Best area to stay in Mykonos and Santorini
Jan 17th, 2014, 11:23 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best area to stay in Mykonos and Santorini
Visiting Mykonos and Santorini as part of a Europe trip from May 30 to June 5, 2014.
Spending 3 nights in each island. We are 5 adults and can stay together in an apartment or split up in 2 hotel rooms.
Would love to get recommendations on what are good areas to stay in and the best beaches to visit. Will also welcome any specific hotels/B&B/apts.
I've been looking at airbnb.com but I don't know if some of the places I like are too far from the more lively/fun areas of the islands.
What are the preferrable areas to stay in in terms of being able to go to the beach and walk to restaurants and other things to do?
Would I be better off staying in a more secluded area and then renting a car or taking public transportation or staying where I can walk?
Looking for the most cost efficient option.
Thanks!
Spending 3 nights in each island. We are 5 adults and can stay together in an apartment or split up in 2 hotel rooms.
Would love to get recommendations on what are good areas to stay in and the best beaches to visit. Will also welcome any specific hotels/B&B/apts.
I've been looking at airbnb.com but I don't know if some of the places I like are too far from the more lively/fun areas of the islands.
What are the preferrable areas to stay in in terms of being able to go to the beach and walk to restaurants and other things to do?
Would I be better off staying in a more secluded area and then renting a car or taking public transportation or staying where I can walk?
Looking for the most cost efficient option.
Thanks!
Jan 17th, 2014, 12:00 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Santorini: Kamari Beach and Perissa Beach both have tons of hotels, shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.
"Would I be better off staying in a more secluded area and then renting a car or taking public transportation or staying where I can walk?"..............It's an either/or situation. Either you stay someplace more secluded and use transportation OR you stay someplace where it's not needed. What do you prefer? We can't answer that for you, and if cost efficiency is an issue you should tell us what your maximum daily room budget will be so we can advise you according to that budget.
"Would I be better off staying in a more secluded area and then renting a car or taking public transportation or staying where I can walk?"..............It's an either/or situation. Either you stay someplace more secluded and use transportation OR you stay someplace where it's not needed. What do you prefer? We can't answer that for you, and if cost efficiency is an issue you should tell us what your maximum daily room budget will be so we can advise you according to that budget.
Jan 18th, 2014, 08:59 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your beach suggestions. Got more questions.
Are those beaches in the villages of Oia, Imerovigli or Fira?
Noticed those mentioned quite a bit.
Debating whether to get something with a view on top of the mountain or closer to the water. Is it time consuming to come down from the cave house to where the beaches, restaurants, etc.?
Are those beaches in the villages of Oia, Imerovigli or Fira?
Noticed those mentioned quite a bit.
Debating whether to get something with a view on top of the mountain or closer to the water. Is it time consuming to come down from the cave house to where the beaches, restaurants, etc.?
Jan 18th, 2014, 09:09 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oia, Imerovigli and Fira are high up on the cliff overlooking the caldera. There are no beaches on that side of the island.
From Fira it takes about 20 minutes to reach the beaches I mentioned by bus. From Oia it takes about an hour but could be longer, depending on how long you have to wait for your connecting bus in Fira. It takes about 30 minutes from Imerovigli, also with a change in Fira.
The best swimming on the island is not at the beach but off the rocks below Oia at the end of the seawall that begins on the wharf in Amoudi Bay. This is what you'll find at the end of the trail: http://www.larios.gr/photo_1156998.html A couple of years ago there was a small rockslide you had to get over to reach this spot. By now it might have been cleared, but be sure to wear somthing sturdy on your feet, if you attempt it. Sneakers will do, just not lightweight sandals or flip-flops.
From Fira it takes about 20 minutes to reach the beaches I mentioned by bus. From Oia it takes about an hour but could be longer, depending on how long you have to wait for your connecting bus in Fira. It takes about 30 minutes from Imerovigli, also with a change in Fira.
