Where to Stay in Santorini: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli or Perissa?

Visiting Santorini is a bucket list item for many, but how do you decide where to stay, Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, or Perissa? Read on for some distinct advantages and disadvantages of the different areas of Santorini along with some recommended hotels in each part of the island. You’ll have where to stay in Santorini, Greece figured out in no time!

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Santorini: Which Area is Right for You?

	Oia	Fira	Imerovigli	Perissa
Best for	Couples, honeymooners	First-timers, social	Quiet romance, views	Budget, beach lovers
Caldera views	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	None
Beach access	No beach	No beach	No beach	Yes
Nightlife	⭐ Very quiet	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best	⭐⭐ Quiet	⭐⭐⭐ Good
Restaurants	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most choice	⭐⭐ Limited	⭐⭐⭐ Good
Price range	High	Medium-High	Medium-High	Most affordable
Crowds	High (sunset)	High	Low	Low–Medium
Walkability	Medium (steep paths)	Medium (cliff stairs)	Medium (steep paths)	Flat & easy
Transport hub	Far from port	Central	Near Fira	Far from port
Who should skip it	Budget travelers	Light sleepers	Those needing restaurants nearby	Anyone who wants caldera views

Oia in Santorini

Oia (pronounced “EE-ah”) is the village that defines Santorini’s image worldwide. The whitewashed cave hotels, blue-domed churches, and sunset views from the castle ruins are the photos you’ve seen a thousand times… and it actually looks like that! Oia sits at the northern tip of the caldera cliff and is the most photogenic and most sought-after place to stay in Santorini.

What to Expect when Staying in Oia

Staying in Oia is a magical experience, but it comes with a significant price tag. Here’s what to expect:

Pros of staying in Oia:

• The most stunning caldera and sunset views on the island… from your room, your terrace, or your private plunge pool
• Oia’s narrow, winding streets are beautiful to wander at any time of day
• The village has excellent high-end restaurants, boutique shops, and galleries
• Quieter and more romantic than Fira with fewer bars and clubs, more candlelit dinners
• Staying here means you can watch the famous sunset without fighting a crowd (you simply walk outside)

Cons of staying in Oia:

• The most expensive area on the island by a significant margin. Budget properties are essentially nonexistent.
• Oia is at the northern tip of the island, making it the farthest point from the ferry port and airport.
• The village is extremely crowded in the late afternoon as day-trippers flood in for sunset. Staying here means living with that crowd, even if you’re not part of it.
• Steep, uneven paths and staircases throughout make it not ideal for mobility issues.

Who Oia is best for: Couples, honeymooners, anniversary trips, or anyone treating themselves to a splurge. If the caldera view from your own terrace is the point of the trip, Oia is where you stay.

Where to Stay in Oia

• Best Overall Luxury: Canaves Oia Suites & Spa – private pools, motor yacht, exceptional service. The benchmark Oia hotel.
• Best for Views: Andronis Luxury Suites – perched on the caldera edge with some of the most dramatic views in Oia.
• Best Mid-Luxury: Art Maisons Oia Castle – beautiful property at a slightly lower price point than the top-tier cave hotels.

See the full Best Luxury Hotels in Oia, Santorini guide for detailed reviews of 10 top properties.

Fira in Santorini

Fira, the capital of Santorini, is one of the most popular areas for tourists to settle in outside of the famous Oia, which is best known for its breathtaking sunsets. 

In Fira, you’ll be greeted by the classic white-washed buildings that have made Santorini famous. It’s also centrally located on the island and has access to the traditional panoramic views of the caldera and sunset in Santorini. 

Of course, this does come at a higher cost and larger crowds than Perissa, which is located a little bit further out by the beaches of Santorini.

What to Expect when Staying in Fira

Staying in Fira is amazing, and it may be the right place to call home during your trip. You’ll just want to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it is the right part of Santorini to stay in for your trip. If it is, you’ll have plenty of hotels and hostels in Fira to choose from.

Here are some key pros and cons of Fira to consider:

• You’ll have a stunning panoramic views of sunset right from Fira.
• The location of Fira is perfect for visitors. It is located in the middle of Santorini and is home to the central bus hub on the island making it quick and easy to get around the whole island.
• The nightlife in Fira is the best in Santorini!
• Restaurants and shops are plentiful in Fira.
• The architecture and atmosphere are traditional Greek with the white washed buildings and blue accents.
• Being a desirable location, the cost of hotels and hostels in Fira are higher than many of the beach towns, like Perissa.
• The popularity of Fira also makes it louder and livelier buzzing with tourists both day and night day and night.
• You will find the town of Fira is built on the side of a cliff making it full of stairs. This can make staying in Fira less than ideal for anyone with mobility issues.

Plan your trip with the Top 25 Things to Do in Santorini.

