Santorini was the second stop in our month-long honeymoon. It is a very popular honeymoon destination for many reasons. From the caldera views overlooking the sea to the charming cycladic architecture, romance can be found pretty much anywhere on this island. This island was originally shaped like a circle until a volcanic eruption occurred and divided the island. I'll be focusing on the three main towns where locals typically visit (Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli). Santorini is well-known for their sunset views and the experience of it can be overwhelmingly beautiful and emotional. So if you are anything like me and feel you have a deep connection to mother nature, then I would recommend for you to keep a few tissues around! We even arranged our dinner reservations around the same time of the sunset on most days. You will commonly hear people speak highly about Oia having the best sunset views on the entire island, but we actually believe Imerovigli had the best sunset from all three places. Each town is unique from one another in terms of what you are hoping to obtain from your trip. Prices for hotels, restaurants, and shops are also unique from one another depending on where you stay. I'll discuss them in order from most expensive to least expensive: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli.
OIA: ($$$$)
Oia is great for being walking distance to all shops, restaurants, and hotels. Most people prefer the sunset view from Oia because it is closest to the sun as it is setting. Many sunset boat cruises also park the boats closest to Oia in order to feel as though the sun can be right at the tip of your fingers. Oia is also a beautiful place to take photos because you are surrounded by more cycladic homes, hotels, and shops since it is more populated. The couple of downsides of Oia is that you can really feel how overly populated it is, especially if you are visiting during the summer season. This means it will be nearly impossible to find parking and/or a taxi cab. Hotels sit on the cliffs so you will most likely require assistance with carrying your luggage up and down some pretty steep steps. As always, make sure to bring cash to tip staff anytime they provide you with services like this. You should also make dinner reservations at least 1-2 days in advance, especially on weekends and during peak seasons. For those reasons, we only stayed in Fira and Imerovigli. It was also our honeymoon so we wanted as much alone time as possible. We still had the opportunity to visit Oia from both Imerovigli and Fira by renting a car one day as well as an ATV another day. Oia is about 25 to 30 minutes from Fira and only about 15 minutes from Imerovigli.
FIRA: ($$$)
Fira is a happy medium between Oia and Imerovigli. Fira is similar to Oia in that is is walking distance to many restaurants, shops, and hotels. Fira is not as populated as Oia (because it is smaller) and it has a bit more open space to walk around. There is also more parking opportunities in Fira. It is a short ten minute drive or ATV/ Scooter ride from Imerovigli. This way you can be close to all the restaurants and shops, while still being away from all the large crowds. I personally feel like Fira is great place to stay if it is your first time in Santorini. This way you won't feel overwhelmed but still have all the access to everything within walking distance. The caldera view from Fira is similar to Oia, except that it is not as large and therefore, not as many Cyclades surrounding you. As stated earlier, we split our stays between Fira and Imerovigli so that we can experience the best of both worlds on our honeymoon.
IMEROVIGLI: ($$)
Imerovigli is located between Oia and Fira. This is where you want to go if you'd prefer to stay away and isolated from all of the tourists. Despite the popular opinion, we felt that watching the sunset was most beautiful from Imerovigli. When staying in Imerovigli you have the caldera view, the sunset, as well as all the lights and city views of Oia . Like I said before, people prefer to watch the sunset from Oia because it is closest, but that also means that you only see the lights and city in your surroundings rather than from a distance under the sun. You also get to see more mountains and land in the distance from Imerovigli. It is really all about preference. The pros to Imerovigli is that you will be on flat surface while still being at the top of the mountain. This means no stress when bringing in your luggage and parking is often made available to you right in front of your stay. The cons to Imerovigli is that it is not as big as the other two towns, and so you are limited in your options to stay, eat, and shop. However, it was still walking distance to all of our needs, we just didn't have the variety you would otherwise have in Fira or Oia.
HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, & ACTIVITIES IN SANTORINI:
Hotels:
Like many places, you have the option to vacation in Santorini either in luxury or on a budget. It's really all about detailed planning and seeing which ways you can save the most money. For example, we made sure to pick places that offered free breakfast. This meant we can fill up on breakfast and splurge more on romantic dinners with a caldera view. You can also choose to stay at an Airbnb, but one of our favorite parts of being in Greece is the hospitality and service you receive from fully staffed hotels. Airbnb is a great choice when traveling in large groups, so you'll want to explore some villas on your own outside of this blog. Below is a list of our favorite hotels from least expensive to most expensive and prices are shown in USD ($$-$$$$). Prices are also based on dates during the month on June.
Caldera Premium Villas- (average 300/night). Oia. Caldera Premium Villas overlook the volcano and feature a swimming pool and accommodations with Cycladic décor. Room balconies offer caldera and Aegean Sea views.
Callia Caves- (average 325/night). Fira. Located 350 feet from Archaeological Museum of Thera. The accommodations features a hot tub, caldera view, and included breakfast. The suites and apartments are mostly split-levels and offers you more space than typical in Santorini.
