Despite the abundance of tourists, there is enough space for everyone, even though the island is quite small. In my experience, I can say that there is no special pandemonium almost anywhere, except in Ia before sunset. I will tell you where to stay in Santorini if you come for just a few days.
Fira (Θήρα)
The capital of the island, Fira (Tira), is a very small town. By our standards, it can’t even be called a city. However, it is the center of social and cultural life of the island — here, perhaps, you can feel the rhythm of the city more than in other resorts.
This option is suitable for youth vacation and for those who are hungry for entertainment. There are no beaches here, so if you want to swim and bask in the sun, you will have to go somewhere else. However, this is not a big problem, because the island is very compact, and everything is relatively close to each other.
Fira is located at an altitude of about 200—250 meters above sea level on the slope of a steep cliff, which imposes a noticeable imprint on the architecture of the city. It is a city of two colors: white and blue. The famous white houses with blue roofs on postcards from Santorini are located here.
Things to do in Fira
The sights here are quite varied — there is something for everyone. I recommend putting it on the agenda:
- Promenade to the village of Imerovigli (Ημεροβίγλι). A walk along the stepped path along the cliff on one side and a series of restaurants and souvenir shops on the other side is a memorable experience. It is an opportunity to buy something to remember, have a delicious dinner or lunch and enjoy a breathtaking view of the caldera at almost the same time.
- A boat trip around the caldera and an excursion to the neighboring islands — if you have reached Santorini, do not skip this point, without it the trip will not be complete. I recommend choosing an option that includes a visit to the hot springs near the island of Palea Kameni (Παλαιά Καμένη) and the volcanic island of Nea Kameni (Νέα Καμένη). The walk costs from 28 €. Grab a swimsuit to swim in the springs and wear comfortable shoes for the volcano walk.
- The Museum of Prehistoric History and the Archaeological Museum, which contains artifacts found during excavations in Ancient Thira and Akrotiri (Ακρωτήρι). It is convenient to come here in the afternoon to combine the pleasant with the useful: to wait out the heat and get a little enlightened.
- The ruins of the ancient city of Akrotiri and the nearby red beach of Kokkini Paralia are the most convenient to reach by public transportation from Fira. Read more here.
Fira is a resort of night entertainment. There are a lot of them here. Nightclubs and bars are located in the center, quite compact and not far from each other, it is easy to move between them. Most of the establishments are located on or near the «bar» street Erythrou Stavrou. You can go back and forth all night, if you get bored in one, you can go to another. There are different styles of music playing everywhere, and you can even find places with traditional Greek music.
It’s worth a look:
- Koo Club is the biggest club in Santorini. It has 2 dance floors, one of which is open air. Entrance is paid, prices for cocktails are quite high, but it’s always fun and crowded.
- Town Club is a modern youthful place. It’s cheaper than the previous one. If you want to dance on the bar, then this is the place for you!
Beaches of Fira
There are no beaches in Fira itself. The closest is Exo Gialos beach, which is 4 km away. It’s not crowded, with black sand, paid sunbeds and a tavern. There is no public transportation, but it takes about 40 minutes on foot. By car or cab you can reach it in 7—10 minutes.
The next most distant is Vourvoulos beach, 6 km from the town. It is quite windy and the sea is often stormy. You can get here by bus from Fira, see the schedule here.
If you are staying in Fira, I advise you to take a closer look at the beaches of other resorts — it’s not far and not long to get to them.
Where to stay in Fira
Fira is considered an expensive resort: a large number of hotels are located on a cliff in the cliff area, just opposite the famous caldera. You have to pay for the opportunity to admire it from the hotel pool with a cocktail in hand.
- Hotel prices start from 70 € per night. For this money you can afford a small room within walking distance of the main attractions. Asimina Hotel is not a bad option — with an excellent location and high rating on Booking.com. From here it will be convenient to get around not only Fira, but the whole island, as the bus station is just a 5-minute walk away.
- For the same money you can stay in a suite, but a little farther from the center, in a hotel with an unusual and promising name Romantic Spa Resort By Romantic Collection. It will take 15—20 minutes to walk to the caldera, but you will have a large spacious room and a swimming pool at your disposal. And if you decide to rent a car, there will be no problem with parking.
- If it’s within your budget, stay in a hotel overlooking the caldera for one night. It is expensive, but the emotions you get will stay with you for a lifetime, and you will revisit the photos for a long time. A relatively affordable option against the background of other similar hotels is Kastro Suites. A night here will cost about 200 € — and for a room with a view of the caldera this is not the limit.
- In addition to the hotel, you can stay at the Santorini Camping in the center of Fira. It has a large swimming pool, which comes in handy when there is no beach. You can rent a tent. There is a storage room, a toilet and shower, a washing machine and ironing facilities.