Where to Stay in Fira

If you’re interested in staying in Fira, you’ll be highly impressed with the accommodation options. These Fira hotels, hostels, and villas offer the most amazing locations in Santorini along with the traditional experiences you crave when visiting the picturesque Greek Isles.

• Best Backpacker Hostel in Fira: Bedspot Hostel
  Bedspot Hostel in Fira offers an amazing location, a terrace, and the option of shared or private rooms. You’ll also find this affordable hotel option in Santorini has a few perks, like a shared kitchen and lounge making it homey and helping you say within your budget with the option to cook your own meals. Check current rates at Bedspot Hostel.

• Best Budget-friendly Hotel in Fira: Loizos Stylish Residences
  This affordable hotel in Fira is centrally located and offers a furnished sun terrace and swimming pool all within steps of the famous caldera and sunset views. Choose from standard rooms all the way up to deluxe rooms with their own outdoor jetted tubs. Check current rates at Loizos Stylish Residences.

• Best Mid-range Hotel in Fira: Callia Retreat Suites – Adults only
  The Callia Retreat Suites is a perfect location for an adults only getaway in Santorini. Here you can enjoy the continental breakfast and luxurious poolside and terrace without any children around. Check current rates at Callia Retreat Suites.

• Best Luxury Hotel in Fira: Revelis Villa & Canava
  Visiting Santorini is often a once in a lifetime trip, so make it special with a luxurious stay at Revelis Villa & Canava in Fira. This luxury hotel in Fira is a dream come true with the traditional white building and terraces with views of the sea and caldera, all with a perfect central location. Check current rates at Revelis Villa & Canava.

Imerovigli in Santorini

Imerovigli is Santorini’s best-kept secret for accommodation, and it’s starting to get out. Sitting on the highest point of the caldera cliff (between Oia and Fira) it offers arguably the best unobstructed caldera views on the entire island, at prices that are far lower than Oia.

What to Expect when Staying in Imerovigli

Pros of staying in Imerovigli:

• The highest elevation on the caldera, giving sweeping 270-degree views; arguably these views surpass even Oia’s
• Significantly quieter than Fira and less crowded than Oia, especially for sunset
• A 15–20 minute walk (or short bus/taxi ride) to Fira’s restaurants and transport hub
• Still has good accommodation options including properties with private plunge pools
• The Skaros Rock hike starts here – one of Santorini’s best short hikes with extraordinary views

Cons of staying in Imerovigli:

• Fewer restaurant and nightlife options than Fira; You’ll likely be heading into Fira for evenings out
• Fewer accommodation choices than Oia or Fira, so book early
• Still quite expensive compared to Perissa; it’s not a budget area

Who Imerovigli is best for: Couples or honeymooners who want the caldera view experience without Oia’s prices or crowds. Those looking for peace and quiet in the evenings. Anyone who prioritizes views above all else.

Where to Stay in Imerovigli

• Best Luxury: Anastasis Apartments – stunning infinity pools with the best views on the caldera; a long-standing guest favorite.
• Best Mid-Range: Astra Suites – beautifully designed, excellent caldera views, slightly more affordable than the top-tier properties.
• Best Value with Views: Chromata Hotel – stylish, excellent caldera views, competitive pricing for the caldera area.

Perissa in Santorini

Another lower cost alternative to Fira is to stay in Perissa in Santorini.  Perissa is found on the southeastern coast of Santorini and sits right on one of their most famous black sand beaches.

This does put you a little distance from the traditional Greek Isle views, but it is still very beautiful and worth a look. As a coastal town, you’ll have access to some amazing experiences you won’t find in Fira.

What to Expect when Staying in Perissa

When determining if Perissa is the right part of Santorini to base yourself out of, you’ll need to look at the pros and cons. It offers different options for how to spend your days and may be appealing, particularly if you’re interested in spending any time lounging on the beach.

Here a few key pros and cons of Perissa to consider:

• The cost of hostels and hotels in Perissa is much lower than most of the caldera view villages in Santorini.
• Perissa is a bit quieter and not overrun by swarms of tourists like Fira.
• You’ll find a mix of oceanfront restaurants and beach bars in Perissa, but it is very low-key in the evenings and places close early. This is perfect if you are looking for a more laidback trip.
• The architecture and atmosphere of Perissa match that of a beach town versus the traditional Greek style found in Fira.
• As Perissa is not set on the cliffs overlooking the caldera, it is much more friendly for those with mobility issues as you won’t encounter tons of stairs.
• The location of Perissa is very convenient to the black sand beaches. However, it is out-of-the-way from many other points of interest on the island. This is not a problem if you are planning to rent a quad, car, or motorbike, but if you plan to get around by bus, it often requires a bus changes in Fira creating a lengthy process to get to other sights.
• You will not have sunset views on this side of the island.