Anteliz Suites- (average 330/night). Fira. Anteliz Suites features an outdoor swimming pool with an open-air hydro-massage tub. Breakfast is served daily at the terrace by the pool. You have the option to select a room with a private pool, caldera view, and/or a jetted tub.
Enigma Suites- (average 380/night). Fira. We stayed here for 4 nights during our honeymoon and loved it. It was central to everything and walking distance to all our needs in Fira. We arguably had one of the best views of the caldera in our opinion as well. This chic hotel in Santorini offers sea-view rooms with private balconies and pools. It features a spacious panoramic terrace with a café and bar. The brightly decorated interiors of Enigma Suites feature arched ceilings and elegant furniture. Breakfast is also included.
Kapari Natural Resort- (average 420/night). Imerovigli. This resort is a 5-star complex that has traditional rooms and suites with unobstructed views of the caldera. Guests enjoy a rich breakfast at the restaurant's terrace. Kapari Wine Restaurant offers Mediterranean dishes based on homemade recipes and fresh local ingredients. Kapari Pool Bar serves freshly squeezed juices, refreshing cocktails and delicious finger food.
White Pearl Villas- (average 450/night). Oia. This should not be confused with White Pearl Cavalieri in Imerovigli. White Pearl Villas offer individual accommodations with breathtaking views over the Caldera, the Aegean Sea and the Volcano. Featuring modern-Cycladic décor, each villa features either a private swimming pool or a private indoor or outdoor hot tub or plunge pool.
Pegasus Suites & Spa- (average 650/night). Imerovigli. Offering a heated pool, a gourmet restaurant and a spa centre, and suites with swim-up cave pools. It features accommodation with Aegean Sea and volcano views. Facilities include a fitness center and concierge services. Breakfast is included.
Phos the Boutique- (average 825/night). This one is located closer to the beach, which means it is further away from the main towns. However, it offers a 5-star luxury experience with a caldera view not too different from the other towns, for half the price. Breakfast is also included in this hotel as well as a private pool/suite.
Alta Mare by Andronis- (average 900/night). Oia. it features include a semi-covered swimming pool and an open-air café. All the suites are perched on the cliff overlooking the famous volcano, the Caldera and the sea.
Katikies Hotel- (average 1,000/night). Oia. Katikies Hotel offers 2 restaurants - Seltz Champagne Restaurant & Bar and Mikrasia Restaurant. Its infinity pools enjoy sweeping views of the Caldera. This hotel also offers free parking (nearby).
Mystique- (average 1,200/night). Oia. Mystique features an infinity pool with a deck, and a bar with breathtaking views of the Volcano and the Caldera. They also have a wine cave and offer a wine tasting experience for their guests at an additional charge.
Kivotos Santorini- (average 1,330/night). Imerovigli. Kivotos Santorini offers luxury accommodations with panoramic views of the volcano. Guests can swim in the infinity pool or have a drink at the on-site bar offering privacy and unobstructed views of the famous sunset. The uniquely designed suites and villas at Kivotos Santorini feature custom-made furniture. Each unit comes with an outdoor or indoor jetted pool. Butler services also available on request and breakfast is included.
White Pearl Cavalieri- (average 1400/night). Imerovigli. This is our favorite! Of course we are bias, but we stayed here for four nights on our honeymoon. We highly recommend staying in a room with a plunge pool overlooking the caldera view. This hotel is pricier now that more visitors have traveled here. We were lucky enough to grab it at lower prices due to visiting when they first opened. The hospitality was amazing and the daily breakfast was the best we ever had. White Pearl Cavalieri is a cave complex, offering a swimming pool with caldera and sunset views. An all-day bar is available, while guests can also enjoy a premium-style hot tub and a variety of body treatments.
Restaurants:
There are soooo many restaurants to choose from in Santorini, so just keep in mind that these are some of our favorites. Imerovigli is a smaller town, so the options are more limited here. You also have a ton of places to choose from when watching the sunset at almost any restaurant located on the caldera. Again, just be sure to make reservations at least 1 to 2 days ahead in Oia. Another thing I love about Santorini is that their street food is also just as great as what you will find at a dine-in restaurant.
Street Food:
Yogi's Gyros- Fira. We could not get enough of this place! Literally. We ate here 3 days in a row.
Mama's Food- Perissa.
To Honaki- Fira.
Let's eat- Imerovigli.
Taqueria Los Tres Amigos- Fira. Random, but good Mexican food if that is what you are craving.
Hungry Donkey- Oia. Crepes! extra stuffed and fluffy- just how I like it :)
Assyrtico Snack and Coffee Bar- Fira. One of the very rare dessert spots that serves dairy-free gelato!
Dine-In:
Volkan on the rocks- Fira. This place is technically a brewery & mainly serves small bites and appetizers. It was one of our stops along our food tour. We highly recommend it for all of our beer lovers. They also had yummy spreads that we really enjoyed trying. This restaurant is great for watching the sunset due to its location on the caldera.
