Belvedere Hotel in Firostefani, Santorini

Essentials
• Location: Wonderful location in quiet Firostefani, with spectacular views of the caldera.
• The digital map of the Belvedere Suites can be found at this link.
• Hotel website: belvederesantorini.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 25496
• Verify prices for Belvedere

Belvedere – Upscale lodging suitable for families in a tranquil neighborhood including a pool area and sweeping perspectives over the volcanoes to Thirassia and Skaros Rock.

A relaxed high-end hotel, Belvedere is ideally positioned on the caldera’s edge with a view overlooking the volcanoes in a tranquil yet accessible locale. Its expansive pool fronts a sun deck boasting sweeping perspectives, and offers poolside service for drinks and snacks throughout the day. Contemporary rooms and suites are furnished tastefully in neutrals and white to highlight the blue hues of the Mediterranean. Several outstanding restaurants, bars, and attractions are located steps away from the hotel, though the immediate area remains peaceful at night).

See Also

• The Top Accommodations in Santorini
• Locations to Lodge in Santorini Island
• Best Tours & Things To Do in Santorini

Belvedere – Location

Absolutely beautiful location in Firostefani with spectacular volcano, island and ocean views. The hotel sits in a quiet neighborhood near multiple excellent restaurants, and is a short walk to charming Imerovigli and the capital city Fira.

• How to Get There:
The establishment is situated above the caldera in Firostefani, not too far from the primary road linking Fira and Oia, making it effortless to attain by coach, taxi, or self-driving. It is approximately 8 kilometers from the Athinios ferry port and the Santorini Airport to the hotel, though they are in separate directions.

Transportation is readily available at the ferry port and airport for those arriving in Santorini, with buses waiting at each location for every incoming ferry and departing hourly from the airport. However, there are no direct bus routes from either location to Firostefani; buses from the port and airport go to Fira first, where travelers then must board the bus serving the Fira-Imerovigli route that stops in Firostefani – the complete trip from the ferry dock or airport to Firostefani takes a minimum of 60 minutes and costs around €5 altogether. Tickets can only be purchased using cash directly on the bus. The bus stop is a brief three minute walk away near St. Gerasimos Church as indicated by the given hyperlink, and from there the route to the hotel entrance is largely level ground that`s simple to navigate even while transporting luggage.

Taxis are another option for transport from the port or airport, though limited availability requires potentially waiting as only about 25 serve the island. To avoid delays, reserving a private car transfer in advance through a service like Welcome Pickups is recommended. Fares on Santorini taxis are not calculated using a meter, so agreeing on a fee with the driver before departing is important. A taxi from the airport or ferry port to Belvedere would cost roughly €25. Booking a private transfer would be a bit more at around $45 (or €37), but offers the benefits of no waiting and pre-payment.

Grand America • Hyatt House Downtown • Marriott City Center

• Close to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, nightlife in Fira, and Skaros Rock).

Map of Belvedere

Belvedere – The Basics

• Age Range: All ages permitted at the hotel. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a romantic occasion, usually a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday.
• Beach: The nearest coastline is Exo Gialos, a peaceful, black sand beach with intriguing wind-molded cliffs at its southern end. The best beach bar and dining establishment there is East Breeze, just a few meters from the cliffs ( 12-minute drive). The north end has a small harbor and another great beach bar and restaurant called Yalos ( 9-minute drive). From the hotel, it’s a short 4 km drive to the north end or 6 km to the south end, where the cliffs are.
• Views: Most rooms and suites offer sweeping views taking in the volcanoes and sunsets across the caldera. 5 of their 31 units have interior perspectives of the hotel.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools or jacuzzis.
• Vehicle Parking: Free parking is available nearby at their sister property, Santorini Palace, approximately 5 minutes away on foot.
• Extras: Wine cellar.
• When to Book: The hotel is open from April 1 to November 1. Reserve at minimum 4 months in advance (6 months is preferable) for stays during the busy season from June through September, and about 3 months ahead for the low and shoulder seasons.
• The main approach to make a reservation: Booking through the Booking.com website is advised to find the most competitive rates.
• Phone: +30 22860 25496
• Contact Method: [email protected]
• Online page: belvederesantorini.com

Belvedere – Amenities

• Pool: Large, unheated swimming area with a sun lounging space and many chairs that overlook the volcanic crater.
• Spa: No on-site spa facilities, but guests can access and receive free transfers to and from the Lotus Spa at their sister property El Greco.
• Fitness Facilities: No gym on site, but guests can access the exercise center at their sister property El Greco, less than 2 km away.
• For Disabled Guests: This is a caldera hotel with many steps and no elevator. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
• For Families: This property welcomes all age groups and offers babysitting upon request. The pool offers broad views over the caldera but is set back from the edge, making it safer for young children. VIP Suites are suitable for groups of up to 4 individuals.
• Activities: The concierge is pleased to coordinate boat tours and excursions to nearby islands, wine tours and tastings, and visits to the ruins at Akrotiri.

