Discover Santorini’s Hidden Gem: A Quiet Village with Two Stunning Luxury Hotels

Sneak away from Santorini’s crowds with a visit to Megalochori, on the southwestern side of the island.

For most travelers heading to Santorini, the most sought-after part of the island is the northwestern tip: The village of Oia and its cliffside clusters of whitewashed buildings overlooking the Aegean. Oia has not only become the poster child for idyllic Greece vacations, but is also home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the country. However, the fabulous resorts and stunning views of the iconic caldera bring noisy crowds and congested streets. Therefore, if you base yourself on the other side of the island, you can enjoy a more tranquil stay.

Megalochori, a compact village on the southwestern side of Santorini, was once a thriving winemaking hamlet, where mansions weren’t just family homes, but were also used for wine production. While the village was abandoned in the 1950s, the last couple of decades have seen gradual restoration, focusing on retaining its age-old ambience.

Records show that Megalochori has been settled since the 17th century, and as you walk through its meandering, car-free alleyways paved in cobblestones, you will feel transported. Historic homes (now villas, shops, restaurants, and bars) come with high walls originally built to keep marauding pirates out. Since Megalochori doesn’t have sea views or world-famous resorts, it receives only a tiny fraction of the tourist traffic that Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli enjoy. Nevertheless, the village’s easy, breezy atmosphere underscores the allure of staying in Megalochori, and traveler interest is slowly beginning to pick up, with even horseback tours available these days. Before more visitors arrive, here is a concise guide to this under-the-radar Santorini village.

Where to Stay

Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini quietly put Megalochori on the map when it transformed a 400-year-old winery into a 59-suite property in 1993. Over the years, Vedema has become a classic luxury stay on Santorini. In addition to its dome-topped, whitewashed suites orbiting around a crystal-clear pool, the hotel features Alati, an atmospheric Mediterranean restaurant beautifully located in one of the Old World caves of the winery.

If you prefer a more intimate atmosphere, consider Ducato Wine Hotel & Villas. This accommodation is more a collection of historic mansions and buildings that have been transformed into luxurious villas. Each villa varies in size and is spread throughout the village. Similar to Vedema, some were once wineries and still have their original aging cellars; while others were private homes and local businesses, offering unique, local experiences amidst the charm of Megalochori.

Where to Eat

Staying at Ducato’s villas provides travelers a truly local experience. Breakfast is served at Raki, a quaint restaurant located in Megalochori’s main square. Start your day with iced coffee along with Greek yogurt loaded with granola and “peinirli,” a boat-shaped open-face calzone topped with fried eggs. For lunch and dinner, the atmosphere becomes livelier, inviting you to indulge in delicious grilled lamb souvlaki and fresh salads tossed with feta.

From the rooftop seats at Alisachni Art & Wine Gallery, you can catch breathtaking sunset views while exploring local winemaking, with a cellar boasting 500 different labels of wine, many sourced from Santorini itself. You will find organic skin-contact wines among their selections, which perfectly complement the fresh seafood dishes served.

Further up the street is Traditional Kafeneio Megalochori, a cozy cafe that offers a modest selection of local fare, from simple salads of fresh veggies and marinated octopus to grilled sardines. Its outdoor patio is a delightful spot to enjoy an afternoon freddo espresso (iced coffee) while watching local life unfold and admiring the towering belfry that has become an iconic symbol for the village.

What to Do in Megalochori

The historic winemaking legacy of Megalochori is upheld by three local wineries. Among the best on the island is Gavalas, which has been operated by the same family for five generations. As one of Santorini’s oldest wineries, Gavalas uniquely produces wine from Katsano, an indigenous white grape, grown in old-vine vineyards within the village. They also produce a selection of assyrtiko wines, showcasing the unique profile of this renowned grape with its salinity and high-alcohol content.

During your visit, consider checking out Symposium, a cultural center celebrating music and mythology. The building itself was once another of Megalochori’s ancient wineries, now transformed to host art presentations and musical performances. Throughout the season, expect a rotating calendar of concerts that honor Greek history.

This year, Ducato Wine will also open a spa, featuring Greek-inspired deep-tissue massages and hydrating facials made from local ingredients like olive oil, raki, and orange extract. Additionally, engage in pottery making with award-winning artisan Andreas Makaris at his workshop and gallery Earth & Water Studio, located just at the entrance of Megalochori. You can also visit Transit Mask, where leather artisan Stelios Drosos employs 30 years of experience to craft various leather items, perfect as souvenirs from your Santorini adventure.