Where to stay in Santorini: Best Towns and Hotels
Santorini is one of Greece’s most iconic islands, famous for its dramatic caldera cliffs, blue-domed churches, and breathtaking sunsets. Choosing the right place to stay can completely shape your experience, whether you’re seeking luxury, romance, tranquility, or a central hub for exploring the island. From the bustling streets of Fira to the quiet charm of traditional villages, each town offers its own unique vibe, attractions, and accommodations. In this guide, we’ll break down the best towns and villages to stay in Santorini and help you find the perfect base for your dream island escape.
Oia
Oia is Santorini’s most famous village, known worldwide for its stunning sunsets, blue-domed churches, and views of the caldera from the cliffs. Travelers choose Oia for its luxury cave houses, boutique hotels, and romantic atmosphere, perfect for couples and honeymooners. The narrow streets are lined with high-end shops, galleries, and cafés, making it ideal for those who want a picturesque, sophisticated stay.
Perched on the dramatic cliffs of Oia, Terracotta Cave House offers a unique opportunity to stay in a beautifully renovated traditional Santorinian cave home, divided into two distinct accommodations, Terracotta Cave House (1) and Terracotta Cave House (2), both with prime locations and stunning views.
Canaves Ena is a collection of luxury suites in Oia, featuring a Cycladic aesthetic, elegant whitewashed interiors, private pools, and a serene sense of privacy.
Andronis Luxury Suites is a luxurious retreat in Oia featuring 39 refined suites and villas perched on the caldera cliffs, complete with private pools, sweeping Aegean views, a rejuvenating spa, and exceptional dining experiences.
Spitia Santorini is a collection of authentic homes and villas in Oia, including restored captain’s mansions, fishermen’s houses, and traditional cave dwellings, offering breathtaking views of the caldera or the village.
Hōm Santorini is a refined boutique retreat featuring elegantly designed suites with private terraces and hot tubs, offering serene caldera views and a tranquil, design-forward escape above the Aegean.
Gaia Cave Suites comprises eight minimalist Cycladic suites perched on Oia’s dramatic caldera cliffs, providing understated luxury and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and Santorini’s volcano.
A collection of 4 distinct cave houses in Oia, Cycladica offers warm hospitality, impressive views and traditional Cycladic architecture. Their collection consists of: The Sculptor’s House, The Old Bakery, Parathira Houses, and the White Cellar.
Fira
Fira is the island’s bustling capital, perched on the edge of the caldera with panoramic views of the volcano and the Aegean Sea. It’s perfect for travelers who want easy access to nightlife, restaurants, museums, and shopping. Fira is well connected by public buses and ferry services, making it a convenient base for exploring the rest of the island.
Ethos Vegan Suites is a boutique eco-conscious retreat in the heart of Fira, featuring five intimate suites crafted from natural and recycled materials, offering earthy luxury, homemade vegan breakfasts, and a sustainable yet comfortable base to explore Santorini.
Deep in Cave features two cave suites with hot tubs, each accommodating 3 to 4 guests, and is ideally located in the heart of Santorini’s capital, Fira.
Aleanna Villa is a private Cycladic-style villa near the center of Fira, accommodating up to six guests, offering Aegean Sea views, spacious interiors, and amenities such as a private pool and jacuzzi.
Situated on the caldera cliffs in the lively capital of Fira on Santorini, Asha Suites is a small, design-led boutique stay where each individually styled suite—named after elemental concepts like Soul, Matter, and Aether—features colorful mosaic spa bathrooms and private terraces or hot tubs overlooking the volcano, creating a stay that feels both artistic and deeply connected to the island’s dramatic landscape.
Imerovigli
Imerovigli is a peaceful town of Santorini perched at the highest point of the caldera cliffs, offering some of the island’s most dramatic views. Travelers seeking tranquility, luxury, and romantic sunsets often stay here. It’s perfect for walking along the caldera’s edge, visiting Skaros Rock, and staying at boutique hotels with private pools.
Perched on the caldera cliffs in Imerovigli on Santorini, The Vasilicos is an intimate boutique hotel of seven elegant cave-style suites offering panoramic volcanic views, refined privacy, and a relaxed, art-filled atmosphere inspired by its origins as a private summer residence.
