Imerovigli is one of the Santorini villages with a caldera view

Visit Imerovigli

Imerovigli is a beautiful white village on the top of the cliff on the edge of the caldera of Santorini and as it sits at the highest point of the caldera edge and has views over both Fira and Oia as well as the sea and other islands it really does have the best of the views.

Explore Imerovigli

Greece This Way comments: Imerovigli is a quiet clifftop village with fabulous caldera views. If you are looking for a more peaceful holiday than Oia with its masses of tourists or Fira with more of a party atmosphere than Imerovigli is a good choice.

Imerovigli

Oia and Fira are the most famous of the Santorini villages with caldera views and Oia in particular is simply breathtaking. However it is also very busy and very expensive. If you are looking for something quiet but still with the stunning cube shaped houses and hotels set into the cliff of the caldera and with fabulous views then Imerovigli is the village to choose.

The caldera of Santorini is a huge volcano crater that is mostly submerged. The island of Santorini forms one edge and the islands of Therasia and Aspronisi can be seen further round the caldera. In the centre are the Kameni islands. The view over the caldera and the villages along its edge is truly remarkable.

Imerovigli is one bus stop away from the main bus station at Fira. Alternatively you can walk from the bus station to Imerovigli along the beautiful paved walk at the edge of the caldera and enjoy the views all along the way. This takes about 30 minutes at a reasonable pace though there are plenty of bars and restaurants along the way to tempt you to pause for a while. There are various churches to admire along the way as well. The most notable is the monastery of Saint Nikolaos which can be visited in the morning and late afternoon.

Once in Imerovigli most of the gorgeaous white buildings are hotels and appartments and there is also a lovely church with a bright blue dome, triple bell tower and a blue and white stripy flagpole - very photogenic!

Many of the hotels in Imerovigli are the quirky cave hotels that are so sought after on Santorini island. Depending on the price you pay you may also get a private jacuzzi or pool. They make for a perfect spot to sit with a glass of wine and watch the sunset over the caldera. Breathtaking! This is probably the best place on Santorini to admire the sunset.

As well as the caldera in general Imerovigli looks straight out onto the dramatic Skaros Rock. It is possible to wind your way along the paths in between the hotels and on to the pathway leading to Skaros Rock.

Once you reach the base of the rock the path stops but it is possible to climb up to the top but this part is a climb. Be warned thought the rock is quite unstable and could be dangerous. Once you get to the rock you have excellent views back over Imerovigli and Santorini in general. It is not necessary to climb up to the old fortress at the top of the rock to get fabulous views.

At the far side of the rock there is a charming small church - with a blue dome of course.

Imerovigli

Where to visit nearby?

If you are staying in Imerovigli you will need to go to Fira for bars, restaurants and shopping but Fira is lovely and so this will be no hardship.

Oia is a short bus ride away and is breathtaking. Be sure not to miss it. If you are reasonably fit you can continue along the cliffside path from Fira to Imerovigli and which continues all the way to Oia. It is 20 kilometers in total.