Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses in Oia, Santorini

Essentials
• Location: Excellent placing at the caldera entrance to Oia. • Hotel Website: gabbianosantorini.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 72107
• Check prices for the traditional cave houses at Gabbiano

Hotel Review

Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses – Family-friendly, boutique hotel with only three apartments, all having private jacuzzis and stellar sunset views.

This small hotel proposes charming apartments including fully equipped kitchenettes, welcoming fruits, and exterior hot tubs with unbelievable 180° perspectives of the Oia caldera. Each of these romantic apartments is positioned in a hundreds-years-old cavern: one, a former dwelling; the second, a wine storage room; and the last, a former donkey stable. Visitors have the choice of adding breakfast to their visits, or reserving the apartments solely. Because the hotel is so small, service is highly individualized; the hotel manager makes contact with each guest exclusively ahead of their stay to handle any asks. The place is excellent overlooking the caldera, near numerous restaurants, and within an easy walk of the center of Oia and all of its best-loved attractions.

See Also

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

Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses – Location

Excellent location on the caldera at the entrance to Oia. The hotel is within a 3 to 20 minute walk to the best restaurants, shops, and attractions in the village, but in a quieter section removed from large numbers of cruise ship visitors.

• How to Get There:
The hotel lies on a footpath just away from the main road into the town of Oia, making it very convenient to travel to and from whether by taxi, driving oneself, or riding the bus. It is roughly 18km from both the Athinios ferry port and the Santorini Airport to the hotel, though they are in opposing directions

There will always be buses waiting at the ferry port for every ferry arrival, as well as buses departing regularly from Santorini Airport. However, there won`t be any buses directly from the port or airport to Oia; buses from both places head to Fira, where travelers must then board a separate bus to Oia – the entire trip from the port or airport to Oia will require at minimum an hour and cost around €5 in total. Tickets are bought on the bus using cash only. From the Oia Bus Terminal, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the hotel.

Transportation can be obtained from the port or airport via taxis, though there are only about 25 serving the island overall, resulting in potential waits; reserving a ride ahead of time through a private car service such as Welcome Pickups can help avoid delays. Taxis on Santorini do not use meters, so agreeing on a price with the driver beforehand is important. A taxi from the airport to Gabbiano Cave Houses will generally cost somewhere in the €35 to €40 range. A taxi from the ferry port will be around €35 to €40 as well. Booking through a private car service is only a bit more – around $60 (or €50) – but offers the benefits of not waiting and paying in advance.

For individuals who opt to drive themselves, we advise renting a car either upon arrival at the airport or in Fira. The road from the ferry terminal is steep and narrow, with numerous tricky switchbacks, large vehicles, and buses. Best to leave the local driving to locals given those conditions. We strongly suggest reserving a vehicle ahead of time, especially if an automatic transmission is needed. Upon arrival in Oia, there is a free parking area nearby at the desalination plant, simply 3 minutes away on foot.

• Close to: The Oia-Fira Hiking Trail, Oia Bus Stop, and the restaurant/shopping center of Oia.

Map of Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses

Gabbiano Cave Houses – The Basics

• Ages: Family-friendly lodging; all age groups allowed. Guests tend to be couples celebrating a milestone event, commonly a honeymoon or anniversary.
• A popular swimming spot located 2 km from the hotel, though not a true beach, is Ammoudi Bay, the port below Oia. This area is well-known for cliff jumping and swimming despite being quite rocky and small for lounging. As the main port of Oia, Ammoudi Bay is home to several exceptional seafood eateries. It involves a steep descent and climb but cabs can often be hailed at the bottom of the hill to provide an uphill transport back, sometimes after buying a snack from a restaurant whose staff will gladly call a taxi.
• The rooms all feature amazing, full views of the Oia caldera.
• Kitchen: All lodging include fully-equipped kitchenettes stocked with breakfast essentials like coffee, tea and fresh fruits.
• Private Pools/Hot Tubs: All apartments have private hot tubs on their terraces.
• Parking: Free parking is available at the public lot located at the desalination plant, which is just a short walk away.
• When to Book: Advance bookings are recommended for this hotel, with at least 4 months ahead of time for high season from June through September, and around 3 months in advance for shoulder and low seasons to secure a stay.
• Reservation Process: Booking.com usually has the most competitive rates.
• Phone: +30 22860 72107
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: gabbianosantorini.com

