Where should I stay in Santorini?

This is the whole list sent over by our wedding planner. If you would like to utilize the transportation we will be providing, we recommend that you stay in Kamari (beach) or Fiorstefani (cliff). I will be updating this listing after I review all the hotels and find pricing and ratings. If you plan on having your own transportation, you can stay anywhere. Don’t be afraid to look at AirBnB, VRBO and BluePillow properties.

While looking at the hotels below please note the following

I chose mostly 4 **** and 5 ***** hotels which are almost always great. The stars correlate to the services they offer. Many times you can also find a great 3 star hotel that may not have all the conveniences of a 4 star, but could be nicer. In the recommendations below I also include the Google Rating (GR) which is a guide to how happy the people who stayed there were.

To get the best rates use https://www.google.com/travel/. If the best rate is the hotel itself, book through them. Otherwise, Booking.com and Expedia are great options.

Kamari (the beach)

I believe the best place for all ages, young people, families with kids etc. in Santorini Is Kamari Beach. The long and wide famous Kamari beach is within walking distance and there are tens of tavernas, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, 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 it’s fully organized and provides a large number of amenities, like numerous comfy sunbeds and umbrellas. To top it all off, it is a black sand beach.

Suggested hotels in South Kamari

I would recommend staying in South Kamari since there are a lot of nice hotels and a lot of restaurants and stores.

Kastelli Resort***** https://www.kastelliresort.com GR 4.8, 6 min walk to beach 850 ft from the beach
Expedia $233 w/breakfast

Bellonis Villas**** https://www.belloniasvillas.com GR 4.7 On the Beach
Booking.com $318

Hotel Anessa**** https://www.hotelanassa.gr GR4.9, 1 minute walk to beach, Booking.com or Expedia $168 Family rooms as well

Santorini Crystal Blue **** https://www.santorinicrystalblue.com GR 4.6, On the Beach
Booking.com $222

Mountain and Sea Suites https://www.mountainandseasuites.com GR 5, 3 min walk to the beach, Expedia $220 Family Suites available

Tamarix Del Mar Suites***** https://santorini-luxury-hotels.com/kamari-santorini.html GR 4.8, 3 min walk beach
Expedia $223

Thousand Stars Suites and Rooms https://ts-santorini.gr/ GR 4.9, on the beach $200

Suggested Hotels in Mid Kamari

Makris Beach Hotel**** https://www.makrishotel.gr GR 4.6, 1 min to beach (mid Kamari)

Firostefani (on the cliff)

Firostefani lies north of Fira, with only a short distance separating it from its considerably larger neighbor. Undoubtedly, the views from this part of Santorini are spectacular, allowing visitors to admire another perspective of the volcano. One can enjoy the magnificent sight of Fira itself and the breathtaking sunset in the evening. Firastefani is a bit more quiet than Fira, but you can walk to Fira in about 10-15 minutes along the cliff walkway.

The name Firostefani is the compound of “Fira” and “Stefani” – the Greek word for the crown – and indicates its location on the edge of the region.

Many of the rooms on the cliff, are cave rooms, meaning that they are built into the cliff. They typically have on big window that looks out toward the caldera (look for a room with a caldera view). Some require some steps to get to as well.

Suggested hotels in Firostefani

Try to stay near the Firostefani Central Square as that is where transportation will drop you off and it is near the parking areas. All these places with the exception of Santorini Palac

Cliffside Suites**** https://cliffside.gr GR 4.7, On the cliff 270 ft from the main square, cave rooms
Booking.com $375 including breakfast

Agali Houses**** https://www.agalihouses.gr GR 4.8, On the cliff, be aware that there are 200 steps down to get to the hotel, they will however, carry your bags for you. But you will need to climb everytime you leave the hotel. 50 ft from the main square
Booking.com $375 including breakfast

Hotel Galini** https://hotelgalini.gr/ GR4.5, On the cliff with great views for all the rooms. Great location with smaller rooms and modest decks for each room with a sea view.
Booking.com $308

Manos Small World*** https://www.manossmallworld.gr/en/ GR4.7 On the cliff with caldera views from the small decks in from the rooms. Great location, ut requires going down about 50 steps.
Booking.com $227

Santorini Palace **** https://santorinipalace.gr GR4.5, Not on the cliff, but very close to it, looks to have parking and is in a great location. Just don’t expect to see the caldera from your room.
Booking.com $285 for no view, $350 for a sea view. all rates include breakfast

Belvedere Suites*** https://belvederesantorini.com GR4.5, On the cliff and at a great location. About a 3 minute walk from the square. Amazing views.
Direct on their website $406

Fira (Thira) (on the cliff)

Fira is the beautiful capital of the island and the biggest and most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini. It is located in the western edge of the island, opposite the volcano and the two volcanic islands, Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni that lie in the sea. Access to Fira, besides the road routes from the port and the airport, is also feasible by cable car or through a donkey path from the port, for those seeking a traditional experience.

