Familiar with Santorini in Greece? Please Help!
 

Where to stay in Santorini - Perissa, Fira, Oia, Kamari or ????

So I've been doing my research, but am having trouble deciding on a place to stay in Santorini. It seems like it may not be that easy to get around the island. What we'd like to do in Santorini - relax by beach, explore the island hiking and/or biking, hang out with other travellers, locals, etc. at night. So we'd like a little nightlife, but it doesn't have to be outrageous.

Has anyone been to Santorini and have any recommendations? How easy is it to get around? We won't be renting mopeds or cars, so we will use public transportation. We're looking for a fairly inexpensive place to stay.

I could book right now at Stelios Place in Perissa, but I am worried about being too far out from the places with things to do. Or perhaps there are fun things to do in Perissa? We also thought about staying at Oia Youth Hostel, but we've yet to hear back from the owner. Tried to contact the owner via email, but no response.

If anyone has any personal knowledge to share, that would be great. I'm all googled out. =)

Thanks so much!!!

I've been to Santorini twice and both times stayed in Perissia although also spent two nights in Oia as well. Last time I stayed at Stelios Place which I thought was a great bargain, it's nothing fancy but very friendly plus Stelios picks you up and returns you to the port or airport. The town of Perissia has a good selection of restaurants and tavernas as well as clubs and there is tons of travellers to meet. Other I'm sure will disagree but I like the beach there, you need shoes because the black sand gets insanely hot but there is sun chairs you can rent so you don't have to lay on the hot sand. The pool at Stelios is nice too, it's small but nice. Besides the beach in Perissia you can hike up to ancient Thira which is fun just get an early start before it gets too hot. I know there is public bus service in Perissia and it seems fairly frequent but I've always rented scooters so I've had my freedom to travel about the island which may be why Perissia has always suited me perfectly.

First you need to decide if you want to stay at the beach or on the cliff overlooking the caldera. Perissa and Kamari are the main beach villages. Fira, Firostephani, Imerovigli and Oia are the villages on the cliff.

You don't say when you will be travelling. This might influence your decision. Mid-summer you can find nightlife anywhere, but if you want to dance and bar hop you'll need to stay near Fira. Firostephani and Imerovigli are within easy (but uphill) walking distance. Oia is 7 miles north.

Oia is the most traditional and beautiful village. There are very good restaurants and small boutique hotels and excellent shopping there.

Fira has the most to offer in terms of nightlife, restaurants, shopping and hotels. Perissa and Kamari are also well-developed but don't compare to Fira.

The Youth Hostel Oia is the best hostel on the island, in my opinion. It's well-maintained and has a sea view from an upper deck area. If you want to see a few photos let me have your email address. The last I heard the beds were 13 Euro/night. I don't know why Manolis hasn't answered your email unless he's still in Austria with his girlfriend. I do know that his mother is in the hospital in Athens right now and his father died recently so it's possible he's just preoccupied.

There is also a youth hostel in Fira and another in Perissa.

Getting around Santorini is easy on the very good public bus system. The bus hub is in Fira and there are buses from there to every corner of the island.

Oia has a small beach at the bottom of the cliff, Amoudi Beach. It's a vigorous hike down and back up some steps cut into the face of the cliff, very stable and wide, easy going but you need to be in good shape for the walk back up. Much of Oia's nightlife is centered around the restaurants and tavernas, but there are a couple of small bars as well.

The Casa Francesca in Oia offers a good price on a cheap room. Depending on when you go you can also walk around until you find rental signs offering domatia (rooms). If you're arriving by ferry you'll be met at the dock by locals with rooms to rent. Just be sure you understand where on the island the rooms are located or you might find yourself in the middle of nowhere or on a busy and noisy road.

There's a hiking trail from Fira to Oia and another from Perissa over the mountain to Kamari.

hello evalynn

santorini was one of those magical places that you will spend the rest of your life talking.
i see that you have mentioned "night life" and trying to keep that in mind i will say the following.
in my opinion, the unique gift of this island (outside of it's relaxed atmosphere, great food, etc) is the sheer beauty of its vistas which happen to be on the ohter side of the island opposite the beach towns such as Perissa. We were in santorini a year ago in september for ten days on our honeymoon through the cyclades (and we too enjoy some nightlife once in awhile). first, the weather in september was perfect. still warm enough for the beach and warmth but not too hot or as crowded as the summer months. i hear may is perfect as well. if i can give you any advice though above all, i suggest strongly staying where the views are day and night breathtaking (consider very strngly concentrating on Fiorstefani, Imerovigli or Fira). Oia is no doubt was of the most picturesque villages on this side of the island and you must (no matter what) do a day trip or two there during the day and around sunset, the disadvantage of this beautiful little town of Oia is that if you are looking for some nightlife and to be close enough to most things you will be at a disadvantage in that aspect. Do not get me wrong though; we loved Oia. It is however very low-key and fairly quiet in the evenings; not much of nightlife at all. very romantic and pretty though.
We also relied on public transportation and faired quite well without moped or vehicle. as matter of fact, i would not recommend a vehicle at all. not really needed. buses are frequent, easy and great way to get around. keep in mind, the island is not that large. We stayed in Firostefani the entire time at Sun Rocks and it was a great location. Easy, scenic walk to Fira. easy access to public transportation. walking distance to imerovigli as well (which is a gem of a town). we would highly recommend Firostefani if you enjoy being near the action but not right in the center of town near some of the noise. We went to Perivolo Beach which offered the same seaside restaurants and clean clear water beach without some of the masses and touristy feeling of Perissa. Buses depart from Fira to all of the beach towns.
Firostefani though has amazing views and scenery. Sun Rocks was an amazing place. You can also take some of the boat excursions out of Fira which we did as well and really enjoyed (giving you a different take on the island from the water).
I would hesitate staying in the beach towns though. consider staying on the other side of the island as mentioned and do easy day trips (quick 20 minute bus ride) to the beach towns. my opinion of course. we adored santorini and have many stories and things to share if you are looking for more information.
feel free to email me at [email protected] if you wish to discuss further or have any questions. you will no matter what love your trip to santorini. enjoy! nuno

