If you’ve ever seen a photo of Santorini and thought, “I want to stay in one of those white cave houses in the cliff,” this guide is for you.
Santorini cave houses – or yposkafa, literally “dug into the rock” – started as simple homes for sailors, farmers and workers who couldn’t afford the grand captain’s mansions above. Today, they’re some of the most atmospheric places to stay in Greece: half house, half cave, carved straight into the volcanic hillside. If you’d like to actually stay in one, you can see our own Demeter Cave House here.
In this guide, we’ll look at:
- What Santorini cave houses actually are
- How and why they were built
- What they’re like inside (beyond the Instagram photos)
- Where to find them across the island
- Whether a cave house is right for you
- A real example of a traditional cave house you can stay in
Santorini cave houses in a nutshell
- Name: cave houses or yposkafa (literally “dug into the rock”)
- Why they exist: originally practical, low-cost homes for sailors and workers
- Materials: volcanic rock, pumice and theran earth, finished with lime-based plaster
- Inside feel: curved ceilings, carved niches, thick walls and naturally steady temperatures
- Today: restored as boutique hotels, villas and Airbnbs – from simple and traditional to ultra-luxury
- Best for: couples, design lovers and anyone who wants something more atmospheric than a standard hotel room
What exactly are Santorini cave houses?
Santorini cave houses are traditional homes carved into the island’s soft volcanic rock rather than built on top of it.
A typical cave house has:
- A narrow façade with a door and one or two small windows
- A long interior stretching back into the hillside
- A vaulted ceiling with alcoves and shelves carved into the walls
- Walls coated with lime-based plaster so the structure can “breathe”
Because so much of the building is inside the rock, interiors tend to stay remarkably stable in temperature and pleasantly quiet compared to above-ground buildings.
A short history of Santorini cave houses
From poor people’s housing to island icon
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Santorini was a major shipping and wine island. Wealthy ship captains and merchants built mansions high on the cliffs, especially around Oia and Fira.
Their crews and workers needed something more affordable.
Land on the ridge was expensive, so they:
- Dug into softer volcanic layers to create simple rooms
- Used local stone, pumice and volcanic ash for structure and mortar
- Added modest façades and tiny courtyards in front
Over time, whole cave districts appeared: homes, wine cellars (canaves), storage spaces and chapels carved into the rock. For decades these areas were seen as cramped and poor. Only later, with tourism and a renewed appreciation of traditional architecture, did they become the most sought-after places to stay on the island.
Why are Santorini houses white and blue?
The colours you see all over the Cyclades aren’t just for show.
- White limewash reflects fierce summer sun and helps keep interiors cooler.
- Lime acts as a natural disinfectant, so whitewashing became common during past disease outbreaks.
- Blue doors and shutters grew popular for aesthetic reasons and because those pigments were easy to get. Together, white and blue echo the colours of the Greek flag and the Aegean.
That’s how we ended up with the now-classic image of whitewashed cave houses with blue details against deep blue sea and sky.
Inside a traditional Santorini cave house
Originally, cave houses were small, clever and basic.
A traditional layout might include:
- One main multi-purpose room, carved deep into the rock
- A raised sleeping platform
- Built-in benches, shelves and steps carved directly from the walls
- Cooking done outside over a small hearth
- Rainwater collected in a cistern from roofs and courtyards
No spa bathrooms. No plunge pools. Just practical design using the landscape and local materials.
Modern restorations usually keep the curved shapes and carved details, but add:
- Comfortable beds and mattresses
- Modern bathrooms
- Discreet lighting along the curves
- Often, a private terrace or outdoor hot tub
So you still get the cave character, just with 21st-century comfort.
Eco-friendly, bioclimatic design (before it was trendy)
Today we’d call cave houses bioclimatic – buildings that work with their environment.
Key bits of science:
- The surrounding rock acts as thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night.
- Thick walls and lime-based plasters help regulate humidity and temperature naturally.
- Smaller openings reduce both heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.
That means a well-designed cave house typically needs less heating and cooling than a standard above-ground structure. Modern renovations that use efficient systems and LED lighting simply build on what the original builders already understood: how to make a comfortable home out of rock, light and air. If you like the nerdy side of things, we’ve done a deeper dive into why cave houses feel so calm and relaxing in a separate post.
