With its picture perfect weather between May and October, the Greek island of Santorini is a very popular summer holiday destination. The southern most island of the Cyclades offers the interesting volcano, great beaches and vibrant nightlife. Although known as a rather expensive destination, it is possible to find cheap hotels in Santorini.
If you are looking for lodging options on Santorini, you’ll most likely find package deals, ranging from romantic or honeymoon packages to a posh vacation in a resort right on the beach. However, you will be able to find cheap hotels in Santorini without having to book a package. There are some good three-star or two-star hotels which offer good value for money.
There is a lot to do on Santorini, besides just soaking up the sun. The Caldera (volcano) is the biggest attraction on the island. The capital town is Thira and is the center of the island, where the nightlife is at its best and there are plenty of restaurants and shops to check out. Staying in villages such as Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia means you’ll be in the center of the action but you’ll also be paying a little extra for those great views of the volcano. If you want to spend a vacation on the beach, plan to book a hotel in the northeastern or southeastern part of the island. Although cheap hotels in Santorini can be found everywhere on the island, if you are really looking for bargains you should opt for a hotel in the southern part of the island.
Keep in mind that the tourist season runs between April (pretty much around Easter) until end of October, with July and August representing the peak season, when the prices will be at their highest everywhere on the island. Some hotels are open all year long, while other only open during the season. Visiting Santorini in April or October is a good way to save some money on accommodation.
Some of the budget options to check out on Santorini include Hotel Gardenia (near the black beach in Perissa, breakfast included in the room rate), Antonia Hotel (in Fira, at 80 meters from the center, breakfast and AC included in the room rate) and Hotel Pension George (15 minute walk from Thira and 10 minutes by bus from the beach, 25 rooms with private en-suite bathroom).