilization (25 minutes’ drive from Fira…). However, it’s still a great and possibly cheaper option if you want amazing views but are unwilling to pay the high price of Oia or Imerovigli.I have seen some amazing new hotels being built around Akrotiri the last years and I can easily predict that this is the area of the island that will be developed the most within the next years (if you are planning to invest in Santorini property then I strongly believe this is the place to do it!). If you stay in Akrotiri though, bear in mind that you will probably have to have a car as most of the shops and the restaurants are in Fira, in Oia or at the beach side areas of Perissa and Kamari.
So to have famous views of the caldera and volcano, you must choose between Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia, and Akrotiri.As I have said, you cannot have caldera views and be close to Santorini beaches, as no beach on the island overlooks the caldera and the volcano. The best option is Imerovigli if you are looking for caldera views.
- Best Hotel in Imerovigli: Grace Santorini
- Best Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras Collection
- Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites
7. Best Place For Solo Travellers

Santorini is an amazing place, which makes it super attractive for solo travellers. Many people from all over the world have it on their bucket lists.
Yes, it’s been marketed as a honeymoon destination or a super romantic place (which is true, by the way…). Still, the island’s diversity makes it an amazing destination for people who want to explore its beauty alone or meet fellow travellers worldwide.
If you are a solo traveller, I believe you should stay at Fira because you will be where the island’s buzz and transportation hub is.
Chances are you would probably spend your day on the beaches of Perissa and Perivolos meeting other people in one of the beach bars or just hiking in the island, but I truly believe staying as close to Fira as possible, would make your life much easier transportation-wise (all the buses start and end at Fira). Also, Fira is the place with all the nightlife so…it’s pretty obvious why you should stay in Fira. Staying in Oia is not ideal in my opinion as you wouldn’t want to get surrounded by honeymooners and couples, wouldn’t you?
But I am not saying that you shouldn’t go to Oia. Visiting Oia is a must!
So…enjoy the sunset in Oia, take the bus back to Fira for a souvlaki, and then head out for bar hopping in Fira.
Alternatively, if you visit Santorini in June, July, August, or September, you can also stay at one of the Perissa or Perivolos beaches. Still, you won’t get any of the famous views.You will get much lower prices in accommodation, amazing beach life, and beach bars.
Be careful, though: Those areas are pretty much deserted in November, December, January, February, March, and April, and all shops, hotels, and restaurants are closed.
- Best Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites
- Best Hotel in Perissa Beach: Anastasia Princess
- Best Hotel in Perivolos Beach: Orabel Suites
8. Best Place for Seniors

If you travel with seniors or people with mobility difficulties, I would strongly advise avoiding the areas on the island’s west side, such as Fira, Oia, Firostefani, or Imerovigli. There are thousands of stairs everywhere, and it will be a nightmare.
That doesn’t mean that even those people cannot enjoy the magnificent, famous views, but living in those areas would make a terrible holiday. On the other hand, I truly believe that staying in Kamari or Perissa beach would be ideal in such a case.
However, if you do choose to stay at any of the west side areas (Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia, Akrotiri), please make sure that you inform your hotel in advance and let them know of your situation. They will do their best to ensure you have a great and comfortable stay.
- Best Hotel in Kamari Beach: Sunrise Studios
- Best Hotel in Perissa Beach: Anastasia Princess
- Best Hotel in Perivolos Beach: Orabel Suites
9. Best Place For Nightlife

Okay…that’s an easy one. If you want to be as close to the island’s nightlife as possible, you should stay at Fira.
Read Also: My Ultimate Guide on Santorini Nightlife
Apart from Fira (and possibly Perissa in the summer months of June, July, August, and September), there is no serious nightlife elsewhere on the island.
Oia has no clubs or bars. Just restaurants.It’s supposed to be a quiet place, and rumour has it that Oia’s residents didn’t want to ruin that with crazy club-goers or drunk tourists, so they never let a big club or a bar open in that area.
I have to say, though, that if nightlife is the main purpose of your travel, I would probably visit Mykonos, as it has many more options in clubs and bars.Fira has the best clubs and bars of the island and if you are looking into crazy nightlife then you should stay as close as possible to Fira. If you stay anywhere else than Fira, then coming back home early morning might be tricky as there might not be any buses you can take or not that many available taxis around.
Best Bars and Clubs in Santorini are:
10. Best Place for Beaches
Perissa/Perivolos beach has the best beach bars of the island, the best beach restaurants of the island and overall the best beach life of Santorini. The great thing about Perissa and Perivolos beaches is that accommodation prices are considerably lower than in the other areas that have caldera views.
Bear in mind, though:
If you stay in Perissa or Perivolos Black Beaches, you won’t have the famous views that Santorini is known for, but you’ll be within walking distance of the beach!If being close to the beach is your highest priority in your Santorini holidays, then you could also stay in Kamari, even though I would say Perissa and Perivolos are much more fun places for younger people with lots of good beach parties during the summer months, excellent sunbeds, and yummy cocktails.
Even world-famous DJs often play in Perissa’s beach bars.
ALSO NOTE: Perissa, Perivolos, and Kamari ARE NOT good places to stay any month outside the high season (May-October). Most shops, restaurants, and businesses close at the end of October and open in late April.ALSO VERY IMPORTANT: You won’t be able to swim in the seawater in the winter, as the water will be pretty cold! If you visit Santorini in November, December, January, February, March, and April, FORGET about staying close to the beach, as you will miss a lot! These places are only for summer, mainly between June and September.
- Best Hotel in Kamari Beach: Sunrise Studios
- Best Hotel in Perissa Beach: Anastasia Princess
- Best Hotel in Perivolos beach: Orabel Suites
11. Best Place for the Winter in Santorini

