Where to stay in Santorini
Whitewashed cliffs falling into the bluest caldera in the Mediterranean. Choosing the right area in Santorini matters more than choosing the right hotel — a central room saves an hour a day, and an hour a day is a whole day on a week's trip. Rooms start from around $240/night.
The best areas to stay in Santorini
The historic centre
If it's your first time in Santorini and you're here for three nights or fewer, stay central. You'll pay a premium per night and win it back in taxi fares and walking time. Use Booking.com's map view and draw your search around the oldest part of town.
One neighbourhood out
The band just outside the centre is where Santorini gets interesting and considerably cheaper — usually 25–40% less for the same standard of room, and a ten-minute walk or one stop on public transport from everything.
Beachfront
Beachfront in Santorini costs the most and is worth it only if you'll use the beach daily. Check on the map exactly which stretch of sand the property fronts — 'beach nearby' can mean a fifteen-minute walk with a buggy.
How to choose in five minutes
Open the map view, drop pins on the two or three things you're definitely doing in Santorini, then search only inside that shape. Filter to 8.5+ review score and free cancellation, sort by price, and take the first place with photos of the actual room type. That's the whole method.
Hotels in Santorini by type
- Best hotels in Santorini
- Cheap hotels in Santorini
- Luxury hotels in Santorini
- 5-star hotels in Santorini
- Boutique hotels in Santorini
- Family hotels in Santorini
- Adults-only hotels in Santorini
- Romantic hotels in Santorini
- Beach hotels in Santorini
- Hotels in Santorini with private pools
- Hotels in Santorini with infinity pools
- Hotels in Santorini with sea views
- Hotels in Santorini with a spa
- Hotels in Santorini with balconies
- Hotels in Santorini with breakfast included
- Hotels in Santorini with free parking
- Hotels in Santorini with all-inclusive
Where to stay in Santorini — FAQs
- Where is the best area to stay in Santorini?
- For a first trip to Santorini, stay central — you'll pay more per night and save it back in time and taxis. For a longer or repeat trip, one neighbourhood out is typically 25–40% cheaper for the same standard of room.
- How much does a hotel in Santorini cost?
- Well-reviewed rooms in Santorini start from around $240/night on Booking.com. Shoulder season and midweek stays are consistently the cheapest; school holidays and weekends the most expensive.
- Is it better to stay in the centre of Santorini?
- Central is right for short trips and no-car trips. If you're staying five nights or more, or you're driving, the value is better slightly outside the centre — check the walking time on the map view before you commit.
- How far in advance should I book a hotel in Santorini?
- Six to eight weeks ahead for Greece in peak season, two to three weeks off-peak. Book a free-cancellation rate early and re-check prices a fortnight out — if it's dropped, rebook.