What a fantastic place Imerovigli is! There are lots of things to do in Imerovigli, Santorini. It is maybe the best location to stay while on the island.
Even though it is closer to Thira (capital) through a 30 minutes walking distance, it seems to be in the center of a virtual circle that consists of the Santorini crown.
Most people think that Imerovigli is a good place for accommodation and nothing more.
Well, they are right but the location is a majestic one.
Many choose to stay at the hotels of Imerovigli due to their facilities and how they are built.
Room/suites were actually caves.
These caves were turned to modern elegant suites and apartments.
Depending on the hotel, most have an outdoor Jacuzzi installation (per room) and a pool.
The pool is necessary since there is no beach at Imerovigli.
Famous beaches like the Red Beach and more are in a different location in Santorini.
We enjoyed staying for 3 days in Imerovigli.
We did a 20km hiking route (Thira-Imerovigli-Oia and back) and visited various places, including the Akrotiri Archaeological Site. That route is a “classic” one and must be on your list of things to do in Imerovigli, Santorini.
The hotel jacuzzi came very handily after our hiking.
The pool too as it was perfect for a dive early in the morning or late afternoon.
Read our complete post on where to stay in Santorini, per traveler type.
Where we stayed, we had a famous rock just ahead of us. This is the famous Skaros rock of Santorini.
But first… here is a surround-view outside our hotel room.
Table of Contents
Where is Imerovigli?
Imerovigli is at Santorini, the most popular of the Cyclades islands, next to Mykonos. Its location is ideal.
It provides the best views to Caldera and excellent views of the volcano, leaving outside the crowds and noise of Fira.
Next to Oia is maybe the best possible option to stay. The sunset view is better from Imerovigli, with an unparallel view of the Aegean sea.
It has multiple boutique cave hotels and is very close to Santorini airport. You won’t find traditional houses in Imerovigli, but luxury hotels.
Imerovigli is part of the iconic Santorini Greece travel feeling.
For us, the best things to do in Imerovigli were to just relax and hike from Imerovigli to Oia. There is nothing else to do, but the best view towards the Caldera, is there.
Skaros Rock: Highlight Things to Do in Imerovigli
The rock is like a hill in the middle of the sea, but it is easy to approach by walking through the pathways between the hotels, to the base of Imerovigli.
The land is connected to the rock, so you don’t need a boat or swim and such.
This rock was actually a fortress to protect from pirates. Nowadays, the top “square” remains a small base where you can reach it by climbing up a bit.
There is no paved path to the very top.
You follow the path to the base of the top block and from there you actually need to climb up a few meters.
We have to warn you that the climbing part is not so stable and maybe in time that the “wall” may collapse.
This here is actually the “thing” you will climb up from. From its left side. Looks not very safe, right?
Here is how getting down looks like.
Yet, if you climb up you have a great view of Imerovigli and even more of Santorini.
On the backside of the rock, a small church is beautifully placed.
The view is also great and very serene. We dared to climb on the roof to enjoy that.
Get on top of the church and just watch.
Things To Do in Imerovigli and in Santorini
An additional big list of suggested tours and posts to read.
There are tons of things to do in Santorini.
- Take a Santorini Photography Tour
- Have a ride with the cable car from old Port to Fira
- Get light and happy with a high-quality winery tour or also get a foodie tour!
- Forget the drones. Get a view from above with a 20 minutes Santorini Helicopter Tour
- A 20km hiking from Thira to Oia. Best views in the world. If you hike then that is one of the best things to do in Imerovigli
- Into the “heat”. Walk the Volcano!
- Maybe getting romantic being on the best sunset of the world island? Take this sailing tour
- Catch fish with the locals!
- Crazy about wine? Visit the Santorini Wine Museum
- Fancy some Cave Art? Visit the Art Space Winery
- Amaze your friends back home! Learn to cook like a Greek!
- Get the best view of Santorini (besides Imerovigli and Caldera). Go to more beautiful villages of the island, like Pyrgos village!
Where We Stayed at Imerovigli Santorini
It was a last-minute call to go to Santorini. We decided that 2 days before getting there and we managed to find a splendid room at an amazingly good price (for the facilities and amenities and location, and… and…).
It was Easter time and this maybe has something to do with that.
Do not even imagine that Santorini is “empty” during Easter time.
The island had lots and lots of tourists (mainly from China) but it was not packed. Yet, prices were fine and the weather was equally nice.
So we stayed at Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites, a luxury hotel in Imerovigli Santorini.
You can find a big range of ideas on where to stay in Santorini, depending on the type of traveler you are, from here.
The hotel in Imerovigli Santorini was one of the “typical” (amazing) ones of Imerovigli.
It was very big with an outdoor jacuzzi and a semi private pool.
Very peaceful, great view, very relaxing, excellent design.
We even got an upgrade (due to being Booking.com Genius status maybe) and we got the… honeymoon suite! Lucky? Yes!
Breakfast was small but very tasty (omelet was ordered as extra), yet to just sit outside the room and enjoy that majestic view was rather fulfilling.
By the way, why all hotels serve so many sweets in their breakfast?
The hotel was an excellent oasis for us, as we walked and hiked a lot around the island.
We loved getting back and soak inside the hot jacuzzi.
The bath of that room was like a small apartment itself. So, yes, it was a big “cave”! This bath extends to the left of the photo too. The rooms were very comfortable.
Three days there were just what we needed to enjoy Easter time and those bright blue and white colors of Santorini.
As for food, there are a couple of places to eat in Imerovigli, yet as almost everywhere in Santorini prices are a bit on the upper scale.
We liked the Avocado restaurant. Good food, nice looks.
A tip: If you like Greek souvlaki don’t forget to visit the “Mc Daniel’s” (seriously) souvlaki house in Thira.
It is just 30 minutes walking time to Thira, going through Firostefani.
We promise you will eat the best -clean from fat meet- souvlaki. We are Greeks so we enjoy nice souvlaki and we guess we are allowed an “experts” opinion.
FAQs for Imerovigli in Santorini Island
How far is Imerovigli from Fira?
The distance between these 2 villages is 2km. You can even hike your way towards each.
How long to walk from Imerovigli to Oia?
It is a 10km route (one way) if you take the scenic hiking path that goes along the coastline. You can take the bus (takes about 20km), that comes every 30 minutes.
Is it better to stay in Oia or Imerovigli?
It depends on what you prefer. Oia is known as the famous “sunset” location, since it sits at the edge of the island. Imerovigli is great too. There is no nightlife in the latter but there are a few good restaurants. However, most bars and restaurants are in Oia, and even more in Fira.
Where can I watch the sunset in imerovigli?
To get the full view of the sun “diving” into the sea, Oia is the best location for that. But almost all of the sunset is visible from many other locations on the island, Imerovigli included.
Did you like our experience with the things to in Imerovigli Santorini? Explore more of our Santorini articles.
Enjoy your summertime!