We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
HELIOS Cave house is located in the heart of old Oia, one of the most beautiful and desirable spots on the island. Most importantly, its location is perfectly situated for guests to have unobstructed view of the famous sunsets in Oia from your private terrace! An additional advantage, HELIOS is ideally located just bellow the Castle, the famous sunset point of Oia, on the main pedestrian walkway leading to Ammoudi bay.
That is why SISTERHOOD of the traveling pant' was filmed THERE! Most of the film, especially the first part, was filmed in front of HELIOS Cave house. At the last scene you can see the facade of HELIOS as Lena rides a donkey on the steps from Ammoudi to Oia! The second part was filmed in Ammoudi bay. The steps of HELIOS lead to Ammoudi and to St Nicolas island, where th...HELIOS Cave house is located in the heart of old Oia, one of the most beautiful and desirable spots on the island. Most importantly, its location is perfectly situated for guests to have unobstructed view of the famous sunsets in Oia from your private terrace! An additional advantage, HELIOS is ideally located just bellow the Castle, the famous sunset point of Oia, on the main pedestrian walkway leading to Ammoudi bay.
That is why SISTERHOOD of the traveling pant' was filmed THERE! Most of the film, especially the first part, was filmed in front of HELIOS Cave house. At the last scene you can see the facade of HELIOS as Lena rides a donkey on the steps from Ammoudi to Oia! The second part was filmed in Ammoudi bay. The steps of HELIOS lead to Ammoudi and to St Nicolas island, where the jump off took place! (write Lena & Kostas and Go Jump Off a Cliff-STP in google search and you will find the episodes!)
Unlike most cave houses in Santorini, once you enter HELIOS Cave House you are surprised by the soaring heights of the curved ceiling. Spacey, roomy, well-lit, the house maintains a constant temperature throughout the year (bioclimatic house), providing a refreshing, cool welcome after a long day under the demanding Greek sun. Inside, the white color prevails almost everywhere. It will make you feel refreshed, calm and pure. The unique architecture of the cave house meets with art objects and airy furniture to please the senses.
Outside, the private veranda and HELIOS terrace - for guest’s exclusive use- provide the stage for unencumbered relaxation staring the amazing landscape of the Caldera. Your eyes feast on the view producing numberless private mental postcards. You will enjoy your breakfast/dinner at the romantic private veranda and terrace with panoramic view of Oia's sunset, the Caldera, the picturesque port of Ammoudi, Therasia island, the western part of old Oia and the islands of the Aegean!
HELIOS, as more cave homes, was built into the volcanic ash more than 1000 years ago in the traditional way. In Santorini people built their houses partially underground or into the cliffs to be protected from the wind, the cold and the summer sun. At the same time, they used doors and windows for ventilation resulting in an open airy feel specific to historic Santorini architecture.
HELIOS Cave House is modernized and comfortable. It is a beautiful cave home that has a bedroom with a full bed with canopy, a loft with another full bed and a spacious living room with one sofa bed. The crisp white walls are indicative of a traditional island cave home and will provide a true cave home living experience, with modern amenities. Staying with tradition, there are no inside doors between the living and sleeping areas. The roomy bathroom includes a shower. There is also a kitchenette. Furnished in traditional Greek island style and decorated with the owner's original artwork, this property provides guests with a unique experience. The property is perfect for the solo traveler, a couple's retreat or a family.
We are pleased to announce the addition of a tiny unique underground space that has been re-purposed as a winery at HELIOS Cave House.
The bathroom in "Helios" has also been newly renovated to include updated features such as a modern granite sink and new shower area, large enough for two, and a shower seat.
We have provided you all the amenities to make your stay at Helios an experience to remember!
The hot tub, for 3 persons, is private for the guests of HELIOS, available all day on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 05/3 till 30/11. It under a beautiful purple & white bougainvillea tree and it is 2 minutes walking distance from Helios (75 meters) in another of our SANTORINI PARADISE cave house rooftop terraces, full of flowers. Please, feel free to help yourself to the cold drinks that are in the fridge, just opposite the hot tub. Helios cave house has two private outside areas, a rooftop terrace/garden and a little yard on the side of the house.
Private patio and terrace/roof garden for guest’s exclusive use.
Location: Oia is known for its beautiful cobblestone paths and staircases that wind through the town. The villa is easily accessible to all the town has to offer. From the villa, a 1 minute walk will take you to a variety of boutiques and restaurants, artisan shops and many exquisite opportunities for photographs. Also close by are many galleries and the famous Castle of Oia, known as "Sunset Point" of Greece! Oia is renowned for its sunsets. People gather on the walkways each evening for a glimpse of the breathtaking view as the sun drops into the sea. Within in 5 minutes you can walk to the bus and taxi terminal and information center or you can drive to three beaches near Oia. If you enjoy a hearty walk you can take the stairs down to Ammoudi Bay for a meal or a swim.
