Imerovigli Santorini is one of those love-at-first-sight places, a beautiful village perched along the clifftops with the most incredible views of the volcano and Aegean Sea – the dramatic location, refined atmosphere and quiet luxury makes me return time again!
I’ve stayed in three luxury boutique hotels in Imerovigli, and each had that wonderful sense of romance and privacy with spectacular verandas overlooking the caldera. It’s all part of the allure, along with the intimate candlelit restaurants, hidden sunset terraces and beautiful walking trails that will leave you speechless!
And while many visitors rave about the famous sunsets in Oia, Imerovigli certainly gives it a run for its money! I’ve experienced some of the most beautiful golden skies here, with uninterrupted views and watching the sun go down from your own private hot tub at Atoles Retreat? Even more magical!
So weather you’re visiting for an afternoon or planning a longer stay, Imerovigli is somewhere I’d absolutely recommend including in your Santorini itinerary, here’s the best things to do in Imerovigli, including its beautiful boutique hotels, restaurants and hidden corners!
Top Hotel Picks In Santorini:
Planning your trip? Here’s my top hotel picks!
- Grace Hotel – iconic 5-star hotel & incredible pool!
- Iconic Santorini – small & romantic caldera-edge hotel!
- Atoles Retreat – beautiful boutique & stunning caldera view!
Read my full guide on where to stay in Santorini Greece
Why Visit Imerovigli Santorini?
One of the best things about Imerovigli is its location, you’re close to the bustling capital Fira and it’s lively restaurants and transport connections, yet far enough away to escape the crowds and enjoy a much more peaceful atmosphere. It’s also perfectly positioned for scenic walks along the caldera, including the famous route towards Oia.
For couples, honeymooners and anyone looking for a quieter, more luxurious side of Santorini, Imerovigli offers the best of both worlds – a beautiful place to unwind while still being within easy reach of the island’s main attractions!
Best Things To Do In Imerovigli Santorini
HIKE ICONIC SKAROS ROCK (A cool thing to do in Imerovigli Santorini)
Skaros Rock is Imerovigli’s most striking landmark, a dramatic rocky headland once home to a medieval castle now shaped by centuries of earthquakes and erosion, perched just below the village. It’s truly an incredible sight, and even if you’re not much of a hiker, its well worth exploring for the magnificent caldera views alone!
I reached the trail to Skaros Rock in less than ten minutes from my hotel in Imerovigli. It’s easy to find, with little wooden signs pointing the way and you’ll pass the beautiful Grace Hotel nearby – this is when you know you are in the right place, the rock formation rises directly ahead (a lovely spot for lunch afterwards, by the way)!
Carved stone steps lead down towards Skaros Rock, where you can simply follow the trail around its base! You don’t have to complete the entire hike to enjoy the incredible views (I didn’t) even walking part way gives you a completely different perspective of Santorini’s caldera villages – and new found appreciation!
This area is a wonderful location and perfect Santorini base in my opinion, see the full guide for where to stay in Santorini!
WALK ALONG THE CALDERA PATH (My favourite thing to do in Imerovigli)
Walking along the caldera path is an absolute must in Imerovigli, the path is easily accessible and follows the rim of the caldera offering some of the most incredible sweeping views that always blow me away, truly, Imerovigli really lives up to its ‘balcony of the caldera’ namesake!
There are some lovely walks in the area and while you’ll naturally wander along this path when staying in Imerovigli, I recommend continuing further towards Fira, a scenic walk of around 20-30 minutes. Enroute you should stop by Volkan On The Rocks for coffee with a view, before making your way into the bustling capital.
Walking these spectacular clifftop paths is one of the best things to do in Santorini, especially the longer 2-3hour Fira to Oia route, it’s so worthwhile, I actually set off from directly outside my hotel room in Imerovigli, an absolute perk of staying here!
Tip! Prepare for the longer Imerovigli-Oia walk with sunhats/water/trainers/coverups – there’s very little shade, and money for a return taxi!
