Hotels in Santorini, Greece

Santorini Hotels

With its dramatic soaring cliffs, ancient Minoan ruins, and an active volcano at its center, the spectacular Greek island of Santorini is steeped in wonder. Its distinctive crescent shape was caused by one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in history, and some believe that the island was the inspiration for the ancient myth of Atlantis. While you ponder this thrilling mystery, you can enjoy luxuriating on black volcanic sand, swimming in azure-blue sea, or exploring picture-perfect hilltop villages and gleaming white Cycladic churches.

Things to see

The Archaeological Museum is a veritable treasure-trove of ancient artifacts discovered during excavations on the island. Highlights include beautifully preserved Geometric vases from the 5th century BC, intricate Roman and Hellenistic sculptures, stunning frescoes, and prehistoric relics. The island’s beaches are another major draw. Getting to the famous red beach involves a bit of a trek over some rocky terrain, but you’ll be rewarded with spectacular snorkeling, delightful views of yachts disappearing into the horizon, and an impossibly romantic sunset, should you decide to stick around all day. For a truly unforgettable adventure, you can hike up to the top of the volcano and peer down into its cavernous crater, before heading over to the island’s famous hot springs, for a restorative soak in mineral-rich, thermal waters.

Hotels in Santorini

As you’d expect from such a popular holiday destination, there’s a wealth of hotels in Santorini to pick from. As something of a playground for the rich and famous, there are some truly dazzling 5-star hotels, occupying prime locations with jaw-dropping sea views. You can expect incredible luxury amenities, such as full service health spas, bubbling hot tubs, gourmet restaurants, and glamorous lounge bars. There are also plenty of reasonably priced, child-friendly hotels and resorts, perfect for a family vacation. You can enjoy great perks like outdoor pools with beautifully landscaped terraces, separate splash pools for youngsters, kid’s clubs or supervised childcare, and a hearty buffet breakfast to tempt you out of bed each morning.

Where to stay

Elegantly perched on a clifftop, Fira is the island’s bustling, breath-taking main town. Its winding streets are packed with mouth-watering bakeries, trinket-filled shops, and friendly, family-run restaurants with charming outdoor terraces, from which you can watch a spectacular sunset over a leisurely dinner. Oia offers many of the same exquisite pleasures, but operates at a slightly gentler pace, as it receives fewer hordes of cruise ship day-trippers than Fira. Kamari is a beguiling seaside town, which boasts an expansive and striking black-sand beach. Its seafront is lined with tempting tavernas and lively bars, so it’s a great spot for a little after-dark hedonism.

How to get to Santorini

Santorini Airport is served all year round by regular flights from Athens – the journey only takes around 30 minutes. Throughout the peak summer season, you can also fly direct to Santorini from major European cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, and Barcelona. You can easily get to your hotel by shuttle bus or private transfer, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the airport gets very busy, so it’s a good idea to book your transport in advance, if you want to avoid a long queue. Rental cars are also readily available. The island is served by public bus services, but these can be a little irregular and unpredictable.