Free public parking at the parking lot of the Post office, 2 minutes walking distance from the house.
HELIOS Cave house is 20-25 min drive from the airport/port.
The rate includes
1) A welcome assortment of bottled mineral and sparkling water, wine and juice upon arrival.
2) Breakfast provisions: honey, butter, marmalade, toasts, sugar, milk, cereal, as well as fruits, yoghurt, tea and 3 kinds of coffee, all packaged in portions following the instructions given by the WHO organization and the Greek Government. Enjoy breakfast on your private terrace with an amazing Caldera view.
3) Maid service daily (April-October), twice a week (Nov-Mar), change sheet, bath and beach towels every three days.
4) Satellite TV, Wi-Fi and Air Conditioning.
5) Enjoy a relaxing jacuzzi during day or sunset time, while helping yourself to complimentary traditional Santorini wine, soft drinks and coffee.Our shared outdoor hot tub for 2 persons lies in our SANTORINI PARADISE terrace having the best sunset view (just two minutes away). Our terrace is available for you on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
6) By showing our card, you have discounts or free deserts to many restaurants in Oia! For example a) You will be offered a bottle of Santorini wine with your meal at the AMMOUDI restaurant in the port of Ammoudi!
Tourist License / Licencia de turismo N °: MHTE1167Κ91000950901
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
If you have submitted a review for a holiday rental property, we may also ask that you provide us with proof of your stay to ensure that your review is attached to the correct rental property.
Holiday rental reviews collected via the VRBO website (formerly Homeaway) and syndicated to the Tripadvisor website are not currently subject to Tripadvisor’s standard moderation processes.
What an absolute paradise overlooking the most famous location to watch the best sunset in the entire world. We were blessed to spend a week in Sanatoria and stay at the Paradise Cave House. We are a family of 5 including myself, wife, daughter and flew my father and brother in-law in to meet with us. The owner, Marie, was a wonderful host. We had originally booked in 2020 could not go due to COVID. Although we had a non-cancellation policy, Marie was amazing and honoured our stay into the following year. Yet again due to COVID we had to postpone to 2022. It was well worth the wait. The home is in a cave with 2 bedrooms (main floor, and loft) with a small room below the bathroom that our daughter stayed in. You have your own private roof top which has the most incredible view. Each night we would bring up a few bottles of wine, some cheese and just enjoyed the view. Marie had several staff that lived by and accessible at any time. Our rooms and previsions were looked after daily, and her team helped with our luggage to and from the room. The home is also one of the most photographed homes in Greece, famous for its blue door. We enjoyed the many restaurants and coffee shops plus lots of activities on the island to enjoy. We highly recommend Paradise Cave House and highly recommended our host Marie.
Visited July 2022
Written 23 April 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rich
Astana, Kazakhstan115 contributions
everything you could hope for in a Santorini stay!
Stunning, amazing, once-in-a-lifetime stay at Helios. The views are incredible, the room is beautifully designed, the location is great, and the hosts are outstanding. Plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. Sunsets from the rooftop terrace are stunning. With hundreds of tourists clinging to the hillside behind us, we enjoyed a front-row seat for the sunset. Did I say once-in-a-lifetime? I hope it won’t be - we hope Maria and her team will have us back!
Visited November 2021
Written 17 November 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angela Q.V.
1 contribution
What an AMAZING stay!
Maria was such an amazing host! The sweetest woman ever! She was so so so helpful arranging airport transportation, excursions, restaurant reservations, introducing us to her store owner friends in Oia etc. She came and met us on our first night on her wonderful terrace at sunset, gifting us with tasty appetizers and wine! We honestly had the best and private location to watch the sunset. The inside of the Airbnb was so quaint and comfortable. Enough space for my party of 5. It was a unique experience staying in her home, a special one. Maria has a cleaning lady who will come each day, which was nice having a clean home to come to daily. I can’t thank Maria enough for answering all my questions from the time of booking to checkout, and for helping me so much to make my mothers 50th birthday so special. I would highly recommend staying with Maria at one of her airbnbs. Her hospitality and kind heart alone makes the stay worth it!
Visited October 2021
Written 15 November 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
monica r
2 contributions
Wonderful Stay!
Maria’s cave house was absolutely amazing. The house is right in the town of Oia a few steps away from restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies. The view is so beautiful (everybody claps when the sunsets). It is a very short walk down to the water where you can swim or enjoy a drink on the water at one of the sea side restaurants. Maria and her team were attentive and helpful and very careful with our bags. We would absolutely recommend staying here. It made our stay in Santorini what dreams are made of.
Visited October 2021
Written 14 November 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pat S
Potomac, MD79 contributions
Amazing in Every Respect
Helios is the perfect base of operations for a vacation in Oia. We could not have been happier!
