Santorini is an island of dreams. But as everyone wants to go to Santorini (Brad Pitt has a huge house there on the edge of the village of Oïa), prices are high. In fact, it’s the local service providers who have the upper hand when it comes to negotiation. You should therefore pay particular attention to the question of accommodation before you leave, to make sure you have suitable accommodation at an acceptable price. Let’s go : Where to stay in Santorini ?
Where to stay in Santorini
We’re all familiar with the picture-postcard view of the little white houses with their blue roofs, towering over the cliffs. Overlooking the caldera with the Aegean Sea on the horizon, this is the view everyone wants. In fact, it’s the accommodations that combine these assets that are the most expensive, and in the end, they represent only a fraction of all accommodations.
The jackpot for Santorini’s accommodation providers is to offer a central location (first Oia, then Fira), a view of the caldera and a private pool.
The majority of accommodations don’t have all these advantages. This doesn’t mean they’re unpleasant, and they can be grouped geographically according to their particular characteristics.
You’ll find a wide choice of Santorini accommodation on Booking, from hotels to privately run villas and apartments.
Postcard view of the west face
The west side of the island is the place for postcard views.
Fira is Santorini’s “capital” and liveliest town. This is where everyone passes through, thanks to the star-shaped communication network. Oïa is more upscale (and more expensive). Between the two, Firostesfani and Imerovigli are excellent alternatives.
Beware, however, of the “direction” of the slope. Just because a place on a map is close to the sea doesn’t mean it has a sea view. The cliffs surrounding the caldera are, in many places, high points. So you can be right next to the sea but not see it.
East, south and north of Santorini: a seaside atmosphere
The eastern, southern and northern faces of Santorini show a completely different face, with a much gentler slope down to the sea.
The villages and neighborhoods are pleasant and resemble many seaside destinations (especially in the east, with Monolithos, Kamari, Perivolos and Vlychada in the south).
Foinikia, with its beautiful view of the Aegean Sea to the north, is our favorite. It’s easy to see the other Cycladic islands, with the terraced vineyards in the foreground. The labyrinthine alleyways and troglodytic buildings used for grape processing and wine storage are still authentic and far enough from the hustle and bustle to make you think you’re at the end of the world.
Lodging in the center of the island: calm and authenticity
The villages in the center of the island are pleasant and less glitzy than those on the cliffs. More authenticity and tranquillity for Akrotiri, Emborio, Pyrgos and Karterados, but the sea is already far away, even if it can sometimes be seen a few kilometers away.
Not forgetting the island of Thirassia
Finally, if you can put up with the daily boat trips, there’s also Thirassia. This is Santorini’s other main island, and it resembles the Santorini of a few decades ago.
Types of accommodation in Santorini
There’s accommodation for everyone on Santorini. It’s very easy to find a vacation rental here.
It’s only backpackers who’ll feel a little short-changed.
Hotels and rooms for rent (guesthouses) are in the majority. This is followed by entire privatizable homes (apartments or houses – the difference being sometimes subtle and their definition variable depending on the owner). There are also guest houses, a youth hostel in Oïa and even a campsite. The latter will not satisfy many people.
Please note that accommodation providers offer transfers to ports and airports. Generally inexpensive, these races are nevertheless a good solution that avoids stress and organization.
From one year to the next, accommodation providers and the quality of their services can vary greatly. So, no establishment recommendation. Take a look at Booking. Nevertheless, if there’s one thing that’s invariable, it’s that you need to book as early as possible. Coming to Santorini without having found a base means you’re likely to find only off-center and/or overpriced accommodation.
Great ways to save money on accommodation in Santorini
There are no miracle tips for budget accommodation in Santorini. Tourist pressure on Santorini is such that prices are high. Nevertheless, there are always 2-3 good truths to be told that can halve the cost of accommodation:
- The first point, and the one with the fewest concessions, is to come out of season.
- As everyone wants to come to Santorini during the two summer months, it’s best to aim for the pre-season from May to the end of June and from September to mid-October. It’s less hot and much less crowded. On the other hand, some shops may be closed, swimming can be chilly and a little wool is useful. Finally, prefer the beginning of the season to the end. (it’s cleaner and the service providers aren’t yet tired of their season).
- The second point has to do with location. The further you are from the caldera, a beach or a communications hub, the more affordable the prices. Sight is an important criterion for many of us. So be sure to ask the rental company if the ambience photos are really the photos seen from the reserved room.
Noise tolerance. Put another way, calm can be bought.
- Oïa and Fira are the most sought-after locations. It’s also where most of the traffic is. The presence of a road (in particular the main road which crosses the length of the island), a major crossroads or a bus stop are all areas which are not the least noisy. Beware also of the sea fronts on the east side. As much fun as it is when you’re the one going out, it’s a real pain if you’re an early riser and the party’s going on under your windows. Last but not least, Santorini has its own international airport. And the ballet of planes is no picnic. The Monolithos and Perivolia axis in the direction of the runway is particularly noisy.
Article written by Christophe from Santorini Tourism