Imerovigli path & Volkan On The Rocks coffee!
ENJOY THE WONDERFUL SUNSETS FROM 180 BAR
A stylish venue to dress-up, enjoy drinks, meze and sunsets with a view, 180 bar came highly recommended and upon entering I could see why, this place is really beautiful from the entrance and welcoming greeting to the fabulous terrace that juts straight out into the Adriatic!
I was advised to go to 180 bar just before sunset from my suite hosts at Atoles Retreat and I loved it so much its now become a ritual every time I stay in Imerovigli. The atmosphere is wonderful and what really catches your eye is the white piano in the centre, later on in the evening you are treated to live musicians, singing the likes of Sade.
I usually sit on the cushion chairs in the centre for the best panoramic view, rather than being right up against the glass, you are seated as you arrive by the hosts and so far I haven’t had to reserve, but if you’re staying over the busier summer months, I recommend booking in advance – and bringing a shawl!
A view from 180 sunset bar Imerovigli Santorini
SOAK UP THE INCREDIBLE VIEWS AT GRACE HOTEL SANTORINI
Iconic five star Grace Hotel is one of the best caldera views hotels in Santorini and my personal favourite that I had the pleasure of staying early last Spring, but before this I ventured to this spot frequently for lunches by the beautiful infinity pool and sunsets at their popular and achingly cool roof top bar – 363 lounge!
Grace Hotel Santorini is stunning and very deserving of its five stars, I first discovered this hotel when searching for Skaros Rock – it’s directly opposite the face of the hotel, the view blows your mind! I’ve loved this location years, it’s serene and sophisticated and you will feel like a million dollars sitting on the sumptuous terrace with a cocktail (see below)!
I recommend visiting for an early lunch, especially in the low season, you’ll have it all to yourself! I once dropped by at 12 on the dot and stayed for two-hours seated in a pretty alcove, even the bar menu is elevated! An hour before sunset the pool beds transforms into a pre-dinner seating area – another amazing way to experience Grace Hotel!
Dreaming of a hotel with incredible caldera views? Iconic Grace Hotel is one of Santorini’s most celebrated luxury hotels, famous for its stunning infinity pool and breathtaking views. Read my full Grace Hotel Santorini review! (Coming soon)
Lunch at Grace Hotel Imerovigli
ADMIRE THE BLUE DOME CHURCHES & PRETTY LANES
Imerovigli is a lovely place to wander, with pretty narrow stone lane winding down the cliffside, photogenic blue dome churches and beautiful viewpoints around almost every corner. It’s all part of the village’s charm and what makes it such a wonderful place to explore!
I often spend hours simply strolling along the clifftop, discovering tucked-away restaurant terraces, quiet corners and spectacular caldera views, it’s one of the best things to do in Santorini, especially when you’re not in a hurry, this places definitely makes you a slow traveller!
And one of the best things I love most about Imerovigli is the absence of busy shopping streets and jarring souvenir stalls instead the whole experience is calm and wonderfully romantic, particularly in the early evenings when the soft summer light is an absolute dream!
SIP COCKTAILS AT CHARMING CLIFFSIDE BAR NAVAGIO
If you’re looking for a charming, relaxed cocktail spot, Navagio housed in a beautiful neoclassical building is a must-visit! I love this little bar perched along Imerovigli’s clifftop! I discovered it one evening while wandering the famous caldera path, and I’ve since returned several times for its beautifully crafted cocktails and buzzing atmosphere!
You’ll find a wonderful mix of bohemian charm and modern style, with great music and a friendly crowd. My favourite spot is on the carved stone seats hugging the outside of the bar, overlooking the volcano and evening sunsets, but for those windier evenings, there’s bar stools inside!
The bar usually opens at 6pm until late, making it ideal for casual drinks, don’t miss this little gem!
What Is There To Do Near Imerovigli Santorini?
