14 of the best cave hotels in Santorini

Sickle-shaped Santorini may have some of Greece’s most expensive hotel rooms, but the island has not always merited such sky-high prices. This is a place of scant natural resources and, being of volcanic origin, was frequently troubled by earthquakes. The solution found by the farmers, craftsmen and mariners who lived here was to carve sturdy dwellings and storage spaces into the softer strata of the steep, sea-facing cliffs of the flooded caldera. 

Able to withstand earth tremors and seasonal climatic extremes, these cavern spaces were blessed with stable temperatures year-round and had furniture such as alcoves, shelving and podium beds built into their structure. With the advent of tourism, their dreamy, edge-of-the-world sea views became even more valuable assets. Many of these cave homes were converted into luxury hotels, rooms and suites that remain Santorini’s signature accommodation type. These are some of the best.

Main photo: Mystique, Oia

1. Charisma Suites, Oia

Best for sunsets
Santorini sunsets are worth celebrating, and the go-to spot to experience them is Oia (pronounced ee-ya). Located on the isle’s northwestern tip, the village attracts huge crowds to watch the sun sink to the horizon — but you wouldn’t know it if you’re staying in Charisma’s Cave Pool Suite. The property’s only cave room, it’s considered one of the best hotel suites in Greece. Complete with private cave pool and terrace, it’s the most exclusive of spots for absorbing the view; if you want company, you can join other guests in toasting the sunset with a complimentary glass of bubbles.

Spa N
Pool Y
Price £££

2. Andronis Luxury Suites, Oia

Best for splashing out
The fairytale village of Oia has some of the most desirable hotels in Santorini. Leading the pack is Andronis Luxury Suites, whose 29 heavenly, cave-style suites cascade down the cliffs’ steep face. Each has its own private pool or Jacuzzi looking out across the cobalt blue of the deeply flooded caldera. First-rate dining at Lycabettus receives an additional uplift via the Andronis Gastronomy Festival, which hosts takeovers by upscale chefs throughout the summer season. Mare Sanus Spa’s CBD treatments and multi-day wellness programmes that focus on fitness, nutrition and meditation are other highlights. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

3. Stella Rocca a Mare, Imerovigli

Best for one-of-a-kind design
Oia isn’t the only spot for admiring sunset views. West-facing Imerovigli also offers spectacular views of the caldera, but with only a fraction of the crowds that descend on Oia every evening. Better still, soak up the scene from your own private terrace at Stella Rocca a Mare. All 13 rooms (of which six are cave suites) come with their own hot tubs and outdoor spaces; and each has unique design features and larger-than-average dimensions. A restaurant, bar and heated pool complete the facilities, and spa treatments can be arranged in-room. 

Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££

4. Iconic Santorini, Imerovigli 

Best for clifftop swims
Private plunge pools are commonplace among Santorini’s clifftop hotels. If you like a proper swim, however, your options are more limited; which is why Iconic Santorini’s infinity pool is so special. It’s perfect for doing laps while gazing across the dramatic caldera. This is a true cave hotel: all 19 rooms have underground elements and typical Cycladic style. Even the spa and restaurant occupy caves; and everything looks out at the volcanic plug of Skaros Rock, whose flat top tempts active types to follow the footpath there from the hotel. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £

5. Ikies Santorini, Oia

Best for escaping the crowds
Oia gets less crowded with every step you take from the centre; so by the time you reach Ikies, it’s as peaceful as it gets. Set right at the cliff edge on the fringes of the village, this lovely hotel has 13 luxury suites of which four (Artisan’s House, Winemaker’s House, Shipbuilder’s House and Collector’s House) have cave rooms. As well as views encompassing the crater and the village, each suite benefits from in-room dining and most have private hot tubs or hammams. Two are two-bedroom units: ideal for families. 

Spa N
Pool Y
Price £££

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6. Fira Cave Suites, Fira

Best for value
Santorini’s capital, Fira, also has its share of cave hotels. This smart but simple property is an olive’s throw from the town centre, putting it within easy reach of dozens of restaurants and late-night bars. Fira Cave Suites’ westerly aspect also makes it handy for watching the sunset paint the sky behind Oia, over on the far side of the caldera: a view best enjoyed from each suite’s private balcony or patio. The rooms themselves have plenty of traditional Cycladic touches; larger ones have adequate space to accommodate a family. 