Belvedere – Food and Drink

• Lounge/Bar: The Pool Bar is accessible all day, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., serving fantastic cocktails, a complete breakfast, and an extensive selection of light snacks. The wine list emphasizes the finest labels from Santorini, Greece, and beyond.
• Breakfast: A complimentary breakfast buffet is served poolside daily from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., featuring pastries, cereals, fruit, meats, and coffee.
• Room Service: Available all day from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Belvedere – Rooms

• Room Types: Superior Room – Junior Suite – VIP Suite
• Smoking Areas: Smoking is allowed in the private terraces and outdoor common areas of the hotel but not permitted in any of the rooms.
• Best Accommodation: The most luxurious room category is the VIP Suite. Split over two levels, these one-bedroom, one-bathroom lodgings provide a queen bed upstairs and a sofa bed downstairs along with a living area, a bathroom with a rain shower fixture, panoramic views from the balcony, and an entrance near the wine cellar.
• For Families: This lodging is amenable to all ages with babysitting services and suites accommodating up to 4 guests. The VIP Suite, as described above, is the best choice for family units of 4. Larger groups will require booking an additional room.

Belvedere – Local Transport

• Walking: The hotel is situated near the central square of Firostefani, above the caldera, and along the Oia-Fira hiking trail, with fantastic restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions just a brief distance away. Easy access to all dining and attractions in romantic Imerovigli as well as the nightlife and shopping in busy Fira; both villages are within 15 minutes of the hotel.
• Bus: The nearest transportation stop for buses is a 3-minute walk from the hotel, near the parking area at St. Gerasimos. Buses in this area serve all the major towns and beaches across the island, usually requiring a transfer in Fira if headed to the airport, port, or beaches. Tickets can be purchased on board and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per traveler during the daytime hours depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) run less often and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can become very crowded particularly during peak season, so much so they regularly reach full capacity and are unable to take on additional passengers. There are only 23 public buses serving the whole island.
• Taxis: The closest taxi stand lies at Stathmos Taxi in Fira. There is often a wait here because only 25 taxis serve the entire island (with guests from approximately 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Book ahead to avoid the wait, and have the driver meet you near the hotel instead. A small additional charge will apply for advance reservations and for transporting luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average fare from Firostefani to the airport or port is around €25.
• Motorbikes: Locals commonly use motor scooters as transport, but unfamiliar roads present hazards. Thoroughfares zigzag steeply upwards and downwards on narrow paths sometimes without guardrails or nighttime illumination. Unpaved trails and potholes are common.
• ATVs/Quads: ATVs are an enjoyable and popular method of transportation with visitors, but for the locals required to drive behind them, they maneuver too gradually and hold up traffic in an area where moving around is already challenging. For individuals who don’t routinely ride quads (i.e. most people), they can be risky at high speeds and on turns. Crashed your ATV is a guaranteed way to ruin your vacation.