One of the reasons I love staying in Imerovigli is how easy it is to explore the rest of Santorini. You’re perfectly positioned for visiting some of the islands most beautiful villages, including wandering through the iconic blue-domed streets of Oia, enjoying the lively restaurants and shops in Fira (a 30-minute walk away) or heading inland to discover the traditional charm of Pyrgos and in nearby winery’s, one of my favourite villages!
Thinking of exploring all the places nearby Imerovigli? Why not hire a car, you’ll easily zip around the hill top villages and vineyards with their gorgeous scenery in a day, check car rates and availability with Discover Cars, which allows you to easily compare!
Best Restaurants In Imerovigli Santorini
One of the things I love about staying in Imerovigli is its fantastic dining scene, from cosy wine bars to stylish restaurants with beautiful island views, there are some wonderful places to eat and drink and all of them face the caldera. You will find incredible terraces with expansive views, perfect for lunch or special sunsets, here’s my top recomendations!
Varoulko Santorini
Varoulko is situated at iconic Grace hotel, a popular and elevated restaurant literally facing landmark Skaros Rock and deep blue Aegean Sea, it feels as though you are in touching distance! I have lunched here a few times – even the summer salad is fantastic and the a la carte breakfast is also worthwhile – Varouklo is just bursting with sophistication and quality service! (You can also sit at the beautiful pool).
Dinner spot at Grace Hotel Imerovigli Santorini
Five Senses
A perfect restaurant for sunsets over dinner, Five Senses is situated in a lovely spot of the caldera with panoramic views all the way across to Oia! I love the style of the restaurant’s terrace – and beautiful lamps, there’s lots of seating arrangements and nooks catering for everyone, not just romantic couples, it’s part of popular Astra Suites and bookings are essential!
Blu Restaurant
Blu Restaurant is one of the newest restaurants in Imerovigli Santorini, a happy discovery! It’s located above the caldera with a view across the white-washed Cyclades buildings, Skaros Rock and Aegean and honestly the stylish décor through to the ambiance and attentive hosts are unbelievable, I once went for breakfast and stopped for two hours – a must visit!
Blu restaurant for breakfast Imerovigli
Athenian House
A beautiful and intimate restaurant near Skaros rock and Anastasi Church offering nicely presented plates with a few classics like calamari, lamb moussaka and fava alongside specials. Athenian House boasts a wonderful traditional setting for caldera view dining in Imerovigli Santorini, a reliably good choice, especially for romantic couples and reservations are a must for sunset!
Kapari Wine Restaurant
Another intimate and romantic restaurant in Imerovigli Santorini that perfectly captures the essence of the island, you can choose from a couple of different menus at Kapari Wine Restaurant including a la carte and sample some of the local delicacy’s and healthy options, both lunch and dinner are great – don’t forget to check out the wine cellar!
Cocktails Grace Hotel bar Imerovigli Santorini
Best Hotels In Imerovigli Santorini
Staying in Imerovigli is a wonderful experience, not only will you discover the quieter and more romantic side of Santorini first hand, but the quality of boutique and luxury hotels it offers is fantastic! I’ve personally stayed here more times than Oia as the Caldera views, privacy and ambiance are incredible and below are my absolute favourite stays in Imerovigli with private hot-tubs, infinity pools and more!
Grace Hotel
Grace Hotel – A sophisticated luxury hotel with a unique setting in front of the landmark Skaros rock and boasts one of the islands most spectacular infinity pools with an unbeatable view, which is the best reason to stay! I recommend the upper floor rooms with your own private pool to enjoy the spectacular sunsets and landscape my personal favourite luxury hotel in Imerovigli!
Iconic Santorini
Iconic Santorini – A romantic boutique hotel situated on a gorgeous part of the caldera cliff-edge with cave-style suites and epic private verandas! I’ve stayed here and upgraded to the suite with jetted pool and I particularly loved the infinity pool and spa, this small boutique hotel makes you feel like you won the lottery!