The best swimming on the island is not at the beach but off the rocks below Oia at the end of the seawall that begins on the wharf in Amoudi Bay. This is what you'll find at the end of the trail: http://www.larios.gr/photo_1156998.html A couple of years ago there was a small rockslide you had to get over to reach this spot. By now it might have been cleared, but be sure to wear somthing sturdy on your feet, if you attempt it. Sneakers will do, just not lightweight sandals or flip-flops.
Jan 18th, 2014, 09:16 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jmq21
Kamari Beach and Perissa Beach are not just beaches, but small resorts with many hotels, cafes restaurants and shops.
Both are on the flat side of the island.
I find Perissa to be a nicer beach compared to Kamari.
If you decide to stay on the cliff side, then you will have to take the public bus to visit the beaches.
None of the beaches are in walking distance, you will go to Fira, the capital of the island, and take another bus from there.
The island is really small, distances are not long.
If you decide to stay in Oia, which is the nicest village of the island in my opinion, you could walk down to Ammoudi Beach, which is a tiny beach but a great place to swim if you go to the rocks at the end of the small promenade.
The catch is that you will have to walk up endless steps to go back to Oia....
Another nearby beach is Koloumbos, my favourite beach, but not in walking distance.
Kamari Beach and Perissa Beach are not just beaches, but small resorts with many hotels, cafes restaurants and shops.
Both are on the flat side of the island.
I find Perissa to be a nicer beach compared to Kamari.
If you decide to stay on the cliff side, then you will have to take the public bus to visit the beaches.
None of the beaches are in walking distance, you will go to Fira, the capital of the island, and take another bus from there.
The island is really small, distances are not long.
If you decide to stay in Oia, which is the nicest village of the island in my opinion, you could walk down to Ammoudi Beach, which is a tiny beach but a great place to swim if you go to the rocks at the end of the small promenade.
The catch is that you will have to walk up endless steps to go back to Oia....
Another nearby beach is Koloumbos, my favourite beach, but not in walking distance.
Jan 18th, 2014, 09:41 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MYKONOS -the question always is, beach or town??? At the time you're going, the liveliest evening scene will be in Mykonos Town. The drawback to a beach hotel is that, around 11 pm, the busses end, and the (very few) taxis disappear shortly thereafter, so you may be stranded. Therefore, best to find an enjoyable hotel in Town, take the handy busses for your afternoon ad the beaches, then in late evening be able to stroll home from nightlife.
For best advice on Lodgings, it helps if you give your desired budget range (in EUROS please! -- heres the best conversion website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/). However, since you mention checking air b & B, I'm guessing you're looking for moderate-price places. Do u insist on a pool or are u just looking for nice rooms? In Mykonos, lovely budget place, just uphill from the "bus square"... behind Hotel Despotikia -- is http://www.angelasrooms.com/ Angela's an artist from Chicago who married a Mykonian and never left. White buildings, red roses everywhere, sea views from upstairs rooms, mod. baths with GREAT showers. Close to all the action but v. quiet for sleeping. Other places in town often mentioned are Hotel Rochari, Hotel Carbonaki, Pelican ... varying price & amenities.
SANTORINI -- Here the question is, stay on beach or go for Caldera view??? Former has more budget accoms, but IMHO, this isle is all about the views. (And the beaches are not the isle's major feature, they are black & pebbly-gritty). I say, go for the caldera views; Oia is the most sought-after village on the "rim", but be aware that in mid-week from about 9:30-4pm, streets are thronged with cruiser-crowd. I like Oia best in early morning, when light is best for photos, and lanes are less populated. A posh Oia hotel will have views & terraces above the crowd, but at a price. I tend to look in Firostephani, which is away from the hubbub of Fira Town, but u can walk there in 10-15 ;minutes along the rim path for the nightlife -- and there's a handy bus-stop to zip you to/from Oia. You can check hotels via booking.com sorted by town and/or your budget limits. Some examples are Sunset Hotel, Mylos, Blue dolphis, Vallas Apts, Villa Ilias (has pool).
