Location

Astarte Suites Hotel is nestled on the caldera cliff of Santorini near Akrotiri village having panoramic views of the sea, Volcano, and caldera cliffs. Hotel is alone standing property offering secluded moments and privacy to guests.

Located just a short drive from the archaelogical wonders of Akrotiri, the vibrant Red beach, and the Lighthouse for more "off broadway" sunset views, this is your ultimate luxury escape.

Santorini Guide by the Concierge team of Astarte Suites Hotel

This guide is not focused on suggesting touristic places, but the “off Broadway” places to visit, swim, & eat. So If you are looking for Oia and Fira suggestions you are not in the right place.

Where to stay

Looking for amazing caldera views, and rooms that combine luxury facilities with traditional architecture while being at a serene location? Then Astarte Suites Hotel is the perfect option.

How many days to stay

4-7 nights depending if you want to explore the island and also relax inside the hotel.

How to move around the island

Hiring a car is less expensive than using taxi. Probably 2-3 days car rental is enough to see the whole island.

Best period to visit Santorini

May –October

November – April 90% of businesses are closed

Warmest months in Santorini

July & August

Best sunset view

If you want to avoid the crowds the Lighthouse in Akroriti village is the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Villages to visit

Pyrgos village is one of the few still traditional villages. If you have a car visit first the Monastery on the top of Pyrgos. You cannot enter the Monastery but from that point you can see the entire island from the highest point. Afterwards, drive back to Pyrgos village center to park and explore the village.

Akrotiri village ideal to walk around and see local houses and architecture. It has also few walking routes and a café inside an old castle on the top of the village. When you visit Akrotiri combine it with seeing Red beach, and Akrotiri excavations.

Megalochori village, where many wineries are located with a nice pedestrian walking route.

Kamari village is ideal for families since they can combine swimming, and a pedestrian area with several taverns and stores.

Best beaches

Red beach is perfect to see and take some nice photos, but is rocky. Therefore, for swimming would suggest Perissa and Perivolos beach, which are organized with plenty beach bars with umbrellas & sunbeds. If you don’t mind rocky beach and looking for a quite not fancy place to swim, try Mesa Pigadia beach. Road to Mesa Pigadia is a bit bumpy so drive slow and you will be fine.

Best beach bars

41, and wet stories both located at Perivolos beach. Still if you look for more casual places there are plenty beach bars charging only consumption and not the sunbeds.

Places to eat

Having amazing caldera view and menu based on authentic Greek cuisine and seafood is Alali restaurant inside Astarte Suites Hotel. Reservation is required for the Cliffside tables.

Psaraki tavern located at Vlychada beach is ideal for fresh fish & seafood.

Fratzeskos tavern located at Perissa beach also serves seafood and fresh fish.

Mesa pigadia tavern is a family run tavern located in front of Mesa Pigadia beach. Great prices for seafood, and home cooked Greek food.

Wineries to visit

Gavalas winery in Megalochori.
Go for the wines & service, not for the views. Service is 10/10 at this family run winery, where people working there will spend time to explain you everything about Santorini wine plus the wines are top notch.

Activities

Catamaran cruise is one of the best activities with duration 5hours and passengers do several stops for swimming at less accessible parts of the island such as White beach and the Hotsprings.

You may also rent a private small speedboat (no license is required) to explore the island on your own.

Horseback riding (important note that we are suggesting horses not donkeys)

Museums

Akrotiri excavations are located in Akrotiri village near the Red beach. It’s a museum covered with rooftop so weather conditions don’t affect your visit. Definitely hire a guide, most of the times are located near the entrance. Entrance Fee 20EUR – Open all days except Tuesdays.

The world famous island of Santorini is the most southern island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located 63 nautical miles north of Crete. Its surface area is 73 sq. km. and its population, distributed among thirteen villages, just exceeds thirteen thousand six hundred people, according to the census of 2001.

HOW TO REACH SANTORINI

By plane

Santorini can be reached from most international airports via Athens. The flying time from Athens to Santorini is approximately 40 minutes.

Nearly all international scheduled flights arriving in Athens allow adequate time for making the connecting flight to Santorini. Numerous charter flights from different European Cities fly directly to the island during the summer period. During the same period Santorini is also connected with flights to and from Thessaloniki.

By ferry boat

Another way to reach the island is by a regular ferry boat service from the port of Piraeus, Thessaloniki or Crete and almost all the Cycladic islands. The boat trip takes approximately 8 - 13 hours depending on the ferry and the ports of call.

Daily high speed boats are also available only during the summer period leaving from the port of Piraeus and from numerous other Cycladic islands and Crete. The trip lasts about 4 – 5 hours.