The Volcano View Cave House

Oia, Santorini, Greece
Book from GBP Book from £573 per night

A trio of cute-as-a-button cave houses, with sunny sea-facing terrace and spa pool, in the heart of Oia's picturesque pueblo (sleeps 6-9)

A trio of cute-as-a-button cave houses, with sunny sea-facing terrace and spa pool, in the heart of Oia's picturesque pueblo (sleeps 6-9)

Oia is world famous as a couples' destination, and there's no shortage of beautiful boltholes for two. But what if you want to come with a group of friends, or as two families travelling together? That's where this cave house comes in - or more accurately, this pair of cave houses with adjacent studio. Between them, they offer two lovely spacious living-dining rooms in the traditional high vaulted style, a pair of compact kitchenettes, four double bedrooms and three shower bathrooms. But best of all: the wide sea-facing terrace between them, bordered by volcanic rocks and tumbling semi-tropical plants, with its spectacular views over the volcanic caldera. 

Their terrace is a rare jewel in the tight-packed pueblo that is Oia, offering ample space for sunbathing and al fresco dining, cooling dips in the whirlpool (or warming dips in spring and autumn - it's heated), not to mention star-gazing or sunrise yoga or whatever else takes your fancy. And the inside spaces are also generous, particularly by Santorini standards, and immaculately finished too. Expect smooth marble floors, double-height sitting rooms, cocooning bedrooms burrowed into the cliff, superb latex mattresses, and cherry-red shuttered windows with views to die for. 

 

Highs

    • It works perfectly for 3-4 couples, or for 2 families wanting a bit of independence (each house has its own living space and kitchen)
    • Despite their prime location in popular Oia, the houses and terrace are surprisingly quiet and secluded
    • It's actually reasonably priced for Oia, where some hotel suites cost over €1,000/night (for two!)
    • And service, including breakfast delivery and concierge-level tips, is on a par with a 5* hotel
    • Those sea views are truly the stuff of holiday dreams...

Lows

    • Be prepared for some stepped paths to reach the house (porterage is provided on arrival and departure)
    • The nearest sea-swimming spot is down a steep, zigzagging path
    • No twin beds
    • Being south-facing, you can't quite see the setting sun sink into the sea from here

Best time to go

April-May and September-October generally strike the best balance in terms of weather (warm but not hot) and crowds (some but not many). And it's better value than midsummer. In July-August the meltemi wind sometimes blows in the afternoon, but the terrace here is sheltered.

Our top tips

For something really special, book the owners' trehandiri (traditional 50-foot sailing cutter) for an overnight cruise to the islands of Ios, Anafi or tiny Iraklia. You depart from below the house in the morning and sail off into the Aegean, reaching your destination in time for a secluded swim and a BBQ on the beach. After a night on board in the comfy double cabins, there's normally time for some exploration next day - a hike, snorkel or village visit - before returning to Santorini, sailing back through the caldera, with its lava islands and hot springs.

Great for...

Cheap & Chic
Family
Great Outdoors
  • Cave House
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Self-catering; restaurants nearby
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Plunge Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Walk to beach
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Daily Maid Service
  • Towels & Bedlinen
Room:

Rooms

The two main cave houses each have a high vaulted living space with sofas (one of which can be used as an extra bed) and indoor dining table (if needed), plus a compact kitchenette alongside. One of these houses has two double bedrooms and a shower bathroom; the other has one double and a shower bathroom. The third house - more of a studio annexe - just has a double bedroom and shower bathroom. So the set-up lends itself to three or four couples, or to two families whose kids don't mind sharing a double bed or using a sitting room sofa. All the beds are built-in so can't be separated or moved.

Interiors are calm and uncluttered, with white walls, cool grey marble floors and some pretty vintage furniture (a wooden desk or dresser) and arty touches (dried flowers or blue glass phials in a niche). Living rooms boast sea-facing windows with cherry-red shutters; bedrooms are tucked further into the cliffside, keeping them cool and silent.

Features include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Bluetooth sound system
  • Coffee / tea making
  • Fan
  • Hairdryer
  • Plunge pool
  • Pool towels
  • Terrace/balcony
  • Toiletries
  • WiFi

Eating

Each of the two main houses has its own galley kitchen for preparing light meals and snacks, as well as plating up the delicious breakfast which is delivered each morning. There's a toaster, coffee maker, kettle, oven, two-ring hob, small sink, half-height fridge and some key utensils (colander, knives and chopping board, pans and spatulas) - but perhaps don't plan on cooking anything too fancy here.

For that, there's a wide range of restaurants and tavernas just up the path in Oia, from Greek mezédes (Flora, Skala) and fish-with-a-view (Fanari) as well as fine French fare and superb sushi. But if you're on a budget, stock up at the minimarkets and cook in: there's no better spot to enjoy it than the sea-facing terrace at sunset.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
  • Chef on request
  • Coffee maker
  • Dinner by arrangement
  • Fridge
  • Hob or stove
  • Kitchenette
  • Oven
  • Restaurants nearby
  • Toaster
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • The photogenic streets of Oia are on your doorstep: sleeping cats and white chapels, buzzy cafés and spectacular sunsets - and lots of people enjoying them
  • A steep path leads from the house down to Armeni Bay: a handful of houses lapped by the waves, with a tiny harbour and beach
  • Book a cruise to the lava islands and around the caldera; the owners have a 15m wooden yacht, or you can join a group trip
  • With a car, you can explore Santorini's east coast - the black-sand beaches of Perissa and Kamari - returning via the lovely hilltop village of Pyrgos
  • It's worth visiting Akrotiri, a Minoan city devastated by eruptions around 1600 BC and preserved in volcanic ash; or the knee-high ruins of classical Thira atop a steep mountain
  • Plus there's wine-tasting, cookery lessons, horse riding and more

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boat trips
  • Historical sites
  • Shopping / markets
  • Spa treatments
  • Stargazing
  • Swimming
  • Wine tasting

Kids

This is a great option for two families or an extended family - as long as you're aware that all four bedrooms are double-bedded (no twins, though at least one person could sleep comfortably on a sitting room sofa); and that the two main houses are connected by an outdoor staircase. It could work well with teens, as there is good WiFi and some (gentle) nightlife in walking distance. A baby cot is available (both of the main houses have space), but we don't recommend the house for toddlers given the drops at the front of the terrace.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

Families Should Know:

There are steps and drops throughout the property, and most of the bedrooms aren't connected, so we wouldn't recommend it for toddlers. 

Kid Friendly:

Location

The house is in Oia, on the northern tip of Santorini, with wonderful views across to the caldera.

By Air
Fly to Santorini (direct flights from various European cities), and take a taxi from the airport (17km) - or hire a car if you want to explore the island.

By Ferry
Santorini has daily ferry connections to its Cycladic neighbours (Folegandros, Naxos, Paros etc), as well as to Piraeus (the main port of Athens) and, in summer, to Heraklion (Crete). It's a spectacular way to arrive, but we advise leaving at least a day before your return flight, in case of ferry disruption.

On the island
You won't necessarily need a car: the island is small and traffic can clog up the roads in high season; taxis work well if you're not planning to roam much. Note that the centre of Oia is pedestrianised.

Airports:

  • Santorini International Airport 17.0 km JTR

Other:

  • Beach 0.6 km
  • Shops 0.1 km
  • Restaurant 0.1 km

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