Santorini Towns & Beaches – Best Area to StayObviously, if you're primarily looking to spend time lying on a beach then stay there and commute to Fira and Oia for sunsets and dinner. If you're more interested in shopping, eating, and sightseeing, then Fira, Oia, Firostefani, and Imerovigli are better bases.
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Don't stay in Oia or TheraOia and Thera (also known as Fira) are the biggest towns in Santorini, and the site of most of the hotels and other places to stay. Thera/Fira is also where the cruise ship passengers unload, and Oia is where everyone goes to watch the sunset.
Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is world-famous for its unique natural beauty. The caldera with the white villages on top, the sunken volcano, and the charming sunset make it a popular place for vacation. In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days in order to visit as many places as possible.
Santorini is best known as a romantic island with one-of-a-kind views, whereas Mykonos is more about sandy beaches and spirited partying. Depending on the vibe you seek, both islands suit holidays à deux. Solo travellers and groups of friends will also find both appealing, though Mykonos offers more in terms of edge.
The hike between Fira and Oia follows the rim of the caldera. The views are stunning. It's easy to do the hike without a guide but a walking tour can make it more interesting.
Description: Oia, pronounced Ia, is the most famous of all villages of Santorini. It is world-known for its quiet life and the fantastic sunset. It constitutes the most beautiful and picturesque village of Santorini.
The walk between Fira and Oia is tricky in parts but doable by anyone in decent shape. Buy water before starting the walk – there are a few places to buy snacks and drinks along the way but they're easy to miss and not always open early in the morning. Avocado Restaurant is the best mid-point stop along the route.
The best way to get around Santorini is on foot or by bus. You'll see that it's easy to walk around the tiny seaside towns, but the bus is best to get from one town to another. There are KTEL bus routes from Fira (the capital city) to many different destinations around the main island.
Escape Oia and Fira.Get out of these hot spots and head to the lesser-known parts of the island: Emborio, Finikia, Colombo Beach, and Pyrgos all showcase the charm of Santorini without the packs of people.
Santorini is Massively OverpricedThanks to the influx of oil magnets mooring their yachts below the cliffs, one of those iconic cave houses in Oia — almost all of which are now converted tourist rentals — will run you over 500 euros per night.
Oia is typically thought to be the more beautiful and romantic town on the island. I stayed there on my honeymoon and wouldn't have changed it. It was amazing at night to see all of hte people from the island come to the area around my hotel to see the sunset - when this was the view I had from my bed.
Fira is not only Santorini's capital of government and tourism, but it's also Santorini's art and culture capital. Walk the streets of Santorini and you'll come across tons of eye-catching art galleries and shops.
Fira has the best selection of places to stay in Santorini, and if budget allows, it's worth staying somewhere with a caldera view to make the most of those fantastic sunsets. The Aroma Suites* are just 100 metres from the cathedral along a quiet alleyway, and have a roof terrace overlooking a domed church.
For the second-half of their Greek getaway, the family travelled to the island of Santorini, staying at the Andronis Luxury Suites in Oia. Taking inspiration from the cave-like homes unique to Santorini, the hotel features five private villas that the family were put up in.