Discover the best things to do when you stay in Pyrgos | Santorini
Over the last 4 years, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming guests from all over the world to Pyrgos; some for just a couple of nights and others for 2 weeks. We’ve pulled together our top recommendations on things to do when you stay in Pyrgos, Santorini, ALL based on guest feedback !
From wine sampling to the best activities and excursions, we’ve listed the top things to do when you stay in Santorini’s most beautiful, authentic village, Pyrgos.
Explore Pyrgos, Santorini’s most beautiful, authentic village
Explore Pyrgos on foot taking your time to feel the chilled out and authentic atmosphere. It’s winding cobbled streets are filled with quaint little shops, churches and places to kick back and soak up the views. Make sure you visit the hilltop chapel and crumbling walls of the castle. The views from the top are truly astounding, especially at sunset. i-escape.com describe Pyrgos as a picture-perfect village away from the crowds, but with stunning views.
We absolutely loved staying in Pyrgos. After a day exploring Santorini, it was heaven to return to the village – the vibe is laid back, the views phenomenal and the village extremely friendly and welcoming. One of our highlights was sunset drinks at Franco’s and as for dining out, Pyrgos never failed to impress!
Guest feedback
Get high with 360 views of Santorini at Profitis Ilias
Walk (if you’re feeling energetic) or drive up to the monastery located at the top of Profitis Ilias, the highest point on the island. The monastery dates back to 1711, and while it’s not open to visitors, you can still visit the chapel. Colourful frescos and religious icons adorn the walls, and there’s a small shop selling products made by the monks (previous guests raved about the wine they bought there; maybe it was blessed!)
Sample Santorinian Wine at the vineyards surrounding Pyrgos
Vines growing the famous Santorinian grapes surround Pyrgos, and there are plenty of wineries where you go and sample their wines. Check out the top Santorini wineries here. Wine tours can be arranged too where you will learn about the winemaking process and sample the island’s best wines.
Kick back on Santorini’s beaches
Pyrgos is within striking distance of Santorini’s multi-coloured beaches. The black sands of Kamari Beach and Perivolos Beach are both just 15 minutes away by car and the most manicured. Expect organised beach bars, seafront tavernas, restaurants and excellent choice of watersports. Red Beach on the Akrotiri peninsular is generally closed to the public these days as it’s considered unsafe. You can still view the beach and the red coloured rocks, but it’s prohibited to lie on the beach. It’s best seen from the sea, and a great way to do this is to book a sailing cruise. If you’re looking for the best water sports activities in Santorini, Perivolos has an excellent watersports centre called Wavesports. Check out also the top beach bars perfect for couples.
Vlychada Beach is one of the quietest and arguably most impressive beaches on Santorini. Stretching over three kilometres with just two beach bars, one at each end, come here to enjoy the warm Aegean waters and avoid the crowds. Bag a super comfy sunlounger with beach service or pack your parasol, water and towel and head into the middle of the beach for peace and privacy. The backdrop is something out of a Star Wars movie.
Top Tip: Book a Sailing Cruise with Grand Little Miracles
One of the most popular ways to admire the coastline of Santorini is by sailing boat. Choose the daytime cruise if you are enjoying swimming and the sunset cruise if you’re looking for a romantic experience. They get booked up early so plan to avoid disappointment. Another tip is to book the trip early in your stay just in case weather conditions means cruises are cancelled. That way, you’ve got a chance to reschedule. Guests constantly rate this as one of the best things to do. For more info click here.
An amazing day out swimming, sunbathing and seeing the coast of Santorini. The whole experience with Grand Little Miracles was beyond outstanding. We were picked up from Pyrgos square and taken to the port where we boarded the sailing boat. Captain Nik and his helper Stavros were extremely friendly and gave us lots of information about the island. The food too was great as was the free flowing wine. The best thing we did in Santorini.
Guest feedback
‘Check-in’ in Oia
No trip to Santorini would be complete without seeing Oia. Visitors flock here for the iconic Santorini blue domed churches and sunsets so pick your time and venue to avoid the crowds. You can always combine a visit to Oia with Ammoudi Bay and enjoy fresh fish by the water’s edge. Some guests choose to see Oia by hiking from Fira to Oia (best done early morning as it can be very hot and there’s zero shade). Others choose to join the hundreds of other visitors at sunset, in which case we recommend to book at table at one of the restaurants with sunset view.
We took your advice and set off really early for the walk from Fira to Oia (actually we started in Imerovigli so saved some time). We arrived just before the heat kicked in and the cruise ship visitors arrived. The views in Oia are stunning and we’re glad we saw it but what bliss to return to Pyrgos!
Guest feedback
See Santorini from a different perspective
Horseriding trips, biking tours, Jet Ski Safari and scuba diving are an alternative way to experience Santorini’s beauty below and above the water. These small group tours get you up close and personal to Santorini’s unique landscapes and without the crowds.
The private horse-riding tour Andrew arranged for us was a real highlight of our stay, and our travels throughout Greece. Worth every dollar
The Jet Ski Safari to the volcano was so much fun.
Guest feedback
Visit the ruins at Akrotiri
This Minoan Bronze age settlement was once one of the leading urban and trade ports in the Aegean. Multi-storied buildings, and elaborate drainage system and beautiful frescos and wall paintings prove it was a very developed settlement for its time. After the eruption, it was covered in a thick layer of ash, making it one of the best preserved Minoan settlements in the Aegean. There is limited information so we’d recommend to visit Akrotiri with a guide. Make sure to visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera located in the Fira. You can marvel at the exhibitions found during the archaeological excavations. Star exhibits are the original frescos.
Enjoy Santorini’s gastronomy scene right here in Pyrgos
No place in Santorini has so many great places to eat and drink in such a small area. It’s a foodies heaven. Traditional home cooked food, meze platters and fine dining are all within a few minutes walk. It’s no surprise that the locals come to Pyrgos to eat. Local delicacies include the famous tomato balls, the Santorini salad (a Greek salad topped with capers and often the local Santorini cherry tomato), and fava (a split bean puree best eaten with crusty, village-style bread)
The pretty village was a real gem, with amazing places to eat on every corner.
We didn’t have a bad meal in Pyrgos. Our favourites were Penelope’s, Cava Alta and Rosemary’s. We also loved Brusco wine bar and deli in the main square. And the bakery was excellent too.
Read more about the village of Pyrgos.
