Santorini Beyond Oia: The Island's Secret Spots

The Villages That Aren't Oia

Pyrgos is Santorini's highest village — a Venetian-era settlement of windmills, Byzantine churches and the best sunset views on the island without a single selfie stick in sight. The local tavernas serve simple grilled octopus and house wine without tourist pricing.

Megalochori is a village of blue-domed chapels and archways connected by donkey paths. It has barely changed in 200 years and sees a fraction of Oia's visitors.

Akrotiri is not just the archaeological site — the village surrounding it has a cluster of excellent local restaurants and a genuine working-village atmosphere.

The Beaches

Perissa and Perivolos on the east coast offer long stretches of volcanic black sand with beach clubs charging a fraction of Kamari prices. The sea is clear, the sand is unusual, and it gets genuinely hot by 10am.

Red Beach, near Akrotiri, has dramatic red volcanic cliffs dropping to a pebble cove. Access involves a short but uneven path.

Wine and the Caldera

Santorini produces exceptional assyrtiko white wine — mineral, dry and high-acid — from vines trained into low basket shapes to resist the island's fierce winds. Santo Wines and Domaine Sigalas both offer tastings with caldera views. The latter is widely considered to produce the island's finest wine.

Getting Around

Scooters are the best way to explore beyond Fira and Oia. The bus network is infrequent and routes are limited.