Ia / Oia (Oia)
A town with postcard views, «the best sunsets» and high prices near the capital is more aimed at the wealthy public. It is considered one of the most beautiful in Santorini, along with Fira, but it is quieter and more peaceful. Ia is very popular with honeymooners — they believe that this is where they get the most beautiful wedding photos.
Tourists from all over the island flock to Iaia in the evenings to see off the sun over the horizon, a daily ritual that nothing can break. Ia is on the northwestern tip of the island, so it’s considered to have the best sunset views. I didn’t notice much difference in the views, and the blue-roofed houses here are the same as in Fira.
Things to do in Ia
The most important attraction in Oia is the legendary sunsets. The beautiful tradition has arisen for a reason: the most magnificent view of the caldera can be seen from here. In order not to miss this spectacle, come to Oia in advance, at least an hour before sunset, to get a seat. The best viewing platform is at the ruins of the Venetian fortress, but you can also sit more comfortably — in a cafe or restaurant along the cliff, or even in your own hotel room, if you are lucky enough to rent one.
In addition to sunsets, Ia is worth seeing:
- The ruins of a Venetian fortress — once a guard outpost that protected the city from pirate raids.
- Maritime Museum — here you can see ship parts and nautical instruments.
- Numerous churches — like St. Sozonte’s, it was named in memory of a shepherd who was executed for spreading the scriptures.
There is no nightlife in Ia, but Ia is perfect for a romantic dinner for two — you can combine it with watching the sunset. Book a table at Lycabettus Restaurant, one of the most unusual restaurants on the island. It is located right on the cliff, with breathtaking views. High-end cuisine and first-class service will be a welcome addition, but be prepared for prices that are quite high even by Santorini standards.
Beaches of Ia
Oia, like Thira, is quite high above sea level, so there are hardly any beaches of its own. The only beach within walking distance is Katharos beach. It is stony, covered with black pebbles, and it is problematic to enter the water without special shoes. There is only one small cafe nearby, where you can sit and admire the beautiful views.
If you’re staying in Ia, I still recommend going somewhere else for a beach vacation. There are so many interesting beaches on the island — read here.
Where to stay in Ia
Ia has the most luxurious hotels and the highest accommodation prices in Santorini. Tourists are willing to pay for mind-blowing views and relative privacy compared to Fira.
- If you want to save money, you can stay further away from the center. For example, Panorama View Oia is a budget option with a patio and sea view. A room for two people costs 70 €.
- For those who do not save money — Kaleidoscope Cave Houses: here and the ideal location, and a view of the caldera and an outdoor hot tub in addition, but the price will be from 300 € per night.
Perissa (Περίσσα)
Perissa is one of the best beach resorts in Santorini, it is famous for its huge black beach, very well maintained and clean. It is chosen for its calm and measured vacation, it is comfortable here with children, but young people are more likely to find it a boring place. But the peculiarity of Santorini — its compactness, so you can always go to have fun in another place — for example, in Fira, and in the afternoon to bask on the beach Perissa. Housing here is on average more affordable.
Things to do in Perissa
There aren’t many attractions in Perissa itself. Include in your plan:
- The Church of the Holy Cross Tlmios Stavros in the central square, one of the largest in Santorini.
- A museum of minerals and fossils that houses priceless artifacts, some of which are 50—60 thousand years old.
Not far from Perissa is Ancient Fira, one of the island’s highlights. You can read more about it here.
If you come on vacation with children, you can visit the only water park on the island of Santorini — it is located in Perissa. The water park is small, adults will not be interested in it, but children will have a good time, and from 19:00 to midnight admission is free.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are several dive centers in Perissa that offer interesting routes and with experienced professional instructors, even beginners have nothing to fear. Contact Santorini Dive Center.
Perissa Beaches
Perissa’s eponymous beach is its main attraction — a multi-kilometer long beach, famous for its black sand. The sand is really very dark, almost black, and gets very hot in the sun, so you can’t do without shoes. There are almost no waves here — the coast of Perissa is protected from the wind by the rock of Mesa Vuno (Μέσα Βουνό). The beach is large, it is not crowded, and despite the large number of vacationers, there is enough space for everyone. All the necessary infrastructure is there, and umbrellas and sunbeds are provided free of charge by the seaside cafes if you order something.
Perissa beach flows seamlessly into Perivolos and Agios Georgios beaches. It is essentially the same beach, but the further away you go, the fewer people, cafes and restaurants there are.
Where to stay in Perissa
In Perissa, you can stay in a hotel, hostel and even camping.
Prices for a double room in Perissa hotels start at around 50 € per night, but on average you will pay 65—70 € for a less decent room for two.
