'Megalocori means 'big village' in Greek – but actually it's rather small.'
Sleepy Megalocori sits in the heart of Santorini's wine producing area. But if you visit during the grape harvest, you won't find it quite so sleepy after all, The village erupts into a wine-making frenzy, with grapes drying out in the sun and laden baskets of fruit being carried through the streets. Roll up to one of the village's wineries to taste the local produce – Boutaris, Antoniou and Iliopoulis are three of the most well-known. Of course, you can always sample the local wine at one of the tavernas in the village square. Spend low key evenings chatting over lemon-drizzled calamari or slow-roasted Kleftiko lamb. By day, it's an easy trip to the beaches of the south coast where you can swim and sunbathe when it's too hot to do anything else. But save some time to pop into one of the pretty churches in Megalocori. Panaghia ton Isodion is renowned for its wood carved screen, whilst Aghios Nicolaos Marmaritus dates back to the 4th century BC and was once a Greek temple. Holiday here on the 1st July or the 15th August, and you'll catch one of the vibrant local festivals, when locals parade through the streets with religious effigies and candles. And if you crave a little more action at any other time of year, you can always spend an evening in Thira's lively restaurants and bars nearby. However we think you'll be seduced by the lazy pace here in Megalocori.
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Megalocori hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Megalocori include Vedema Resort.
More Santorini holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Santorini? Our Santorini holiday destinations include Imerovigli, Kamari, Megalocori, Oia, Perissa, Perivolos, Pyrgos, Santorini and Thira.
Beaches
The beaches of the south coast are all within easy reach from Megalocori. After a day basking out in the sun, head back to Megalocori and say 'yassou' to the locals relaxing in the shade of their geranium-hung patios and courtyards.
Eating out
Megalocori is home to a handful of small, intimate tavernas where you can tuck into crisp Greek salads sprinkled with chunks of fetta cheese, slow-roasted kleftiko lamb and lemon-drizzled calamari. There are also lots of wineries here, too, including Boutaris, Antoniou and Iliopoulos. Standing at the heart of the Santorini's industry, Megalocori really comes to life during the grape harvest. Grapes are spread out on terraces and dried in the sun to become raisins while heavily-laden baskets are carried through the streets in the town's annual wine-making frenzy.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Megalocori tends to by quite low key with most evenings spent savouring a glass retsina in a pavement cafe at sunset. Two local 'panighyri', or festivals, are staged in the summertime. On the 1st of July the Feast of Aghioi Anargyri takes place and on the 15th of August, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated. Don't miss out on this opportunity to see locals parading through the streets with religious effigies and candles.
Shopping
Megalocori offers a handful of craft and souvenir shops where you can pick up a host of traditional reminders of Santorini. Take your pick from natural sea sponges, succulent olives and jars of runny honey and don't forget to buy a bottle of wine from one of the local wineries, too.
Local information
Renowned for its intricate wood-carved screen and Byzantine icons, Panaghia ton Isodion is one of Megalocori's prettiest churches. The church of Aghios Nicolaos Marmaritis is also not to be missed. Orignally a Greek temple founded in the 4th-century BC, it was subsequently converted into a church and many of its ancient features have survived intact.
Location
About 10km from Fira on the southwest of Santorini
Transfer time
15-20 minutes
Recommended
Luxury
