wanderer

We are going to Santorini in May of 2005.

We have found 2 places we like - Astra Apartments in Imerovigli, and Sun Rocks on Firostephani.

We decided against Oia, as it seemed too far from everything and we will not have a car. People also cautioned that the restaurants/shops are limited there, some may not be open at all in May, and we would find ourselves traveling to Fira alot of the time to eat, sightsee, etc. We also do not want to stay in Fira - too busy for our taste.

Anyway, I've read all the debates about Fira/Oia, but what I can't seem to find is what public transportation might be available from Imerovigli.

I've read that the walk to Fira from Firostephani is about 10 minutes, but it seems over a mile from Imerovigli to Fira. We've also read that it is hard to get a cab, and not sure we want to have to do that every night.

Is there a bus that runs from Imerovigli on a regular basis, and does anyone know if it is anywhere near Sun Rocks?

Some poster mentioned that they did not like the "neighborhood" of Firastephani - does that mean that both of these places are not actual towns with centers and are just hotels plopped in the middle of nowhere?

brotherleelove2004

My last trip to Santorini was in May. I stayed in Oia. All the shops and restaurants were up and running full time. Fira has at least 10 times as many shops and restaurants.

Fira is about 7 miles from Oia, 30 minutes by bus, 15-20 by taxi.

Your hotel can call a taxi for you at any time should you need one. Finding a taxi in Fira is as easy as it could be, there's a taxi stand across from the bus square and in May there are always taxis there until at least 9 pm.

The bus that you would catch in either Firostephani or Imerovigli is the same bus that goes between Fira and Oia. In May it passes by these villages about every hour (in both directions) starting at about 9 am and going until about 9 pm, perhaps later. The villages are small enough that all you have to do is walk a short distance out to the road and wait, then flag down the bus when it approaches. There is probably a schedule posted at your hotel or out on the road. There is definitely one at the bus square in Fira.

Firostephani use to be a separate village like Imerovigli, but with time and growth, it has become annexed to Fira. Both have their own restaurants and shops, just nowhere near as many as in Fira. They are not, however, "towns" in the American sense. They are much smaller and less organized. Mostly people have to walk through them instead of drive. That's one of the charms of the cliffside villages, the lack of traffic.

Imerovigli is about a mile from Fira. If you want peace and quiet it's a good location.

wanderer

Thanks Brotherleelove.

Do you know of Astra Apartments?

brotherleelove2004

No, sorry, I don't. They're quite new, opened up since my last trip there. The website looks nice, though.

MAS16

We stayed in Imerovigli at Chromata this past September. It was a bit of a hike to walk to Fira, but we did it a few times. The views are beautiful and there are shops and restaurants along the way...as well as tons of fabulous photo opps!

There isn't much in Imerovigli itself, but we liked it - it's quiet and the views are great (it's the highest point on the island). There are a couple of restaurants and a few little markets where you can pick up snacks, etc.

The bus stop was a 2 minute walk from our hotel - it arrived every 30 minutes and you could catch it to either Fira or Oia. It was convenient and cheap - we never needed a taxi (accept for our transfers, which were pre-arranged through our travel agent.) From Fira you can then catch another bus to the beach.

Firostephani is definitely more convenient to Fira if you'd like to walk.

Either is a great choice in my opinion - you'll be in a central location, close to the action in Fira but not smack in the middle of it, and it's only a quick ride away to Oia or the beach.

I did not get to see either of the hotels you are considering, but I have heard good things about both. Good luck!