Santoríni

As far as many of us are concerned, Santoríni is one of the most spectacular places on earth. The drama of her multicoloured volcanic cliffs is perfectly contrasted by the peaceful beauty of her white, cubist villas - all arranged around the smooth and near perfect arc of the flooded blue volcanic caldera. She's as interesting as she is beautiful, what with her wineries and archaeological treasures, her buzzing tavernas, fine restaurants and boutiques and calm beaches beckoning welcomingly. Now you just need to know the best places to stay on Santoríni to get the most out of her!

Imerovigli may only be 2km from Santoríni's busy capital Thira but feels a million miles away in terms of peace and quiet. Oia is located at the northern tip of the island and some believe that it's the place to come if the view is top of your wish list - from here you can see not only the Caldera but the pretty white villages scattered to the south, not to mention the all-important sunset!

All our Santoríni collections:

• Most romantic hotels in Santoríni
• Best luxury hotels on Santoríni
• Best family hotels on Santoríni
• Best hotel views on Santoríni
• Best hotel pools on Santoríni
• Best value hotels on Santoríni

Where to stay

• Thira, with its steep, colourful cliffs is dramatic yet relaxed. This is Santoríni’s main town with more than its fair share of beautiful white cave hotels and apartments with infinity pools. Behind the hotels are the narrow streets of the town with the shops, bars and restaurants. Tear yourself away from the view and you’ll find the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, several galleries and your kids will love the cable car down to the docks. Nearby is the atmospheric site of Ancient Thira.
• Just two kilometres from Thira, Imerovigli is quieter and seems to have more churches. Imerovigli has great access to the restaurants, bars, museums and the port of Thira without the hassle of being in the thick of it.
• At Santoríni’s northern arc, the lovely little village of Oia has the cream of the crop when it comes to perfect views - partly because you can see the stacked sugar cubes of Thira and Imerovigli. Most of Oia can only be reached on foot - it’s steep - they still employ donkeys to take away the garbage. 300 steps below the town are the beaches, plus there’s a Maritime Museum.
• Originally a Bronze Age settlement, Akrotiri is situated on the southern tip of the island. The settlement was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1627 BC, but the ash preserved many colourful frescoes and recent excavations have done a wonderful job at restoring a wide variety of ancient artefacts. A top spot for culture-vultures!
• Meanwhile, Vlychada and Kamari are known for their rugged coastal beauty and are ideal if you're looking for a tranquil break by the seaside.

What not to Miss

• If Santoríni's on your bucket list then to really experience her arrive by sea! She's a spectacle on approach.
• Santoríni is famous for sunsets - many believe they’re the world’s most spectacular, so opt for one of hotels with the Best hotel views on Santoríni.
• Don't forget Akrotiri! Like Pompeii, this town of 5,000 was a thriving community until the eruption that made Santoríni so beautiful today;
• And don’t forget that some of the islands in the group are still ‘smoking’, you can take a tour to see the steaming vents, hot springs and lava flows dating from the 1950s.
• As well as building the Cycladic ‘sugar cube’ houses, people lived in cave houses cut into the cliffs and the rocks. Some are still in use, some abandoned and some have been turned into some of the best places to stay on Santoríni. It’s definitely worth trying to see a few and possibly a few of the churches built in the same way.
• Santoríni is also home to some of the world’s oldest vineyards. The volcanic soil and unique climate of the island mean the local wines have quite a distinct flavour.
• The lighthouse at Faros has a reputation for being a great spot for taking photos.
• Santoríni has beaches in three colours: black, red and white. You’ll find everything here from secluded coves without any sand or facilities but excellent swimming conditions, to busy beach bars and perfect spots for snorkellers.
• Don’t forget to walk: Santoríni is an incredibly beautiful destination so don’t risk coming away with only the classic photos, explore the island properly on foot and you’ll discover your own lookouts and highlights.

With lots on offer, many of the best places to stay on Santorini are snapped up quickly - so do plan ahead and make your booking early.

Imerovigli

• The Avaton Resort & Spa has seven fantastically chic, neutral toned rooms with private balconies, an excellent Mediterranean restaurant and an indulgent spa. It’s very calm and peaceful and the views are amazing.

• The Hotel Ilioperato is a lovely four-star hotel in Imerovigli with eleven rooms and apartments, all with private balconies, plus a lovely pool and fantastic sea views. Great value too.

• The Hotel Afroessa is a traditional hotel with a collection of ten understated rooms and maisonettes. They also do fantastic breakfasts on their private balconies.

• If you thought Santoríni was out of your price range think again, the Remezzo Villas in Imerovigli are a collection of 18th Century villas nestled into the cliffside with traditional Cycladean features and colours and a room rate from €120 per night.

• The Kapari Natural Resort also offers reasonably priced luxury, this time in Imerovigli, carved right into the cliff face. There are 19 neutral toned rooms, a few with private hot tubs, plus an excellent wine bar and restaurant with fantastic sea views.

