Pyrgos Santorini is one of the most beautiful villages on the island. And when we say that, we include the caldera villages in Santorini – island capital Fira and Oia included.
Also known as Pyrgos Kallistis, Pyrgos village is only around 3 km (2 miles) from the rim of the caldera, but is a world away from Fira and Oia, the villages where Santorini tourism is mostly concentrated.
Most visitors to the island will spend time in the caldera villages and at some of the volcanic beaches in Santorini before considering Pyrgos. There are so many things to do in Santorini that many don’t have a lot of time to linger and appreciate lesser known places around the island.
Pyrgos — in a nutshell
Santorini’s highest and most beautiful village, and one of the best-kept secrets in the Greek islands. A maze of whitewashed medieval lanes, 48 churches, and panoramic views over the whole island — without a fraction of the crowds you’ll find in Fira or Oia.
Location — 8 km from Fira · highest village on the island
Getting there — KTEL bus from Fira (stopping services only, not express) · car hire or a tour
Don’t miss — Kastelana café on the castle square for coffee and island views · Franco’s at sunset for cocktails and Sinatra above the caldera
Insider tip — Come on Good Friday evening. The entire village is lit by thousands of tin lanterns — one of the most extraordinary sights in Greece.
Tour we’d take — Santorini highlights — Pyrgos, wine tasting & Oia sunset
Where we’d stay — Voreina Gallery Suites · boutique art hotel with private pools · The Small Architect’s House · cave house, caldera views · Art and Sky · traditional village house
stay in Pyrgos Santorini
The Zannos Melathron Hotel (pictured) is in the Castle precincts, housed in a magnificent mansion that is now one of the best boutique hotels in Santorini.
North Santorini – A Luxury Spa Hotel is more modern, 5-star luxury accommodation in villas and suites with stunning views over the island towards the caldera
It’s also possible to stay in cave house accommodation in the village – Arxegono Cave Houses Santorini is one of the best, with Cycladic cave-like rooms with all the luxuries you could hope for.
Visiting Pyrgos Santorini
It’s one of the most beautiful villages in the Greek islands, full of whitewashed Cycladic architecture, cave houses, Santorini blue domes, you name it. It’s one of my favourite places to visit in Santorini, and I’ll be returning there with my family next time, for sure.
You should definitely consider visiting Pyrgos if you’re spending any longer than 4 days in Santorini, or if you’re there for a shorter time, check out this Santorini tour which includes Pyrgos, Emporio and Oia.
If you want to discover off the beaten path Santorini, you need to tear yourself away from the caldera for a few hours
Pyrgos is the highest Santorini village, on a mountaintop with fantastic views of the whole of Santorini island
The village is also known as Pyrgos Kallistis, but Pyrgos is used far more commonly
Pyrgos is 8 km (5 miles) from Fira, the main Santorini town
Most of the present village dates from the period of Venetian occupation (13th century onwards), including the ruins of Pyrgos castle
The main things to do in Pyrgos Santorini are exploring the labyrinth of whitewashed lanes and tunnels in the upper part of the village, and admiring the many churches
How to get to Pyrgos Village Santorini
KTEL Santorini buses regularly pass through Pyrgos, but their timetable page isn’t very helpful. If you go by that, it will appear that just two buses a day (departing 0710 and 1400) stop at Pyrgos en route to Exo Gonia. Disregard this.
The website doesn’t make it at all clear, but there are over 20 buses from Fira to Perissa beach daily in season. The services timetabled to take 30 minutes stop at Pyrgos, whereas those scheduled to take 20 minutes – the Express services – do NOT pass through Pyrgos.
It’s worth bearing in mind that services from Pyrgos to Perissa also call at Emporio, another of the most beautiful Santorini villages. You could comfortably explore both villages in a day, especially in the more comfortable temperatures of April, May and October.
If you’re in Santorini in peak season, be aware that the return Fira bus can be unreliable. It’s often full by the time it leaves Perissa, and you can’t always get a seat, either at Emporio or Pyrgos.
Things to do in Pyrgos Santorini Village
The historic village is a short walk uphill from the main road where the bus stops. You can reach the top of the hill within five minutes.
The most striking thing about Pyrgos Santorini is that it’s built into the side of the hill like an amphitheatre. It’s a phenomenal sight, a broad curve of whitewashed Greek buildings, from curved troglodyte-like houses to a blue domed church. This is Santorini, after all.
It’s an open-air gallery of the very best Cycladic architecture. Locally it’s called a cultural village, and unlike Fira and Oia it has very much kept its soul. I was stood at a high vantage point overlooking Pyrgos, and including myself, there were a grand total of five visitors looking around what is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe.
There are a total of 48 churches in Pyrgos – and several of these are among the most beautiful churches in Santorini. The one disappointment I felt with Pyrgos was that very few of these Pyrgos churches are open – it’s such a shame. Apparently this is because many are privately owned.
Eisodia Tis Theotokou, in the castle precincts was open, and worth seeing for the fine late medieval chancel screen. Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) across the small square is also usually open – this is now used as a museum of church icons.
Agios Nikolaos church, about halfway up the village, was also open, and this 17th century church is also worth a short visit.
