Should you stay in Oia or Fira? Choose Oia if you want a romantic honeymoon, luxury cave hotels, and the world-famous Santorini sunset views right from your balcony. Choose Fira if you are traveling on a budget, want active nightlife, or plan to use the central bus station to explore the rest of the island and beaches.
BEST HOTEL IN OIA:Katikies
BEST HOTEL IN FIRA:Cosmopolitan
For Luxury:
For Couples:
- Oia: Perivolas
- Fira: Keti Hotel
For Families:
- Oia: Charisma
- Fira: The Majestic
For Private Pool:
- Oia: Santolia Art Suites
- Fira: Volcano View
My short answer is: it really depends on what you are looking for from your trip to Santorini, but here is a complete comparison between these 2 towns to help you out.
Where to Stay in Santorini
Best Hotels in Oia
Best Hotels in Fira
Best Hotels in Perissa
Best Family Hotels in Santorini
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FACTS ABOUT FIRA (on Google Maps)
- Fira is the capital of Santorini and the largest town of the island with more than 3000 permanent residents (the whole island has about 20K permanent residents)
- Fira is sitting on a cliff overlooking the Santorini volcano and the caldera (volcanic sea lagoon)
- Fira is where all the Santorini buses depart from and terminate, as this is where the main bus terminal is. if you want to go from A to B in Santorini, you have to go through Fira (if you take the bus). That applies to taxis as well.
- Fira has the best nightlife in Santorini, with the best clubs and bars.
- Fira has the best shopping in Santorini. The best souvenir shops (and not only…) are there.
- Fira has excellent views of the volcano and the caldera (the sea lagoon in the volcano)
- Fira has more restaurants than Oia, but Οia probably has more romantic ones and quieter ones.
- Fira is not close to a beach, but it’s only a 15-20 minute drive from the black beach of Perissa or Kamari.
- Santorini General Hospital is in Fira.
- Fira in general has more ATMs to withdraw money than any other place in Santorini (though nowadays almost all places accept credit cards, Visa and Mastercards; American Express is very rarely accepted in Greece)
OIA OR FIRA – COMPARISON
| For Honeymoon | Oia (but also check Imerovigli) |
| For Solo Travellers | Fira (easier to meet other travellers and have fun) |
| For Seniors | Fira is more active and closer to the beaches for kids with more amenities in general, and also closer to the main hospital (in case there is an emergency). Also, teenagers will be happier in Fira in general but also check Perissa and Kamari |
| For Beaches | None of these has a beach, but in Fira, you’d have faster and easier access to the black beach of Perissa and Kamari |
| For Families | Oia (Fira has equally beautiful views, but Oia is better in my opinion as it is sitting at the far edge of the island) |
| For Nightlife | Definitely Fira (check my nightlife guide of Santorini) |
| For the Winter or low season (any month between November – April) | Fira (the only place on the island with most of he businesses open even in the winter |
| For famous sunset views (and volcano/caldera views) | Both, but Fira will be more convenient as it’s the main transportation hub of the island. Fira is closer in general to the best wineries in Santorini, but you can book a wine tour even if you live in Oia, as they will pick you up from wherever. |
| For Wineries and wine tours | Fira. Your life will be so much easier if you live close to the main bus terminal of Santorini |
| For Santorini without a car | Fira, but I also recommend staying closer to a beach if you have a baby or a toddler |
| For a family with a baby | Fira but I also recommend staying closer to a beach if you have a baby or a toddler |
FACTS ABOUT OIA (on Google Maps)
- Oia is considered one of the most picturesque and romantic places on earth. That’s a fact. If you are a couple looking for a romantic place to stay on Santorini, Oia or Imerovigli are the best places for a honeymoon.
- There are no nightclubs or bars in Oia. Just a few quiet restaurants and (mainly) hotels.
- Oia is a very expensive place, so be prepared to pay a lot for accommodation and food. You are paying for the location and the views, but…not necessarily the service you will get. That is not true for every place, but please accept the fact that this is not a value-for-money place and enjoy being there.
- There are no all-inclusive hotels as you may have seen in Crete island, Rhodes island or Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, or the USA. This is a small island in Europe. Everything is on a smaller scale. Most hotels are small private villas carved on the rock (these are also called cave hotels)
- Oia is not a good place for seniors or the elderly, as there might be lots of steps to reach your room. If that’s not an issue for you, then feel free to book an Oia hotel.
- Oia is not ideal for kids and families as there are not that many activities around. You will be better off in Fira or (definitely) Perissa or Kamari, as being close to the beach with amenities is essential for kids.
- If you are renting a car, then parking in Oia is a nightmare as you may have to park 15-20 minutes walking distance from your hotel (if you find a space in the public parking lot. I warned you…
- Between 6 pm and 9 pm every evening, you will have thousands of people flocking the streets of Oia to see the sunset. This is considered one of the best things to do in Santorini for many reasons, but if you live in Oia, it can become annoying. People may sit on your doorstep or balcony, or terrace. The rooms/hotels that have quiet views of the famous sunset are not that many and usually cost 4 figures per night (in the high season, May-October)
- Oia is very close to the famous Ammoudi bay with the fish restaurants
CONCLUSION
So, I hope you are not still wondering which place is better in Santorini: Oia or Fira. Each one is an entirely different location with its pros and cons. Fira is better if you are looking for better prices, nightlife, accessibility, and shopping, but Oia, on the other hand, is the little gem that will take your breath away with its unparalleled sunset and volcano views, its cute white-washed alleys, and the incredible hotels.
Neither of these two towns is close to a Santorini beach, and I still don’t think they are ideal for families with kids or babies, or the elderly with their steps and narrow streets. So, Fira or Oia? It’s ultimately your take, to be honest.
FAQs
Is it better to stay in Oia or Fira?
Which is better for a honeymoon: Fira or Oia?
Oia is the ultimate honeymoon destination in Santorini. It is quieter, more romantic, and is home to the island’s most famous luxury cave hotels with private plunge pools overlooking the Caldera.
Which is more expensive: Oia or Fira?
Oia is significantly more expensive than Fira. Because Oia is globally famous for its sunsets, hotel rates, restaurants, and cafes charge a premium. Fira offers a much wider range of accommodations, including affordable boutique hotels and hostels.
Is it easy to travel between Fira and Oia?
Yes, it is very easy. The public KTEL bus runs frequently between Fira and Oia, taking about 25 minutes and costing around €2.00. You can also hike the famous scenic trail between the two towns, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Should I stay in Imerovigli instead of Oia or Fira?
Imerovigli is an excellent alternative if you want the luxury and stunning Caldera views of Oia, but without the massive tourist crowds. It is located between Fira and Oia, making it a quiet, romantic middle ground, though it has fewer restaurant and shopping options than the main towns.
