Airbnbs in Santorini, Greece
After reading my ideal 10-Day Greece itinerary, many of you have reached out to inquire about Airbnbs in Santorini, Greece. So, I did some research of my own on Airbnb and found some potentially great options. Every property on this list has all 5 star reviews and vary in range for all budgets. While I, of course, have not been able to check all of these out personally, I hope that this will be a great starting point to find your Santorini, Greece accommodation. But first, should you even book an Airbnb? Let’s break down the pros and cons. BONUS: if you’ve never used Airbnb, get a $40 credit by clicking here.
Please note: all of my hotel and hostel recommendations are detailed on my Greece itinerary post.
The Positives:
Airbnb has helped to create more inventory in every locale so that there is a greater supply of properties to reach the increasing demand of travelers. With that, you can find some truly one-of-a-kind places to stay while maintaining a respectable budget. Not only are many of these properties extremely unique, but they have a more homey feel with kitchens included so that you don’t have to eat every meal out.
The Potential Negatives:
Many of the Airbnbs in Santorini are actually bed and breakfast and hotel properties that have been listed on airbnb as well to increase their booking odds. Consequently, before booking on Airbnb, it would be your best bet to double check on TripAdvisor and Booking.com to see if the properties are also listed an determine who has the best price. As with all Airbnbs (this isn’t isolated to Santorini and quite frankly this is probably less of an issue here), if you don’t have an international data plan, it can be difficult to get in contact with your hosts upon arrival. This is why I suggest confirming your arrival details ahead of time or immediately heading to a cafe with wifi to communicate. From all of the Airbnb reviews I have read though, it seems the hosts in Santorini are seasoned professionals and help to arrange transport at an additional fee prior to your arrival.
Where to Stay:
My favorite two places to stay in Santorini are Fira and Oia. Fira is the capital of Santorini and much more budget friendly. The tourist crowds are not quite as intense as in Oia so all in all it makes sense to set up shop here. However, if you are going to Santorini, I feel like you must stay in Oia even if its just for 1 or 2 nights. I am sure many people will disagree with me because Oia has been overrun by tourists and in high season it’s difficult to maneuver. And, you can take a 2-4 hour hike along the cliff path from Fira to Oia and watch the sunset, have dinner, and head back by bus or ATV to Fira to stay the night away from the tourist crowds. However, my absolute favorite moment in Santorini is sunrise in Oia and you need to stay overnight in Oia to really get the full effect of its magic. So, I suggest staying in Oia for a night or two and simply laugh off the fact that it is the antithesis of all things peaceful at night for sunset. You can catch the sunrise all by your lonesome for one morning and spend the rest of your time in Santorini back over in Fira.
How To Get Around:
Car, bus, scooter, or ATV. If you are going to rent a car, know how to drive manually and find out the parking situation from your host prior to actually renting one. Is there a nearby lot or is renting a car just not feasible based on where you are situated? The buses in theory are great, but during the high season especially, there are just too many people and not enough room to fit everyone on the bus. Scooters/ATVs are my favorite option for getting around. There is a bit of a learning curve for a scooter but ATV’s are simple enough for most everyone to get the hang of!
OIA
If you are anything like me and dreaming about living that Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants life, those scenes take place in Oia. Now, of course, Oia is the most touristy and most expensive part of the island, but in my opinion also the most worth it. I was lucky in that when I stayed in Oia there was still a hostel to stay at, but now the most economical places you will find here will all be apartments, bed and breakfasts, etc. Most of the Airbnbs I will showcase here are priced decently for that reason. If you are on your honeymoon or have money to spend, then you should probably book a hotel because of the additional amenities. Click here to see the latest prices.
$99-185 per night; 5*
If you are looking for a budget-friendly cave dwelling then be sure to check out this airbnb option. At only $184 a night during high season (incredible value!) plus 49 5-star reviews, this studio has all of the charm that you could possibly be looking for when envisioning your Santorini home away from home. The airbnb has a double bed, small private balcony, and private bathroom. And, although it is centrally located in Oia, the place is tucked away just enough where there aren’t people constantly walking by but close enough where the city centre is easily in walking distance.
2. Terracotta Cave House (1) & Terracotta Cave House (2)
$110-271 per night; 5*
I just absolutely love the aesthetics of these two places and they are under $300 per night during high season. They have awesome views of the entire village of Oia and are steps from the Oia sunset view at the castle ruins. They both have one bedroom with the opportunity for 3 beds and the most important thing of all…a private balcony. Just a note: in Terracotta (2) if you are over six feet tall, you may hit your head on the upstairs bathroom, but hey…worth a couple of bruises for those views right?
