By Edal Anton Lefterov – Wikimedia

5 Best Areas to stay in Santorini


 

Santorini is famous for its white and blue houses on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, breath-taking views, Its clear turquoise water and stunning sunsets from Oia town.

This volcanic island forms part of the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It is between Ios and Anafi islands.

Santorini is an archipelago made up of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni.

This island is the most sought-after travel destination by solo travellers, couples and those planning to wed.

There are four towns in Santorini that are among the best places to stay. We also have a list of the best cities to visit in Greece.

Here are the 5 best areas to stay while in Santorini.

1. Oia

By Leonard G. – Wikimedia

Top on the list is Oia, a small coastal town northwest of Santorini with magical sunsets.

Oia is a beautiful and picturesque little town with charming cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops and is a popular fishing village on the island.

The endless views of the area in Oia, lovely houses, sun-kissed terraces and blue-domed houses are a sight to behold when in the town.

There is a maritime museum, art galleries, and a small library are some attractions that one can visit. If you are looking for a sea adventure, a boat from the Ammoudi port will be your ride for an excursion to the nearby islands.

The nightlife in this town is peaceful and quiet, it is for those that want to have a restful night after a full day of activities.

There are several restaurants and coffee shops that one can get their meals from, there’s just one bar in the town and is a great place to wind down your evening.

Accommodation options in the town are plenty and vary as per an individual’s budget. There are luxurious villas, comfortable hotel rooms and affordable furnished apartments.

One can easily connect to the other nearby islands by either strolling or taking a taxi or a bus which is much faster.

2. Fira

By Marian78ro -Wikimedia

Fira island is the largest town in Santorini and has one of the most attractive sights in the whole archipelago.

The town is on the caldera cliff and has stunning views of the volcano. The restaurants, shopping areas, cafés and hotels in the town are more than in any other town on the island and among the best. The nightlife in this town is lively and with no doubt the best in Santorini.

Fira happens to be the central place for the transport network on the island. This makes it the most convenient place to stay when visiting Santorini because of its easy and fast connection to the rest of the islands.

The hotels in this town afford one the best views of the caldera from the balcony. Those without a view are cheaper and comfortable too.

Fira is close to Kamari and one can enjoy a day by the Kamari Beach for a fun day, it’s a 20-minute bus ride from Fira.

This town can get very busy and crowded with tourists because of its beautiful attractions. Its best suited for those that do not mind busy days and lively nightlife.

The dining and entertainment scene in Fira is considered to be the best in Santorini.

There are cultural events, concerts and theatrical performances that are occasionally held in the town attracting a huge number of merrymakers.

3. Imerovigli

By Berard Gagnon – Wikimedia

Santorini has some of the most beautiful vacation choices one can pick. At Imerovigli, one gets to be in the most romantic town on the island. It has some of the most beautiful chapels and churches that are loved for destination weddings.

It was once a village that had the vantage point to spot pirate ships. The town is detached from the other towns giving one a serene intimate ambience.

It beats Oia by having the most magical sunsets overlooking the Aegean Sea. This town is a sharp contrast of the other towns on the island; it has fewer restaurants and no bars or night clubs. Despite their few numbers, the restaurants at Imerovigli offer the best dining experience.

The accommodation options in the town are remarkable and range from top luxury resorts to budget hotel rooms.

The beautiful traditional houses, cafes and pubs dotting the town offer some of the best entertainment and relaxing spots in town.

The nearby islands like Fira and Firostefani can be accessed by foot, a 20-minute walk, or by bus.

4. Firostefani

By Κλέαρχος Π. Καπούτσης,- Wikimedia

This beautiful town is another area to stay at while in Santorini. It offers some of the best views of the Aegean Sea and the caldera. Its name means the crown of Fira and it is true to that meaning, the town sits at the highest point of the capital.

The villages surrounding the town are serene and offer a sense of tranquillity that one needs while on vacation. The villages offer stunning views of the Volcano.

These traditional villages have several warm and comfortable diners, bakery, markets and quaint cafés.

There is a historic monastery nearby, the Agios Nikolaos, that lies between the villages in Firostefani and Imerovigli. There are also several historic museums that one can visit. This town is 15-minutes away by foot from Fira.

Just like Imerovigli, Firostefani has no nightclubs or bars, but the restaurants and cafés in this town are great. Its best suited for those that love quiet and relaxed evenings.

The hotel choices in the town are varied and are more affordable compared to the other towns on the island.

5. Kamari

Kamari is located on the northern end of Mesa Vouno and the south-eastern coast of Santorini.

This seaside town is loved by many that look for a destination that will cater to the entire family.

It is home to the main airport on the island and has modern buildings and several amenities and services.

The promenade is lined with pubs, restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops among other attractions.

The beach in this town attracts tourists from the other towns on the island to its award-winning coastline.

Other than a refreshing swim and enjoy the beautiful clear waters, one can sunbathe on the deck chair under the beautiful umbrellas by the beach, go for scuba diving and snorkelling which are some of the popular activities in the town.