Belvedere – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Aktaion: The oldest eatery on the island has been catering authentic Santorinian flavors since 1922.
• Da Vinci Restaurant: An excellent Italian restaurant with amazing caldera views, located in Santorini here.
• Esteemed Vineyard Restaurant on Kythnos Island: High-caliber establishment focusing on regional and international varietals with in excess of 600 wine selections served in a charming garden setting. Wine tastings and cellar visits available daily.
• Mikrolimano Marina – Another, smaller, scenic marina filled with small fishing boats and luxury yachts. The boardwalk is lined with pricey fish restaurants that cater to visitors (such as the Michelin star restaurant Varoulko by the Sea).
• Lucky’s Souvlakis: Unquestionably the finest shaved meat in Santorini. Dining at Lucky’s is an absolute must during a Santorini visit. Authentic, filling and affordable.
• La Maison: Contemporary Greek fine dining with expansive caldera perspectives. Cuisine, wines, and service are all outstanding.
• The Athenian Home: Stylish fine dining with breathtaking sunset views. Contemporary and imaginative Greek meals incorporate modern culinary techniques and locally-sourced ingredients. Most of all, they’re delightful.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Outdoor cinema and views at Volkan on the Rocks brewpub: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.
• Kira Thira Jazz Bar: A Santorinian standby since 1976, Kira Thira is a cozy, casual bar with fantastic sangria, strong drinks, and an eclectic selection of music.
• Tango Champagne and Cocktail Bar: Refined lounge with an elegant atmosphere and scenic views of sunsets.
• Tropical Bar: Great cocktails and a magnificent view make this a popular spot to watch the sundown. The drinks list simplifies after dark, but at happy hours (9:00 to 11:00p.m.), all cocktails are half price. Aussies take note: they sell VB here.
• MoMix: Half lounge, half scientific laboratory, MoMix (short for Molecular Mixology) develops wild drinks served in test tubes, as edible bits, or in spherical form.
• Pike Brewing Tour & Tasting – Outstanding brewery tour of this famous Pike Place Market establishment. (Regrettably, temporarily suspended as of October, 2023.)
• Buddha Bar Beach: Upmarket cocktail bar, restaurant, and shisha lounge with scenic views over Skaros Rock to the caldera. Rather expensive but suitable.

Best Nearby Cafes

Hotel Website and Check prices for Hotel Zed
• To Briki: Exceptional café known for traditional Greek coffee. Breakfast is superb with stunning sunset views.

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

• Under a Fig Tree: Upscale boutique showcasing Greek-designed fashion, accessories, and swimwear situated directly on the trail connecting Oia and Fira.
• Little Dot: Retail outlet providing men’s and women’s casual, beach, and swimwear.
• Bicycle trip through downtown Amsterdam
• White House Santorini: Specialty boutique for all-white summer clothing for men, women, and children. Situated across the walking path from Idol Restaurant in Fira.
• Ammos: This shop maintains 2 locations in Fira, 1 in Kamari, and 1 in Oia. All provide a wide selection of international and Greek brand names.
• Noi: Upscale women`s boutique offering summer clothing, shoes, and accessories on Santorini’s famous Gold Street.
• Caldera Jewelry/Golden Santorini: Situated opposite Noi, Golden Santorini/Caldera Jewelry has provided customers with quality gold and gemstone adornments since 1976.
• Spicy Boutique and The Lace: These nearby boutiques situated in the heart of Fira. Both stores sell Greek-designed women’s apparel and accessories created in the area. Spicy offers trendier styles, while The Lace caters toward a more feminine customer base.
• Arranging Accommodations: Booking.com will likely provide the most cost-effective rates.
• Drakkar Santorini: International and Greek style-brand clothing for women.
• Nick the Greek: One of the oldest jewelry retailers in Santorini, Nick the Greek sells fine gold jewelry and luxury watches from Greek and international brands.
• Koukla: Creative jewelry in a variety of designs and cost ranges.

Nearby Attractions

• Scenic Hiking Trail between Oia and Fira: This beautiful 10.5 km path connecting the villages of Oia and Fira offers gorgeous ocean views the entire way. Comprised of sidewalks, cobblestones, and dirt trails, it can take 2 to 5 hours to hike the full route from the hotel to Oia Castle if going northwest, with an optional detour to Skaros Rock adding about an hour. Heading southeast to the trail`s end near Keti Hotel in Fira takes around 20 minutes. Located a 1-minute walk from the hotel.
• St. Gerasimos Church: This blue-domed church is the most recognizable landmark in Firostefani. Many tours meet here as their starting point, and the village’s main parking lot is here.
• St Mark the Evangelist: One of the few Catholic churches in Santorini prominently marked by its colorful belfry near The Tsitouras Collection.
• Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral: This imposing cathedral controls the main square in Fira. Fully restored after the ’56 earthquake, this landmark church is surrounded by a series of grand archways, and is embellished with frescoed walls and ceilings within in gold and vivid colors.
• Skaros Rock: Impressive volcanic formation housing ruins of a medieval castle and town dating back to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, represents the sole still active part of Skaros .

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Mini Market Sigalas: Small grocer carrying staples, snacks, and wines near St. Gerasimos Church.
• Creta Alpha Market: Convenience shop with a decent selection of beverages, groceries, and sundries.
• Galini Café: Super friendly, all-day café with superb coffee and amazing perspectives. Best beloved for their breakfasts and brunch, particularly the crepes, bennies, and French toast.

Belvedere – The Hotel