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Megalochori - the wine village
Megalochori, despite its name (it translates to 'big village'), is a small village with only some 350 permanent inhabitants.
The village is picturesque with a distinct traditional feel, but it hasn't really seen many tourists until quite recently.
What brings in visitors today is the lure of some of the best Santorini wineries and a taste of their excellent Santorini wines.
No less than three wineries operate here and this village is really all about winemaking!
Highlights
The wine village
The most distinct feature of Megalochori is its large vineyards.
The small village, dug out from the bed of a stream, is surrounded on all sides by fertile volcano soil, which together with the many hours of sun and high humidity provide some excellent quality grapes.
A great time for you to visit is during grape-picking season. The village is bustling with winemaking activities and it's a festive time.
At this time you will see many houses that have their terraces covered with grapes lying out in the sun so as to increase their sugar content to the level required for the famous Vinsanto sweet wine.
Three of the best Santorini wineries can be found here: Antoniou Winery, Boutari Winery, and Gavalas Winery.
Hidden beaches and churches
Apart from the wineries, Megalochori offers access to two small and well hidden beaches, Thermi and Plaka.
On your way down to the beaches you will pass by the small churches of the Chapel of Christ and the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.
Another two churches worth seeing is the blue domed Metamorphosis Sotiros and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul (pictured).
Access
Megalochori is easily accessible and is situated between Fira and Emporio, almost right above the port of Athinios.
As it is on the road to the popular beach resort of Perissa it is served by frequent local buses.
Accommodation
Megalochori only has a few hotel units but is nevertheless rather popular to stay in with its easy access to Fira in the north, Akrotiri in the south, and the beach resorts of Perissa and Perivolos in the east.
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