Dear travelers,
Where to Stay in Santorini: Why We Chose Fira
Before booking anything, I spent hours comparing towns in Santorini. If you’ve done the same, welcome to the club.
Most people usually debate between:
- Oia
- Fira
- Imerovigli
At the time, we still didn’t know if we would rent a car or not, so choosing the right location was super important. We wanted something:
- central,
- connected,
- close to the airport,
- and practical for exploring the island.
That’s exactly why we booked accommodation in Fira.
And looking back now, I genuinely think it was the best decision.
Fira is basically the heart of Santorini. If you don’t rent a car, this is probably the easiest place to stay because buses connect Fira to almost every town on the island. The airport is also relatively close, and there are plenty of restaurants, shops, bars, and viewpoints nearby.
Our Apartment in Fira
We stayed in Divino Suites and our apartment was honestly dreamy. Mediterranean-style, bright, peaceful, and only about a 10-minute walk from the center of Fira. The best thing? Every morning we woke up to the most beautiful sunrise right from our balcony.
And yes… there was a hot tub.
I know. Very cliché Santorini moment. But after walking around the island all day, sitting in warm bubbling water while watching the sky turn pink felt illegal somehow.
One thing I loved about staying on this side of the island was how peaceful the mornings were. Santorini can get very crowded during high season, but in April it still felt calm and authentic.
You could hear birds, church bells, and the wind instead of crowds and scooters.
Santorini Airport & Transportation Tips
Let’s talk about Santorini Airport for a second because this airport is tiny.
Like… “blink and you miss it” tiny.
There’s:
- a small duty free,
- a few coffee shops,
- and a lot of people trying to figure out where their transfers are.
The airport is around 15 km from Fira, so getting there doesn’t take too long.
We picked up our rental car directly at the airport and returned it there before leaving the island, which made everything super easy.
But if you don’t want to drive, don’t worry, there’s a bus connecting the airport to Fira, and from Fira you can continue to the other towns around Santorini.
Is Renting a Car in Santorini Worth It?
For us? Absolutely yes.
At first, we weren’t sure if renting a car would be necessary, but after exploring the island, I think it completely changed our experience.
Having a car gave us freedom to:
- stop at random viewpoints,
- explore beaches,
- chase sunsets,
- and avoid depending on bus schedules.
BUT — and this is important — driving in Santorini is not for everyone.
The roads are:
- narrow,
- curvy,
- often uphill,
- and sometimes feel like they were designed by someone who hates drivers.
There were moments when I felt like I was inside a Fast & Furious movie directed by a Greek grandmother.
If you’re not comfortable driving on cliffside roads or tiny streets, buses might honestly be less stressful.
That being said, visiting in April made everything easier:
- parking was easy to find,
- roads weren’t crowded,
- and driving felt manageable.
I imagine July and August are a completely different story.
Important Things to Know About Santorini Before Visiting
I think one thing people don’t always realize before visiting Santorini is that this is a volcanic island.
Which means:
- beaches are not soft white sand,
- the landscape is dramatic and rocky,
- and the island is much more about views and atmosphere than beach lounging.
The beaches here are mostly:
- black pebbles,
- volcanic stones,
- or red volcanic cliffs.
So if you’re expecting Maldives-style beaches… this is not that kind of destination.
Santorini is about:
- sunsets,
- cliffside villages,
- sea views,
- white architecture,
- little tavernas,
- and slow evenings with wine.
And honestly? That’s what makes it magical.
Exploring Santorini by Car
Red Beach
One of the first places we visited was Red Beach, probably the most famous beach in Santorini. The scenery here looks almost unreal, giant red volcanic cliffs surrounding the water. It honestly looked like Mars met the Mediterranean Sea.
There’s a big parking area nearby, which was very convenient, and then you walk a bit toward the beach.
A quick note though:
- the path is rocky,
- there’s a small hike,
- and proper shoes are definitely a good idea.
We actually didn’t go all the way down to the beach itself, but even the viewpoint alone was worth visiting.
