Katikies Garden Hotel in Fira, Santorini

Essentials
• Location: In the northern end of Fira, great views but a little farther back from the caldera
• Location
• Hotel website: katikies.com/katikiesgardensantorini/
• Hotel phone: +30 22864 40900
• Inquire about pricing for Katikies Garden

Hotel Review

Katikies Garden – Refined while playful hotel situated in an 11th-century Venetian monastery with caldera perspectives from their infinity pool and spacious suites including private jacuzzis and pools.

The lone 5-star lodging in Fira, Katikies Garden`s services incorporate an limitless swimming pool, a holistic well-being focus steeped in Mediterranean traditions, and lavish suites in modern floral designs. The hotel is positioned in an ancient Catholic abbey (allotting dividers with an as yet-vigorous Dominican convent) that earlier stowed the pope`s wine. Highlighting its wine roots, Katikies Garden offers themed wine tests with one of the planet’s few Professionals of Wine, taking place in any of its 3 historical cellars. Katikies Garden is the fresh home of renowned Selene Restaurant, boasting a high-class dining menu of contemporary Santorinian nourishment intended around local wines; cooking lessons are accessible. For households, the hotel offers spacious suites that adjoin through their balconies, plus kids’ menus, pool playthings, and baby-sitting. Most suites offer either heated outside hot tubs or unheated non-public pools; half have sunrise sea views over the Aegean (not the caldera), while the other half feature garden views. Situated in the sprightly Fira, the island’s capital, just steps from the caldera, cable car, dining, nightlife, and shopping).

See Also

• The Top Accommodations in Santorini
• Where to Lodge in Santorini
• Top activities and experiences in Santorini

Katikies Garden – Location

• Area: Sensibly placed at the northern conclusion of Santorini’s capital Fira with the caldera, cable vehicle, and some of the island’s best shopping and dining merely steps away. Most of the island’s bars and clubs are within a 4 to 8-minute walk from the hotel. Firostefani, a peaceful suburb of Fira, is straightaway north approximately 140 meters away.

• Reaching the Location: The hotel is positioned above and inland a bit from the caldera at the north end of Fira village on a pedestrian street about 100 meters from the main road, making it effortless to arrive at by bus, taxi, or rental vehicle. It is approximately 6 km from the Santorini Airport to Katikies Garden and about 9 km from the ferry port.

The following lodging options are located near Vanderbilt University: ” Hampton Inn Vanderbilt” • ” Home2 Suites” • ” Best Western Plus Downtown/Music Row

Transportation services like taxis can be arranged from the port or airport on Santorini, though limited availability may potentially result in lengthy wait times; scheduling ahead can help circumvent this issue (the transportation provider Welcome Pickups is recommended). Taxis on the island do not use meters, so agreeing upon a set rate with the driver in advance is important. A taxi from the airport to Katikies Garden should be roughly €25, and one from the ferry port around €25-€35. Opting for a private car arrangement will cost marginally more – about $45 (or €37) – but saves the hassle of delays and allows prepayment.

For those preferring to operate their own vehicles, we suggest renting a car either upon arrival at the airport or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep and narrow, with numerous tricky switchbacks, large trucks, and buses. Leave the narrow, winding route to the locals. We strongly advise reserving transportation ahead of time, especially if requiring automatic transmission. The hotel provides free private parking for guests.

– Located near: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, and Fira’s famous nightlife, dining, and shopping).

Map of Katikies Garden

Katikies Garden – The Basics

• Guest age groups: Visitors of all ages are permitted here. This is the sole hotel in the Katikies brand on Santorini welcoming guests of all age ranges. Family facilities include childcare, pool toys, kids’ meals, bathroom items for children, and a unique turndown service for youngsters. Pets are also allowed. However, even the largest rooms here accommodate a maximum of 3 visitors; larger parties will need to book adjoining accommodations.

Monterey isn’t particularly renowned for nightlife, but Cannery Row is frequently lively most evenings, with over 20 bars featuring live music, karaoke and DJs all within stumbling distance of each other. Places of note include Segovia’s Tavern for its cocktails and laid-back atmosphere, and Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar for the panoramas, and Sly’s Refueling Station for live music.

• Views: Sunset views of the volcanic crater from the main pool. Half of the rooms provide sunrise ocean views over the Aegean Sea while the others view interior gardens or the resort grounds.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All but junior suites feature either a heated outdoor private hot tub or an unheated outdoor private pool.
• Parking: The hotel provides complimentary private parking for guests.
• Extras: Reception available 24 hours a day, refrigerators for wine located in rooms, 3 cellars for wine that offer themed tasting activities, a expert for wine on staff, concierge service, exclusive experiences through Katikies Club (boat trips, experiences on land, tours of historic sites, wine-related activities, beach tours), free transfer to other Katikies properties to sample restaurants, gyms, and other facilities.
• When to Book: Open from late-March through mid-November, reservations should be made approximately 4 months in advance for stays during the busy season from June to September, and around 2 months in advance for the less busy and transitional seasons.
• Reservations:Booking.com typically features the most competitive rates.
• Phone: +30 22864 40900
• Contact method: [email protected]
• Check rates for HOY Hotel