Oia Gefsis- Oia. ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! Omg everything about this place was fantastic. The service. The food. The sunset views. The wine. The ambiance. Just phenomenal. Make sure you order the lamb and request seating on the rooftop! Also, dress nicely :)
Anogi- Imerovigli. This is one of the better restaurants in Imerovigli. There are no special views of the sunset, but it is right in their "town square" and the food was also delicious.
To Steki tou Nekou- Imerovigli. We personally did not visit here, but heard it was a rare restaurant in Imerovigli with a caldera view of the sunset.
Imba- Kamari Beach.- Amazing food located on the beach. They mainly serve seafood and Mediterranean food. They also have sunbeds located in front of the restaurant like many places on the beach.
Gia Mas. - Kamari Beach- Another great restaurant on the beach similar to Imba.
Metaxy Mas- Fira. Honestly, I don't even have to say much. Just click the link for yourself and salivate over the very tasty and very generous meals. Two words- Lamb Shank. Thank me later.
Nektar- Fira. Great bar food with a caldera view.
Karma Greek Restaurant- Oia. Such a cozy/ romantic vibe. The food and drinks here are also amazing.
Ammoudi Fish Tavern- Ammoudi Bay. You will want to visit one of the restaurants in Ammoudi Bay for dinner. It reminds me Positano in Italy, and the views are breathtaking. Santorini is not well known for it's seafood due to the very salty water, but Ammoudi Bay has the best seafood in town.
Finikia Restaurant- Oia. Another one with great service and a fantastic caldera view.
Activities:
There is so much to do and explore in Santorini! Since it is such a romantic island, you'll be tempted to stay right outside of your hotel sun bathing all day and then waiting until the evening to explore the city. I'm telling you now, honeymoon or not- you NEED to at least take advantage of their beaches, sunset cruises, and wineries. Kevin and I were so glad that we participated in so many activities because it provided us with the opportunity to interact with many locals as well as other tourists traveling from other countries.
Go to the beach!- You have a few beaches to choose from (Kamari, Perissa Black Sand Beach, Perivolos). You also have the red beach and the white beach, which are best to access by boat during a tour. The beaches all have restaurants along the shore with access to sunbeds and waiting service. For most of the restaurants, you just have to purchase food and/or drink to utilize their sunbeds. Be mindful of the tourists traps that require you to pay $100 for a bottle of Prosecco and access to a sunbed. It is honestly not worth it. Be sure to bring some sandals and/or water water shoes because the sand feels more like tiny pebbles. You have a couple of options for accessing the beaches. You can drive & park (plenty of parking), ride the bus, or take a cab.
Sunset Cruise- This should be on the top of your list of activities. The cruise is so breathtaking and romantic. This specific luxury cruise was all inclusive of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,a delicious Greek meal, and snorkeling/swimming in the red and white beaches. It also makes a stop in the volcanic hot springs. I personally could have done without that part since it really doesn't feel as warm as other hot springs. Also be sure to leave your jewelry at home and do not wear white swimsuits because the color can change when swimming in the hot spring. It ends by parking close to Ammoudi Bay to watch the sunset from the middle of the ocean. An unforgettable experience.
Walking Food Tour- This food tour took place in Fira and lasted about 4 to 5 hours long. The guide was really funny and informative. He took us to most of the local hidden gems which we really appreciated. We recommend doing this tour during one of your first days so that you get to know the area a little better as well as where all the good food spots are!
Wine Tour- Santorini is mostly known for their local white wines. We loved so many things about this wine tour and would also recommend using the same company. Our tour guide (Angelo) was young, informative, and hilarious! The guide picks you up and drops you off at your hotel. You visit 3 different wineries, each one giving you amazing views and sample about 12 different wines. You also have parings of small tapas/meats and cheeses with the wine. The most MAGICAL moment is when you arrive to the final winery and watch the sunset. Your wine is also paired with your own personal charcuterie board. We loved this tour and even got a little buzz by the end of it :)
Greek Wedding Show- In our very honest opinion, this show is not for everyone and the food was awful (yikes). HOWEVERRR, if you are into musicals or theater then you will probably enjoy this. Plus they keep the wine pouring which is definitely a plus. The best part of the show is how interactive they are with the audience. We both got up to dance during the show and it was all around pretty comical. In the end they give you plates to smash! It was a nice experience and a great way to get a peek of what it is like to be a part of a Greek family.
Rent an ATV/ Scooter & Explore the Island- There is soooo much to see in Santorini and one of the most popular forms of transportation is via an ATV or scooter. I recommend renting one on the day you decide to head down to visit one of the beaches. The ATV cost us $60/day and it can be easily booked through the front desk or reception of your hotel.
Relax. Meditate. Spend time with your significant other doing absolutely NOTHING. Simply be present and absorb the nature and art you are surrounded by.
Santorini may be a small island, but there is so much explore! I am mainly sharing my experiences from our honeymoon, which makes me no expert on everything it has to offer. If you have any questions or suggestions, then please let us know in the comment section! For photos and videos of our experience, follow our Instagram page @thephilemons :)
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