Fun & quirky facts about cave houses
Time for the lighter side of all this rock and limewash.
- From “too poor for a real house” to “fully booked”
Cave houses started as the cheapest option for people who couldn’t afford grand mansions. Now those same dug-out homes are some of the most expensive and in-demand stays on the island. - The original eco–air conditioning
The rock around a cave house works like a giant, natural A/C unit. It evens out temperature swings so well that guests sometimes think there’s a high-tech cooling system hidden somewhere. There isn’t – it’s just geology. - No foundations… because the house is the hill
Traditional cave houses aren’t built on foundations; they’re carved into the hillside, like horizontal tunnels with a small façade. Ironically, that “improvised” method is one reason many have coped well with earthquakes. - Your wine may have had a nicer cave than you
Locals didn’t just carve homes – they also carved canaves, cool, stable cave cellars for wine. For a long time the barrels had better climate control than the people. - Minimalist interiors, courtesy of “no budget for furniture”
All those sculptural benches, platforms and shelves? Originally they were simply the cheap option: carve the furniture instead of buying it. Now it’s “minimalist cave chic”. - The OG noise-cancelling room
Thick volcanic walls plus being tucked into a hillside = nature’s white noise machine. Many guests sleep like rocks (appropriately), then panic slightly when they realise how early their ferry leaves.
Is a cave house right for you?
You’ll probably love staying in a cave house if:
- You enjoy quiet, cocoon-like spaces and don’t need blazing light indoors
- You’re happy to tackle a few steps and winding lanes
- You care about character and history more than a big lobby
- You want a place that feels carved out of the island, not just “a room with a view”
A cave house might not be ideal if:
- You have serious mobility issues or really struggle with stairs
- You’re very sensitive to enclosed spaces
- You’re travelling with toddlers and feel stressed about steps and split levels
- You want hotel-style facilities (large shared pool, gym, on-site restaurant, 24/7 reception)
In that case, look for a bright, above-ground suite in a traditional village and explore the cave districts during the day. If you’re still deciding, our post on why it’s worth staying in a cave house in Santorini might help you make up your mind.
Where to see cave houses in Santorini
Most people associate cave houses with the dramatic caldera villages, and for good reason:
- Oia – postcard-famous, spectacular sunsets, lots of luxury cave suites (and lots of people)
- Fira & Firostefani – mix of hotels and cave-style rooms, plus nightlife and shops
- Imerovigli – quieter, often very upmarket, with some beautiful cave villas and suites
Some of the most atmospheric cave settlements, though, are away from the caldera rim, in more lived-in villages:
- Pyrgos – hilltop medieval village with a mix of mansions and cave homes, central on the island (you can get a feel for it in our Pyrgos village guide).
- Vothonas – a ravine village with houses and chapels carved into the rock
- Finikia – a colourful cluster of houses and cave homes near Oia
- Megalochori, Karterados and other inland villages – traditional architecture, churches and the odd cave dwelling tucked into lanes
If you’re after a quieter, more local experience, these villages are well worth a look.
Pros and cons of staying in a Santorini cave house
The pros
- Naturally comfortable
The rock around you does much of the climate work, so interiors tend to stay pleasantly steady in temperature and blissfully quiet. - Distinct atmosphere
Curved ceilings, carved alcoves and soft lighting give a feeling you simply don’t get in a standard room. - Tucked-away locations
Many cave houses sit down lanes or beneath churches, giving you more privacy and a sense of discovery every time you walk home. - Built-in connection to the island’s story
You’re not just looking at traditional architecture – you’re literally sleeping inside it.
The cons
- Less direct daylight inside
Cave houses tend to feel cosy rather than airy and open. Great if you like calm; less so if you need big windows. - Steps and slopes
Traditional villages come with stairs. Suitcases, prams and stilettos will notice. - Variable renovation quality
A carefully restored cave house feels fresh and snug. A rushed conversion can feel damp or awkwardly laid out – reviews usually reveal which is which. - Fewer big-hotel facilities
Think more “home” and less “resort”. You probably won’t have a huge shared pool or gym.
A real cave house you can actually stay in: Demeter Cave House, Pyrgos
If you like the idea of a traditional Santorini cave house but don’t want the crowds of Oia or Fira, Pyrgos is a perfect middle ground: a real village with locals, small cafés and wide views over vineyards and sea in the distance. We’ve shared more about the village itself in our blog post all about Pyrgos.
