‌Villas ‌‌in‌ ‌‌Santorini ‌

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Santorini?
• Villas in Santorini: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Santorini: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Santorini?

• Villas for every group: From unique caldera cave houses to luxury villas with private pools, Santorini offers self-catering stays for couples, families and friends, many within easy reach of the sea.
• Where to stay: Base yourself in lively Fira, romantic Oia, peaceful Imerovigli or the black-sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa.
• Top-rated villas: Guests praise spotless interiors, warm hosts and dramatic views, with our leading villas scoring a perfect 10.0 over the past year.
• Island dining: Settle in for long dinners at Metaxi Mas, sunset wine pairings at Kapari, and tastings at the Santo Wines winery.
• Things to do: Sail to the Nea Kameni volcano, walk the Fira-to-Oia cliff path, and explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri.

Santorini's villas suit couples, families and groups of friends alike, from compact cave houses carved into the caldera to spacious properties with private terraces and pools. Many sit within walking distance of the sea, whilst others are tucked into traditional villages with sweeping views. If you prefer something more compact, the apartments in Santorini are worth a look, the B&Bs in Santorini offer a warm local welcome, and it is always worth checking last-minute deals in Santorini for the best value. Whichever you choose, our self-catering villas come well equipped with the comforts that make a holiday effortless:

• Air conditioning throughout for warm Cycladic summers
• Fast wifi, ideal for working away from home
• Private pools and hot tubs - browse our villas with pools in Santorini
• Furnished terraces and balconies with caldera or sea views
• Fully fitted kitchens for relaxed self-catering

Many properties also include private parking and a barbecue, perfect for unhurried evenings under the stars.

What are the best areas to stay in Santorini?

The best base depends on your plans, but for a first visit Fira offers the most convenient mix of dining, nightlife and transport links. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Travellers consistently praise Santorini's villas for their dramatic views, spotless interiors and warm hosts. Cleanliness, location and the little extras - a private hot tub here, a sunset-facing terrace there - come up again and again in feedback. Ratings are shown on a scale of ten.

Here are our top-rated villas from the past year:

1. White Wave Villa Santorini - 10.0: A bright, modern villa in Kamari with luxurious amenities: a hot tub, private yard and balcony, within easy reach of the black-sand beach and tavernas.
2. Villa Kalavria - 10.0: A luxurious villa sleeping six, with sweeping sea views, fast wifi and air conditioning, praised for its space, comfort and peaceful setting.
3. Dreamer's Secret Villa - 10.0: A pet-friendly villa in Emporio with ocean views, a private terrace and yard, a tranquil retreat away from the busier caldera villages.

Santorini sits in the southern Aegean Sea, the most southerly of Greece's Cyclades islands. Shaped by a colossal volcanic eruption, its crescent of cliffs encircles a flooded caldera, with whitewashed villages perched along the rim. Its iconic blue-domed churches have been the backdrop to a million Instagram photos, and its sunsets will take your breath away. Many visitors consider Santorini to be the prettiest Greek island of all - and there's only one way to make up your own mind about that.

🥗Where to eat in Santorini?

Santorini's nutrient-rich volcanic soil means incredibly high-quality fruit and vegetables bursting with flavour. This is the perfect place to explore the best that Greek cuisine has to offer, whether you're into high-end fine dining or relaxed, casual meals on a lively terrace. Here are some of our travel experts' favourite restaurants:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Santo Wines in Pyrgos: after a day exploring the island, they loved unwinding on the terrace, enjoying the menu's locally-grown produce as the sun dipped behind the caldera.

1. Sail out to the Nea Kameni volcano
2. Watch the sunset from the Castle of St Nicholas
3. Walk the cliff path from Fira to Oia
4. Step back in time at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera
5. Explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri
6. Catch a film at the Kamari open-air cinema
7. Unwind in Ammoudi Bay

1. Sail out to the Nea Kameni volcano

   Don't miss the chance to set foot on one of the youngest volcanoes in the eastern Mediterranean. Nea Kameni is a small island of volcanic rock formed only a few centuries ago, reached by boat tour from the old port. A 20-minute walk takes you up to the 130-metre crater, and most trips also stop at the soothing hot springs near Palea Kameni. Extend the boat trip with a couple of nights in nearby Ios; our villas in Ios are ideal if you fancy island-hopping.

2. Watch the sunset from the Castle of St Nicholas

   Set in the northwest of the island, the Castle of St Nicholas dates back to the 15th century and was once one of Oia's most important residences. Much of the structure was lost in the 1956 earthquake, but the surviving ruins offer one of the finest sunset spots on Santorini, with sweeping views over the caldera from the old fortifications.

3. Walk the cliff path from Fira to Oia

   If you love walking, the 10-kilometre path linking Fira with Oia is the island's classic hike. Starting in Fira, it passes through Firostefani and the clifftop village of Imerovigli before following a rural track to Oia. The route takes around three to five hours, and is considered low difficulty - great for beginners and families.

4. Step back in time at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera

   Tucked away in Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera gathers finds from Santorini, Ancient Thera and the Minoan site of Akrotiri. Highlights include delicate ceramics, marble figurines and the celebrated Minoan frescoes, among them the famous House of the Ladies. If museums are your thing, Mykonos also has a fine pair in its Archaeological and Aegean Maritime museums, so browse our villas in Mykonos for your next Greek adventure.

5. Explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri

   One of Santorini's great treasures, the archaeological site of Akrotiri preserves a Minoan town built around 4000 BC and buried by a volcanic eruption. Much like Pompeii, the ash sealed the settlement, protecting its multi-storey buildings, drainage and even traces of olive blossom. A raised walkway lets you look down over the streets and houses, giving a vivid sense of daily life in the Bronze Age.

6. Catch a film at the Kamari open-air cinema

   On a warm summer evening, few things beat a film under the stars at the Kamari open-air cinema. Films are shown in English as the sun sets and the stars appear, and there is a bar serving wine and cocktails alongside popcorn and snacks.

7. Unwind in Ammoudi Bay

   Wear comfy shoes, as you'll need to make a steep descent from the village of Oia. Once you make it down the steps, you'll be rewarded with views of spectacular red volcanic cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Daring travellers try cliff-jumping but if you fancy something more sedate, there are plenty of tavernas in the area.