Located near the popular Red Beach and the archeological town of Akrotiri, where most tourists head to, is Emborio, a quaint, tourist-free village where you can snap endless photos of whitewashed homes and colourful doors (and we all know I love a good door).
Between its caldera dotted with white houses perched on cliffs and jaw-dropping sunsets, Santorini is undoubtedly one of the most popular islands in Greece. But with popularity comes tourists, and with tourists comes the difficulty of carving out that perfect off the beaten path travel experience. Thankfully, there’s Emborio.
Emborio (also spelled Emporio, Emporeio, or even Emborion), comes from the Greek word “trade,” as it was once a major trading hub in Santorini. Nestled in the south of Santorini between the capital and Akrotiri, it’s about 10 km away from Fira and 20 km from Oia.
As we begin our walk around the deserted village, I notice there is not one tourist in sight, just a handful of kind locals – and even that is rare (the town boasts just over 3,000 inhabitants). Only about a few hours in do we stumble upon a British couple who need directions after having lost themselves in the winding streets. And that, losing yourself in its winding streets, is precisely what to do here – plain and simple.
Here, you won’t come across many restaurants or cafes and there aren’t any shops – which is a refreshing change, considering we’re on the hottest island in the Cyclades. All you need is a few hours to explore its maze-like nooks and colourful passages. The village’s main sites – the medieval Goulas Castle and the church of Saint-Nicholas – are also breathtaking.
The trek to the top provides an exceptional view over all of Emborio. What strikes me most is how quiet it is. Apart from a few roosters, chickens, and sheep – the town is hauntingly quiet.
The British couple we stumbled upon earlier was right. Navigating the narrow passages and alleyways to reach the bottom – and the parking lot – is quite a feat, but it’s all part of what makes Emborio special.
As cliché as it may sound, time really does stop in Emborio – a feeling that is confirmed upon re-entering tourist-ridden Oia. Feeling content and recharged, though, I’m definitely ready to face the bustle.
Have you been to Emborio? Let me know in the comments below!
Such a peaceful place and so romantic with all the undulating walls and the narrow streets, everything so white washed, I have to go to Greece soon, and make sure to include all the lesser known islands
Yes! This definitely should be on your bucket list 🙂
Emborio seems like the Santorini I have always imagined. I don’t want to find anything so much as get completely lost in the experience. Wandering deserted streets where time stands still seems like a much preferable afternoon than eating at crowded cafe’s. I am going to remember your stories of Emborio.
Exactly! It was a much-needed find. Thanks for reading 🙂
Wonderful photo essay. I’m with you and would love to get lost in those tiny, twisting streets. Interesting that the locals were nowhere to be seen – all probably working in tourism in the other towns!! Would love to visit.
Thank you, Elaine! Hope you get to visit soon.
I love little villages like this with the narrow and window laneways, you really get a sense of how the community must be with everybody living practically on top of each other and they do make for great pictures too 😀
Yes – I totally agree! 🙂
Emborio is beautiful! I find it really simple and very relaxing! Such a nice play to stay at!
It’s quite the gem 🙂
I recently visited Greece for the first time and regret that I didn’t have enough time to see Santorini. There’s something alluring about all of those white-painted walls! Emborio DOES look like the perfect place to get lost and ponder the beauty of life. My favorite photo: that purple door! 😻
I also didn’t have time to see a lot in such a short amount of time – we totally need to go back 🙂
You have captured the essence of Emborio in your photos. I really like those clean alleys, which seems to tell that we are in a hilly region. I hope I will get a chance to go there.
Yup, hilly indeed! Thanks for reading, Nisha 🙂
I love the pictures! It looks sooo peaceful! I feel like I dont want to just visit, I think I want to live there!
Same! Close yet far enough from the bustle 🙂
Wow what a virtual tour of Emborio! looks like only the doors have color there, rest all is white.
I also want to get lost there.
Yes, it’s quite magical 🙂
I have never been to Emborio, but it looks beautiful!
It’s lovely 🙂
Wow, what a lovely place. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading 🙂
You’re right, in a place like Santorini where there are so many tourists wherever you go, to find an offbeat experience, a place that is quiet and not ridden with tourists, is next to impossible and you did that! I haven’t heard of Emborio but it does look very isolated and quiet and beautiful too! the white houses with blue doors are so typical of Santorini and those narrow lanes are superb. Love this photo essay!
Thank you so much, Medha!