3. Unique Architecture Cave House
$305-432 per night; 5*
If you are in need of 2 private bedrooms, then this 2 bedroom, 1 bath cave house in Oia night be the best option for you. The first bedroom has a king bed while the second has a double and then there are 2 sofa beds in the common areas as well as a small kitchen. The airbnb is right in the center of everything with a 5-7 minute walk to the sunset views and a private balcony with caldera views, Oia village views, and a great spot to watch the ships sail by day and night.
$99-271 per night and 5*
Here we have another studio property with one double bed and bath that is reasonably priced during high season and 79 5-star reviews. This airbnb is all about the views in which you can see the village of Oia and the caldera all from your very own cave house. There is also a single sofa bed, small kitchen, and private balcony on the property. There is a 1 night minimum on this place which is great if you want to spend the rest of your time in Fira.
5. Island blue, postcard perfect view!
$308-679 per night and 5* I included this property because it has the BEST view of the famous blue dome. Plus, the design of every single room is completely Instagram worthy (I mean so is everything on this trip) and there is an indoor jacuzzi room that looks pretty spectacular. It’s a 1 bedroom with a double bed with 2 sofa beds and kitchen. The property currently has 43 five-star reviews.
FIRA
Why stay in Fira? Well, it’s the capital of Santorini and it has the best nightlife and some pretty great restaurants as well. Now, if this is your honeymoon, you may want to check out Imerovigli because it is more isolated and boasts some of, if not, the best sunset views on the island. But, if you are here to explore with friends or family or are in a relationship and are looking to have some lively fun, Fira is budget friendly and a fantastic place to stay.
$62-308 per night; 5*
Did someone say Bachelor or Bachelorette party in Santorini? It’s not exactly your traditional party spot, but if so, invite me too please! The Grey Villa holds 10 guests and is perfect for a large group or extended family trip! There are 4 bedrooms, 6 beds, and 3 bathrooms and within walking distance to central Fira. You will have to walk 5-7 minutes to Fira centre for sunset views and shops and restaurants, but the villa itself is so spacious and only around $200-300 during high season!
2. Calderimi Traditional Family House & Calderimi Traditional House
$62-210 per night; 5*
The highlight of these properties is that it is just 150 meters from the main square. The family house is a 1 bedroom 1 bath house while the traditional is 2 bedroom 1 bath and both have kitchens and the signature blue and white Santorini paint colors on the outside. The house has 178 5-star and 131 5-star reviews respectively and the prices on both stay right around $200 even during the busy months of July and August!
3. Folia Apartments – upstairs
$136-259 per night; 5*
A 2 bedroom, 1 bath property located 5 minutes walking from Fira centre, this dwelling is all about the private balcony with a pergola perfect for sipping coffee in the morning before jetting out on the day’s adventure. Bedroom 1 has two single beds and bedroom 2 has a double bed and there is even an oven and washing machine in the apartment! The property hovers between $200 and $300 during the high season and boasts 49 5-star reviews.
4. Calderimi, a cosy, warm and renovated house in Fira
$49-160 per night; 5*
This house is an extremely well-priced property even during the high season (around $160 in July and August) and only $92 in May! There is 1 bedroom with a double bed that can be made into 2 singles along with a private bath and kitchen. The house is just about 200 meters from Fira centre and was recently renovated in 2016. The property has 59 5-star reviews.
$247-802 per night; 5*
If you are looking for luxury then you can definitely find it at this 19th century cave house with caldera and sunset views. The property has 1 bedroom 1 bath and a private patio with an outdoor jacuzzi. Prices do go up to almost $800 during the high season so this may be more ideal if you are looking for a honeymoon spot away from the crowds of Oia. It’s a 7 minute walk to the center of Fira so it’s close enough to easily walk to bars and restaurants, but far enough away to have your privacy. The property has 45 5-star reviews. Check it out here on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
Hi, Everyone! If you stayed in Airbnbs in Santorini, Greece with 5 stars in either Oia or Fira, please share your experience and what the name of the property is in the comments below and I will add it to these list! Don’t forget! If you’ve never used Airbnb, get a $40 credit by clicking here.
For more itinerary specifics, check out my 10-day ideal itinerary for Greece!
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I think in a lot of situations, airbnbs are the way to go. You typically get a whole house, not just a small hotel room, for a cheaper rate. And like you mentioned, you have access to a full kitchen so you can save some money on food too.
Yes,thank you for sharing your thoughts. I completely agree. There are tons of perk staying at an airbnb. You just need to double check that the price point for the same property is not different on another booking site! Otherwise, it is a great option like you mentioned.