One of One Santorini is a luxurious boutique hotel perched on the iconic Caldera in Imerovigli, offering 15 uniquely designed suites with private cave‑inspired pools, breathtaking sea views, and a striking blend of volcanic energy and contemporary comfort for an unforgettable Santorini escape.
Atoles Retreat is an intimate luxury retreat in Imerovigli offering a handful of beautifully designed suites with private terraces, plunge pools, and serene Caldera views that blend minimalist Cycladic aesthetics with understated comfort for a restful Santorini getaway.
Lukas Aethereal Living Suites is a serene boutique retreat perched at the highest edge of the caldera cliffs in Imerovigli on Santorini, offering refined Cycladic‑inspired suites with panoramic sunset and Aegean Sea views, heartfelt hospitality, and a peaceful, elevated setting above all other buildings.
Ammoudi Bay
Ammoudi Bay lies at the foot of Oia’s cliffs and is famous for its small harbor and seaside tavernas. Guests stay here to enjoy fresh seafood, swimming, and direct access to the water while still being a short walk from Oia’s village center. It’s ideal for travelers seeking a picturesque waterfront experience.
Set directly on the waterfront of Ammoudi Bay below Oia on Santorini, Nicoletta Ammoudi Suites is a trio of restored 19th-century volcanic-stone suites—once a family wine storage building—offering rare front-row sea views, private terraces, and plunge pools just steps from the Aegean.
Anelia House is a charming two-level seaside residence distinguished by its front-row sunset views and a bedroom window perfectly positioned to watch the sun dip directly into the Aegean.
Pyrgos
Pyrgos is a hilltop village full of history, cobbled streets, and panoramic views across Santorini. Travelers choose Pyrgos for a traditional and authentic experience, away from the tourist crowds. The village is dotted with small cafés, local tavernas, and art studios, making it ideal for cultural exploration.
Apikia Santorini Suites is a stylish boutique collection of 12 detached suites on the foothills of Pyrgos on Santorini, each with its own private pool or outdoor hot tub and sweeping views of the Caldera and Aegean Sea, blending contemporary comfort with local tradition and serene hillside privacy.
North Santorini – A Luxury Spa Hotel
North Santorini – A Luxury Spa Hotel is an elegant boutique retreat in Pyrgos offering refined suites and villas with private pools or hot tubs, panoramic views, world‑class spa facilities, and exceptional dining for a rejuvenating and memorable island stay.
Elessa Hotel in Pyrgos, Santorini, is a refined boutique retreat where minimalist elegance, heated plunge‑pool suites, bespoke concierge services, and a heartfelt commitment to community and authentic island experiences combine to create a uniquely personal and rejuvenating stay on the Greek island.
Set below the castle of Pyrgos, Halcyon Days Suites is a small collection of design-forward suites with private terraces, pools, or hot tubs that stand out for its peaceful, village-immersed setting and its concept inspired by the Greek myth of the “halcyon days”—those rare, calm winter days of sunshine and stillness.
Emporio
Emporio is a charming traditional village in the center of the island, known for its medieval fortress and winding alleyways. It offers a quiet, authentic Santorinian experience with local shops, cafés, and historic architecture. Travelers looking for a central location that feels off the beaten path often choose Emporio as a base.
Vima Santorini is a thoughtfully renovated family home in Emporio, blending traditional cave-style architecture with modern comforts, featuring cozy interiors, a charming patio under Bougainvillea, and serene views of the island.
Depalyma Suites is a small, modern collection of just six suites tucked in the traditional town of Emporio on Santorini, distinguished by its peaceful location away from the busy caldera towns and by private sea-view terraces with hot tubs creating a quiet, self-contained retreat for exploring the island.
Villa Izabela is a spacious two-bedroom private villa distinguished by its large sun-filled terrace and oversized heated jacuzzi-pool, offering a peaceful, home-style base away from the island’s crowded caldera towns; perfect for families or a group of friends.
Sugarwhite Suites is a small collection of modern two-bedroom suites with private outdoor pools and spacious patios, offering a quiet, home-like retreat that blends contemporary comfort with warm local hospitality and homemade breakfasts.
Finikia
Finikia is a quiet village just outside Oia, offering restored cave houses and charming streets lined with bougainvillea. Travelers choose Finikia for a more peaceful, local atmosphere while still being within walking distance of Oia’s famous caldera views. It’s perfect for those seeking serenity and authenticity without straying too far from the island’s main attractions.
