I’ll start by being honest with you and telling you from the start that it won’t be easy to find cheap hotels in Santorini. Not easy, but not impossible.
If your question is “where to stay in Santorini on a budget?” then you’ve landed in the right place, because I have the answers you’re looking for!
That’s because when we decided to have a vacation in one of the most beautiful Greek islands, we were looking for the same thing! Affordable accommodation that would allow us to spend one week on the island without breaking the bank.
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A few things worth knowing when you want to travel to Santorini on a budget
As previously said, while there are plenty of other Greek islands that will offer you a dream vacation for less, Santorini is not one of them.
With its dreamy caldera views and luxurious cave hotels, the island attracts tens of thousands of tourists every summer, without having to compete with many other Greek islands.
That being said, there are a few ways you could land a more affordable vacation in Santorini:
Avoid going in peak season – July and August will see prices skyrocket and even in those less expensive towns you will find it hard to find an available hotel for a good price. Travel as early as May or June, or wait until September or even October, and you will find more affordable prices;
Choose to stay in the Eastern part of the island where you will find cheaper hotels, but where you won’t have the views;
Use an online aggregator to book your flight: Skyscanner.com will help you find all the best combinations and will help you optimize prices and timetables.
Stay in more locations than one and book a cheap hotel with caldera view for at least a few nights;
Travel around by public transportation – this way you will save money on taxies; or rent a car online ahead of time – Discover Cars is a great aggregator that will help you find and book the best option for renting a car during your trip, helping you save up to 70% on your car rental. Rent your car here!
Book any tours in advance with free cancellation in order to get the best prices online. Day trips and experiences can be easily booked through GetYourGuide – they have a wide selection of tours and a great cancellation policy.
Don’t forget about insurance – especially in the current context, buying insurance is not an expense, but it will cover you from any possible higher expenses. At AardvarkCompare.com you can compare from over 30 insurance plans and find your best option.
Because you won’t find all-inclusive hotel options in Santorini, and restaurants tend to be on the pricey side, booking an apartment with a small kitchen and a refrigerator will save you some money.
Where to stay in Santorini on a budget
Before we head straight to some amazing and affordable hotels in Santorini, make sure to check out my comprehensive guide on where to stay in Santorini. You will find a great description with pros and cons for all of the popular towns on the island.
You can then make an informed choice and plan a great summer vacation, no matter if it is your honeymoon or just a normal yearly holiday.
But here are a few of the options I would choose from when looking for cheap hotels in Santorini (outside of peak season).
Kamari
The place we chose to stay in mostly because we traveled during August, and where we could find an affordable hotel despite this fact.
You will be close to the airport, have access to the sea and a black pebble beach, and also to so many local tavernas with delicious food at decent prices.
Choose to stay here if you want to spend less and don’t mind staying in Kamari, on the Eastern part of the island. Traditional Greek decor, a great pool, sea view, and a private beach with small volcanic stones.
You can easily get around and travel to the rest of Santorini.
Also in Kamari, you’ll find it easy to take some stunning pictures in this all-Greek resort. 5-star accommodation, in a quiet location, and at an affordable price.
80 m away from the beach, with a beautiful swimming pool and rooms with balconies, this family-run hotel will make you feel at home.
The interior design is simple, yet stylish and elegant, and if you choose to book the Executive Suite you can even have a private hot tub to relax in after a long day on the island.
If you want an apartment with a fully equipped kitchenette, refrigerator, and a small living room, this is the place for you!
Additionally, you will have access to the garden, while you will be a few meters away from the beach.
They also offer free transfers from and to the airport, so you won’t have to worry about that either, and it will be another cost you can cut off your list.
Akrotiri
A low-key typical Greek village you won’t find on many people’s lists when it comes to cheap places to stay in Santorini.
Akrotiri it’s famous for the archeological site and most tourists come here to step back in time, not to stay over the night.
Right on the Southern edge of the island, Akrotiri is not far from some of the most stunning views in Greece.
A typical white Greek hotel, which offers an incredible view over the caldera. It is not a big place, which will give you a boutique hotel vibe, and it is not in the most crowded area of the Island – being set in Akrotiri.
Maybe one of the most stunning apartments in Santorini, the best part of this place, apart from the caldera view, is the fact that you can have it from your jacuzzi bathtub.
Firostefani
A few kilometers away from Thira, Firostefani is a great option with caldera views that is actually an extension of Santorini’s capital. The village is positioned on the highest part of Fira, thus offering stupendous caldera views.
It might be hard to imagine, but you can find great deals on this side of the island when you book in advance and choose the right period.
With luxury features such as a hydro-massage bath with stunning vires over the Aegean Sea, this hotel could be booked for a very affordable price when traveling in May or October.
A Cycladic-style house with simple and colorful interior design, and excellent reviews from previous guests.
With a rooftop pool with a scenic view, a perfect location in a tranquil area yet within walking distance from the center of Santorini’s capital, this is yet another great place to choose to stay in Santorini on a budget.
Who says you must compromise the views for the price?
Other useful Santorini guides
- The ultimate list of things to do in Oia, Santorini
- What to do in 3 days in Santorini
- 1 day in Santorini – an easy itinerary!
- What to wear in Santorini
- 2 days in Santorini – a comprehensive itinerary
- Should you stay in Fira or Oia?
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