Last Updated on August 26, 2022 by
Right in the heart of Santorini you can visit Megalochori. A village made of white-washed churches, traditional Greek houses and unexpected surprises. In this guide you will discover all the best things to do in Megalochori. This will help you planning a fantastic day out in Santorini.
Table of Contents
Why you should put Megalochori on your Santorini top places to visit
I had a very strong impact with Megalochori. This because when we arrived it looked like we were completely out of place. There were locals playing with cards on tables placed literally on the streets. Nice Santorini’s ladies cooking with their door open or just relaxing under a tree in their courtyards. When we parked our scooter, everyone was looking at us walking on their streets, curious of why we were there. It’s true that we were probably the only tourists there. I have the feeling that people tend to skip this place. Nevertheless, Megalochori is one of the nicest Santorini’s hidden gems! In fact, you just need to do a few steps out of the central square to find yourself alone in the beauty. Hidden alleys will lead you to secret caves, beautiful white-washed churches and nice contrasts between the old and new architecture.
Planning other day trips in Santorini? Why not visiting Akrotiri!
Megalochori, the historical heart of Santorini
Megalochori (in Greek Μεγαλοχώρι) lies between the mainland of Santorini and the east coast of the island. With its spectacular views on the Santorini caldera, this traditional village is one of the best places where to taste a glass of Vinsanto. There is not much information I could find on the earliest origins of Megalochori. However, since the 17th century, records testify the village’s involvement in the trade (and smuggling) of wine.
It looks like the Vinsanto was particularly appreciated by Aegean’s pirates! In fact, some of the oldest houses in the village still preserve their home-made defensive structure built as protections from pirates and other marauders. In 1956, a strong earthquake destroyed a large part of the village. After that, Megalochori was abandoned by their residents and fallen in disrepair for a long time. Only in the last twenty years, the village has been restored to its ancient glory. Local people returned and moved their business in this part of the island again.
Things to do in Megalochori map
In the map below you can discover the exact location of the places mentioned in this blog.
Best things to do in Megalochori
Photograph its iconic Bell Tower
If you do a small research about Megalochori, you will immediately realise the Bell Tower is the most photographed point of the entire village. This is located on the main street of Megalochori and it is part of the nearby Virgin Mary Church.
Photographing this lovely corner is a bit hard. In fact, this (very narrow) street is populated with cars, and locals going back and forward. You can’t imagine how many times I had to smash myself against one of the walls because a car attempted to drive in this little street! Nevertheless, with a little bit of patience you can photograph this spot too! Unfortunately, climbing the bell tower is not possible, although I spotted a small door leading to the top! You can continue to explore the village from this main road and see what else you can discover!
Discover the Secret Underground Caves
The Underground Caves were the best surprise of our visit to Megalochori! If you walk around the main street, just after the Bell Tower, you will soon spot soon one of the signs (pictured above) guiding you towards some mysterious Underground Caves. Of course, I could not miss the opportunity to discover where this was leading especially because the sign stated that the caves were free to visit! The path leaded to what is probably the only house that is not white and blue in the whole Santorini and what you will find is totally unexpected!
After following all the signs, we found ourselves in the most colourful of the courtyards completely alone! The signs continued towards a small door leading to an underground passage and here we found some small traditional caves. There wasn’t much information about them. However, Megalochori used to be an important trade village and some of these caves were often used as canaves or wharehouses by local inhabitants. During the past times, they were also inhabited by the poorest people or by merchants during their business days in the island. Recently, they have been used as perfect location for the storage of wine! Megalochori, in particular is famous for the production of Vinsanto and these caves are still used by locals to store their wine production. Lastly, some of the caves in other part of the island have been renovated and turned into luxurious hotels.
Find the famous Santorini’s Heart
If you proceed towards the coast of Megalochori you can try to find the famous “Santorini’s heart”. I have to warn you that Google maps is not much reliable in making you find this spot as it leaded us to the wrong place at least two times. Moreover, the heart-shaped carving can’t be spotted from anywhere in the main street or above the cliff.
How to find the heart of Santorini
The nearest place you can go (helped by google maps) is at the top of a cliff. From there you have to push up your explorer skills and try to find the hidden path that goes down that steep cliff! There are no signs and I warmly suggest you to go there with a good pair of trainers as most rocks collapsed and the stairs recently turned into a slide towards the ocean. The best thing to do in order to find the heart is to search for the Agios Nikolaos (Church of St. Nicholas). In fact, this is situated down the cliff on the same path of the heart of Santorini. This will help to not get lost and visit both attractions at the same time! We didn’t know about this before and discovered it while in loco.
The heart of Santorini is probably one of the most romantic spot of the island. If you are lucky enough to be the only one there, is also an amazing spot to watch the sunset with your loved one!
Enjoy the most stunning view from the Agios Nikolaos
I admit I had a little Indiana Jones moment when I spotted this church from the rocks and I couldn’t believe we were totally alone in front of this beauty! We actually did not know about the existence of this place and we found it just because we were searching for the Heart of Santorini. In fact, the heart-shaped carving is connected to a (bit ruined) staircase and if you decide to go down (like we did to see where it was leading) you will find this amazing place!!
The church, called Agios Nikolaos, is completely carved inside the rock, except of course for the bell tower that is visible from the staircase. A small door on the rock will lead you to a little (and quite dark) room still used by locals to pray. I found it very fascinating, also because despite outside was very warm, this little chamber was actually quite fresh! After our visit, we discovered that you could also follow a short hiking trail along the coast that will lead you to the church from another direction. This last around 45 mins and is probably better to undertake it at early morning or at springtime when temperatures are less warm.
Have a taste of Vinsanto
As I said before, Meghalochori is famous for the production of Vinsanto. So, while getting around this lovely village what better thing to do than a wine tasting with a spectacular caldera view? The most famous place where you can taste Santorini’s famous wine is surely Santo Wines. Nevertheless, this is located in Pyrgos. Moreover, being one of the most popular wineries of the island means also that the place is more crowded. Despite prices are competitive with other local wineries. If you decide to stay in Meghalochori and taste the famous Vinsanto the best place to go is the Venetsanos Winery. Prices for wine tasting accompanied by local tasty food range from € 30-45. The place has a beautiful view on the caldera so it’s a perfect location to escape the crowd of Oia and watch the sunset.
Where to eat in Megalochori
Megalochori is very traditional, if you stay in the main village there are some local restaurant that are perfect for a taste of the best Greek cuisine. Among the best ones why not try Avlogyros Traditional Tavern and Tavern Tzanakis .
Happy travels!
Read other Santorini guides
Want to discover more about Santorini? Read these other guides below! Click on the pictures to discover these amazing villages!
No time to read? Pin it for later!