Are you a budget conscious traveler?
Read 16 Money Saving Tips for Santorini: Visiting Santorini on a Budget

Where to Stay in Perissa

If you’re interested in staying in Perissa, you will want to check out these amazing accommodations. From stunning hotels in Perissa to more affordable backpacker hostels, you’ll certainly get more bang for your buck here than in Fira!

• Best Backpacker Hostel in Perissa: Youth Hostel Anna
  This affordable hostel in Perissa offers a variety of room types along with a shared kitchen and terrace. You’ll also be walking distance to the beach, all without breaking the budget! Check current rates for Youth Hostel Anna.

• Budget-friendly Hotel in Perissa: Stelios Place
  If you have a bit of wiggle room in your Santorini budget, put it towards staying at Stelios Place. This affordable Perissa hotel is waterfront at only 100 feet from the black sand beach, and it offers private balconies and an outside pool with sun loungers. Check current rates for Stelios Place.

• Mid-range hotel in Perissa: Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Suites – Adults only
  Treat yourself to a nice hotel in Perissa at the Anastasia Princess Hotel & Suites. This stunning Cycladic-style hotel offers 2 swimming pools, is adults only, and offers magnificent views of the Aegean Sea. Check current rates for the Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence & Suites.

• Luxury hotel in Perissa: Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa
  Visit Santorini and stay in the lap of luxury in Perissa at the Antoperla Luxury Hotel. This 5-star hotel in Santorini is just 350 feet from the beach and offers a full spa center with a sauna, hammam, hot tub, and a number of wellness treatments. Depending which room you pool, you may even find yourself with a terrace featuring an outdoor jetted tub or plunge pool. Check current rates for Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa.

Why Location Matters: Getting around Santorini

Santorini Island is a small island at only about 30 square miles. This means traveling around the island will not be too time intensive no matter where you stay on the island. And, there are lots of great options for how to get around Santorini!

You can opt for public transit to keep costs down, or you can rent a mode of transportation, like a car or quad, if you want maximum flexibility.

While it may only take 45 minutes to drive from one end of the island to the other, this transportation time will add up if you are constantly on the go. Let’s take a look at the location of Perissa and Fira in relation to each other.

Distance from Perissa to Fira

The distance between Perissa and Fira is only 8 miles (13 km), or about a 20 minute drive. This may make it seem like where you stay in Santorini is purely up to the vibe of the town or cost of the hotel that you’re most interested in, but there’s a bit more to it.

Fira is located in the center of the island and is the central bus hub. This makes it much faster and easier to get around from Fira if you want to rely on public transit. If you are looking to rent a quad, car, or motorbike, where you stay in Santorini is far less restrained. In fact, you may want to stay in Perissa as parking will be easier.

Using Buses to Get around Santorini

Buses are by far the cheapest way to get around Santorini. The main bus company is KTEL Santorini and offers both express services city to city and normal services that will make numerous stops in villages along the way.

During the peak season and daytime hours there are additional buses running to minimize the wait times. However, later in the evening the number of services dwindle and depending on the bus is more challenging. Also, from July to September buses may be full and require additional wait time.

In Santorini, the bus routes all go through the capital and bus hub, Fira. This means any bus you take will eventually end up in Fira. This is a big reason why staying in Fira is desirable, if you plan to travel around Santorini by bus. You can however take the bus from Perissa to Fira and beyond.

Find the latest bus schedules here and prices are available here.

Taking the Bus from Perissa to Fira

Perissa is 19.4 km from Fira. To get from Perissa to Fira, it will take about 20 minutes by bus with buses typically running every hour throughout the day. A one way ticket will cost 2.20 euros during the day or 2.80 euros at night (between 12:30am – 5:00am).

Traveling by Bus from Fira to Oia

Fira to Oia, the famous sunset location, is only 11.8km and will take 20 minutes to travel between the two by bus. Buses typically run every half hour during mid-day and every hour in the early mornings and late night. Tickets run 1.60 euros one-way during the day and 2 euros at night.

Catching the Bus from Perissa to Oia

Something you should know about staying in Perissa is there are no direct buses from Perissa to Oia. You’ll need to first catch a bus from Perissa to Fira and then from Fira to Oia. If you are going to regularly go to Oia, it may be more convenient to stay in Fira to avoid the extra bus journey.

Using Taxis to Get around Santorini

It is also possible to get from one part of Santorini to another by taxi, but there are only 25 taxis that serve the island, so a taxi may be difficult to come by. The main taxi service is Santorini Taxi and can be reached by phone at +30 2286 022555 or booked ahead of time online.

Tips for Taking a Taxi on Santorini

Taking a taxi in Santorini comes with a few need to know facts.