Kamari Beach: A Different Side of Santorini
Kamari Beach felt completely different from Fira or Oia.
Instead of dramatic cliffs, here you get:
- a long seaside promenade,
- beach tavernas,
- black pebble beaches,
- and a much more relaxed atmosphere.
We walked along the beach for a while and then stopped at a taverna by the sea for lunch.
And honestly? Greek food by the water just tastes better.
If you’re planning a trip to Greece, definitely check my Greek food guide because there are some dishes you absolutely cannot leave without trying.
Kamari felt less “luxury Santorini” and more “slow Greek island life,” which I really loved.
The Heart of Santorini
One thing about Santorini is that almost everywhere you go feels like a viewpoint.
At one stop, we parked the car and then walked downhill for about 10 minutes until suddenly the entire caldera opened in front of us.
And wow. You know in movies when the main character arrives somewhere magical and the music suddenly swells dramatically? That was the vibe.
Watching Sunset in Fira
Since we were staying in Fira, we watched our first Santorini sunset there. I think people underestimate Fira because Oia gets all the attention.
Fira has incredible sunset spots too. There’s a cable car that goes down to the old port below, and near the Upper Cable Car Station you’ll find one of the best sunset viewpoints.
The atmosphere there in the evening was amazing:
- people sitting quietly,
- cameras everywhere,
- street musicians playing,
- the sea glowing orange.
And before sunset, do yourself a favor and grab food at Yogi Gyros.
PK Cocktail Bar: Sunset With a View
After sunset we walked to PK Cocktail Bar, and this place had one of the most spectacular views we experienced in Santorini.
Cocktails overlooking the caldera while the sky slowly turned pink and purple? Peak Santorini energy.
This is the kind of place where you suddenly understand why people come here for honeymoons.
Ammoudi Bay: One of My Favorite Places in Santorini
Another place I absolutely loved was Ammoudi Bay, located below Oia. It’s a small port surrounded by cliffs, full of seafood restaurants right by the water.
And somehow it felt calmer than the main towns above.
We spent a slow afternoon there just sitting by the sea, watching boats come and go, eating good food, and doing absolutely nothing productive.
Which honestly might be the best way to experience Greece.
Oia: The Santorini Everyone Imagines
Yes, Oia is beautiful. Like ridiculously beautiful.
This is where you’ll find:
- the famous blue domes,
- white cave houses,
- luxury hotels,
- tiny boutique shops,
- and those iconic postcard views.
Every corner looks photogenic.
Even in April, it was noticeably busier than the other towns, so I can only imagine what summer looks like.
We visited during the day instead of sunset because we had some other plans for the afternoon, continue reading.
Sunset in Imerovigli
Instead of watching sunset in Oia, we continued to Imerovigli.
Parking was surprisingly easy to find, but wow… the streets there are tiny. Not my favorite driving experience hahah.
But the sunset views? Absolutely stunning. Less crowded than Oia and incredibly romantic.
We ended the evening with dinner at Mavro Restaurant, which was honestly the perfect way to finish the day.
Final Tips for Visiting Santorini
If you’re planning your own trip, here are a few things I’d recommend:
- Stay in Fira if you want a practical and central base.
- Rent a car if visiting in the low season.
- Wear comfortable shoes because there are hills everywhere.
- Don’t expect sandy tropical beaches.
- Watch sunset from places other than Oia, too.
- Leave time for random stops and viewpoints; those became some of our favorite memories.
Santorini honestly felt exactly like the postcards, white houses on cliffs, incredible sunsets, little tavernas by the sea, and views that almost don’t look real. Visiting in April made the experience even better because the island felt calm, parking was easy, and we could explore without huge crowds everywhere.
Did I like Santorini? Absolutely. I’m really glad we experienced it at least once. But honestly, for me, it’s probably not a place I would visit again. It’s one of those destinations that feels special to see and experience, but once was enough.
And somehow, I think that makes the trip feel even more memorable.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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