• San Antonio’s stunning, uninterrupted views of the caldera can be seen from the private balconies of all of its 25 rooms which benefit from beautiful white decor, butler service and an extensive spa menu. And there’s a gourmet restaurant.

• Grace Santoríni is a palatial villa cut right into the cliff, with 22 all white rooms with fabulous views, private balconies and hot tubs, a lovely Mediterranean restaurant and an extensive spa.

• Chromata is one of the best places to stay in Santoríni to appreciate this romance. It has an infinity pool looking across the caldera! Built above traditional style 'cave houses' carved into the rocky cliff. Decked out in beautiful, simple luxury. Designed to make you feel like you're the only two people in existence.

• The Vasilicos in Imerovigli has a great spot, high on the cliff top with spectacular sea views. There are just seven simple, chic suites with the option to dine privately on your terrace.

Thira

• The Tzekos Villas Hotel in Thira has been built into the side of the caldera to make the best of its views over the Aegean. The decor is typically Cycladic and there are balconies overlooking the ocean. Peaceful.

• Aigialos is another great option for families with its collection of sugar cube houses on very top of the cliff. There are houses sleeping two people and mansions sleeping five - plus in between options.and All have private balconies and access to a lovely pool and Mediterranean restaurant.

• Sun Rocks in Thira has fantastic views of the sea - especially at sunset, which you can enjoy in the lovely, intimate restaurant or on one of several sun terraces. There are just 17 oh-so-chic and romantic rooms.

• Our Guru’s best value recommendation is the Rena's Suites, a chic B&B in central Thira, with pretty all-white rooms and suites, a large pool and a relaxed restaurant. Almost unbelievably their rooms start from less than £50 per night.

• Zannos Melathron is a classically elegant 18th Century mansion hotel with just 10 rooms and suites, some with interconnecting doors. Cut right into the cliff, the rooms all have private balconies, plus there’s a great Greek/ Mediterranean restaurant and a lovely pool.

• Homeric Poems is a sophisticated cliffside hotel with 20 rooms and suites, a lovely pool and numerous sun terraces. There are beautiful views from almost everywhere, plus modern art to look at when you’re facing away from the views.

Oia

• Katikies is a romantic dream in white and blue with 27 luxuriously tranquil rooms and stunning views. They also have an exceptional infinity pool and poolside restaurant and excellent wine bar. Plus an extensive spa.

• The Kirini Suites & Spa is a fantastic, five-start hotel overlooking the Aegean, fastidiously designed in the Cycladic style, the suites are all white and all elegant. There’s a deluxe spa carved into the cliff and the restaurant is excellent.

• Esperas also offers different types of accommodation, from rooms to studios to suites and whole villas. You’re right on the coast, with spectacular views from private balconies. The rooms are rustic white with bright art works. Great value, starting from around £130 per night.

• 1864 The Sea Captain's House has just four suites, tucked into the old town of Oia. They all have plenty of character - think four-poster beds and antiques as well as whitewashed walls and balconies with incredible views you expect of Santoríni.

• The Ikies Traditional Houses are along a similar line, a five star collection of rooms, suites and maisonettes cut into the cliff face, all facing out onto dreamy caldera views. The furnishings are all white and some have private hot tubs, also with caldera views.

• Converted from 300 year old cave dwellings, the Perivolas LIfestyle Houses are now a collection of 20 tranquil, luxurious suites, plus a stunning infinity pool and beautiful terraced gardens.

• The Aenaon Villas are a great option for families with older children. There are seven villas in the group, all are white and ultra chic with huge private terraces and amazing sea views. There’s also a fantastic pool.

Kamari

• Closer to the beach, and further from the cruise ship crowds, Santoríni Kastelli Resort is for families. It's a good size and beside a black sandy beach and friendly tavernas.

Vlychada

• Notos Therme Resort and Spa captures the real romance of the place. It's on one of the last relatively undeveloped bits of coast: around Vilhada, a tiny fishing village. Celebrate the tranquillity and views by treating yourself to a spa treatment or two. Perfectly romantic.

Akrotiri

• The Astarte Suites in Thira compose of nine suites - each with their own private jacuzzi and balcony on which champagne breakfasts are served. You’re close to the beaches but there’s also a lovely pool.

For a private Apartment or Villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Santoríni airport is linked to Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, with more flights available during the busier season. The airport is about seven kilometres from Thira. You can also arrive on Santoríni via cruise ships, which dock at Skála Firás, before taking the 580 steps up to Thira - unless you hire a donkey or take the cable car. Or, you can catch the ferry in to Athinios.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Santoríni really has just two seasons, summer, which is between March and October and temperatures range between about 11°C and 40°C, and winter, between November and February, when temperatures range between 10°C and 25°C. It’s certainly far from cold in winter, but the Greek islands tend to be more difficult to get to because of the reduced ferry timetable, and some parts of the island (including restaurants and bars) close down. But if you can work out the transport then you’ll be rewarded with a quieter, less expensive island.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in the Cyclades.
• Refine your search to the best places to stay in Thira or the best places to stay in Oia.
• How about the best places to stay in Imerovigli?
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.