Porto Villa Hotel

It is a nice but modest hotel in the traditional Greek style with white walls and blue doors/windows overlooking the ocean and a small harbour. Even the breakfast area and pool is overlooking the ocean. Rooms are pretty with a decent bed and very clean, - they are cleaned every day, and the staff is really kind, helpful and speak English well. The local bus stops right outside the hotel. It only runs 4 times a day, so make sure to check the time table. A ticket to Fira is €2,5. If you are catching the early morning bus you will have to skip breakfast, but they will still let you grab what ever is ready early (bread, eggs, fruit, coffee). Tip: if you want to go somewhere new one day, but aren't up for a long busride, get on the cute little touristy train. It goes between Perissa and Vlychada, and a round trip ticket is €8 and valid for 4 hours. From Perissa you can catch a small boat to Kamari, or hike the mountain up to Ancient Thira. The local beach is spectacular! People come from other parts of the Island to visit this particular beach with its dramatic cliffs and black volcanic sand. It is sometimes referred to as Moon Beach, and you can go horseback riding on it. There is a little mini market at the harbour that sell most things, even fresh strawberries, but you can also buy water from the hotel at the same price as in the mini market. It is not a luxury hotel, but it is nice and quiet. And after having been on tours to the very crowded Fira and Oia, it was a relief to get back to this nice little oasis that we had almost entirely to ourselves. We will definitely consider coming back.