Santorini Cactus

Santorini Cactus is a large villa which sits on private grounds on a small exclusive estate in the hilltop village of Pyrgos Kallistis in the foothills of Mount Profitis Ilias. Pyrgos is surrounded by vineyards that produce the famous Assytiko white wines. Pyrgos Kallistis is charming, with narrow, characterful medieval alleys lined with atmospheric wine bars, traditional tavernas, galleries and gorgeous boutiques. Its Santorini of the Past Museum explores traditional island life. Winding lanes fan out from the remains of its Venetian castle, brimming with whitewashed houses and beautiful churches. Guests staying in this dreamy village enjoy some of the island’s best sunsets. Though Pyrgos is an inland village, you are never far from a volcanic beach. The Blue Flag brilliance of Kamari and Perissa beaches will only take you fifteen minutes in the car. Twenty minutes south takes you to the famous Red Beach of Akrotiri. It is very easy to explore the whole island from this superb location.

Santorini is the most southern of the Cyclade islands, an island of beauty and historical and geological interest. The island’s west coast ends in a steep precipice and lagoon, otherwise known as a caldera which is between three and four hundred metres deep and up to three hundred metres high with dramatic cliffs. The lagoon was created by a vast volcanic eruption over three thousand six hundred years ago. The island’s most famous attraction is the Nea Kameni volcano which sits in the middle of the lagoon. 

The charming villages of Vothonas and Messaria are within easy reach of the villa. Vothonas offers a wonderful sense of serenity and several notable churches and chapels worth visiting for their distinct architecture. Built in a steep gorge, many of its buildings are cave houses the villagers built by carving into the volcanic rocks. You will love wandering through its narrow alleys. The Church of Agios Roussos is built of pumice stones on a rock, and the oldest village church is the Church of Agia Anna, built in 1827. Vothonas boasts a fascinating Wine Museum that sits six metres below ground in a cave. You will learn about the history and process of winemaking on the island of Santorini and enjoy a wine-tasting experience. Just outside Vothonas is the Church of Panagia Sergena, which is carved into a big volcanic rock. Messaria is a beautiful village with amazing, distinctive architecture and an incredible array of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. Part of Messaria is built on the caldera with exclusive views of the volcano and the dazzling Aegean Sea. Messaria dates back to the 17th century, and in the 19th century, it was the industrial centre of the island, brimming with cave houses and mansions. Today, the manor houses of Argyros, Markezinis and Saliveros, which still stand in the village are the landmarks of Messaria. The mansion of Argyros was partly destroyed by the earthquake but later restored and made into a museum. Messaria is a lovely place surrounded by lush olive groves and vineyards. 

The larger towns of Fira, Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani boast an impressive range of restaurants. Fira is Santorini’s capital. It is located on the island’s western edge, within very easy reach of the Santorini Sea, opposite the volcano and the two volcanic islands Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni. Fira is beautiful and enjoys excellent nightlife and fabulous shopping. The Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center presents a variety of collections and hosts regular cultural events. There are several museums and two cathedrals. The restored Catholic cathedral enjoys a peach-coloured exterior while the inside is covered in magical frescoes. 

Many of the island’s beaches are made of pebbles and volcanic rock. You will enjoy stunning views, watersports and excellent beachside bars and restaurants. In the south, you will discover the sandy Perissa Beach and in the north, Monolithos. Near Akrotiri, the Red Beach is very popular, named after its volcanic cliffs, which look beautiful against the deep blue sea. Akrotiri is also known for its lighthouse and ruins, now housed in an archaeological centre. Those that enjoy the fresh air and hiking are in for a real treat. At 565m, the island’s highest point is the summit of the Profitis Elias mountain, where there is a monastery. You can also make the steep ascent to Ancient Thera from Perissa. 

Read more about South Santorini

Experience the romance of southern Santorini whether falling in love with Pyrgos, visiting the wineries of Megalochori, swimming from the volcanic shores of Red Beach or watching the sunset from Akrotiri Lighthouse.

Start your explorations by visiting the hilltop village of Pyrgos and be captivated by its charm and panoramic views. It’s here you can truly soak up the authenticity of Santorini without the tourist crowds of Oia, and the sunsets are still magical. The ruins of the Venetian Castle at the top of the village afford the most wonderful vistas across the island.   

Another beautiful village is 17^th century Megalochori, surrounded by vineyards and considered one of Santorini’s hidden gems. Stop off for lunch in a taverna in the main square and listen out for the chiming belltower. Be sure to visit one the village’s family-run wineries that produce Vinsanto, a sweet wine made from grapes left out to dry in the sun, then aged in oak barrels. Across past centuries the wine industry brought great wealth to this part of the island.

For  change of scene, spend time by the beaches of the eastern coast – Perissa is considered the best beach resort in Santorini, sheltered from the island winds by Mesa Vouno. There’s sun beds and parasols along the beach, a range of watersports, seafood restaurants facing the sea and an overall laidback ambience across the town’s beachside bars.

Other unique coastal destinations include the volcanic pebbles of Red Beach and the dark rocks of Black Beach, both located on the south-west corner of the island.  Southern Santorini is also home to the ancient site of Akrotiri and the incredible Akrotiri Lighthouse overlooking the edge of the caldera, an especially idyllic spot at sunset.