For best advice on Lodgings, it helps if you give your desired budget range (in EUROS please! -- heres the best conversion website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/). However, since you mention checking air b & B, I'm guessing you're looking for moderate-price places. Do u insist on a pool or are u just looking for nice rooms? In Mykonos, lovely budget place, just uphill from the "bus square"... behind Hotel Despotikia -- is http://www.angelasrooms.com/ Angela's an artist from Chicago who married a Mykonian and never left. White buildings, red roses everywhere, sea views from upstairs rooms, mod. baths with GREAT showers. Close to all the action but v. quiet for sleeping. Other places in town often mentioned are Hotel Rochari, Hotel Carbonaki, Pelican ... varying price & amenities.
SANTORINI -- Here the question is, stay on beach or go for Caldera view??? Former has more budget accoms, but IMHO, this isle is all about the views. (And the beaches are not the isle's major feature, they are black & pebbly-gritty). I say, go for the caldera views; Oia is the most sought-after village on the "rim", but be aware that in mid-week from about 9:30-4pm, streets are thronged with cruiser-crowd. I like Oia best in early morning, when light is best for photos, and lanes are less populated. A posh Oia hotel will have views & terraces above the crowd, but at a price. I tend to look in Firostephani, which is away from the hubbub of Fira Town, but u can walk there in 10-15 ;minutes along the rim path for the nightlife -- and there's a handy bus-stop to zip you to/from Oia. You can check hotels via booking.com sorted by town and/or your budget limits. Some examples are Sunset Hotel, Mylos, Blue dolphis, Vallas Apts, Villa Ilias (has pool).
Jan 18th, 2014, 02:37 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it would give you an idea of beaches vs. view quickly if you just look at the google map, maps.google.com/maps, in satellite mode.
If you pan around Oia, Imerovigli,and Fira, you realize that there is a dark gap between the houses the water. Why is this? It is a sheer cliff. No houses, no roads, no beaches. From Oia to water is 300 steps. From Fira to water is about 600 steps. Just look at the satellite view.
Where are the beaches? Find the airport, then go right to the ocean. You see continuous narrow strip of dark beaches starting around the airport goint south, through Kamari, and continues on to more beaches in the 4,5, and 6 o'clock positions.
Beaches = low side of the island = no caldera view.
You can use the google map distance measurement tool to realize that the caldera view locations to beaches are not within easy walking distances.
If you pan around Oia, Imerovigli,and Fira, you realize that there is a dark gap between the houses the water. Why is this? It is a sheer cliff. No houses, no roads, no beaches. From Oia to water is 300 steps. From Fira to water is about 600 steps. Just look at the satellite view.
Where are the beaches? Find the airport, then go right to the ocean. You see continuous narrow strip of dark beaches starting around the airport goint south, through Kamari, and continues on to more beaches in the 4,5, and 6 o'clock positions.
Beaches = low side of the island = no caldera view.
You can use the google map distance measurement tool to realize that the caldera view locations to beaches are not within easy walking distances.
Feb 11th, 2014, 07:48 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all. I have a couple of reservations in santorini. One in oia at santorini paradise cave houses and the other one in FIra at Kanarese apartments. If anyone has anything good or bad that may help me choose one, please let me know.
Regarding Mykonos, is platis Yalos a good location or is it too far from the main attractions? I'm looking at Nissaki Boutique Hotel. Is that a good choice? My budget is around 200 - 250 euros per night. But we are 5 people.
What about Agios Ioannis? Or Agios Stefanos? Looking for a nice beach that's not too far from everything we are going to want to see.
Regarding Mykonos, is platis Yalos a good location or is it too far from the main attractions? I'm looking at Nissaki Boutique Hotel. Is that a good choice? My budget is around 200 - 250 euros per night. But we are 5 people.
What about Agios Ioannis? Or Agios Stefanos? Looking for a nice beach that's not too far from everything we are going to want to see.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Steve_James
Europe
8
Apr 26th, 2003 04:35 AM
