Santorini Location
Aug 20th, 2015, 07:48 PM
#2
If it was me I'd stay in Oia. It's a very pretty part of the island, romantic and there seemed to be lots of couples when we were there. First time we stayed in Fira which we liked but second visit we stayed in Oia, had a fabulous caldera view from our room, a pool and terrace with table and chairs. If you can afford it, that's what I'd pick. It's an easy bus ride into Fira if you want to go in to sightsee or shop etc.
Kay
Kay
Aug 20th, 2015, 08:16 PM
#3
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Oia is the most beautiful and romantic village with lots of shops and restaurants, but the nightlife is limited to a few mellow bars and cafes. Imerovigli has the best overall caldera and sunset views but there are just a few shops and restaurants there. You have to go into Fira for nightlife, and be aware that if you're walking it's 1.5 miles back to Imerovigli, UPHILL all the way. Fira is where all the best shops and nightlife happens but it's extremely crowded there in the summer months because all the cruise ship passengers come ashore there. If you want to be near that nightlife focus your hotel search on Firostefani instead so you can easily walk to and from your hotel but not be in the middle of all the madness that is Fira.
Aug 21st, 2015, 04:34 AM
#4
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We liked Oia best of all. It is the prettiest, has, IMO, the best views and hiking opportunities and is the easiest to navigate. I think it is the most romantic as well. If you are a shopper, it has lots of shops.
Aug 21st, 2015, 08:38 AM
#5
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Chitown,
BrotherleeLove mentions the "Goldilocks" alternative ("just right") -- Firostephani! Many lovely hotels with caldera-view balconies and pools, fine amenities usually at much lower rates than Oia ... and the location is perfect if you want peace & quiet, yet easy access to nightlife. Firostephani is really the northern Edge of Fira Town... an easy 10-15 minute stroll to cafes, clubs shopping ... BUT no tour busses, no crowds clogging the lanes. AND just outside the inland side of the hotels, downhill a little bit, is the main road to Oia, with a handy BUS STOP.
Some of the Honeymoon-level hotels in Firostephani include Dana Villas, Blue Dolphins, Mill Houses, Vallas Apts, Villa Ilias, and Hotel Anteliz (latter is just on dividing line of Fira/Firostephani). I advise you to take your time, compare TA reviews, room rates for your dates and various amenities of these vs. comparable Oia lodgings, before making up your mind.
For those who choose Firostephanis, I often recommend as the best way To enjoy is: take the FIRST bus in AM to Oia, around 8:30 ... you'll have about 90 minutes of peace & quiet to stroll around, take pix in beautiful morning light before the cruise crowds and bus-tour throngs POUR in, cramming the narrow lanes ... then you leave, and do other things.
After about 3:30, those crowds dissipate and Oia is quiet for a while. Then NEW crowds flock in, jamming the caldera rim path, elbowing each other for camera angles for the supposedly unique "Oia Sunset". Even off-season in late May, Path is packed for an hour before sundown, with no place to sit -- and then they ALL want to leave on same bus!! (Chicago El at rush hour!). Often one must wait 45 minutes to get onto a bus.
If you have a private Oia balcony/terrace or reservation at a restaurant with a view (Pelakanos, Castro -- BRotherlee can advise) , then Oia sunset can be a relaxing experience. otherwise remember... the sun goes down in the West all over Santorini! I have enjoyed wonderful sunset moments at rooftop table at Stani Taverna in Fira town, also Volcano View cafe and Palia Kameni cocktail bar, also rooftop of Firostephani Sunset Hotel ... and even on porch of homey, comfy Aktaion Taverna in Firostephani.
BrotherleeLove mentions the "Goldilocks" alternative ("just right") -- Firostephani! Many lovely hotels with caldera-view balconies and pools, fine amenities usually at much lower rates than Oia ... and the location is perfect if you want peace & quiet, yet easy access to nightlife. Firostephani is really the northern Edge of Fira Town... an easy 10-15 minute stroll to cafes, clubs shopping ... BUT no tour busses, no crowds clogging the lanes. AND just outside the inland side of the hotels, downhill a little bit, is the main road to Oia, with a handy BUS STOP.
Some of the Honeymoon-level hotels in Firostephani include Dana Villas, Blue Dolphins, Mill Houses, Vallas Apts, Villa Ilias, and Hotel Anteliz (latter is just on dividing line of Fira/Firostephani). I advise you to take your time, compare TA reviews, room rates for your dates and various amenities of these vs. comparable Oia lodgings, before making up your mind.
For those who choose Firostephanis, I often recommend as the best way To enjoy is: take the FIRST bus in AM to Oia, around 8:30 ... you'll have about 90 minutes of peace & quiet to stroll around, take pix in beautiful morning light before the cruise crowds and bus-tour throngs POUR in, cramming the narrow lanes ... then you leave, and do other things.
After about 3:30, those crowds dissipate and Oia is quiet for a while. Then NEW crowds flock in, jamming the caldera rim path, elbowing each other for camera angles for the supposedly unique "Oia Sunset". Even off-season in late May, Path is packed for an hour before sundown, with no place to sit -- and then they ALL want to leave on same bus!! (Chicago El at rush hour!). Often one must wait 45 minutes to get onto a bus.
If you have a private Oia balcony/terrace or reservation at a restaurant with a view (Pelakanos, Castro -- BRotherlee can advise) , then Oia sunset can be a relaxing experience. otherwise remember... the sun goes down in the West all over Santorini! I have enjoyed wonderful sunset moments at rooftop table at Stani Taverna in Fira town, also Volcano View cafe and Palia Kameni cocktail bar, also rooftop of Firostephani Sunset Hotel ... and even on porch of homey, comfy Aktaion Taverna in Firostephani.
Sep 1st, 2015, 11:53 AM
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We just returned from Santorini, however we traveled with our kids as well. We stayed in Oia, Amaya Villas and we loved it. We were right at the sunset castle but chose not to be along with tons of other people to watch sunset, reserved a table in one of the restaurants with a view and had a pieceful evening. We went to Fira for lunch and stroll, however, I liked Oia better. But yes, shops at Fira are way better.
Kush
Kush