Gabbiano Cave Houses – Amenities

• Pool: No pool.
• Spa: No spa.
• Fitness Center: No gym.
• For those with limited mobility: This caldera hotel has numerous stairs and no elevator, making it unsuitable for guests with physical impairments.
• For Families: Hotel accommodating all ages; they provide cribs on request. The larger apartments sleep as many as 4 guests.
• Activities: The staff can organize any activities on the island, including cruises, car tours, wine tasting, and more.

Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses – Food and Drink

• Dining establishment: No cafe on site; this is a self-accommodating lodging.
• Lounge/Bar: No bar.
• Breakfast: A traditional Greek breakfast is offered for €10 per person and served directly on private terraces anytime at guests` convenience. Items include yogurt, cheeses, cold cuts, tomatoes, olives, and bread.
• Room Service: Only accessible in the morning for breakfast.

Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses – Rooms

• Room Type: Apartment with Outdoor Hot Tub and Caldera View
• Smoking Areas: The hotel does not allow smoking inside any of their apartments. It is permitted on the private outdoor terraces, and in the outdoor common areas.
• Best Room: The 3 apartments all share similar amenities. The Cupid Room has the least space but remains quite roomy, with room for up to 2 guests. The Irene and Gabbiano rooms are more expansive, accommodating up to 4 guests.
• For Families: The Gabbiano and Irene rooms are best suited for families, as the only accommodations capable of sleeping up to 4 guests. Cribs are available upon request. These rooms comprise 1 king bed and 2 single sofa beds.

Gabbiano Cave Houses – Local Transport

• Ambling: The hotel is situated at the entrance to Oia, alongside the Oia-Fira trail. Travel fourteen minutes west to reach the center of Oia, where there`s an endless selection of restaurants, shops, and attractions, as well as the bus terminal. Head east to discover the traditional village Finikia, which has a couple of superb restaurants and Sigalas winery. The Oia Castle ruins are just twenty-two minutes away, while Ammoudi Bay is merely five more minutes past the fortress at the bottom of the caldera.
• Bus: The hotel is centrally located between two bus stops. The closer of the two is at the entrance to the village of Finikia, requiring about a 13-minute walk east along the primary road in front of Alonistra Oia Houses. The Oia Bus Terminal is 14 minutes west of the hotel. All buses traversing Finikia similarly serve Oia, but the Baxedes line to Oia does not pass through Finikia. Transportation here provides connections to all major villages and beaches across the island, often requiring a transfer in Fira. Fares are paid upon boarding, ranging from €1.80 to €2.50 per traveler during daytime hours depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) run with less frequency and cost slightly more, from €2.30 to €3.10). Buses can become quite crowded, especially in high season, to such an extent that occupancy is often at maximum capacity, preventing additional passengers. Only 23 public buses serve the island. Hence, it’s preferable to catch the bus at the Oia Bus Terminal, which is the first stop, when venturing from the hotel to explore. Returning, disembark at Finikia to reduce the walk back to the hotel.
• Taxis: The nearest taxi stand can be found at Stathmos Taxi, near the Oia Bus Terminal. There is often a wait here as there are only 25 taxis serving the entire island (with guests from about 1,000 hotels, villas, and Airbnbs). Booking ahead allows avoiding the wait, plus they can meet at the hotel. A small additional fee applies for advance reservations and for carrying luggage, usually just a couple of Euros. The average rate from Oia to Fira is €20, and from Oia to the airport runs about €35 to €40.
• Motorcycles and scooters: Scooters are mainly how locals get around, but if you`re unfamiliar with the layout, it can be very dangerous. The roads here zigzag up and down hills with narrow lanes and no guardrails or streetlights in most areas. A lot of dirt roads and potholes too.
• 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.

