Santorini - does anyone know if Thira or Oia are good places to stay?

[Indiestarr]

We're going to Santorini for two weeks and I've booked us 8 nights in Kamari because DP loves the beach. But I'm stuck on where best to spend the other six nights? I want to see the sunsets on the Oia/Thira side of the island, but I'm not sure if either of them will be a good place to base ourselves for six nights. DD is 7, and will probably be happy wherever so long as there's a pool, but I'm worried that Thira might be too hectic for a 7yr old (and for DP!), and that Oia might be too grown up. But I really want to see something more authentic than a purpose-built resort, which I think is what we're likely to find at Kamari. Can anyone give me any pointers on what some of these places are like to stay in? We're going in august (I know we must be mad!)

The are both gorgeous; very romantic, no rowdiness, lovely (upmarket) bars, good restaurants. Santorini is expensive, esp with the euro but worth it.

It is hectic in August and also very hot so a pool is a must! There are families in both so dont worry, and its lovely wandering about. Thira is the liveliest, but the sunsets are good in both!

They have the typically narrow winding streets and many steps are involved, but if DS is mad on the beach, why not break it to 10 days and 4?

Oia is lovely. We stayed there for 2 weeks many moons ago before children. There's quite a lot to do in the area - the windmill bit where everyone goes to see the sunset, you can walk down to a fairly sheltered bay/cove, which is lovely for swimming. Lots of nice tourists shops and art galleries where you can buy some nice stuff instead of tacky tourist rubbish. Are you renting a car? We rented a scooter and basically explored the whole island that way... It's a small island and from Oia (one end of the island), you can get to the other end in 45 minutes!

We stayed here and loved it. The pool is small though (we only used it once as we preferred the sea). It's only a little set back from the caldera so it's a lot cheaper than other hotels but literally a 30-second walk to the caldera. You get a little apartment that you can cook in, sit out in the terrace to have breakfast etc... The only tip I will give you is to make sure you ask for an apartment far from the busy walkway end otherwise you will get a bit of noise. There is even a taverna right outside! The manager (Panos) if he is still there, is mad as a bird but so, so lovely!

Hi! I stayed in Perissa at end of season last September. Was about 24 degrees.

We took a trips to Oia and Thira. Both lovely and sunsets were great in both. Thira was much busier and had a more cosmopolitan vibe. If you weren't renting a car and wanted to explore, Thira would be better as all the buses on the island go from there.

Oia was really crowded at sunset time. I have no DCs but would say it did seem more grown up than Thira.

Enjoy! It is honestly the most relaxing holiday I've ever had.