Katikies Garden – Amenities

• Pool: Elevated infinity pool with sunset views over the caldera, sun loungers, cabanas, and an all-day bar service.
• Spa: A.Spa offers holistic skin care, massage, and body treatments grounded in Mediterranean traditions. Individual and couples’ cabins are available.
• Fitness Center: No gym, but the hotel offers complimentary transfers to their sister property Katikies Kirini for use of their fully-equipped fitness facility.
• This hotel lacks an elevator and has numerous steps (though not as many as places within the caldera itself). Not suitable for guests using wheelchairs or with mobility difficulties.
• For Families: Katikies Garden is an all-ages hotel, the only one in the Katikies family of hotels. Rooms are roomy, but even the largest suite accommodates a maximum of 3 guests. Family amenities include babysitting, kids menus, a special turn-down service, and more. Pet friendly, too.
• Activities: Wine tastings directed by an expert of wine are held on site at the hotel. Cooking classes are available at the renowned Selene restaurant located here. Bespoke experiences can be arranged through the Katikies Club, such as cruises around the caldera, archaeological tours, wine tours, and more.

Katikies Garden – Food and Drink

• Restaurant: After 35 successful years in the village of Pyrgos on Santorini, the legendary Selene Restaurant has relocated to Katikies Garden. This upscale dining establishment is renowned for putting a modern spin on traditional Santorinian and Cycladic cuisine, with an emphasis on wine pairings and ingredients sourced locally and seasonally. Though domestic wines are preferred, Selene offers a broad menu of regional Greek and international wines. • $$$.
• Lounge/Bar: The rooftop bar is open all day, serving refreshing signature and classic drinks and offering a menu of light snacks.
• Breakfast: A complimentary, champagne breakfast is available each morning from 7:30 to 10:30. An a la carte menu of hot dishes is complemented by a grand buffet of local Greek yogurt, fruits, breads, cheeses, and more.
• Room Service: Available around the clock.

Katikies Garden – Rooms

• Room Types: Junior Suite • Senior Bathtub Suite with Jetted Tub • Senior Bathtub Suite with Jetted Tub and Sea View • Superior Pool Suite with Private Garden • Honeymoon Pool Suite with Private Garden • Master Pool Suite with Private Garden • Katikies Garden Pool Suite with Sea View
• Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their room categories. It is permitted on the private outdoor terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
• Best Space: Katikies Garden Pool Suite Sea View is the highest suite division, offering 50 square meters of interior area, plus a private pool and cabana with sunrise sea perspectives of the Aegean from its 120 square meter private garden. This 1-room suite highlights a sovereign estimated bed, a different living territory, and a tub.
• For Families: As the sole Katikies brand hotel welcoming guests of all ages, Katikies Garden provides household amenities tailored for families including special turndown services, childcare, kids menus and more. The largest suites can accommodate a maximum of 3 guests; larger families will require 2 suites. The 1-bedroom Katikies Garden Pool Suite Sea View is the best option for families, offering ample interior space, the most generous private garden area, and a layout providing the most seclusion of all suites on the property.

Katikies Garden – Local Transport

• Walking: The hotel is situated at the north end of Fira, near its boundary with Firostefani. The caldera is just a short distance away, while most of Santorini’s bars and many highly rated restaurants and shops are within a 1 to 7 minute walk from the hotel. The prominent Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is just an 8 minute walk south (many island tours meet in front of the place of worship).

Madrid’s most visited park. Created in the 17th century for King Felipe IV and originally just for the Spanish royal family, this massive park situated west of Madrid’s art museums is tremendously popular with locals and visitors. Since opening to the public in 1868, residents of Madrid have frequented here to read, stroll past landscaped lawns, play with their children, boat on the park’s larger lake (El Estangue), or enjoy a chilled drink at one of the park’s numerous outdoor cafes. On weekends, when traffic is heaviest, street performers like musicians, fortune tellers, jugglers and others congregate along the lake walkways, but the 300-acre park is spacious enough so that it’s possible to find a quiet spot even then. Be sure to see the Palacio de Cristal, the glass palace greenhouse south of the lake; the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía sometimes holds art exhibitions here.

• Taxis: The nearest taxi stand situated near the bus station. As there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island, waits are common. Pre-booking taxis can prevent delays. Average fares are about €25 from Fira to the airport and around €25-€35 to the port.
• 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.

Katikies Garden – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Cacio e Pepe: This Italian eatery offers authentic pasta and pizza dishes along with a varied selection of Italian wines.
• Idol cafe: all-day eatery serving elevated versions of customary Santorinian meals with 3 outdoor terraces and panoramic perspectives.
• The Pelican Kipos offers stellar cuisine focused on local and international wines in a charming garden setting. Wine tastings and cellar tours are available daily.