Nestled in the peaceful village of Finikia near Oia, Elysian Retreat is a boutique sanctuary of ten luxurious suites with private pools, blending contemporary design, sustainable architecture, and tranquil views of the Aegean countryside.
Neema Maison Finikia Santorini
Brand new hotel in Finikia, Neema Maison is part of the Domes Hotels. It’s a stylish adults-only boutique retreat that blends vintage island fashion with sophisticated design for a rare, effortlessly chic Santorini stay.
Located in the peaceful village of Finikia near Oia on Santorini, Pink Freud Villas is a boutique collection of four private villas offering sunset views, secluded pools, and a relaxed blend of local charm and understated luxury.
Azalea Houses is a collection of beautifully restored traditional winemaker’s cave homes that blend historic Cycladic architecture with elegant interiors, offering beautiful views of vineyards and the Aegean Sea.
Explore top tours in Santorini
Megalochori
Megalochori is a traditional village known for its elegant squares, wineries, and historic architecture. Visitors looking for quiet, scenic streets and a genuine local experience often choose Megalochori. It’s also a great base for exploring the southern vineyards and enjoying boutique accommodations away from the busy tourist hubs.
Niso Santorini Cave Suites is a charming complex of three beautifully restored 18th-century cave dwellings in the traditional village of Megalochori, blending minimalist bioclimatic design with authentic Cycladic architecture around a peaceful shared courtyard.
Located along the wine route of Santorini, Cydonia Caves is a boutique Cycladic-style stay set within a beautifully restored 200-year-old cave house and former winery, blending historic character, original architecture, and modern comforts in a serene and authentic setting.
Enarma Suites & Spa Wellness Retreat
Tucked within the charming village of Megalochori on Santorini, Enarma Suites is a tranquil boutique retreat that blends eco-conscious design, village heritage, and effortless luxury to create an authentic and restorative island escape.
Vothonas
Staying in Vothonas offers a chance to experience one of the most authentic and atmospheric corners of Santorini, where traditional cave houses carved into volcanic rock create a setting unlike anywhere else on the island. Tucked into a quiet gorge, the village feels peaceful and timeless, offering a glimpse into Santorini’s local life away from the busy caldera towns. Despite its tranquility, Vothonas is centrally located, making it easy to explore the island’s beaches, landmarks, and villages while enjoying a more private and authentic base. Because it remains one of Santorini’s lesser-known villages, accommodation in Vothonas is often more affordable than in the island’s famous caldera towns, making it a great choice for travelers seeking a quieter atmosphere, more space, and better value.
Erthā Suites with private pools
Nestled in the picturesque town of Vothonas on Santorini, Erthā Suites is an intimate retreat of three thoughtfully designed Cycladic-style luxury suites, each with a private heated pool and elegant interiors—offering tranquility, comfort, and an authentic island experience.
Tucked into the scenic gorge of Vothonas on Santorini, Maison Dalidaz is a charming collection of three beautifully restored traditional homes that blend artistic spirit, heritage, and warm island hospitality.
Alme Cave Villas is a restored volcanic cave house transformed into a spacious private villa distinguished by its striking indoor-outdoor pool with a hot tub and waterfall that flows through the space, blending traditional cave architecture with contemporary luxury.
Akrotiri
Akrotiri sits on the southern tip of the island and is known for its quiet charm, archaeological site, and iconic red and black beaches. Guests choose Akrotiri for a more relaxed, low-key experience away from the crowds of Oia and Fira. Sunset views are equally breathtaking here, and accommodations often feature outdoor terraces or infinity pools overlooking the sea.
COCO-MAT Hotel Santorini offers mesmerizing caldera sunset views from the charming town of Akrotiri on the island’s southern tip, featuring minimalist suites with outdoor hot tubs and the brand’s signature COCO-MAT sleep products for an exceptionally restful stay.
Akrorama Villa & Suites is an exclusive retreat of three luxurious suites and one private villa perched above Akrotiri, offering serene privacy, refined comfort, and panoramic views for a tranquil Santorini escape.
Perfect for families or groups of up to 6 people, Villa di Capo offers sweeping views of the Cretan Sea and the Caldera.
