Fira, Imerovigli and Oía are the most famous villages on Santorini, but are they also the most beautiful? The beautiful picturesque villages with white houses, blue-white churches and iconic windmills are the eye-catchers of Santorini that attract millions of tourists to the island every year. But when you go off the beaten path, you can discover so much more beauty on Santorini. Having been on vacation twice to this amazing Greek island, we also had the opportunity to discover new gems. And herewith, in our opinion, the most beautiful villages on Santorini!
1. Megalochori: the most charming traditional village of Santorini
We can get so happy when we discover something that we can then share with you. And such "something" this time is an incredibly nice village of which we wonder why it is not one of the highlights of Santorini. So we kick off this article with our new favorite village: Megalochori.
As we are used to seeing Greek villages, Megalochori consists of a maze of winding whitewashed streets and houses. It is a treat to walk through the streets here and look out over the village. You cannot miss the many church towers rising above the houses. The famous eye-catcher of Megalochori is the bell tower with as many as six windows (and bells). Megalochori is a traditional village and used to be known as a pirate village because of its ideal location near the harbor. A must visit is the old winery of Gavalas, but Boutari, Sigalas and Santo Wines are also recommended. Also don't forget to take a look at a traditional cave house, this is free!
You will find the village of Megalochori centrally on the island along the caldera. It is easy to combine with a visit to the beaches to the south such as Eros Beach and Perissa. From Fira it takes fifteen minutes to drive to the village and then spend an hour or more wandering around. Of course, you must have a nice cup of coffee at Traditional Kafeneio. After that you are within 10 minutes on one of the most beautiful beaches Santorini has.
2. Pyrgos: most beautiful sunset viewpoint on Santorini
Santorini is known for its breathtaking sunsets and we can only agree. And whether you watch the sun set from Fira, Imerovigli or Oía, they are all insane. But how about watching the sunset away from the crowds and overlooking the whole of Santorini?
You can do so in Pyrgos. A medieval and also the highest village on Santorini where you have panoramic views over the whole island. A fantastic place from where you can see the most beautiful sunsets. And especially from the terrace of Franco's Cafe, one of our new favorite hotspots on Santorini.
Of course, there is more that makes the village of Pyrgos so much fun to visit. A maze of streets lead to the most beautiful views and most photogenic spots. It is therefore recommended to have seen "all" the streets, especially since there are not many of them. There are a number of souvenir shops where, compared to the famous villages, you can score something nice for home for a much better price. And as we all know, in every Greek village you will find white churches. Also Pyrgos is no exception. What makes it special is the number of churches you find in this small village, namely 40. And then last but not least, the old and ruined castle is the highest point so here you should definitely go for the view!
3. Mesaria: hidden gem with mansions and vineyards
As you drive your ATV or rental car around the island, you will undoubtedly pass the village of Mesaria several times. It is a hub on the island to reach the most beautiful beaches of Santorini to come. Similarly, we drove past this village several times without knowing that it is really worth exploring. When we had some bad weather one day and the sun finally broke through, we decided to hit the road. Mesaria it was!
The beautiful village of Mesaria is a short 10-minute drive from Fira. When you walk through the streets of Mesaria you will feast your eyes. It is not only the whitewashed houses and beautiful streets that will catch your attention, it is also the beautiful mansions and cave houses from the 19th century that will catch your eye. The architecture and style are different from the well-known villages of Fira, Imerovigli and Oía. And that is precisely what makes the village of Mesaria so attractive. And then of course you have the amazing bougainvillea that was so incredibly beautiful here at the time we were there!
The Argyros Mansion is an 1888 mansion that was partially destroyed by an earthquake but has been fully restored and is now a museum. In the village of Mesaria you will also find several hotels and apartments where you can stay during your vacation. And what actually makes the village even more special is that it is completely surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Therefore, this makes Mesaria rightfully one of the most beautiful villages of Santorini.
