Emporio Village
Emporio is the largest village of Santorini, situated at the center of the south part of the island, at a distance of 12 kilometers from Fira. It is built in the lowlands, at the foot of Profitis Ilias Mountain. The village was probably named Emporio (=trade) because it used to be the center of the commercial affairs in the past.
Nowadays, Emporio is a peaceful settlement with beautiful houses and yards, many of which have been renovated, making the place very attractive. You can find plenty of shops, cafes, bars and traditional taverns with savory dishes and fine wines. There are some luxury hotels and villas or charming traditional houses and rooms for your stay. An asset of Emporio village is the fact that it is close to Perissa village and the cosmopolitan volcanic beaches of Perissa and Perivolos. There one can find pool bars, clubs, a vivid nightlife and the most popular beach resorts with many facilities. Another remarkable spot is the Gavrilos hills that have eight traditional windmills and offer a ravishing view. The village holds admirable blue-domed churches and tiny chapels, among them the great church of Agios Nikolaos Marmaritis which is made of marble.
The big attraction of Emporio is the medieval Kasteli, one of the five fortified castles of Santorini. Inside the castle there is a church that dates back to the 16th century or earlier. In close distance lies the Tower of Nimborio (The “Goulas”), a square building that was used as a watchtower and a refuge.