The Amazing:
- Best sunset in Oia
- Maria (host) and Sunil (porter) are wonderful
- Perfect location, convenient to everything
- Amazing views, literally breathtaking
- Clean, well maintained, authentic
- Private rooftop deck
- Beautiful furnished, original art.
The Bad:
Wouldn’t change a thing - the experience of staying in Helios was nearly perfect! There are lots of tourists gathering to watch the sunset, but that’s Oia!
Recommendations:
Take the hike along the caldera from Fira to Oia - spectacular views but be sure to bring water.
Walk down all of the steps to the wharf. Excellent traditional seafood restaurants and Maria can help you book an excellent table directly on the water.
To the left of the wharf is a great place for swimming and cliff diving.
Helios is on our short list of all time favorite accommodations, you can’t go wrong booking here.
Visited September 2018
Written 6 February 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maria E
Dear Pat, we are so pleased that you have had an excellent time with us at HELIOS cave house! The lovely words you posted is what make our day! Your love and appreciation is our reward which "give wings" to our enthusiasm to serve you even better. I am a sculptor & a painter and, at this period of life, I channel all my love for art to accommodating & offering our guests unforgettable experiences! Hospitality is the form of art that Greeks were famous about since antiquity! Thank you and looking forward to your coming back!
Written 12 February 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sylvia
Houston, TX41 contributions
Perfect Inside Out!
We highly appreciate Maria who was very cooperating in accommodating us and allowed us to check-in earlier.
The Location is Exceptional with probably the best Sunset in entire Oia.
The house is Amazing....full of beautiful artistic details as well as very clean and everything is arranged in order.
The 5 of us stayed very comfortably.
Note: Sunil is very helpful and extremely welcoming.
Thank you Maria for making our stay in Oia an Amazing Experience! Hope we can book your house again in the near future.
Visited August 2018
Written 12 September 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ybaek2018
Dallas, TX2 contributions
Prime location to explore Oia and see the sunset
I wanted my teenage kids to have a memorable time in Santorini so I chose the Helios cave house instead of the nearby luxury resort where their cousins were vacationing at. Sitting on a prime location on top of a steep hill directly overlooking the sunset and the Ammoudi Bay, Helios house gave us a breathtaking view from its private terrace. Because of a quick access to the main marble street just by walking out the ‘blue’ door, we were able to easily explore Oia and return shortly to cool down before another run. One gem we found close by was the hidden St. Nicholas beach in Ammoudi Bay where we swam in crystal clear water with other seekers. By the way, you probably won’t find fresher seafood than the restaurants at the bay.
I’m also proud of my kids for letting go of the resort pampering and quickly adapting to some of the local living such as water and energy conservation. We appreciated this unique house that provided us with a comfort of home with personal services, such as 9 am breakfast delivery (tasty local foods), daily cleaning, and the availability of Maria and Sunil for whatever you need. I hope to return again and relive this amazing time with my family.
Visited July 2018
Written 6 August 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zhangzheng
63 contributions
Grate place with fantastic sunset view
The house is at the perfect position for sunset view and it is also close to the car park and the center of Oia. Though we did not have any chance to meet Maria, she is definitely a hospital person for the cleaness of the house, the free fruit wine and the helpful information before our arrival. The best view of the house is on the top of roof and you do not need to stand with crowded people on the stair. Drinking cool beer, enjoying some chips with your lover and watching the most beautiful sunset in the world!
The house is big enough for at least four people and there is a small kitchen. We only have one complaint is the breakfast. It would be much better for Chinese people to have warm breakfast. but we decided to cook our own breakfast next time. ^^
Visited October 2017
Written 18 January 2018. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
danil0u21
Chicago, IL5 contributions
Such a dream!
If I could only use one word to describe Helios, it would be magical. The house is everything you imagine when you picture yourself staying in Oia, dream like.
The inside is exactly as pictured, charming, clean & full of cute nooks. A yummy breakfast was delivered each morning at 9am (greek yogurt, fresh fruit, spanakopita) & the fridge was stocked with water, fruit juice & milk.
The views from the house & private rooftop balcony are indescribable, it has to be the best view in all of Oia. We were delighted to watch the famous donkeys pass by every morning & afternoon. The location is right in the "happening" area, a quick walk to all the restaurants & shops & a steep walk to Amoudi Bay. There is a pool close by, which is free for guests to use.
Maria was such a gracious & helpful host --- full of recommendations & we were glad we took them (Sunset Oia catamaran tour, lunch at Amoudi Fish Tavern & dinner at Candouni). A special shout-out to friendly, Soniel, who helped us carry our bags up & down the cobblestone stairs, we will never forget your genuine conversations & smile.
I never wanted to leave Helios & am already dreaming of coming back. Thank you for a more than wonderful stay!
Visited September 2017
Written 20 September 2017. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mistabismta
Chicago, IL6 contributions
Magic.