Inquire about pricing for Sophia Luxury Suites

• 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 Souvlaki: Undeniably the most excellent gyros in Santorini. Consuming at Lucky’s is an absolute necessity when in Santorini. Authentic, filling, and affordable.
• Ouzeri: Exceptional spot for meze (Greek small plates), offering a modern take on traditional Santorinian flavors and Mediterranean favorites.
• Falafeland: Top-tier plant-based street cuisine establishment with truly excellent falafel and veggie burgers, and a cozy outdoor area for dining. A handful of dishes containing meat are also available here but are made separately from the vegetarian/vegan options.
• Aktaion: The longest-running taverna on the island, Aktaion has been providing customers with authentic Santorinian flavors since 1922.
• Naoussa Restaurant: Traditional Greek dishes near the cathedral with caldera and sunset views. Live music occasionally.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Casablanca Soul Bar: Offering house and deep house DJs or a live band nightly, tasty cocktails, and truly friendly staff, Casablanca is consistently popular among locals and travelers.
• 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.
• Enigma Club: Oldest dance club in Santorini since 1979, Enigma opens late and parties on until 7 AM. A destination for visiting famous DJs playing top tracks from Greek and international musicians.
• Two Brothers: Open almost all day, from 10 am to 6 am the next day, Two Brothers is nearly 2 different bars in the daytime versus the nighttime. During the day, the bar is tranquil and relaxed, with basic drinks and a solid 2-for-1 happy hour. Late nights, it becomes the wildest bar in Santorini: crowded, crazy, loud, and enjoyable.
• Tropical Bar: With great cocktails and magnificent views, this is a popular spot for sunset watching. The drink selection is basic after dark, but happy hours (9 pm to 11 pm) offer half-price cocktails. Australians may note they sell VB here.
• PK Cocktail Bar: This acclaimed craft cocktail bar in Santorini offers superb sunset views from 3 levels of outdoor seating in the caldera along with creative libations.
• MoMix: Half bar, half scientist’s laboratory, MoMix (short for Molecular Mixology) develops unusual cocktails served in test tubes, as edible pieces or in bubble form.
• Tango Champagne and Cocktail Bar: Refined lounge with an elegant atmosphere and scenic views of sunsets.
• Franco’s Bar: Well-renowned for impressive panoramas and tasty drinks, Franco’s is one of the finest spots to take in the Fira sunset.
• Outdoor cinema and views at Volkan on the Rocks brewpub: Great brewpub in Firostefani with amazing views and an outdoor cinema.

Best Nearby Cafes

• Enigma Café: This excellent café is renowned for its fantastic coffee, creative cocktails, and simple yet delicious breakfast and lunch options.
• Coffee Island: Away from the main tourist attractions, this small shop offers outstanding coffee drinks (potentially the only spot you can get a flat white in Santorini), a great selection of coffee available in kilograms, and absolutely the most affordable prices.
• To Briki: Exceptional café known for traditional Greek coffee. Breakfast is superb with stunning sunset views.

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

• Little Dot: Retail outlet providing men’s and women’s casual, beach, and swimwear.
• Isia: High-end women’s clothing and accessory shop with unique pieces drawing inspiration from traditional Greek designs. You can find it on the walkway next door to Cava Mejjo.
• 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.
• 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.
• Koukla Art: Eclectic, artsy jewelry in a variety of styles and price points.
• 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.
• 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.

Nearby Attractions

• Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist: Often referred to simply as the Catholic Church, St. John’s is recognizable by its brilliant yellow and blue exterior and clock tower.
• Hiking Trail Connecting Oia and Fira: One of the top attractions on the island is this scenically beautiful 11 km hiking route connecting Oia and Fira. With a mixture of sidewalk, cobblestones and dirt path, stunning views can be seen all along the way. Hiking northwest, the full length of the path from the hotel to Oia Castle takes from 2 to 5 hours (add around an hour for a brief detour at Skaros Rock when heading north).
• Old Port of Fira: Also known as Fira Skala, the Old Port has a handful of taverns, shops, and scenic ocean views. The sole connections from the port to the village are cable cars, donkeys, or walking up the 587 steps. These days, the Old Port is principally utilized by cruise ship passengers, arriving daily in their thousands during peak season. To avoid the largest crowds, strategize sightseeing tours around the cruise ship calendar. The beginning of the stairway downward is a 5-minute trek away, plus another 16 minutes to descend.
• 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: Striking volcanic stone arrangement housing the ruins of a medieval fortress and town, dating to 1207. The monastery at its base, Panagia Theoskepasti, is the only portion of Skaros that remains active. The trail guiding to Skaros starts at Agios Georgios Church in Imerovigli.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Sklavenitis Supermarket: A great small market with friendly staff and a good selection of produce, snacks, drinks, and more at reasonable prices.
• 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.

Katikies Garden – The Hotel