4. Akrotiri: historic village with ruins and views of Red Beach
A special place on Santorini is Akrotiri. It is not only a village where you will find fun hotspots and through which you can reach Red Beach, it is also archaeological site. In fact, Santorini as we know it today is built on a crater rim, but previously this volcanic island was Thera. A prosperous island because of its fertile soil. The eponymous village of Akrotiri was an important port and rich trading town until the volcano exploded around 1,600 BC. In 1967, remains were discovered that you can behold at the museum Prehistoric Town of Akrotiri. The entrance fee is €12 per person (excluding guide).
Akrotiri may be the prettiest village on Santorini, but it certainly doesn't fall short because of its interesting history. And while you're here you should definitely climb to the top of the Akrotiri Venetian Castle. From the top you have an insane panoramic view!
5. Imerovigli: romantic village overlooking the caldera of Santorini
Maybe now it seems like we don't like the well-known villages of Fira, Imerovigli and Oía. On the contrary, we love these villages. And especially the picturesque Imerovigli. This beautiful village has a wonderful high position on the caldera from where you overlook not only the villages of Fira and Oía, but also Skaros Rock and the volcano. Be sure to walk the streets here an hour before the sun goes down (golden hour). A nice soft gives the streets of Imerovigli so much charm.
Indeed, you read and hear a lot that people go crazy about the "women in Instagram dresses" occupying the most beautiful photo spots on Santorini. It is indeed true that many photos are taken at the famous spots. But don't blame them, they are all wonderful places to take photos too, right? Our advice: ignore them and enjoy your time on Santorini. And if you also want to take pictures at these places, go early in the morning, because then you will have everything to yourself!
6. Oía: the iconic village with the most beautiful sunset on Santorini
Oía is the gem of Santorini and is considered the most beautiful village of Santorini. A place you must have seen at least once in your life. We like to arrive here towards the end of the afternoon, just in time to get a good parking spot and then stroll for hours through the streets of Oía. The main street with its cozy stores and fine restaurants can be extremely busy, but when you take the side streets it becomes a lot quieter and you also have beautiful views.
Through the village of Oía you can descend to Ammoudi Bay, a magnificent lane where you will find blissful seafood restaurants. It is well worth spending a morning or afternoon there. Walk a little past the restaurants and you will find rock formations from which you can jump into the water.
7. Fira: bustling capital and ideal base on Santorini
Fira is the lively capital of Santorini and for many travelers the perfect place to stay. The town is centrally located on the island, making it an ideal base for trips to both the north and south of Santorini. Plus, from the cliffs of Fira you can look out over the caldera and see the iconic volcano in the distance, a view that never bores.
The atmosphere in Fira is cozy and relaxed. You walk through narrow streets full of boutiques, art galleries and cafes where you can settle down for a frappé with a view. At night, the town comes alive with atmospheric taverns and rooftop terraces where you can enjoy the sunset with a glass of local wine.
Also fun: from Fira you can walk on foot to Imerovigli and Oía via a spectacular hiking trail along the edge of the caldera. Read all about it in our extensive article on the hike from Fira to Oía on Santorini!
More travel inspiration for Santorini: where to sleep, what to discover and experience
After reading, do you feel like packing your bags right away too? We hope we have been able to convince you to go off the beaten track and visit the amazingly beautiful villages of Megalochori, Pyrgos, Mesaria and Akrotiri.
These villages are also great places to stay on Santorini. Will you go for an atmospheric stay in one of these whitewashed villages, or would you rather wake up with your feet in the sand by the sea? Whatever your preference, you are guaranteed to find your ideal spot on Santorini. In our article where to stay on Santorini we help you get started with the best accommodation tips and our favorite villages.
And if you do go ... make it a dream vacation right away! On Santorini, you really want to do more than just lounge on a beach bed. How about a catamaran cruise during sunset, a day of touring on a quad bike or a wine tasting at a local vineyard? In our article full of to do's and sights on Santorini you'll find all of our favorites listed.