Just got home from a long 15 hour day of traveling and I made it a point to write this review immediately (I haven't even showered away that airplane air off me).
What can I say? It was our 3 year anniversary and my wife always dreamt of going to Greece. I opted for Paris, but glad we chose Greece. We started our trip with Oia.
It was a long trip from Chicago so we were running on adrenaline + extreme curiosity. As a stubborn man, I took it upon myself to find Helios. I didn't bother reading Maria's detailed email upon arriving (very busy week!). I didn't know there were no addresses in Oia. We (because of me), walked a mile in the wrong direction with the sun beating down on us as we pulled our heavy luggage through sheer beauty of the town. TIP: Message Maria immediately when you get into town.
My wife suggested I call Maria (wives are always right). I chatted her on the AirBnB app and she quickly responded. 5 minutes later...amidst the scorching Greek sun, Sounil greeted us (with a huge smile...we will never forget his smile) at the world famous bookstore and grabbed both our luggages. Mind you, we packed for 2 weeks. They were heavy. The gentleman I am, I asked to carry one of the luggages. He declined my offer, "No, it's too difficult". He continued to carry both "cinder blocks" down many charming cobble stoned flights of stairs. We hardly could keep up. Sounil was the perfect introduction to the friendly Greek culture and set the tone for the rest of our trip.
We saw the entrance to our door (better than the pictures). Excited and drenched with sweat, Maria popped in. My wife was a bit frazzled from the long flight and long unnecessary walk finding the home. Maria (a master at reading people) immediately offered us drinks and had a very beautiful charming calming vibe to her. Her little bio shows she's a very interesting artistic soul. She showed us the lay of the land and the beautiful accommodation (along with what I assume are pieces of her own art), added with advice and discounts. We knew she wasn't pushing her friend's restaurants because we did our own research and they aligned with her recommendations.
The rest is history. Let's just say we had front row, private rooftop seats every night to the greatest show on Earth - The breathtaking sunset. We felt special every night and set the tone for a 2 week Greek adventure.
We don't want to spoil anything. They literally exceeded everything the listing shows. From accommodations, to location, to views, to the breakfast, to communication, to charm, to the thoughtfulness, to making you feel at home - you can NOT put a price tag on that.
Traveling can be greuling, but sometimes all you need is a Sounil + a Maria + the Sunset to spark some magic.
Visited September 2017
Written 17 September 2017. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oia, the village of the fascinating sunsets
Oia, the traditional, most charming and well preserved of all of the Santorini villages, is located on the northern top of the island, high on a cliff-top (caldera edge) 12 km from the main town of Fira.
It is famous as the place with the most magnificent view of Santorini with a picturesque road, cliffs on one side and the sea on the other. The old ruined castle overlooking the Caldera attracts most of the visitors to enjoy the unique and idyllic sunsets.
The main square overlooks the sea and visitors are tempted with another truly fascinating viewpoint. Below is the beach of Ammoudi and across the bay are the Burnt Islands. Ammoudi, accessible by car as well, is 214 steps below, and Armeni beach is 286 steps below.
The architecture of Oia is typical Cycladic with houses dug deep into the volcanic soil and whitewashed churches with blue domes sparkling in the sunlight. Oia today also hosts a cultural center, a central art gallery and many other Greek art galleries.
Many shops sell handicrafts, souvenirs and jewelery.
It is also home to artists and writers from all around the world, who are drawn to its aura of serenity and beauty you will therefore find countless art galleries offering the creations of its inspired inhabitants.
Access
Car not needed
How to get there
General directions to the meeting point:
The village of Oia is located 20 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the port.
In Santorini there are no street addresses so long before your arrival we highly recommend you book our affiliate transfer service to take you to our meeting point. Try to travel light! Should you choose to get there by yourself you should be heading to the Oia’s Citizen Service Center (K.E.P in Greek) opposite of Atlantis Dive Center, our meeting point.
Please call us upon arrival so that our porter meet you there.
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 3 pm • Check out by 11 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
100% refund* if you cancel at least 2 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
Notes from owner
Cleaning included.
About this property
First, check the Availability tab on this page to see if your dates are available. If they are, contact the owner via the Tripadvisor Rental Inbox to confirm availability.
Initially, you may contact the owner via the Tripadvisor Rental Inbox. This inbox is created after you send your first message or booking request to the owner. After you've made your first payment, you'll be able to see the owner's contact information.
This owner will contact you via the Tripadvisor Rental Inbox.
You can send another message via the Tripadvisor Rental Inbox to ask if the property is still available.
For this property, please use a credit card to pay via the Tripadvisor Rental Inbox. Once the owner approves your stay, he or she will send you a quote, which will include payment instructions.
Yes. Payments made via the Tripadvisor inbox are covered by our Peace of Mind Protection.
All bookings are direct with the owner 