One of the prettiest Santorini churches I’ve seen is Agios Nikolaos Theototaki, which is to the left of the ‘amphitheatre’, on the west side of the ridge.
Pyrgos Castle looks most impressive from below, on the road down to Exo Gonia and Kamari. When you’re inside it you can’t really appreciate it as much. It’s absolutely worth the walk to see the churches and enjoy the view over the whole of the island of Santorini.
There’s also a lovely café in the Castle with a grandstand view south over the coastline. A little lower down the hill, Franco’s Café serves some local dishes and cool refreshing drinks to quench the thirst acquired in the heat.
Places to visit near Pyrgos Santorini
There are several Santorini wineries within a short drive of Pyrgos, and some produce the Vin Santo dessert wine for which Santorini is famous.
Hatzidakis Winery is on the slopes to the south-west of Pyrgos, and several others are below Exo Gonia village, along the Kamari to Fira road. The Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum is on this road, on the right as you head north towards Fira.
Pyrgos is also close to Profitis Ilias, the famous Santorini monastery on top of its highest mountain. It’s a 3 km trek or drive up the mountain from Pyrgos, and there are several churches to see in the monastery complex, not to mention the amazing Santorini views.
Pyrgos is also close to several Santorini beaches, and if you hire a car in Santorini they are all within easy striking distance. Perissa and its extension, Perivolos, is one of the most popular beaches of Santorini, and they’re just ten minutes away by car.
Vlychada beach is one of the best in Santorini, with just the right mix of spectacular scenery and relative lack of crowds.
Further to the west, there are several beaches around the village of Akrotiri. Caldera Beach Santorini is the one actual beach on the Santorini caldera, and it’s down a short, slightly rough road down from the village – less than a ten-minute downhill walk.
Beyond Akrotiri, on the road to the lighthouse (pharos), Black Beach Santorini, also known as Mesa Pigadia beach, is a stunning volcanic beach. I can vouch that the sand there is the nearest to black out of all the beaches in Santorini.
Santorini Red Beach is 2 km (a little over 1 mile) south of Akrotiri village. It’s an amazing sight, with dramatic red cliffs and sand, but the area is prone to landslides. Many venture onto the beach, but I opted against doing so.
The superb view from the clifftop path is reason enough to go there – there’s no point in risking life and limb for an afternoon on a beach.
See Also: Three Bells Of Fira – the iconic blue domed Santorini church and sunset spot
Where to stay in Pyrgos Santorini
The Zannos Melathron Hotel (pictured) is in the Castle precincts, housed in a magnificent mansion that is now one of the best boutique hotels in Santorini.
It’s also possible to stay in cave house accommodation in the village – Pyrgos Kastelli Villas is a 4-star hotel where you can stay in a typical Cycladic cave-like building with all the luxuries you could hope for.
Pyrgos Santorini Map
Download an offline map via Google Maps as the mobile signal can be a bit patchy in some places on the island.
Pyrgos Santorini Final Thoughts
It’s tiny and there is not much to do but we loved Pyrgos Santorini. If you want to escape the crowds and experience the authentic charm of Santorini this off-the-beaten-path gem offers breathtaking views, peaceful streets, and a chance to immerse yourself in local culture. Sip coffee at a local cafe, wander ancient streets or stay overnight for a truly magical experience.
I’ve also written several more articles on Santorini – feel free to peruse any of them below:
Churches in Santorini – 15 of the best churches to see on Santorini
Landmarks in Santorini – 10 top Santorini sights to see on your visit
Most Beautiful Villages in Santorini – from Oia and Fira to lesser-known Emporio and Pyrgos
Pyrgos Santorini – stunning unspoilt mountaintop village, way off the beaten Santorini track
Perissa Beach Santorini – Everything You Need To Know
Vlychada Beach Santorini – great volcanic beach on the island’s south coast
Caldera Beach Santorini – the only Santorini beach on the caldera
Black Beach Santorini – the hidden black sand beach of Mesa Pigadia
Red Beach Santorini – the off-limits red sand beach on the south of the island
The 7 Best Beaches In Santorini – black and red sand beauties on the volcanic isle
Take a look at more of our articles on Greece here:
- Balos Beach Crete – breathtaking lagoon beach in the far west of Crete
- Falassarna Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll see in your life
- Elafonissi Beach – pink sand paradise in the south-west corner of Crete
- Things To Do In Chania – Crete’s second city – but by far its most beautiful
- Kalypso Beach Crete – a fjord – in Crete – honestly!
- Bali Crete Beaches – the five beaches of this gorgeous seaside town
- Best Beaches In Crete – 26 stunners on Greece’s largest island
Hersonissos Beaches – the 15 best beaches around the busy Crete resort
Things to Do In Hersonissos – boat trips, beaches and one of the best museums in Crete
Things To Do In Malia – parties, beaches, jeep safaris and a World Heritage Site
Malia Beaches – the complete guide to Malia’s famous beaches
Voulisma Beach – gorgeous tropical beach near Agios Nikolao
Bali Crete Beaches – all 5 beaches in this north coast seaside village