Best Cheap Hotels in Santorini for 2023

Are you traveling to Greece in 2023 and you are looking for cheap hotels in Santorini? This post is all about the best cheap hotels in Santorini that are: great value for money, have beautifully decorated rooms, with friendly staff, and are located in the best possible sea/caldera views of stunning Santorini.

Santorini island is located southeast of Athens, close to Crete, and belongs to the Cyclades group. It is in the top five most popular Cycladic islands along with Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Milos, and is one of the most stunningly beautiful Greek islands.

Read below my choices for the best Santorini budget hotels as well as brief info on the villages they are located in:

*Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you click and buy. The commission comes at no additional cost to you!

Cheap Hotels in Santorini

Find in my Santorini Map, all the best villages and towns to visit while you are on the island. As you can see, the western part of the island is the caldera (the sunk part of Santorini) with striking sunset views. This is a very popular area and as you may imagine the most expensive one.

However, there are cheap hotels and apartments in Santorini that you can book and will not break the bank 😀 !

Cheap Hotels in Santorini: Tips and Recommendations

• Santorini is a very expensive island and what is considered cheap in Santorini may be mid-range to other areas in Greece. However, you can book a cheap hotel in Santorini just not leave it as a last-minute thing: book at least 6 months in advance to get the best deals

• The farther from the caldera, the cheapest the hotel/tavern/restaurant!

• Money-saving tips for food: buy food from the local supermarket. Buy a souvlaki or two with pita for lunch and choose a tavern away from the caldera. The inland villages have some great taverns that you should visit, not only for their better prices and great food but also because they offer a more authentic experience of real Santorini.

• Best Budget Hotels in Santorini:
  • Cheap hotel in Oia: Muses Cycladic Suites
  • Cheap hotel in Imerovigli: Agave Santorini Design Boutique Hotel
  • Cheap hotel in Fira: Danae Villa
  • Cheap hotel in Firostefani: Smaro Studios
  • Cheap hotel in Akrotiri: Akrotiri Hotel
  • Cheap hotel in Perissa: Philoxenia Hotel & Studios
  • Cheap hotel in Kamari: Santa Elena

• One of the best inexpensive tours in Santorini is the Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour

Cheap Hotels in Fira Santorini

Fira, Santorini’s main town is built high on a 400m (1312 ft) caldera on the western part of Santorini. From Fira, you can admire a panoramic view of the 18 kilometers (11 miles) long caldera plus the volcanic island Nea Kameni located right across from Fira.

However, it is also one of the busiest places in Santorini as everyone wants to be part of the packed solid shopping area and gets “lost” in the maze of winding backstreets.

See below the best budget hotels in Fira Santorini:

Alizea Villas & Suites

Alizea Villas & Suites is a very stylish hotel with a fantastic swimming pool, pristinely clean, and very friendly staff. The hotel is a few minutes far from the center of Fira and the bus station.

Danae Villa

Danae Villa, is a small, quiet, and family-run hotel very close to the center of Fira. In the mornings you get a coffee and a cake in their beautiful, quiet garden, where you can simply sit and enjoy.

Anatoli Hotel is a very central hotel, a 5-minute walk away from bars, mini markets, and the caldera views. It is a beautifully decorated hotel, that also offers fantastic spa treatments. You can enjoy the generous breakfast at the lovely outside area and pool.

Costa Marina Villas is a fantastic, family-run, family-friendly hotel with beautiful gardens. From the rooms, you can admire the view of sunrise and the sea. It is very close to the center of Fira with extra friendly staff.

Cheap Hotels in Oia

Oia is another world-famous Santorini village. The white-washed houses, covered in purple and pink bougainvilleas crisscrossed by tiny paved roads leading to the sea, create a magical canvas that will definitely make you fall in love with Oia.

Oia is also located on Santorini’s caldera and it is one of the best places to stay in Santorini. See below some fantastic Budget Hotels in Oia Santorini:

Muses Cycladic Suites

Muses Cycladic Suites is a  gorgeous property in Oia, off the main strip so nice and quiet but still with beautiful ocean views. A luxury feeling at a modest rate.

Pension The Flower is a fantastic colorful inn, with a great garden and a large swimming pool a bit out of Oia, which, trust me, is a good thing if you seek peacefulness. A bus stop is very close, and it has nice, clean spacious rooms with free parking.

