Local Area Information

Emporio village

Emporio traditional village is 10 mins walk away from the apartment and is the largest village of Santorini, situated at the center of the south part of the island, at a distance of 12 kilometers from Fira, the centre of Santorini. It is built in the lowlands, at the foot of Profitis Ilias Mountain. The village was probably named Emporio (=trade) because it used to be the center of the commercial affairs in the past.

You can find plenty of shops, cafes, bars and traditional taverns with savory dishes and fine wines. An asset of Emporio village is the fact that it is close to Perissa village and the cosmopolitan volcanic beaches of Perissa and Perivolos. There you can find pool bars, clubs, a vivid nightlife and the most popular beach resorts with many facilities. Another remarkable spot is the Gavrilos hills that have eight traditional windmills and offer a ravishing view.

The big attraction of Emporio is the medieval Kasteli, one of the five fortified castles of Santorini. Inside the castle there is a church that dates back to the 16th century or earlier. In close distance lies the Tower of Nimborio, a square building that was used as a watchtower and a refuge.

Emporio castle guarded the largest village in Santorini, Greece. It’s known for labyrinthine streets and it’s stunning architecture. Out of all the Santorini castles, it is Emporio that has been the most carefully maintained and stood the test of time.

There are several bus stops close to the apartment which run every 20 mins into the centre Fira. We can provide a bus timetable upon arrival.

Santorini Wineries

Santorini is an island with long wine-making tradition. The volcanic soil and the water-filled climate of Santorini give a unique taste to the local wine. The wine of Santorini was famous all over the Mediterranean basin in ancient times and even today it is exported in many countries of the world. Vinsanto, Nychteri, and Mezzo are just some of the local varieties that can be found in many restaurants on the island and in various cellars in the world.

You are free to explore the wineries and book tours on your own but there are also many companies offering wine tours. During the tours your are driven to different wineries, take tours and taste the wine. There are different options to choose from with food and lunch provided or sunset wine tasting with caldera views.

There are many wineries on Santorini, but here is a list of the top ones:

Santo Winery Santorini (Pyrgos)

Built on different levels to mirror the terraces of the vineyards, SantoWines Winery has jaw-dropping views of the Caldera. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best wineries.

Gavalas Winery (Megalochori)

When I asked locals which Santorini winery was their favourite, the majority pointed me to Gavalas. Over 300 years old, the family-run winery doesn’t have a restaurant or any notable views, but what they lack in those two realms, they make up in the wine department.

Venetsanos Winery (Megalochori)

Yamas (cheers) to the dramatic views at Venetsantos Winery! Carved into a cliff, this winery offers front row seats to the caldera…

Boutari Winery Santorini

You’ll want to snap a pic of the white-domed building at Boutari before heading in. Voted as one of the ‘ten architectural wonders of the wine world’, it’s where they host tastings, tours and art programs…