Thank you for your wonderful responses, Trish, brotherleelove and Portuguy. This is exactly the type of thorough information that I was hoping for and it will help a great deal in trip planning!

I think that I may not stay in Perissa and will try to find a place in either Fira, Oia, Fiorstefani, Imerovigli. The youth hostel in Oia looks wonderful, but I am also checking availability for some nice budget hotels (some even have sunset views)! Sun Rock in Fiorstefani sounds wonderful, but is unfortunately not in our budget right now.

Thanks so much for your advice as it will help me greatly in planning this wonderful trip!

Oh yes - and we will be in Santorini from June 1st - June 4th (just 3 nights). I think that it may just be getting busy by then, but what do you all think? Thanks!

Yes, the season will have begun, but it won't be all that crowded yet. June is usually a decent month.

For an economical hotel try looking for the Blue Dolphin hotel in Imerovigli. It has a caldera veiw, and at least two years ago was a good value and included a free car rental in May and June. Their orange juice is freshly squeezed from the trees beside the hotel and was a real bonus.

great thread. could you help us. we are headed to the chromata hotel in a few days in santorini. what is the best way to the hotel from the santorini airport. thanks

Signmeup, if you're arriving during the daylight hours you can catch a bus from the airport to Fira then another bus up the hill to Imerovigli where the Chromata is located. You can also take a taxi the whole distance if you want to spend the money. I think it will be about 15 euro.

Here is a link to a website with the bus schedule someone posted here yesterday. I don't know how accurate or up-to-date it is, but it will give you an idea of the frequency with which the buses run on the island.

http://www.ktel-santorini.gr/

You've had some great responses. Just to add, don't stay in Kamari - it struck me as the most heavily package-holiday-style resort on the island, and I couldn't wait to get the boat back to Perissa.

I stayed for a 2 week break in Perissa and loved its laid back beach atmosphere (no large or high rise hotels here, just small apartments and the odd small hotel), and seemed much less crowded at night than Fira. However, given your short time, you'd probably prefer to stay nearer Fira. You can always get the bus to Perissa if you want some beach time - it's only about 25 mins by bus. As someone else said, the island isn't big at all.

Thank you so much for all of your advice. Taking it all into consideration, I decided to spend a bit more to stay in a hill top town and have booked 3 nights at the Imerovigli Palace in Imerovigli. It looks absolutely beautiful and we are staying in a "Junior" double room for 60 euros/night. Its still supposed to have a caldera view from a private balcony, so it sounds nice. I'm so happy with this decision! Thanks again!!!

Hi,
I am going to Santorini from the 11th until the 13th of june and all the informations I've read here are very useful thank you!
I also send an email (non-replied) to the Youth Hostel in Oia since my friend and I are "budget travelers" we thought it might be the best value on the island... and well we've also deceided that we'd rather stay in Oia than in Thira. Evalynn, did you try to phone the youth hostel? If yes did someone answer. I wonder if it's already opened or not.
Thanks a lot.
Mi

When I was in Oia last week the youth hostel was still closed. I believe they were reopening this week...try again! :)

ok thank you very much! I'll try in few days to contact them by phone if I don't receive an email until there.
btw. your post about your holidays in Oia is great thanks for it !

we stayed at the Hotel Marizan in Perissa back in 1998. it was a short walk to the black sanded beach. the staff was great, but no a/c.

perissa is at the foot of the mountain where ancient thera is perched. we had some friends with us who stayed in oia. they took the bus to the town on the opposite side of the mountain, climbed to the top to tour the ancient site, then climbed *back* down the mountain on the perissa side. somehow, they spotted us on the beach!

they stayed in oia in the hotel with the windmill. can't recall its name, but we visited them one evening for dinner and the sunset. oia was very crowded, i thought, but the view was awesome.

plus, santorini is just a speck of an island. we took the local buses everywhere and had a great, inexpensive time. =)

I did not try to phone the youth hostel, but am happy to be staying in Imerovigli. All of your responses have been really helpful! Thank you. =)