Gabbiano Cave Houses – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Anemomilos Restaurant: Situated next to the hotel of the same name; refreshingly local atmosphere, not touristy at all. Great cuisine, friendly ambiance.
• Melitini: Menu composed entirely of local ingredients sourced from Santorini, Cycladic islands, and across Greece. Cozy interior and superb views of the caldera from the rooftop terrace.
• A restaurant in Finikia village: Cozy, romantic restaurant in a converted wine cellar in the charming village.
• PitoGyros: Undoubtedly, the finest gyros in Oia. Seating is limited.
• Candouni: Cozy, family-operated restaurant with live, Greek music and absolutely delicious meals.
• Roka: Authentic Santorini menu with solid dishes, especially the meatballs and octopus.
• Lotza: Basic, straightforward Greek comfort food with stunning caldera views.
• Ammoudi Bay Restaurants: Each of these waterfront restaurants is phenomenal, offering the freshest seafood on the island. The steep 25-minute walk down takes longer when returning upwards, but the waiter will gladly call a taxi.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Fino Bar & Mediterranean Restaurant: The top cocktails in Santorini. Also, creative food from the region and a extensive wine selection.
• Evening Bar with Drinks and Snacks: Relaxing spot for sangria, cocktails, and appetizers near scenic sunset views (though not of the caldera).
• Marykay’s Bar/Hassapiko: This establishment is where one should go for dancing, as they frequently feature live bands and DJs.

Best Nearby Cafes

• Mes Amis: Excellent spot on a covered patio overlooking the caldera. Very casual setting, amazing views, and quality cuisine.
• Meteor: Excellent coffee and breakfast with sweeping caldera perspectives, though a little on the pricier side. Turns into a bar at night.

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

• BLOW by Labro: Top-grade designer boutique with distinctive items.
• Bligaki: Santorinian accessories, especially attire and bags, mostly handmade.
• A Greek-inspired clothing and accessories retailer
• A prominent Greek brand offering casual linens for men and women isB.Loose
• Steps to Art: Truly exceptional metal sculptures, replicas motivated by Akrotiri, and adornments made with volcanic sand and watch parts.
• Spilia Cave Greek Clothing: Manually crafted, leather sandals, cotton and linen Greek outfits, situated in one of the initial living caves of Oia.

Nearby Attractions

• Oia-Fira Hiking Trail: Stretching 10.5 km, this scenic trail connects the towns of Oia and Fira on the island while offering beautiful scenery the whole way. Using a mix of sidewalk, cobblestones, and dirt paths, hikers can take in gorgeous views south toward Fira from the Byzantine Castle Ruins in 2 to 5 hours. Adding about an hour more allows for a detour to Skaros Rock in Imerovigli. The trail is just a 1-minute walk from the hotel.
• The Church of Panagia of Platsani is considered the most iconic church on the island of Santorini, with an interior and exterior of notable beauty.
• Museum of Ancient, Byzantine Musical Instruments: Faithful reproductions of Greek instruments dating from the prehistoric via Byzantine eras display at this location.
• Place Centered on Sea Past and Present : Small place of learning centered on Greek boat activities and Santorinian people connected to the sea. Only €3 to go inside.
• Castle of Agios Nikolaos (aka Oia Castle aka Byzantine Castle Ruins): The medieval fortress ruins are the most well-liked sunset outlook on the island.
• Kensho Ornos Boutique Hotel and Suites – Ornos
• Ammoudi Bay: Best known for its fresh fish restaurants, Ammoudi is the rocky port of Oia; boats sail to Thirassia and cruise the caldera from here. It’s an incredibly popular spot for cliff diving, and is one of the best places to swim on the island.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Perivolas Market: Small store with a decent selection of beverages, wine, and bread.
• Village Super Market: Good selection of staples at a fair price (for Santorini).
• Elliniki Diatrofi Supermarket has an extensive choice of local cheeses, wine, spirits, fresh produce, and staple foods. It is open until late, sometimes as late as 2:00 a.m.
• Proton Supermarket: A small grocer, but often has the most affordable prices. Many locals do their shopping here.

Gabbiano Traditional Cave Houses – The Hotel