Where to stay in Santorini for 2025

Best for: sunsets and chic hotels 

With its caldera-edge hotels, ritzy tavernas and marble-paved streets, romance hovers like a heart-shaped cloud over Santorini’s most popular sunset spot. Shop ‘till you drop in the whitewashed labyrinth of Oia’s streets before following crowds to Oia’s clifftop castle to watch the sun set in a scarlet blaze over the volcano’s rim. Celebrate with a dry Negroni at funky bar Hassapiko, then order wine-doused prawns and other treats at atmospheric caldera-edge taverna 1800- Floga. 

Stay here: For spectacular caldera-edge sleeps stay in a River suite at Canaves Ena. Away from the crowds, prefer Santo Mine Oia suites. 

Best for: beach babes and watersports fans

Santorini might not be known for its beaches, but these twin beauties fronted by their black sand and pebble strands provide a perfect base for exploring, with plenty of Vitamin Sea thrown in. With its pristine Blue Flag beach family-orientated Perissa is the place to spend lazy days on plump sunloungers or enjoying active fun on the water. When the sun sets over that wide horizon, head next door to Perivolas to feed on home-cooked food at authentic Greek taverna Lava, or chill in beach bars like Wet Stories where celebrity DJs man the decks.

Stay here: Orabel suites is a chic adults-only hideaway. For bang-on-the-beach stays prefer sleek suites at Seasound White Katikies.

Best for: culture vultures and shopaholics

On Fira’s buzzy streets art galleries like Mati rub shoulders with superb museums such as The Museum of Prehistoric Thera where finds from Akrotiri, the Minoan site known as ‘the Greek Pompeii’ are showcased. When you’re cultured up, shop-out in Fira’s boutique-lined streets, and then hop on the funicular for scenic views over the old port. Get a dose of wine culture in Pelican Kipos’ 400 year-old wine cellar, and end your day with local treats at family-run taverna Aktaion, next door in Firostefani.

Stay here: Adult’s only Aria Lito Mansion in central Fira has suites with hot tubs.

Best for: chilled-out vibes and travellers on a budget

Snuggled between vines whose grapes are used to make the island’s celebrated Assyrtiko wine, this hilltop hamlet surmounted by its mediaeval castle is a peaceful, great-value base just a bus ride away from the island’s main sights. Soak up that lost-in-the-past vibe as you stroll through cobbled alleys stopping for wine and mezes at cosy cave-style café Cava Alta or enjoy Greek savours and spectacular views at lounge bar Alchemia. 

Stay here: Santorini Sky has sumptuous villas with own pools. Voreina Gallery’s stylish suites are a better budget option.

Best for: striking views and sunset sips

Linked by the cobbled calderimi hiking trail which runs between Fira and Oia, Imerovigli’s white cube houses and sleek hotels sit at the highest point of the caldera. Hike to the pinnacle of Skaros rock, which was a fortress in mediaeval times, to see Panagia Theoskepasti, the blue-domed chapel which is a backdrop for all those flying dress shoots. Back in Imerovigli make a beeline for Buddha-bar and celebrate sunset with their signature Tapasian bites whilst drooling over those spectacular caldera views 

Stay here: Honeymooners will love The Vasilicos’ seven caldera-edge suites. Counting the pennies? Book one of Ilioperato’s cosy cave-style rooms.

Best for: escaping the crowds

Tiny island just a ten-minute ferry hop from Santorini’s Ammoudi Bay, Thirasia is described by locals as ‘Santorini 50 years ago’ because of its abandoned caves houses and clifftop capital Manolas which, like Fira, descends via endless steps to a taverna-lined port. Explore the island on foot with Explore Thirasia, then chow down on gourmet fodder at hip hangout Qhera or enjoy massive portions of home- cooked food at family-run Taverna Riva. 

Stay here: Thirasia Paradise has spacious suites overlooking Riva’s pretty pebble beach. For cave-styles vibes it has to be Evanthia in capital Manolas.