Atoles Retreat
Atoles Retreat – Offers a selection of dreamy private suites with own-balcony breakfasts and a more personal service, I stayed in the Grace Suite with hot plunge pool and the most magical view over the caldera and the sunset amazing, the combination of style, views and privacy makes it one of my all-time favourite experiences!
For a comparison of Imerovigli with Pyrgos, Oia and the other villages, see my complete Where to Stay in Santorini guide.
Infinity pool luxury Grace Hotel Imerovigli
Oia vs Imerovigli: Which Is Better?
For many visitors wanting to stay along Santorini’s caldera, the choice comes down to Oia or Imerovigli and having stayed in both, I know how tough this decision can be! Both are wonderful, but they offer very different experiences! Imerovigli is known as the ‘balcony of the Aegean’, sitting high above the caldera with sweeping dramatic volcano views, while Oia is famous for its iconic blue domes, whitewashed buildings and picturesque cliffside lanes.
Skaros Rock is Imerovigli’s most famous landmark, but what I love most is its quieter, more romantic atmosphere, wonderful boutique hotels and intimate restaurants with incredible sunset views. Oia on the other hand, is livelier, more crowded and a little commercial in places, although undeniable beautiful. In my opinion Oia is best for first-time sightseeing, while Imerovigli is the better choice for actually staying!
Looking for a hotel with incredible caldera views? Whether you’re drawn to the romance of Imerovigli or the iconic beauty of Oia, I’ve rounded up the best caldera hotels in Santorini, from intimate boutique hideaways to luxurious suites with private pools and unforgettable views!
How Long Should You Stay In Imerovigli?
Imerovigli is a beautiful destination and worthy of at least 2-3 days to appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, dine in the wonderful cliff-edge restaurants and spend time in your own hotel’s caldera pool-with-a-view! I’ve stayed here three times now, in my opinion it makes an incredible base for longer stays too, you could easily stretch it to a week with quick access to Oia or Pyrgos – and the rest of the island!
Is Imerovigli Worth Staying In?
Yes, absolutely, Imerovigli is a wonderful place to stay in Santorini, it’s my personal favourite, the highest village on the caldera with incredible hotels and views, a wonderful area for couples and honeymooners especially! I love that its quieter and more romantic and there are some excellent restaurants and sunset bars for lovely evenings – the ambiance is one of the reasons why I have returned so many times!
How To Get To Imerovigli Santorini
Imerovigli is the highest village on the caldera, just minutes from the capital Fira and only 20 minutes by car from Santorini Airport and slightly longer from Athinios Ferry Port. To get to Imerovigli you have a few options depending on how you plan to travel around the island and trip length. A car or ATV might be best for some and a simple door to door taxi for others!
Airport & Ferry Port
Santorini Airport is around 20 minutes by car and slightly longer from Athinios Ferry Port – which is the most chaotic, I recommend pre-booking reliable private transfers with Welcome Pickups (my preference) to make the journey smoother and more luxurious – door-to-door service – avoiding stairs, stress and navigation!
By Car/ATV
Car hire and ATV’s especially are a popular and independent mode of transport across the island, it’s worthwhile if you’re visiting more than one place or are going off-the-beaten-path and exploring vineyards for example. A days hire and is more cost effective than taxis, while parking zones can be easily found at every village.
By Taxi
Taxis are found all over the island and are parked right outside of the village pedestrian areas and despite popular beliefs, you can haggle. I’ve previously paid €30 from Imerovigli to Oia – if you get a reasonable taxi driver on your Santorini trip take their card and WhatsApp for future trips!
By Bus
KTEL buses run frequently around the main points of the island from the transport hub and capital Fira. There’s a handy Fira-Oia and for the ferry or airport you’ll need to transfer via Fira the bus is inexpensive, but often very busy across summer.
Walking!
From Imerovigli, you can easily walk the scenic 30 minute path to the capital Fira via Firostefani and in the opposite direction there’s the famous walk to Oia, which is lovely, and quicker from this starting point!