Fira is the best place to stay in Santorini during the winter or low season months of November, December, January, February, March, and April. The main reason is that Fira is the only place that stays busy during winter.
Winter in Santorini is considered the following months: November, December, January, February, March, and April. You won’t be able to swim in the sea if you visit Santorini in any of these months. The seawater will be too cold for most people’s standards.
So, the best thing you can do is stay in the liveliest town, which is by far Fira. There will still be open restaurants and hotels all year round in Fira.
Read Also: Santorini in the Winter – What to ExpectThe great thing about winter in Santorini is that you can expect to pay far less for your accommodation, as prices are considerably lower. The other benefit is that most areas will be quiet, with few people around. But the weather can be windy and cold (5 degrees Celsius, for example), though it might be sunny!
- Best Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites
12. Best Place for Cheap Hotels in Santorini
But that doesn’t mean you won’t find amazing hotels in those areas! Quite the opposite… You will get more for your buck if you stay in Perissa or Kamari (which also applies to the restaurants).
Another area where you can find some good-priced hotels is Akrotiri. Akrotiri is the only area of Santorini where you can have caldera views without breaking the bank.
This is because most hotels in that area are quite new and haven’t been promoted as much as Oia, for example, during the last 20-30 years. Akrotiri is a fantastic place to stay, but you must understand that it is a bit further away from the island’s central hub, Fira (a 25-minute drive…the island is small!).
So, if you stay in Akrotiri, you probably need a car or a motorbike to get around the island, though a local bus can take you to and from Fira. Another option to get lower accommodation prices is to look at the villages of Emporio and Pirgos.You won’t get any famous views, but these are extremely picturesque and cute places with lovely traditional houses and even wineries where you can stay. The prices in Pirgos or Emporeio are lower than the ones you would pay in Oia. So, my suggestion for finding cheap hotels in Santorini is to search Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, Pirgos, and Emporeio.
- Best Hotel in Kamari Beach: Sunrise Studios
- Best Hotel in Perissa Beach: Anastasia Princess
- Best Hotel in Perivolos Beach: Orabel Suites
- Best Hotel in Pirgos: White & Co Island Villa
- Best Hotel in Emporio: Traditional Farmers Caves
13. Where to Stay in Santorini without a car
If you are wondering where to stay in Santorini without a car, you must stay in Fira. This place is close to the main Santorini Bus station and the taxi terminal.

If you stay in Fira, you can easily get the Santorini Ktel local bus as the main terminal is within walking distance.
For example, the bus from Fira to Oia takes about 25 minutes and costs less than 3 euros. So, it’s a no-brainer if you don’t want to drive on the island but still want to explore a few other Santorini cities.
CONCLUSION
So, here are the best places to stay in Santorini! Always remember that Santorini is not cheap, but if you search for a hotel in areas closer to the beaches of Perissa, Perivolos, and Kamari, you won’t be disappointed. Imerovigli is the best area to stay if you are a couple and want to enjoy the impressive volcano and caldera views.
This area doesn’t have thousands of tourists visiting the island. They go to Oia for the sunset. Fira is also a great option to be closer to the shops and the nightclubs.
If you are visiting Santorini with your kids, the best thing you can do is stay closer to the beach and see the famous view areas whenever you feel like it. The kids will always enjoy the beach more than just the amazing views…! The best area to stay with the kids is Kamari and Perissa.
Finally, always book your accommodation at least 6 months in advance, as most hotels sell out quickly yearly! Santorini’s beautiful landscape will not disappoint you, and you will want to return someday…