MiCasa is a recently decorated property, spotlessly clean with spacious rooms and a fantastic yard. It is near the bus station, in a quiet area, surrounded by shops and supermarkets near the caldera views.

Finikia Memories Hotel is a real gem in Oia. A stunning pool with sea views and exquisite sunsets, a generous breakfast, and the bus right outside the hotel. Whitewashed decoration and walls with cave-style rooms. Highly recommended.

Cheap Hotels in Imerovigli

Imerovigli is another breathtaking Santorini village located between Fira and Oia. It is famous for its caldera sunsets and its many lovely white churches and a much quieter place to stay. One of the best things to do from Imerovigli is to climb the impressive Skaros Rock!

Agave Santorini Design Boutique Hotel

The Agave Santorini Design Hotel in Imerovigli is a Cycladic-looking boutique hotel, spotlessly clean with stunning Caldera views and a great breakfast. You will find the island’s lively capital, Fira within a 3-minute drive or a 15-minute walk.

Cheap Hotels in Firostefani

Firostefani is the natural extension of Fira to the north. Some of the best caldera-view restaurants and hotels are in Firostefani which is considered one of the most expensive areas to stay in Santorini. However, I have discovered a few fantastic cheap hotels in Imerovigli:

Remvi Suites

You will enjoy breathtaking caldera views as Remvi Suites is at a prime location in Firostefani. You will love the cleanliness, the friendly staff, and the wonderful breakfast with the sea views.

Smaro Studios is an amazing property facing the Santorini Caldera. You can have breakfast overlooking the stunning views of the cliffs and the Nea Kameni island across. A quiet property, 5 minutes far from the main road to Fira.

Afrodete Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel with just a few rooms so if you like this property book it early. It is located in the heart of Firostefani with very welcoming hosts and great Wifi.

Cheap Hotels in Akrotiri

Akrotiri is an extraordinary place in the south of Santorini as it hosts the archaeological site associated with the Minoan civilization, the renowned red beach, and the Akrotiri impressive Lighthouse.

Akrotiri is a 25-minute drive from Fira, making it a much quieter and much cheaper place to stay in Santorini without losing any bit of the stunning caldera views. Check below the best budget hotels in Akrotiri:

Kalimera Hotel

It is simply impossible not to love Kalimera Hotel in Akrotiri Santorini. An impressive round pool, very traditional furniture, and architecture, are within walking distance from Caldera beach. A small kind family runs the hotel that provides everything you need with a great breakfast selection!

Akrotiri Hotel is a fantastic hotel, meters far from the beach, with a lovely garden and terrace that overlooks the sea. The breakfast has a great selection, with free parking and its own private small strip of beach right in front of the hotel.

Villa Maria Rooms is an exceptional property with a really amazing breakfast. Every day it varies in small interesting ways. A smashing location with a sea view across to the Caldera and Fira and is very quiet just ideal to relax.

Cheap Hotels in Kamari Beach

Kamari Beach is one of the most cosmopolitan and beautiful black sand and pebble beaches of east Santorini. It is a great place to stay here as it has all facilities you may need in the area.

Santa Elena Hotel

Santa Elena Hotel in Kamari Santorini will surprise you in the nicest way as everything is simply perfect. From the ultra-friendly and obliging owner Sophia to the very large swimming pool, the sunlit rooms, and the rich breakfast, this is a fantastic option for a budget hotel in Santorini.

Santorini Kamari Beach for the Mobility Impaired

There are over 130 beaches in Greece that have installed the Seatrac system so that people with mobility issues can have independent access to the sea. In Santorini, there are 2 beaches that you can choose from, Kamari and Perissa.

I couldn’t find a budget hotel in Kamari with facilities for people with mobility challenges. I highly recommend Costa Grand Resort & Spa, although it is not a budget hotel. It is a fantastic 5-star hotel, reasonably priced, located right in front of the beach and a few minutes far from the SeaTrak Mechanism.

Cheap Hotels in Perissa Beach

Perissa sandy beach is the famous black beach of Santorini, awarded with a Blue Flag. It is about 13 kilometers (8 mi) away from Fira, on the southeast coast of Santorini, and is easily accessible by car or bus.

It is a fully organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, plenty of seaside cafes, bars, traditional taverns and restaurants, all kinds of water sports, and a nice diving area. Some of the best cheap hotels in Perissa are:

Memento Perissa is probably one of the cheapest hotels in Santorini still a great value for money. It has a swimming pool, nicely decorated rooms, and breakfast and is very close to the Perissa beach.

