Discover Santorini’s Best in One Day

The natural beauty of Oia village in combination with its traditional architecture which consists of white washed houses, old mansions where captains used to live, narrow streets and blue domed churches, make this village unique thus extremely popular to the visitors. Photos and postal cards with the sunset of Oia, the caldera view and the churches with the blue domes have travelled all over the world advertising the incomparable beauty of the village and making even more people wishing to visit it!

Next stop, Immerovigli that it is a picturesque village. It is situated at the north of Santorini, only 2 km away from the capital of Fira. It is a continuation of Fira and one of the most beautiful balconies of the island. The name of Imerovigli comes from the word vigla which means view spot. The position of the village provides a clear view of the caldera, and during the old times it allowed villagers to see the pirate ships approaching. Today, Immerovigli is one of the recognized traditional settlements. Hotels and traditional houses are plentiful in Imerovigli. There are also many taverns and cafes with stunning views to the caldera. In front of Immerovigli lies an enormous rock called Scaros. On top of it is a castle that was built during the 13th century but it was abandoned in the early 1800s. The castle housed all the administrative offices of the island. This part of the island collapsed after an earthquake, and only the huge hill of Scaros is left today. Immerovigli has numerous chapels and churches built on the rocks overlooking the blue sea. The village is known as the ultimate romantic destination.

On the way, we’ll make a short stop in Firostefani to see the famous Blue Dome Church, the subject of so many Santorini’s postcards.

The highest spot of the island (567 meters) is located between Pyrgos and Kamari. The Mountain’s name is ProfitisIlias (Prophet Elijah), coming from the Monastery with the same name on its peak. From this vantage point, you will enjoy a striking view of the entire island, from the patchwork agricultural plains to the hilltop village of Oia. The Monastery was built in 1712. The walls round the Monastery remind of a fortress. The history of ProfitisIlias is long and very importand for the life of Santorini during the centuries. In earlier times, owned its’ own ship which conducted private business for the benefit of the monastery and at the same time the Monastery was an active intellectual and patriotic influence. From 1806 to 1845 it ran a school where the Greek language and literature were taugh. The monastery’s decline began in 1860; buildings suffered serious damage in the 1956 earthquakes. The monastery today has an important collection of icons and bibles, and artefacts of the Greek Orthodox religion, ecclesiastical objects, books and ethnographic material. It also hosts displays on shoemaking, printing, candle making, wine making and of typical local food.

Known for its rich history and local culture, Megalochori dates back to the 17th century, and its well-preserved architecture offers a glimpse into Santorini’s past. The village is also famous for its winemaking heritage, with several historic wineries offering a taste of the island’s finest vintages. Make sure to explore the hidden alleys, where local artisan shops and cozy cafes await. Don’t miss the iconic church domes and the traditional cave houses carved into volcanic rock, which add to the village’s unique allure.