Imerovigli, Karterados & the Island Interior

Imerovigli (Ημεροβίγλι) is Santorini's best-kept secret — or at least it was until Instagram discovered it. The small village perches at the highest inhabited point of the caldera (310 m) and offers the widest view over the entire crater. The name means "Day Watch" — from here, guards once watched for approaching pirate ships.

Imerovigli has the caldera magic of Oia without the mass tourism: excellent cave hotels (30–50% cheaper than in Oia!), quiet alleys, outstanding restaurants, and the famous view of the Skaros Rock — the most dramatic rocky outcrop of the caldera. On Skaros once stood the medieval fortress Kasteli, Santorini's administrative center from the 13th to the 17th century. Today, a narrow path leads to the top — the view from above is indescribable.

Away from the caldera, it's worth taking a look at the island interior. Karterados (2 km from Fira) is an authentic village with traditional cave houses, rarely visited by tourists. Here, you'll find the cheapest accommodations in Santorini with proximity to Fira. Messaria has the beautiful church Panagia Episkopi (11th century) and the Argyros winery, one of the oldest on the island. Pyrgos is the highest village in Santorini (300 m) with a well-preserved fortress settlement (Kasteli) and a panoramic view considered by locals to be the best on the island — without the caldera prices.