Where To Stay On Santorini
You want to visit Santorini and you want to be in the white dome houses with the beautiful views! But where exactly are those? Here is a simple Santorini geography lesson so you know where to best stay.
As you can see there are three main parts of Santorini
- Oia (pronounced “ee-a”)
- Thera (pronounced “Fira”)
- Akrotiri (pronounced.. well sound that one out!)
Each is good for different experiences. Short story:
- Oia is what you picture when you think of Santorini – lots of white homes with Jacuzzi’s on the balcony, great shopping, blue domes, and incredible sunset views.
- Thera is similar to Oia with shopping and all the white buildings, so it gives you an experience similar to Oia without the price tag
- Akrotiri is much less popular but is closer to the beaches
Staying In Oia
Oia is beautiful! The pedestrian-only walkways that are lined with marble, white homes down the cliff, and the blue dome churches. Oia is the really the life blood of Santorini – it is the reason everyone goes to Santorini! However, the beautiful views in the most touristy areas come with a very hefty price tag… especially if you want to have a pool or hot tub on your deck. In Oia you do a lot of walking due to the main street of Oia being pedestrain-only but you are also in the heart of the action and are close to many restaurants and stores.
If you do choose to stay on Oia and want to be in the in “THE” Oia with the white homes on the cliff, you want to make sure your place is facing south and on the west side. If your place is facing East you probably will have a great view of the sunset, but won’t be by the main street of Oia. If you want a really nice place in Oia then you will want to look for the stays that are past where the street ends and the pedestrian walkways are; the true heart of Oia. These are the spots that are going to be mucho money.
Staying in Thera
Thera is a great option if you want to save some money but have a similar experience as Oia with the white homes on the cliff. If you want the true Santorini experience, then the advice is similar to that of Oia – ensure that your stay is facing the west direction and is on the west side of the island.
Staying Near Akrotiri
Staying in the southern part of the island offers a very different experience. You can stay at resorts on the east side of the island that are on or near a beach, which is a benefit you can’t get in Thera or Oia since they are on cliffs. Another benefit is being able to find places that are larger and can accommodate larger groups. The biggest benefit might be the reduced cost.
Keep in mind that most of Santorini is just dry wilderness with some scattered towns and farms. Truly the main attraction of Santorini is Oia or Thera, and you will likely be wanting to spend some evenings there even if you don’t stay there. Finding locations near the main roads or closer to Oia/Thera can be helpful if you are planning on spending a significant amount of time there rather than the beach towns or beach bars.
Is It Even Worth It To Stay Anywhere Other Than Oia?
The true magic of Santorini is in Oia. We stayed on the east side of Oia (which we didn’t realize beforehand) and wished we had known to be on the west side of the island to experience a more authentic experience. You can have a great experience any place you stay, but I would absolutely recommend finding a stay in Oia or Thera for an optimal Santorini experience.
Have you been to Santorini? Do you agree?
