Oia and Fira are famous for a reason, and I absolutely think you should visit both, especially if it’s your first trip to Santorini. But if you’re looking for Santorini hidden gems beyond those famous towns, there’s SO much more to see. Between cruise ship passengers, everyone wanting the same blue-dome photo, and the sunset crowds, sometimes it feels like the entire island has decided to stand in exactly the same place.
During our six-night trip, we explored traditional villages, quieter caldera viewpoints, archaeological sites, and beach towns that gave us a completely different experience.
If I had to choose two favorites, I’d probably pick Imerovigli and Megalochori. But there are several other places I’d recommend adding to your itinerary, especially if you want to explore beyond Oia and Fira.
Let’s be realistic. Santorini is one of the most famous islands in the world. I’m not going to pretend I discovered some secret village that no one else knows exists.
When I say Santorini hidden gems, I mean places that felt quieter, less commercialized, or simply offered something different from the busy streets of Oia and central Fira.
Some are traditional villages where wandering through the streets is the main attraction. Others have incredible caldera views, historical sites, or beaches where you can spend an entire afternoon.
And you don’t necessarily need to drive across the whole island to find them. A few are within walking distance of Fira.
If you want to get away from central Fira without actually going very far, start with Firostefani.
It’s approximately a 10–15 minute walk from Fira, but the atmosphere becomes noticeably more relaxed. You still have whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, restaurants, walking paths, and those incredible caldera views. We just encountered fewer people than in the heart of Fira.
It’s an easy addition to a day of sightseeing, especially if you’re already exploring the northern side of town.
The Three Bells of Fira, also known as the Catholic Church of the Dormition, is one of Santorini’s most photographed churches. The bright blue dome, three-bell tower, and caldera backdrop make this a photo stop I would absolutely recommend.
But here’s something important: make sure you find the elevated viewpoint above the church. That’s where you get the classic photograph looking down over the dome, with the Aegean Sea and volcanic islands behind it.
If you’re standing beside the church wondering where THE VIEW is…Keep going up.
The viewpoint attracts plenty of visitors, so don’t expect to have this particular spot to yourself, even though the surrounding neighborhood feels quieter.
Imerovigli was easily one of my favorite places we visited.
You still get the dramatic cliffs, white buildings, blue domes, and huge caldera views that everyone goes to Oia for. But during our visit, it felt much more chill.
I especially loved this area later in the day. The scenery is incredible, and if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the sunset without automatically joining the crowds in Oia, I’d put Imerovigli high on your list.
One of Imerovigli’s biggest landmarks is Skaros Rock, a massive volcanic formation extending into the caldera below the village. You can get incredible views of it from several spots around Imerovigli, with whitewashed buildings perched along the cliffs behind it.
And no, you do NOT have to hike all the way down to Skaros Rock to enjoy the views. If you decide to do the hike, just know that it involves uneven terrain and plenty more stairs.
Another stop I’d recommend is Anastasi Church, one of Imerovigli’s beautiful blue-domed churches. With its whitewashed walls, bright blue dome, and the caldera stretching out behind it, it’s exactly the type of view you picture when you think of Santorini. And yes, it’s just as pretty in person.
One of my favorite ways to explore this area is to walk the caldera path connecting Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Fira. We actually started in Imerovigli and walked through Firostefani into Fira, and I really liked doing it in that direction. You start somewhere quieter, pass beautiful viewpoints and churches along the way, and finish in Fira for shopping, restaurants, and more sightseeing.
For the exact route, viewpoints, and walking details, read my Fira to Imerovigli Walk: Santorini Caldera Walking Guide. And if you’re planning to eat in Fira, check out my Selene Santorini Review: What to Expect. We had an incredible dinner there, and I’d absolutely go back!
If you’re looking for hidden gems in Santorini that feel completely different from the famous caldera villages, go to Megalochori.
This was one of the places that really stood out during our trip.
Megalochori is a traditional village approximately 9 kilometers from Fira, known for its cobblestone streets, stone archways, beautiful bell towers, traditional houses, and flower-filled courtyards.
Unlike Oia, where I had a long list of specific photography locations, Megalochori didn’t feel like somewhere I needed a strict sightseeing checklist. Honestly, that was part of why I liked it. We just wandered.
One of Megalochori’s most recognizable landmarks is its Six-Bell Tower. This beautiful white bell tower stretches across a narrow street, creating a distinctive architectural feature that’s hard to miss.