• Taxis do not use a meter on Santorini so always agree on the price before you start your journey.
• As most trips are between the main cities, taxi prices in Santorini may be fixed and non-negotiable.
• Taxi costs go up after midnight, sometimes more than double your day time price.
• By law, taxis in Greece are not allowed to carry more than four passengers at a time.
• The main taxi hub in Santorini is in Fira (similarly to the bus).
• Taxi hub is “taxi piatsa” in Greek.
• Uber and Lyft do not operate on Santorini.

The Price of Taxis in Santorini

To help you plan your budget for Santorini, here are some general guidelines of what it costs to get around Santorini by taxi.

• Perissa to Fira: Traveling from Perissa to Fira by taxi is about a 13 minute journey (depending on traffic) and will cost around 25 euros during the day.

• Fira to Oia: Taking a taxi directly from Fira to Oia will take 12 minutes and cost around 25 euros.

• Perissa to Oia: Traveling from Perissa to Oia by taxi is a 25 minute ride. It will run you roughly 35 euros each way during the day.

Give yourself more freedom by renting an ATV for one day and exploring the further reaches of Santorini!

How Many Days Should You Spend in Santorini?

3 nights / 4 days is the sweet spot for most visitors. That’s enough time to:

• Watch the sunset from Oia (and not feel rushed about it)
• Take an ATV or quad bike tour around the island
• Do a caldera boat trip (half day, highly recommended)
• Spend an afternoon at the beach (Perissa or Perivolos for black sand; Red Beach for drama)
• Wander Fira’s streets and eat well

2 nights is workable if you’ve done Santorini before or are island-hopping quickly. You’ll need to prioritize.

5+ nights suits those who truly want to slow down… reading by the plunge pool, lingering over dinners, watching multiple sunsets. Santorini is a great place to relax and enjoy.

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in July or August, add an extra night buffer. Heat and crowds mean afternoons are often spent inside, and the Oia sunset viewing area gets so congested that getting there, watching, and leaving eats more time than you’d expect.

Is Santorini Worth the Hype?

The honest answer: yes, but with the right expectations.

Santorini is one of the most visually stunning places on earth. The caldera views are as breathtaking in person as they are in photographs. The sunsets are real. The blue-domed churches are real. The food and wine (don’t miss the local Assyrtiko white wine) are excellent.

What Santorini is not: a quiet, undiscovered paradise. In peak season, the most popular spots, like Oia’s castle, Fira’s rim path, the famous blue-domed church views, are absolutely packed. Day-tripper cruise ships deposit thousands of visitors onto the island each morning, and the narrow paths can feel more like theme park queues than a dreamy Greek escape.

How to make it worth it:

• Stay at least 3 nights so you’re not just another day-tripper.
• Watch the sunset from somewhere other than the Oia castle ruins (your hotel terrace, the Imerovigli rim path, or a caldera-view restaurant).
• Visit in May, early June, or September rather than July–August.
• Book a caldera boat tour. Seeing the island from the water is spectacular and less crowded than the clifftops.

For couples, honeymooners, and anyone who has wanted to visit for years: yes. Santorini will deliver.

So Where Should You Stay: Fira or Perissa?

In my opinion, if you can swing the cost of Fira hotels, you will not be disappointed. The central location provides easy, fast, and inexpensive access to other parts of the island while providing a real Greek experience. You’ll spend less time in transit and more time enjoying the Greek lifestyle.

If hotels in Fira are out of your price range, Perissa is also a good option. You’ll find staying in Perissa offers a laidback beach experience with more affordable hotels.  Keep in mind getting to other parts of the island will take longer, often with a bus change in Fira, and without spending time in Fira and Oia you will miss much of what Santorini has to offer.

That being said, if you have already done the “traditional” Santorini experience in Fira or Oia, I recommend you check out hotels in Perissa.  It’s a much more laidback part of the island.

FAQs: Where to Stay in Santorini

Explore More of Greece

Now that you have decided where to stay in Santorini based on the pros and cons of each area, you can plan more of your time in Santorini and the rest of Greece. Here are some informative posts to help get you started.

• Where to Stay in Santorini: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli or Perissa?
• Santorini vs. Mykonos: Which Greek Island Is Actually Worth It?
• One Week in Greece: The Best 7-Day Itinerary for First-Timers
• One Day in Athens: The Perfect 24-Hour Itinerary
• What is Mykonos Really Like? Guide for First-Timers Who aren’t Sure
• 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Oia, Santorini: Where to Stay
• 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Santorini: Travel Guide for First Timers
• 25 Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece
• 16 Money Saving Tips for Santorini: Visiting Santorini on a Budget
• 6 Best Day Trips from Athens, Greece: Ruins, Islands, History, & More!

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