Philoxenia Hotel & Studios will happily surprise you with the very friendly staff, the really cool pool, and the spacious and spotlessly clean rooms. And all that is just a few minutes from the beach!

FAQ on Santorini Island

How was the caldera made?

Santorini Island suffered a tremendous volcanic eruption about 3600 years ago, at the peak of the Minoan civilization, one of Greece’s oldest civilizations. As a result, most of its western part sank into the sea, probably causing a gigantic tsunami.

Santorini has still an active volcano but only in the form of thermal waters in the caldera, a popular swimming spot.

How to Get around Santorini

If you are interested in fully exploring Santorini in the summer, and going to remote areas and central villages, then you will need your own rental car. But if you only want to visit the most popular areas (Oia, Fira, Akrotiri) then the public buses are connecting everything. There might be long queues in July and August for buses and taxis are also very popular – sometimes hard to find – means of transportation in Santorini.

How to Get to Santorini from Athens

Santorini by Ferries

You can take the ferry from any of the Athens ports (Piraeus, Rafina, or Lavrion) to Santorini. The ferries will take 5 to 9 hours depending on the vessel you will be traveling with. The fastest the ferry the more expensive it will be. You can book your ferry transfer with FerryScanner to get the best prices in the market with no hidden fees. If you travel in the summer you have to book your seats well in advance.

There are two ports in Santorini. The ferries arrive at the port of Athinios (19.8 km far from Oia), and the cruise ships dock at the old port of Fira. If you arrive in summer, there are going to be a lot of people off the ferry with limited bus and taxi capacity. You should have made arrangements with your hotel to pick you up from the port. If this is not possible book a private transfer here.

Flights to Santorini

If you prefer to go fast to Santorini, you can catch a flight from Athens International Airport. There are several flights going to the island during the high season.

What are the Best Things to do in Santorini

Santorini is a fascinating destination, just roaming its gorgeous alleys and the stunning view of the caldera will satisfy even the most demanding and experienced traveler.

Some of the best things to do in Santorini are:

• Marvel at its world-famous sunset of the Caldera
• Explore the gorgeous villages of Fira, Oia, Firostefani, and Imerovigli
• Dive into its volcanic black beaches
• Hike the spectacular Oia- Fira Caldera trail
• Explore 2 of the most important archaeological sites in Greece

For a detailed travel guide on Santorini Island visit my dedicated post here.

What to Wear in Santorini

This, apparently, depends on the season you are visiting but anytime between May and October, essential things to have in Greece are:

• comfortable walking shoes as Greece is mountainous and archaeological sites with their marble floors can be slippery
• organic sunscreen to apply as often as possible
• UPF sun hat for all day out
• white linen shirt to cover up if you get very easily sun burnt. I use a linen shirt when I hike in Greece during the summer
• a CUPSHE Bikini for impressive beach appearances
• cotton beach towel
• and a beautiful dress for dining out

How to Get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport

• Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
• Metro: (€9 ) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
• Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €40 to Athens, €55-60 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
• Rent a car with Discover cars to rent reliable new cars at affordable prices
• You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece
• Check out here a full post on Lavrio Port in Athens

Plan your Trip to Greece

Are you interested in a day or multi-day tour or a transfer anywhere in Greece? We can plan your trip and:

• Book your private vehicle with an English-speaking driver
• Organize local thematic tours (food, wine-tasting, hiking, sailing)
• Book a professional Licensed guide (for the sites)

Does this sound like what you are looking for? Please send us your request here.

Did you find the budget hotel you were looking for? Let me know what you did in the comments, I’d love to hear whether I managed to help you! Till next time, Evgenia❤️

All rights reserved ֱ© Travel the Greek Way. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (photographs, text, links) is strictly prohibited.

Plan Your Next Trip to Greece With These Resources

• 6 Santorini Best Diners for an Anniversary
• 12 Best Things to Do in Santorini
• 10-Days Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos
• Greece Packing List – What to pack for a 10-day trip to Greece
• Mamma Mia Greece Locations – All the mainland and island shooting areas in Greece
• Salamina Island – So close to Athens, so unknown to the mass tourism
• Kefalonia Island – Belonging to the Ionian group like Corfu island
• First Time in Greece? All the info you need to know!

Essential Greek Travel Info

More Inspiring Reading on Greek Islands