Hotels in Santorini

Travelers can reach Santorini by boat or air.

1. By boat
The main port of the island is Athinios, connected to numerous ports in mainland Greece and other islands.

Regular ferry services run from the port of Piraeus to Santorini, with the journey taking approximately 4 hours by speedboat and 8 hours by conventional ferry. Ferries also depart from the port of Rafina, with high-speed boats reaching Santorini in roughly 6 hours.

Santorini is also connected by ferry to many Aegean islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. Some of these islands include Mykonos, Folegandros, Ios, Naxos, Paros, Milos, Kimolos, Serifos, Sifnos, Tinos, Syros, Kos, Karpathos, Amorgos and Koufonisia.

2. By air
Santorini State Airport is situated approximately 6 km from Fira, the island's capital. The airport provides flights to and from numerous destinations, covering Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion (Crete), Larnaca, and a host of international cities across countries like France, Austria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Serbia, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Spain and Hungary.

From luxury hotels perched on the caldera's edge and boutique hotels to private villas and Cycladic-style accommodations, Santorini offers a wide range of lodging options for every visitor.

If you wish to stay in the island's capital, consider booking a hotel in Fira. For the most breathtaking caldera views, choose accommodations in Oia. Both Firostefani and Imerovigli offer unique lodging options with amenities and views that will captivate you.

By staying in Megalochori or Pyrgos, you can experience traditional settlements filled with picturesque houses and history. Alternatively, accommodations in Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, Vlychada, Akrotiri and Monolithos put you within a stone's throw of their respective beaches.

You can also find lovely and comfortable lodging options in Messaria and Emporio.

Santorini boasts various settlements and villages, some perched on the caldera's edge, others inland and others a stone's throw away from the island's beaches.

The capital of Santorini is Fira, situated on the caldera, as are the two most popular settlements on the island, Oia and Imerovigli. Megalochori is one of the island's most picturesque villages, dating back to the 17th century, while Pyrgos is a medieval settlement built on a hill.

Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari are seaside settlements, while Akrotiri is also located near the famous Red Beach and is known for the prehistoric settlement discovered in the area. Two other settlements are Emporio and Messaria, which was the island's former industrial center.

It is also worth mentioning Skaros, the island's old capital until the 18th century, the only settlement on the island from which almost nothing survives. However, the so-called Rock of Skaros is visible from Imerovigli and can be reached via a path.

Rich in history, Santorini offers an array of enchanting attractions and activities for travelers to explore during their visit.

The island is home to the impressive Santorini Volcano, one of the world's biggest active underwater volcanoes. Its colossal eruption approximately 3,600 years ago produced a massive tidal wave that devastated the Minoan civilization on Crete. As a result, a substantial part of the island, once called Strongyli, sank, giving birth to the modern islands of Santorini, Thirasia and Aspronisi, which encircle the caldera. Santorini's most popular settlements, such as Fira (the capital), Oia and Imerovigli, cling to the caldera's edge, along with the main port and various volcanic beaches.

At Akrotiri, you can delve into the intriguing Minoan settlement, a prehistoric site unearthed in 1963, now recognized as one of the Aegean's most significant archaeological discoveries. To further immerse yourself in the island's history and archaeology, don't miss the Archaeological Museum of Thera in Fira. This museum houses an impressive array of sculptures, inscriptions and ceramics, chronicling the island's progression from the Archaic age to the Roman and Hellenistic times.

Santorini also boasts a number of historical castles worth visiting. One of these is the Castle in Oia, also known as the Castle of Agios Nikolaos, which dates back to the 15th century. Another must-see is the 14th-century Venetian Castle "Kasteli", a fortified Cycladic settlement located in Akrotiri.

Don't miss the Folklore Museum of Santorini in Fira, housed in a collection of cave houses that were built around 150 years ago and renovated to accommodate the museum. The Megaro Gyzi, a 17th-century mansion that houses the island's Cultural Center, is also a place worth visiting.

Oia is home to the Naval Museum of Santorini, while in Firostefani, you will find the Monastery of the Dominican nuns, a Catholic monastery dedicated to St. Catherine, where nuns of the Order of St. Dominic reside.

Finally, as Santorini is famous for its exceptional wines, you can also visit some of the island's traditional wineries or follow the so-called Wine Trails, which will introduce you to the process and history of the island's winemaking tradition.