Spa N
Pool N
Price £

7. Vora, Imerovigli 

Best for exclusivity 
With a room count of just three, Vora is a micro-hotel replete with boutique charm. All three accommodation units were carved by hand into the cliff, combining age-old techniques with minimal design, plunge pools and custom furnishings. Being so small, it’s rather short on facilities; but that’s no issue when massages can be arranged in-room and breakfast or an all-day menu can be enjoyed on private terraces. For other meals, both Imerovigli and the island’s capital, Fira, are an easy walk away along the footpath that hugs the caldera’s rim. 

Spa N
Pool N
Price £££

8. Santorini Secret Suites and Spa, Oia

Best for authentic Greek cuisine 
Located in Oia, this member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers unrivalled hospitality and style. All 17 spacious, boutique suites and two-bedroom villas are sunk into the crater and come with massive bathrooms, hot tubs and plenty of space for alfresco dining. A particular pull for the property is Black Rock Restaurant, which shines amid the island’s elevated gourmet scene for its refined approach to indigenous cuisine (don’t miss the tasting menu). Other distractions span memorable experiences such as wine tasting, sunset picnics or visiting nearby archaeological gems. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££

9. Andronis Boutique Hotel, Oia 

Best for fine dining 
Privacy, seclusion and incredible views come as standard at this ever-popular cliffside bolt hole in Oia. All 23 luxurious suites are built into the rock, with many benefitting from desirable features such as cave plunge pools. Beyond these personal sanctuaries, guests can treat themselves to tasting menus or à la carte fine dining at Lauda Restaurant, or stay put to soak up golden hour and sunset views from private terraces. The décor throughout is light and bright to compensate for the cave spaces’ windowless nature; walls even bear the dates on which some of the caves were created. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££

10. Canaves Oia Suites, Oia

Best for pampering 
Not a fan of the steep flights of steps that are unavoidable realities at many cliffside Santorini hotels? Then this property — with its lift that makes easy work of scaling the drop — is for you. It has all the whiter-than-white décor, plunge pools and caldera views that one expects from an Oia stay, but also benefits from a grotto-style spa with Rasul and two treatment rooms. Also featuring underground elements are some of the rooms, most notably a two-bedroom villa or a more intimate suite with its own cave pool. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££

11. Kivotos Hotel & Villas, Imerovigli 

Best for Instagrammable design 
This luxury hideaway delivers a huge burst of style. In place of the whitewashed walls that are a Santorini signature, the colour scheme here is all black and grey to reflect the caldera’s natural tones. Minimal design, superior amenities and first-class service add to the experience, as do panoramic views over the crater’s midnight-blue waters. All seven suites and the two-bedroom villa are built directly into the rock and have balconies, terraces and jetted tubs, while the villa also features its own five-metre swimming pool. 

Spa N
Pool Y
Price £££

12. The Tsitouras Collection, Firostefani

Best for families 
Located midway between Fira and Imerovigli, this 18th-century mansion conversion has all the charm and heritage of a well-to-do island home that’s been split into five individual, art-filled suites. Unusually for caldera hotels, the vibe here is very family-friendly: cots and babysitting are offered, and the suites are spacious enough to accommodate multiple occupants comfortably. Other big pluses include in-suite spa treatments, an infinity pool and the Maria Callas Terrace (complete with bust of the singer), which has peerless views across the crater to sulphurous Thirassia islet.

Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££

13. Mystique, Oia

Best for romantic getaways 
They may not be as familiar as those from the Languedoc or Loire, but Santorini’s home-grown wines are world class. You’ll find plenty ageing nicely in Mystique’s cellar, housed within a 150-year-old cave. Other caverns have been converted into 41 guest suites with sculpted arches, gentle curves and soothing colours. As if the setting and caldera views were not romantic enough, stays here can be made even more special with candlelit dinners on the suites’ private terraces; or opt for an intimate wine-tasting experience in that atmospheric cellar. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

14. Perivolas, Oia

Best for intimate escapes
Perivolas is the cave conversion hotel that rocket-launched Oia’s reputation. Hand-hewn, centuries-old caves have been turned into 20 individual villas that are infinitely comfortable and chic. Inside, they’re all organic curves, whitewashed walls and daring pops of colour. Attention elsewhere turns to the magnificent infinity pool: perhaps the island’s most coveted spot for poolside lounging or cocktails. A perk of the place is that it’s not overlooked by Oia’s pedestrian thoroughfare, so guests can sunbathe in relaxed (and child-free) peace. 

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

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