- I recommend Studio Mary — we stayed here and were very pleased. It is a small hotel very close to the beach and there is a large parking lot nearby. Close to the bus stop, cafes and stores. In terms of value for money it is perfect.
- If your budget allows, you can choose a more interesting hotel, such as Villa Valvis. This hotel has a swimming pool with a bar, and it only takes 5—7 minutes to get to the beach.
- A bed in a hostel costs around 30 € per night in season. Youth hostel Anna is not a bad option with a high rating. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the beach, but the interior is clean and decent — not every hostel has this.
- Want to wake up in a tent right on Perissa beach? Stay in a campsite. It has all the amenities: luggage storage, mini-market, cafe and bar, internet access, possibility to book transfers, tickets and excursions around the island. Tent can be rented. All information about the campground here.
Kamari (Καμάρι)
This resort, 10 km from Fira, is also famous for its volcanic black sand. Kamari is a small town with a well-developed modern tourist infrastructure, something between Fira and Perissa: there is both a beach and a lot of entertainment, so many tourists choose this resort for its versatility.
This is the closest Santorini resort to the airport, and accommodation prices are the lowest here.
Things to do in Kamari
There’s something for every taste and wallet in Kamari. It’s not as quiet and peaceful as Perissa, but there are many more options to keep yourself busy.
Right by Kamari is one of the main attractions of the island, the ruins of Ancient Thira. You’ll have to climb a mountain to see them, but it’s worth it: in addition to the extensive archaeological excavations, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Kamari and Perissa — something you can’t miss. Read more here.
I also recommend visiting the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum — you will have to get there too, but you will have a lot of impressions. It is underground, built in the form of a labyrinth. Make sure you have an audio-guide, and on the way out don’t forget to taste the wines that are made here.
Not far from the village of Exo Gonia you can visit the church of Panagia Episkopi (XII century) — since 1962 it has been listed as a protected monument.
Be sure to check out the open-air movie theater — it’s worth a trip even if you’re not staying in Kamari. There’s only one show a day — movies start at 21:30 and are in English with Greek subtitles. The atmosphere here is rather reminiscent of a classical theater: the audience is dressed for an evening out, and there is an intermission in the middle of the show. The auditorium itself has a bar, where you can order a cocktail and snacks at any time. Official Website.
The nightlife in Kamari is not much inferior to Fira. Tourists love Love boat bar for its excellent service and delicious cocktails at reasonable prices. Another popular place is Albatross Beach Bar Club. If you want to have dinner here, it is better to book a table in advance.
Beaches of Kamari
Kamari Beach is similar to Perissa, but is much more crowded and has a more developed infrastructure. It has been awarded the Blue Flag for its cleanliness and is suitable for resting with small children due to the comfortable entrance to the water along its entire length. The sand here is coarse and gray, there are small pebbles.
On the beach there is a playground with attractions for the youngest tourists. Adults will not be bored either: you can do any kind of water sports, and beach bars and cafes will not let you die of hunger and thirst.
Where to stay in Kamari
Kamari has a large selection of hotels in a wide range of price categories. Prices here are generally lower than on the «volcanic» side of the island and even in Perissa, as the resort is more developed and there are more accommodation options. The average price for a double room is 50—60 € per night.
- Blue sea hotel is a medium-sized hotel with a good location. There are different categories of rooms, including kitchen equipped apartments. The beach is a short walk away, but you can spend time by the pool. Bus stop, stores and restaurants are all close by.
- Makris Beach Hotel on the first line offers rooms with beach view for 100 €.
- A large group can rent an expensive villa: for example, Santorini Filoxenia Luxury Villa — a house with three bedrooms, swimming pool, outdoor hot tubs and free guarded parking. For it you will have to pay at least 500—600 € per night.
- Families with small children should stay in apartments. The Sellada Apartments are all equipped with a kitchenette and there is a pool with a bar on site.
Where to stay in Santorini?
- Fira is ideal for active young people and those who come to Santorini for the nightlife.
- Iya is for wealthy tourists and romantic couples, honeymooners.
- Perissa is for lovers of quiet, beach vacations and families with children.
- Kamari is for those who like to lounge on the beach, party and shop.
If you are visiting Santorini for just a couple of days, I recommend staying in Fira. From here it will be quickest to get around the island due to its central location, see all the sights and beaches.
If you have more than 3 days, you can stay anywhere and get around the island by bus. Although having a driver’s license will make your vacation much easier: with a rented bike at hand, it will take you a maximum of half an hour to get anywhere on the island.
We stayed in Perissa and rented a bike. In 5 days we toured the whole island, swam on the main beaches, visited night clubs in Fira, saw all the historical sights and museums, saw the order in Ia and watched a movie in the evening theater in Kamari.