Skaros Rock Imerovigli steps
Imerovigli Santorini USEFUL TIPS
Book Your Hotel In Advance
Imerovigli is popular for honeymooners and those looking for epic caldera view boutique and luxury hotels – the best can book out months in advance, especially those with hot tubs and private pools! If you’re travelling between June and September, it’s worth planning earlier than you normally would, I recommend six months in advance!
See my full guide on where to stay in Santorini!
Reserve Restaurants & Sunset Bars
The restaurants in Imerovigli can really elevate your trip, particularly dining on beautiful terrace settings over the caldera. I recommend booking your table at least a few days to a week ahead – even for sunset bars like 180 Sunset and 363 at Grace Hotel, it’s one of the most popular things to do in Santorini!
Wear A Cover-Up For The Evenings
Imerovigli is chilly in the evenings, especially across the shoulder months (April-May, September-October) due to the cliff-edge location and famous Meltemi winds that appear right through the summer season. Many caldera view hotels and restaurant terraces are wide open – bring a few layers, trust me, when the sun dips you’ll need it!
Imerovigli Is Completely Walkable
All the villages in Santorini are very walkable and entirely pedestrianised (helped by the narrow stone lanes), Imerovigli has a long cliff-edge path and a maze of lanes to get lost in, it’s utterly charming – I love any place that’s pretty and walkable such as my beloved Dubrovnik old town and Hvar Town!
For more practical Santorini tips, check out my complete travel guide to Santorini for first-time visitors here!
Imerovigli Santorini: FAQs
Does Imerovigli have a good sunset?
Yes! Imerovigli is one of the best places in Santorini to watch the sunset, from Skaros Rock and along the walking path you can see the whole caldera balcony and Aegean sea all the way to Oia and the experience is serene, uncrowded and beautiful!
Can you walk from Imerovigli to Oia or Fira?
You can easily walk to Fira in 15 minutes along the caldera top, passing must do180 bar and terrace, Oia takes around 2 hours, a hiking trail with unbelievable caldera views and is considered to be one of the best things to do in Santorini!
Does Imerovigli have restaurants?
Yes! In my experience, there are some incredible options for dining out in Imerovigli from fine dining to wine bars and beautiful cafes clinging to the cliff edge and featuring some of the best caldera views and sunset spots on the island!
Is Imerovigli good for couples?
Absolutely! Imerovigli is considered to be the most romantic village in Santorini, perfect for couples and honeymooners looking for privacy, luxury hotels, atmospheric restaurants and incredible sunsets!
Do you need a car in Imerovigli Santorini?
Imerovigli is entirely pedestrianised, walkable and in the centre of the Caldera villages, while you don’t strictly need a car for Oia or Fira, hiring a car does make exploring the entire island and off-the-beaten-path places including hill top villages and vineyards easier and more cost-effective than taxis.
What To Pair With Imerovigli Santorini?
Imerovigli is widely known as the most romantic village in Santorini, it’s certainly beautiful and relaxing for quiet luxury stays and while you can easily visit Oia and see the highlights of this famous location, I recommend pairing Imerovigli with lovely Pyrgos – a lovely authentic hill top village! I often stay a few nights in both areas within the same trip, in my experience, Oia, Imerovigli and Pyrgos villages are not to be missed!
Plan your travel to Santorini!
If you’re building your itinerary next, these in-depth guides from things to do in Oia, top Santorini activities to the best boutique hotels will help you plan the perfect stay:
- Where to Stay in Santorini – best areas & boutique hotels
- Best Santorini Hotels With Caldera Views – boutique & luxury stays!
- Santorini Travel Guide For First Time Visitors – tips & know before you go!
- Best Things to do in Santorini – top sights & hidden gems!
- Best Things to do in Oia – from sunset viewpoints to restaurants!
- Complete Guide to Pyrgos Santorini – things to do, where to eat & stay!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!