We'd like to stay in either Fira or Oia, within a short walk to town. Don't need clubs, bars or nightlife; just good restaurants. Price range is abour $300 USD.

I responded to your other thread, but my suggestions do not fit your budget.

If you aren't interested in nightlife, I would stay in Oia. It has lots of great restaurants to choose from but it much more peaceful and tranquil than Fira.

A budget of $300 means around 185 euros, is that right? What time of year are you going? Prices drop considerably outside of high season.

I would look at Strogili houses, Delfini Villas, Chelidonia Villas, Aris Caves. Maybe Esperas if you aren't going in high season.

Planning to go in June. I can't seem to get a sense of Fira. Is it filled with college kids partying (not that there's anything wrong with that)or is it just more lively than Oia? We don't like things too quiet. (We live in Manhattan.)

I would stay in Oia. Oia is much more refine and quieter. Scenery is also more exotic to my view.

There are pensions at caldera for about 100 Euro as well. Good hotels starting from 250 Euros and sky is the limit kind of prices.

Ammudi Beach area is a place to experience dining for an eveining. One can walk down but necessary to take taxi back to the hotel....

Happy travelling,

Murat

Definitely stay in Oia!

If it fits in your budget I would highly recommend Esperas.

jenack: Fira is the main town, very busy and crowded with the cruise ship daytrippers.

Yes, there are college kids too but I wouldn't say they are the majority. It's just packed with people wall to wall, bustling along the streets.

Where else are you going in Greece? If Santorini is your only island, maybe you will enjoy the hustle and bustle of Fira. But we had just come from crazy crowded Mykonos town, and were *very* happy to be staying in Oia rather than Fira.

For anyone in their 20s or anyone looking for nightlife, Oia would probably be too quiet. But it has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep us busy for days, without the crowds packed in like sardines (except at sunset, near the kastro area -- that's when the busloads arrive from Fira, but they don't tend to stay long).

jenack: If you aren't sure whether you want to stay in Fira or Oia, a good compromise might be to stay in Firostefani. It's within close walking distance to Fira, but not right in the middle of the craziness.

Also, fyi, you tagged this thread with Turkey instead of Greece.

I really enjoyed La Perla Villas in Oia. It would be under your price range. Nice cave style rooms overlooking the caldera. It felt very private. (This was in '03.) There are plenty of nice restaurants in Oia and the streets are like walking through a post card.