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Village · Fira, Egeu Meridional
Megalochori
Wine village in the central-south of the island, with a shaded square, bell towers over the street, rock-cut cellars (canavas) and ship captains' houses.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Megalochori
Megalochori is in the central-south of Santorini, about 6 km from Fira, surrounded by vineyards. It is one of the island’s most tranquil villages: narrow lanes of white and cream houses, painted wooden doors, blue-domed churches and a central square with trees and tavernas. At the entrance two arched bell towers rise over the street, and you pass beneath them to reach the centre.
The village grew around wine. In the 18th and 19th centuries, shipowners' and merchants' families built large houses and cut cellars into the rock, the canavas, where wine rested in cool conditions. Some canavas are now wineries open to visits and tastings, with emphasis on assyrtiko, the island’s white grape, and Vinsanto, a sweet wine from sun-dried grapes.
Megalochori lies on the route between Fira and Akrotiri and pairs well with a visit to the archaeological site or the caldera-edge wineries near Pyrgos. The village can be walked in half an hour; the rest of the time is spent in the square and the cellars.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 minutes to 1 hour in the village; add another hour if you visit a winery.
Best time
Late afternoon and early evening, when the tavernas in the square open and the heat eases. In the morning the village is almost empty.
How to get there
KTEL buses from Fira to Akrotiri and Perissa stop on the road by the village entrance, in about 15 minutes. By car it’s about 6 km from Fira, with roadside parking.
Tip
Pass under the entrance bell towers and head to the square; the surrounding alleys contain the captains' houses. If you plan to taste wine and drive, organize accordingly: the wineries are outside the village.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Megalochori
What are the canavas of Megalochori?
Cellars dug into the volcanic rock, where wine was kept cool. Some have become wineries offering tours and tastings.
Is Megalochori on the way to Akrotiri?
Yes. The village is on the road between Fira and the archaeological site of Akrotiri, and buses on that line stop at the entrance.
Is it worth staying overnight in Megalochori?
For those seeking peace among vineyards, with a car or bus to get around, it's a good base. It doesn't have a caldera view.