Messaria holidays

Holidays to Messaria give you a healthy dose of classic Santorini – think sea views, cobbled lanes and whitewashed homes.

Santorini without the crowds

The village of Messaria’s perched near the centre of Santorini, just 10 minutes west of the island’s airport. It’s not as well-known as the likes of Oia and Imerovigli, so you’ll be in for a quieter getaway if you opt to stay here. And, it’s got all the classic Santorini good looks – think cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses galore.

Architecture worth admiring

White walls, stone-paved lanes and blue domed churches give this place loads of its charm, but the photo-worthy architecture doesn’t stop there. Messaria’s home to Neoclassical gems, like Argyros Mansion – an elegant home with arched ceilings and wrought-iron balconies. These days, it’s a museum, housing a bunch of Greek paintings, artefacts and antiques.

Views all round

Thanks to its position near the edge of the island, Messaria doesn’t fall short in the views department. The western chunk of the village, which is awash with hotels, lines up loads of vantage points where you can gaze out over the sparkling Aegean Sea. The nearby volcano will be in your sights, too. You can take a boat trip there from Old Santorini Harbour, which is just under 10 minutes away by taxi.