Postcard perfect, with a stunning wining and dining scene and a casual vibe, Pyrgos has it all, except for the crowds. Besides, it is so close to all the major places, it feels just a stone’s throw away. These are in a nutshell the main reasons to put Pyrgos on your Santorini list…
And even if many say Pyrgos is a hidden gem, I only agree with the second part, although I wish it remained hidden …
Eager to find out more about Santorini? Discover the best things to do in Santorini Greece with many useful info!
Travel to Pyrgos, the pearl of Santorini! This laid-back village situated on the highest settlement of the island offers fabulous views and all the relaxation in the world!
Taste Pyrgos! Although small in size, Pyrgos is big on taste. Here you can taste some exquisite food in a pleasant atmosphere, and feel protected from the usual tourist traps!
Feel Pyrgos on a lazy morning when the village is all yours! Feel the beauty of pink flowers and blue doors in their true splendour! What more, this is authentic Greece!
Small and secluded, therefore fuller of surprises to get openheartedly, Santorini’s best-preserved village is a stunning discovery at every step! I took some of the best pictures in Santorini here. Blue domes, bright white houses and stairways, doors in all hues of blue, sometimes an old Greek man, this seems to be the perfect setting for a romantic movie. A movie about life, a movie about wisdom.
In Pyrgos nothing is exaggerated, tourism is at a normal pace, leaving the Greeks move on with their quiet existence. Because after all, this is the quintessence of travel: find a harmonious balance between the traveller and the visited one. Fulfil both parties.
Good to know
How to get to Pyrgos
What to do in Pyrgos
Where to eat in Pyrgos
Pyrgos accommodation
Good to know
- Pyrgos Kallistis is a tiny adorable village situated inland on the highest point of the island.
- Pyrgos, Santorini is not at the seaside, neither is it on the caldera. It can be a plus or a minus, depending on everyone’s point of view.
- It is totally the type of place you’ll fall for if you look for genuine Greek destination with everything included, minus the crowds.
- It was almost impossible to imagine that we wandered in Santorini(!) along the narrow streets of Pyrgos, sometimes without encountering anyone for minutes. It is the place to be if you look for something different than mass tourism.
- The hill-top village has basically no tourist traps; you can dine in the village taverns and have great experiences.
- Pyrgos boasts 360 degrees views over the island; besides, the sunsets are spectacular and you don’t need to “book” a spot ahead!
- It is a very-well preserved medieval village with blue domed churches, whitewashed cave houses, castles and narrow alleys.
- Usually a day-trip from Oia or Fira, Pyrgos can be a base settlement if you opt for a tranquil holiday with chill atmosphere and quiet.
How to get to Pyrgos
Distances in Santorini are small. Fira, the capital is located only 5 km away, while the distance to Oia is 19 km. The Black beach of Perissa is 7 km away.
If you want to be flexible and independent, rent a car.
However, there is a Santorini bus shuttle that takes you pretty much everywhere on the island. All buses on the island leave from and return to Fira. The tariff is decent. Bus schedules can be consulted at ktel-santorini.gr.
You must know that for Pyrgos, you look for buses going to Perissa. Pay attention to take the regular bus to Perissa, NOT the express one, as that one doesn’t have any stops till the final one!
What to do in Pyrgos
Wander and get lost in Pyrgos
The best thing you can do in Pyrgos is walk.
Thus, the essentially Greek village will slowly unfold for you. Get lost in the labyrinthic narrow alleys, admire the whitewashed houses and take pictures under the stunning pink bougainvillea! The village is spotted with unexpected arts and crafts shops in a picturesque décor with cats napping in a basket!
It is all so idyllic and charming! The winding narrow alleys are just like a maze, so the more you’ll be surprised, when out of the blue you’ll bump into a scenic tavern or a man and his donkey. Santorini’s best-preserved village is so essentially Greek!
Find serenity in the churches of Pyrgos, Santorini
Wandering will take you to the Orthodox church named the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The outside is easily recognizable with its blue dome and layered bell towers. On the inside, the place is calm and surrounds you with a feeling of peace. The three icons and Biblical scenes add up to the atmosphere.
Even if Agios Nikolaos Church (Saint Nicholas) remained unvisited, its imposing stature seems to watch over the village. The big number of churches in Pyrgos, Santorini stands proof for the people’s belief in the power of God, especially after the successive volcanic eruptions.
Kasteli, the Castle of Pyrgos
The Venetians had established some fortresses in the Mediterranean and also the Cycladic islands. Their main goal was defensive, but also to serve as a shelter for the agricultural crops. Today in Pyrgos you can see the remains of the Venetian castle. The ruins are in a bad shape, but given the high position in the village, the castle makes it a great spot for sunset.
Where to eat in Pyrgos
Want to know more about the best restaurants in Santorini? Here you have a detailed description of restaurants from budget to mid-range!
Eating in Pyrgos, Santorini is a mouth-watering topic. Just as there’s a lot of amazing accommodation, restaurants in Pyrgos are full of good taste.
And taste good.
Brusco is situated close to the bus stop to Fira and has a homey vibe. Placed in a cute setting with shade in case you need a respite from the sun, Brusco has really good food and drink. Totally recommended!
Kantouni restaurant is a feast to the palate. Their kitchen delights you with stunning traditional dishes prepared with a creative twist. Dinner starts with some appetisers on the house, the rest is up to your imagination. However, we’d highly recommend to pick at least something from the starters. They’re all amazing! And a glass of Santorini wine!
Penelope’s is placed on the tiny labyrinthic alleys of Pyrgos in a particularly cute setting. We didn’t have lunch there, just some drinks and spent some chill time playing Hangman. However, the views are stunning, Penelope herself is the chef, the service is good, not to mention all the amazing reviews their tavern gets. I’d say you try it!
Konstantinos, our receptionist gave us homework. To have a meal at Metaxi Mas. He told us to call a few days ahead. So, we did our job and headed to the restaurant with high expectations, of course. We got a small something on the house and then ordered a splurge of appetizers, all of them delicious, but their cheese kataifi was king. 5 stars!
Insider tip!: Metaxi Mas is situated at about 30 minutes’ walk from Pyrgos, in the village of Exo Gonia.
Being placed on top of Pyrgos hill, Franco’s is the most coveted place for sunset watching. In case this is your cup of tea in high season, either book ahead or arrive one hour early. Franco’s serve food also, but this is the typical drink place.
Wineries are part of Santorini’s culture. Close to Pyrgos, you can find Santo Wines and Venetsanos with stunning views over the caldera, and of course, enjoy wine tasting. In the other direction, there’s Estate Argyros, another highly appreciated winery. Besides, it’s a nice place to visit on a hot day!
Pyrgos accommodation
Despite its moderate size, Pyrgos, Santorini has a wide range of accommodation options.
Most of them luxury.
Bliss Mansion is one accommodation that looks like heaven and has fantastic reviews. Another fabulous one is Elements Cozy Suites, while Phaos 1870, A Restored Winery is also amazing, but within a more moderate range. Art Hotel Santorini looks like a work of art and is affordable in Santorini terms.
With all these appealing to the eye accommodation options, I really wish to return to Pyrgos and spend a weekend there in late September.
Are you on the same page?
Have you ever been to Pyrgos?? How did you like it? Do you have any further tips for visiting or any restaurants to try? I look forward to reading your experiences!