Fira is a combination of natural beauty, social life, nightlife, and shopping, where you can feel the liveliness of the island and where all the action takes place. What makes it so ravishing is the Caldera view that leaves visitors speechless any time of the day. A walk to the scenic alleys during the daytime will fill you with harmony, while at night you can find yourself in the middle of a big party. There is a wealth of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs where you can relax and enjoy the tremendous view or have fun. It owns the greatest dining out and entertainment selection on the island and the largest shopping center, too. Moreover, there are many clothes shops, gift shops, souvenir shops, supermarkets and other facilities for every need.

An abundance of accommodation options can be found in the capital of Santorini, from luxurious hotels with an outstanding caldera view to a camping area for an alternative stay that will satisfy nature lovers.

The only issue with Fira is that it is busy and it is hard to park and pick up people in this location. I recommend Firostefani since it is a beautiful 10 minutes to get to Fira from there and it is a bit less crowded.

Imerovigli (on the cliff)

Imerovigli is a picturesque village situated in the center-west part of Santorini, only 3.5 km away from the center of Fira town, the island’s capital. It also abstains just 1 km from Firostefani village. Geographically, it comprises a continuation of Fira and is considered one of the most beautiful balconies of the Aegean. Due to its location above a cliff, it provides its guests with breathtaking views of the sea, as well as the caldera and the volcano. In fact, the name Imerovigli originates from the word vigla, which means “viewpoint”, since the location allowed villagers to see the pirate ships approaching during the old times.

Nowadays, this caldera village is one of the top locations to visit in Santorini. The village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture, with narrow alleys, whitewashed houses built on the cliff’s edge, romantic sunsets, and terrific hidden spots to discover.

Imerovigli is among the best places to stay, and it is primarily considered a romantic location with a relaxing atmosphere. Numerous luxurious accommodation facilities are available in this area, including hotels, apartments, suites, and traditional houses. The village is a brilliant choice for your accommodation, combining lovely views with well-developed tourist infrastructure and a lively atmosphere, despite the fact that there are less than 500 permanent inhabitants in the village. In addition, several regional restaurants and cafes offer stunning views of the volcanic caldera and the sea.

Perivolos

The seaside village of Perivolos is quite popular, largely among young people, as it holds the liveliest beach resort. It is a small place that lies on the southeast coast of Santorini, very close to Perissa village. It is situated between Perissa and Agios Georgios. In Perivolos you can relish pleasant moments at nice restaurants that offer local specialties, warm cafes, and bustling bars with lively music. Here are the most beach bars on the island, where many happenings take place by the fancy swimming pools, such as DJ and performer appearances and other special events. Day and night Perivolos is full of life and the atmosphere at the beautiful promenade is always vibrant and cheerful.

The only consideration here is that you will be a bit further from everything due to the large mountain in the picture.

The attraction and the main reason to visit Perivolos, besides the entertaining nightlife, is the famous Perivolos Beach, a wonderful long beach with crystal-clear waters, covered in black volcanic sand. It is fully organized and provides many amenities, like numerous comfy sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and lifeguards. You can enjoy your favorite refreshments or have a meal by the sparkling sea. In addition, the beach has water sports facilities that can offer you new experiences

Suggested hotels in Perivolos, several places near the water are also very reasonable.

Santo Miramare **** https://www.santomiramare.com/ GR 4.5, 1 minute walk to the beach

Margarenia*** https://www.margarenia.gr/ GR 4.9, 20 minute walk to the beach
Booking.com $111

9 Muses***** https://www.santorini9muses.gr/ GR 4.1, 7 minute walk to the beach
Expedia $211

Kamari (the beach)

Firostefani (on the cliff)

Fira (Thira) (on the cliff)

Imerovigli (on the cliff)

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