Demeter Cave House is a restored yposkafa home tucked into the lanes just below the church in Pyrgos. It keeps the original cave character – thick walls, curved ceilings, carved niches – but adds the things you actually want on holiday:
- A proper, comfortable bed
- A powerful, modern shower
- Thoughtful lighting that makes the cave feel warm rather than gloomy
- Fast Wi-Fi and plenty of plugs
- A private outdoor space where you can sit with a glass of wine in the evening
From the front door you can be at cafés, tavernas and the castle in just a few minutes’ walk – we’ve rounded up our favourite things to do when you stay in Pyrgos in a separate post.
Over the years, Demeter has collected hundreds of perfect 5.0 reviews across Airbnb, Google, and was winner in i-escape’s Top 10 properties worldwide in both 2021, 2022 and 2024. It’s also currently the top-rated property in Santorini on Airbnb, with more perfect reviews than any other listing.
If you’re looking for an authentic cave-house stay in Santorini – something that feels carved out of the island rather than built just for social media – Demeter Cave House is a very good place to start. You can see photos, availability and prices on our Demeter Cave House homepage.
FAQs about Santorini cave houses
Why are Santorini cave houses white and blue?
Mostly for practical reasons that turned into tradition: white limewash reflects heat and acts as a disinfectant; blue doors and shutters became a popular, affordable way to add colour. Over time, white and blue came to symbolise the Cyclades and the Greek flag.
What are Santorini cave houses made of?
They’re carved into layers of volcanic tuff, pumice and stone, then finished inside with theran earth (local volcanic ash) mixed with lime and sometimes sand. The result is a strong, breathable shell that hardens further over time.
Are Santorini cave houses damp or uncomfortable?
A well-restored cave house is normally dry, snug and comfortable. The problems people mention in reviews usually come from poor renovations – blocked ventilation, non-breathable modern coatings or bad layout. Checking recent guest comments is the best way to spot that.
Do all Santorini cave houses have caldera views?
No. Some are on the caldera cliffs with dramatic sea-and-volcano views; others are in hilltop or ravine villages looking out over vineyards, the island interior or the sea in the distance. If a listing doesn’t clearly say “caldera view”, assume it doesn’t have one.
Are Santorini cave houses safe in earthquakes?
Traditional cave houses were valued partly because they tend to handle earthquakes better than many above-ground structures. They sit partly inside the rock, with thick vaulted ceilings that help distribute stress. Modern, properly renovated cave houses are also expected to comply with current safety standards – another reason to stick to licensed, well-reviewed properties.
Will I feel claustrophobic in a cave house?
Most guests don’t, but it depends on you and on the specific house. Some cave houses are bright and open with large doors and several windows; others are deeper and cosier.
If you’re worried, look for:
- Plenty of interior photos taken in daylight
- At least one big entrance or window bringing in light
- Reviews that mention “spacious”, “light” or “not dark at all”
And don’t hesitate to message the host and ask how the space feels inside.
How much does it cost to stay in a cave house in Santorini?
Prices vary with:
- Village (Oia and Imerovigli are usually the priciest)
- Season (July and August are peak, with higher demand and prices)
- Size, view and level of luxury
You’ll find everything from simple, traditional cave rooms to ultra-luxury suites with private pools. Booking early and considering shoulder months can help keep costs under control.
When is the best time of year to stay in a cave house?
One of the big advantages of a true cave house is that it works well almost all year because of its naturally stable internal temperature.
- In July and August, when Santorini is at its hottest, a proper cave house can actually be more comfortable than a regular room. The rock keeps the interior noticeably cooler, and in a breezier village like Pyrgos the evenings are especially pleasant. At Demeter Cave House, summer guests often comment on how cool and calm it feels compared to the heat outside.
- Late April to June are lovely if you prefer slightly quieter streets and that feeling of the island waking up for the season.
- September and October are ideal if you like warm sea temperatures, softer light and fewer crowds, while still having plenty of life on the island.
In winter, some cave houses close, so always check availability – and if you’re visiting in the cooler months, make sure your chosen place has proper heating, not just a cooling-only air-conditioning unit.
