If the daunting crowds have not tampered your desire to visit Santorini, then it’s worth venturing beyond the classic tourist attractions to see the full range of what the island has to offer. One of the most impressive and often overlooked parts of Santorini is Megalochori. The village of Megalochori offers more than just an escape from the bustle of the island’s tourist resorts, it is also steeped in historic and natural charm.
Geographically, Megalochori sits in the southwestern part of Santorini and is one of the island’s oldest villages. In addition to the classic Cycladic architecture of sunbleached, whitewashed houses, winding cobblestone streets and domed churches, visitors will find neoclassical mansions and a distinct array of landmarks.
One of the most iconic architectural feats is the Megalochori bell tower. Situated in the village square, the whitewashed monument is one of the most photographed landmarks in the village and a fixture of the nearby Virgin Mary Church. Another impressive landmark not to be missed is the Agios Nikolaos Chapel, perched on the edge of the caldera. While a short hike along the caldera is required to reach the chapel, the stunning vista of the Aegean Sea that awaits you at the top is well worth the effort.
Santorini in general is renowned for its incredible wine scene, with a distinct volcanic terroir and 18 different wineries nestled between the caldera and the sea. Megalochori is well suited for enjoying the best offerings of the region, the village is itself famous for its centuries-old vineyards and unique grape varietals. The most popular wineries in Megalochori include the Venetsanos Winery and the Gavalas Winery.
The Venetsanos Winery rests atop the port of Athinios and overlooks the caldera. Built in 1947 by the Venetsanos family, this was the first industrial winery on the entire island. And while Venetsanos no longer produces wine, it still runs an exceptional wine tasting and tour of the unique architectural structure. The Gavalas family winery is also one of the oldest wineries in Santorini, renowned for highlighting the island’s distinct volcanic terroir. Today, the winery is focused on limited production bottlings and claims to be the only winery on the island that vinifies the indigenous varieties of Katsano and Voudomato.
If you still have energy after hiking to the Nikolaos Chapel and enjoying the exceptional local wines, you can also explore Megalochori’s underground caves. Or simply, walk around the cobbled streets and enjoy the local tavernas and relaxed pace of the village.
According to one traveller on TripAdvisor: “Walking through Megalochori was beautiful and peaceful. The winding streets and stunning views that constantly change are the highlight of this old town area.” That said, you may want to consider finding accommodation outside of the village and visiting for the day.
The same TripAdvisor reviewer went on to write: “At the time we were there we didn’t see any open restaurants or businesses so I’m glad we stayed in Imerovigli.” Though it should be noted that this reviewer visited the village in December 2024, the village is much more tourist-friendly in the summer months.
Anyone pondering the idea of holidaying in Santorini will be aware of the earthquakes that rattled the island just last week. The Greek Ministry of Civil Protection declared a state of emergency across the island until March 3 – this is to allow its emergency services to pool resources and prepare for anymore tremors.
According to the UK Foreign Office, the Greek authorities have advised people in those areas not to attend large indoors gatherings, to avoid old or abandoned buildings and the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling.
This should be taken on-board particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high. In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas.
In its advice, it advises travellers to do these three things
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