Definitely have your camera ready. It’s a great photo spot, and the surrounding streets are just as interesting to explore.
Megalochori has a small village square surrounded by traditional buildings, cafés, and restaurants.
It’s a convenient spot to stop for coffee or lunch while exploring the village. You can also use it as a starting point before wandering through the surrounding streets.
For something a little different, Megalochori is also home to Symposion Cultural Center.
Located in a former winery, Symposion focuses on Greek music, art, and mythology through interactive musical presentations, workshops, vintage instruments, exhibitions, performances, and a mythological garden.
For the 2026 season, its operating period was April through October. It’s only a short walk from the main village square, making it an easy addition if you’re interested in something cultural beyond churches and viewpoints.
Check the current program and opening dates before visiting, especially if you’re traveling outside the main tourist season.
Another landmark to look for is Panagia Eisodion Church, near the village center.
It’s an easy stop to include while walking around Megalochori rather than something you need to plan a separate trip to see. The churches and bell towers are part of what makes the village’s traditional architecture so interesting.
Most visitors could probably see the main parts of Megalochori in 1–1.5 hours. We were there closer to four hours, which should probably tell you how much I enjoyed it. Ha!
If you’re stopping for food, taking a million pictures, visiting Symposion, or exploring the nearby Heart of Santorini, you can easily spend much longer.
I’d recommend planning around 3–4 hours if you want to explore at a leisurely pace, but you can definitely see the highlights in less than two hours.
Just outside Megalochori is one of Santorini’s more unusual photography locations: the Heart of Santorini. It’s a natural opening in the volcanic rock shaped roughly like a heart, with the caldera visible through it.
And yes. Obviously we took pictures.
The views here are incredible, and there’s more to explore beyond the heart itself. If you continue along the path, you’ll find a church and even more beautiful viewpoints overlooking the caldera.
You don’t need a ton of time here, but we ended up spending at least an hour exploring and taking pictures. It’s also an easy stop to combine with Megalochori.
The ground around the viewpoint can be uneven, so supportive shoes make walking around much easier. My cute sandals continued to receive terrible reviews throughout this trip, but hey, I made my choices. 😆
Pyrgos is another village I’d recommend if you want to see a quieter, more traditional side of Santorini.
Unlike Oia and Fira, which sit along the caldera, Pyrgos climbs a hill inland. The village developed around a historic fortified center, with narrow cobblestone streets, stone archways, staircases, churches, and whitewashed houses.
And because of its elevated position, you get panoramic views across a huge section of Santorini rather than only looking out toward the caldera.
Another church you might come across while exploring the historic castle area is Theotokaki Church.
Its traditional architecture is quite different from the famous blue-domed churches along Santorini’s caldera, which is something I really enjoyed about Pyrgos.
After exploring the upper village, head back down toward the main square. You’ll find cafés, restaurants, and small shops around the area, making it a convenient place to stop before continuing your sightseeing.
A coffee stop after climbing around Pyrgos? You’ve earned it.
The main landmark I’d work toward is Pyrgos Castle, also known as Kasteli. You reach the historic castle area by walking uphill through the village’s narrow streets and passageways.
Don’t worry too much about finding the fastest route. Half the fun is exploring the little alleys and staircases along the way. Once you reach the upper part of Pyrgos, you’ll find some beautiful panoramic viewpoints overlooking the island.
If you have a rental car, you can continue farther uphill toward Profitis Ilias Monastery, near the highest point on Santorini. The real reason I’d add this stop? The views.
From this elevated part of the island, you get a completely different perspective on Santorini’s villages, coastline, and surrounding landscape.
It’s an easy addition when you’re already exploring Pyrgos by car.
I’d allow approximately 1–1.5 hours for exploring the village itself. Add more time if you’re stopping for lunch, taking a LOT of photos, or continuing uphill toward Profitis Ilias.
And wear comfortable shoes. Pyrgos is built on a hill, and there are plenty of staircases.
Ancient Thera was one of the places that surprised me most during our trip. I expected the archaeological site to be interesting because you’re exploring the remains of an ancient city.
What I wasn’t expecting was how much I’d love the views. Ancient Thera sits approximately 369 meters above sea level on Mesa Vouno, the mountain between Kamari and Perissa.
The archaeological remains include the Sanctuary of Artemis, Royal Stoa, ancient theater, and Sanctuary of Apollo Karneios. But the surrounding scenery was just as memorable.
From the top, we could look down over Kamari, the coastline, and the Aegean Sea. We could even watch planes heading toward Santorini Airport in the distance.
