Pyrgos is a charming hilltop village in the heart of Santorini and one of the island’s best-preserved and most authentic settlements. From its summit, the views over the Aegean Sea and the island are simply spectacular.
Its medieval history is closely tied to Santorini’s defensive system. A labyrinth of narrow, winding alleyways—originally designed to slow down pirate raids—still leads visitors to the top of the settlement, where you can explore the remains of the Kasteli of Pyrgos, built during the Venetian period and serving for centuries as the administrative center of the region.
During the Middle Ages, Pyrgos was one of the island’s main towns and, according to several sources, even served as the capital of Santorini between the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Architecturally, Pyrgos preserves the traditional Cycladic style: whitewashed houses with colorful shutters and flat roofs, and numerous churches crowned with blue domes. Among them stands out Theotokaki, also known as Kimisi Theotokou, a small 10th–11th-century church considered one of the oldest in Santorini, admired for both its structure and its frescoes.
For visitors, Pyrgos offers scenic walks through cobbled alleys, peaceful stops in its churches, and delicious breaks in tavernas and wine bars that celebrate the island’s strong winemaking tradition.
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: Pyrgos hosts one of the island’s most enchanting events during Holy Week. On the night of Good Friday, the entire village glows with thousands of candles placed along the streets and houses, creating a magical, deeply spiritual atmosphere found nowhere else in the world.
1 hour of use
Unlock Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhance your experience
Do you want to explore even more or discover cities not yet covered by the app?
Activate our AI.
It will guide you with the same engaging tone, answering your curiosities in real-time.
