Santorini was a destination that literally took our breath away. As we got out of the Taxi to admire the whitewashed buildings that descended the caldera, we gasped at its beauty. Few Greek islands are as well known or as beautiful as Santorini. Famous for its cave hotels with plunge pools in the rooms and its infinity pools overlooking the caldera, Santorini has quickly become the most visited island in Greece. Two million tourists flock to the Island every year, which has resulted in an incredible number of hotels and resorts. If you don’t know where to stay in Santorini, we have a complete breakdown of the best places to stay and the best hotels in Santorini.
Best accommodations in Santorini
Visiting Santorini for the first time can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know much about the Island. I know we were overwhelmed trying to choose the best place to stay, Santorini, so we stayed on the beach in Oia, Imerovigli and Fira. With our car rental, we managed to get around. During our day trips, we discovered other accommodation options and made notes for our next visit. To help you decide where to stay in Santorini, we’ve broken down the best places to stay.
Whether you want to stay close to historical sites or are looking for a beachfront hotel, we have also included hotels in all price ranges, so there is something for everyone. From the best cheap hostels on the island to the most luxurious resorts with private pools and hot tubs, Santorini has something for everyone. And this guide to places to stay in Santorini includes at least a few hotels tailored to your needs!
1. Oia
Oia is the quintessential Santorini town, known for its famous Santorini sunset view overlooking the Aegean Sea, its whitewashed houses and its blue domed churches. This is a good place for a first trip to Santorini if you want to discover all the famous sites and easily reach the rest of the island. In addition, Oia is the hot spot for luxury hotel stays and the best island area if you want to pamper yourself throughout your stay and have a private swimming pool in your cave hotel room.
We think that a private pool might be necessary because Oia does not have the best beaches. The famous town is perched on top of a cliff with a magnificent view of the caldera. It’s a walk from the hotel to the shore, but the beaches are not the reason why people stay in Oia. Oia attracts couples looking for a romantic holiday with private balconies, plunge pools, luxury Cocomat beds and infinity pools overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Oia can get very busy, as most of the cruises that visit Santorini stop at Oia. Therefore, it is imperative to have a luxury hotel to hide. This is a picturesque village that everyone wants to see, so you want to hide in luxury during the day.
Luxury: Andronis Luxury Suites
Of all the small luxury hotels in Santorini, Andronis Luxury Suites takes the cake for me. If you want to live it on the Greek island, nothing screams luxury as much as the suites of this fabulous hotel. It features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private balconies, an on-site Restaurant and an excellent wellness center with Yoga and fitness classes. Not to mention the breathtaking view of the caldera from the infinity pool.
Mid-Range: Ducato Di Oia
Ducato Di Oia is a large four-star hotel located five minutes from the famous Oia Castle (the best sunset view in Santorini). The rooms have elegant and modern furniture and decoration that make the place airy and spacious. In addition, there are a lot of exposed rocks and concrete in the rooms, which makes you feel like you are in a Santorini cave. Breakfast is included in the room rate and everyone has access to free Wi-Fi.
This hotel offers many types of rooms, from classic double rooms to luxurious suites. Some suites even have indoor pools, which will save your life if you are like me and have a very annoying sun allergy. Enjoy relaxing in the pool in complete privacy while admiring the magical view of the caldera through the practical windows.