The first and most important decision to make when figuring out where to stay in Santorini is to choose whether you want to stay close to a beach or you want to stay in villages overlooking the caldera, which is what remains of the cone of the island’s ancient volcano.
The seaside resorts are located mostly along the east coast of the island, while the towns and villages are located along the west side, in the most mountainous part of Santorini.
Those that overlook the caldera offer breathtaking views and better services; there are clubs, restaurants and discos more fashionable and sophisticated: here you are really in the heart of the nightlife of Santorini. If you are instead looking for a quieter village, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, then you should opt for the east area.
Fira is the largest town on the island, as well as being one of the most picturesque corners of Greece. It is the center of day and night life of Santorini, and offers a wide choice of hotel accommodations.
Both hotels and apartments for rent in Fira offer romantic and suggestive views of the caldera, which is why the prices of accommodation are among the highest on the island and throughout Greece.
Beware though! Fira is located in a hilly position; it does not have a real beach, so it is advisable to have a rental vehicle to explore the coast of the surroundings.
Oia is undoubtedly the most romantic town of Santorini, and it is the resort of choice for traveling couples. Precisely for this reason it offers some of the best hotels on the island.
It is located on the northern tip of Santorini, from where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets. The town is definitely crowded during the high season, because it is an essential stop on a trip to Santorini thanks to its white houses and its blue domes, which have become a symbol of the island and of all Greece.
In the evening, when the day tourists leave Oia, the environment becomes more quiet and peaceful. There are many restaurants in the village, while the nightlife on the contrary is not very lively.
The charming resort of Firostefani is located a short distance from Fira, and can be a good choice for those who do not want to give up the nightlife, but at the same time prefer a quiet accommodation, to get away in search of a few hours of relaxation.
The scenic beauty of Firostefani is unique, and the prices of this resort are a bit lower than in Fira, so it is a good choice for those who have a smaller budget.
Imerovigli is perhaps the quietest and most relaxing town on the entire west coast. It is best known for its breathtaking sunsets: from the cliff, which here reaches its highest point, there are unique views of the entire caldera.
The village does not offer much choice in terms of catering, although the restaurants are all a guarantee of excellent quality: here you will appreciate the true flavors of Greek cuisine.
Because of the scenic scenery it offers, often the accommodations found here are luxury resorts and hotels; for many travelers they also unfortunately have prohibitive prices!
Perissa is perhaps the cheapest resort in Santorini. It is famous for its black sand beach that stretches for 5 kilometers. There are many beach bars where you can relax and have fun.
But it is not the most scenic location on the island; for those on a budget, it can be a viable accommodation option, and then, with a rented car, explore the most beautiful parts of Santorini.
The sunset that can be admired from the towns of Fira and Oia is one of the most beautiful in the world, which is why Santorini is considered an idyllic destination for couples!
If you don’t have budget problems, choose a hotel with a view of the Caldera, perhaps with a private infinity pool: you may never leave your hotel!
Romantic hotels in Santorini
Santorini, however, is not only an island for couples: it is possible to find entertainment and services for the whole family in all the villages of the island. The area most suitable for young people and fun lovers is that of Kamari where the beaches are transformed into open-air discos all night long.
Santorini is a complete and unique island, but if you’re looking for breathtaking beaches, it’s probably not your ideal destination. Although very unique because of the colors, the beaches of Santorini are all stony. If you are looking for “more comfortable” beaches head to the area of Perissa and Perivolos, where you will find sandy shores.
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