For driving directions, parking details, what to wear, and everything else I’d know before visiting, read my Ancient Thera Santorini: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit.
Kamari isn’t exactly hidden. It’s one of Santorini’s more popular beach towns. But compared with the concentrated sightseeing crowds in Oia and Fira, it gave us a completely different experience.
And I LOOOOOVED it.
We stayed in Kamari for five nights at the Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort, and if I were planning another Santorini trip, I’d seriously consider staying here again.
If you’re deciding where to stay while exploring Santorini’s hidden gems, Kamari is an option I’d consider, especially if you plan to rent a car and visit different parts of the island.
One of my favorite things about Kamari was how easy everything felt. The town has a pedestrian promenade along the beachfront, with tons of restaurants, cafés, shops, and beach bars.
We could spend the entire day exploring Santorini, then return to Kamari, park our rental car, and walk around for the rest of the evening. No fighting through Oia crowds. No complicated dinner transportation.
Just beach, food, shopping, and a much more relaxed atmosphere. For us, that was a HUGE advantage of staying here.
Kamari Beach has black volcanic sand and pebbles, with the steep slopes of Mesa Vouno rising behind one end of the beach. It’s a beautiful setting, but there are a couple of practical things to know.
First, bring water shoes. The pebbles aren’t comfortable underfoot, and that black volcanic sand can get HOT in the sun.
Second, if you’re lying on Kamari Beach and the “angel” offering massages finds you? Say yes. The massage was heavenly.
For more information about Santorini’s different coastlines, read my Best Beaches in Santorini Greece: Red Beach White Beach Kamari and More guide.
My pick? Megalochori, Heart of Santorini, and Pyrgos if you’re interested in exploring traditional villages. We spent nearly four hours in Megalochori alone, so don’t feel like you have to squeeze all three into one morning.
The Imerovigli route is ideal without a rental car, while Ancient Thera and Kamari work especially well together if you have your own transportation.
If you’d rather have someone else handle the transportation and route planning, a guided Santorini village tour could be another option. Just check the stops carefully to make sure it includes the villages you’re most interested in visiting.
Not necessarily. It depends on which places you want to visit and how many you’re planning to combine in one day. If you’re only visiting one village, you can use a taxi or, depending on the destination, a local bus.
But if you’re trying to visit several villages and viewpoints in the same day? Get the car. We loved having ours.
Here’s how I’d approach transportation for each location.
| Location | My Transportation Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Firostefani | Walk from Fira; no car needed |
| Imerovigli | Walk from Fira or Firostefani; taxis are another option |
| Megalochori | Rental car for multiple stops; taxi or bus for a single visit |
| Heart of Santorini | Car or taxi, followed by a short walk |
| Pyrgos | Rental car for convenience; taxis and buses are alternatives |
| Ancient Thera | Rental car unless you’re planning to hike up Mesa Vouno |
| Kamari | Walk if staying locally, take a bus from Fira, or drive |
For Megalochori, plan to park near the village entrance and explore the narrow streets on foot.
We loved being able to leave whenever we wanted, change our plans, and stop when something caught our attention instead of organizing our entire day around bus schedules.
And driving around Santorini was much easier than I expected. There are definitely some narrow roads, sharp turns, and challenging parking areas, but having a small rental car gave us a lot more flexibility.
If you’re considering renting one, read my Driving in Santorini Greece: Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car for everything I’d recommend knowing before picking up your car.
Looking back at our time in Santorini, I’m really glad we rented a car and made time to explore more of the island.
I loved Oia and Fira, but some of the places that surprised me most weren’t the ones I’d seen all over Instagram before our trip. We ended up spending hours wandering through Megalochori, found some incredible viewpoints, and discovered places I probably wouldn’t have visited if we’d stuck to the usual tourist stops.
If I were planning our trip again, I’d for sure include Imerovigli and Megalochori. And honestly, I’d probably allow even more time for exploring the smaller villages.
My advice? Plan time for the famous attractions, but leave some room in your itinerary for the places you might not have heard much about. Those ended up being some of the best parts of our trip.
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This is what I mean by lunch with a view. 🇬🇷
Sunset Restaurant on one side, the Aegean Sea on the other.
And even as someone who doesn’t usually go for seafood, this spot in Hydra surprised me. Between the fresh sea bass, panko-crusted feta, and waterfront setting, it was a meal worth remembering.
Save this for your next trip to Greece!
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