Santorini boasts dreamy beaches, many of which are surrounded by uniquely beautiful cliffs, the result of volcanic eruptions.

Red Beach is definitely a top choice for beachgoers, thanks to its eye-catching red and black rocks, red sand and dark blue waters scattered with black pebbles. You'll probably find a few umbrellas and sunbeds there, but remember that space can be tight if you're thinking of bringing your own equipment.

Vlychada is equally impressive, a beach that's surrounded by rocks resembling a lunar landscape. You'll find a few sunbeds and umbrellas, but only at the start of the beach. White Beach, true to its name, is encased by white rocks, features black sand and offers a limited number of sunbeds.

Perivolos Beach is sandy and home to the island's most famous beach bars, attracting young people who want to combine swimming with all-day beach parties. Perissa and Kamari are two more large, organized and popular beaches, both of which have been awarded Blue Flags.

If you're looking for more secluded beaches, consider visiting Ammoudi, which has deep and steep waters and is located just below Oia. Ammoudi is accessed via steps. Another secluded beach is Armeni, which is only accessible by boat and is also situated near Oia.

Some other beautiful beaches include Monolithos, Akrotiri, Baxedes (or Paradisos), Mesa Pigadia, Vourvoulos and Palea Kameni, which is located on the small caldera island of the same name.

Santorini may be famous for its breathtaking sunsets and romantic getaways, but it is an island where you can engage in a variety of outdoor activities during your stay.

The most famous part of the island is undoubtedly the volcano and its caldera, so you can start with a cruise to the caldera and the islands surrounding Santorini that make it up, namely Thirassia and Aspronisi, as well as Old and New Kameni, two small islands formed by later volcanic eruptions. In addition to magnificent views, the caldera islands also offer beautiful beaches where you can enjoy swimming.

In Santorini, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy water sports, mainly at Perivolos and Perissa beaches, and diving, as there is a diving school in Kamari.

Embarking on a hike is an excellent way to uncover and appreciate the diverse landscapes that comprise the island. Among the most well-known paths is the trail that connects Fira, the capital, to Oia, offering breathtaking vistas of the sea and the caldera along the way.

Some other activities you can do on the island are rock climbing, primarily from the Perissa or Kamari areas, cycling with rental bicycles available from different parts of the island, and horseback riding.

An island ideal for romantic getaways as well as for those who love history and unique landscapes of indescribable beauty, Santorini offers plenty of options to keep you busy throughout your stay.

No matter which settlement you choose to stay in, you should definitely visit the settlements built on the edge of the caldera, namely Fira, Oia and Imerovigli, in order to enjoy the unique views they offer. Apart from the usual beaches, on this island you will also find some volcanic beaches, such as Red Beach, White Beach and Vlychada, which are surrounded by rocks and offer a unique landscape.

You can also take a boat trip around the caldera and visit the islands of Thirassia, Aspronisi, and Palea and Nea Kameni.

For a genuine insight into Santorini's ancient history, make sure to visit the Minoan State archaeological site in Akrotiri and explore a selection of museums, such as the Archaeological Museum of Thera and the Folklore Museum of Santorini in Fira, along with the Naval Museum of Santorini in Oia. These intriguing locations will offer you a comprehensive view of the island's storied heritage and cultural gems.

And, of course, you can't miss out on finding a scenic location to take in the stunning Santorini sunset with your special someone, all while sipping a delightful glass of local wine.

In Santorini, you will have the opportunity to taste fine local foods and traditional dishes such as sfouggato, tomato balls, fish balls and white eggplant, while Santorini fava is one of the most popular dishes. The island also produces various dry products, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, pumpkins, vine leaves, etc.

You should also not miss trying the famous Santorini honeydew melitini, Santorini pudding and the sweet koufetto with honey and almonds. Santorini is famous for its local wines such as Vinsanto, Nychteri and Brusco, a glass of which will accompany your meal perfectly.

Santorini is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. Just to the north of the island, you'll find Ios. Sikinos and Folegandros are positioned to the northwest, Anafi is situated to the east, and Crete looms to the south.

Santorini belongs to the Cyclades, as well as to the South Aegean Region and the Prefecture of Cyclades.

According to the 2011 census, Santorini has a population of 15,250 inhabitants.