Nestled in between the famous towns of Oia and Fira, Imerovigli is a small but equally stunning village on the Greek island of Santorini.
Known for its high-end luxury hotels and breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, Imerovigli is often considered one of the most picturesque villages on the island.
Even if you don’t have the budget to splurge on a luxury stay, there are plenty of incredible things to do in Imerovigli that you shouldn’t miss out on.
So if you’re wondering what to do in Imerovigli, here are my favorite activities and experiences that will make your trip truly unforgettable.
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Table of Contents
Best Things to Do in Imerovigli
1. Hike to Skaros Rock
Skaros Rock, a dramatic outcrop of volcanic rock, is one of the main attractions in Imerovigli. The hike to the top of the rock may be challenging, but the panoramic views from the summit are well worth it.
You can start your hike from Imerovigli’s main square and follow a marked trail that will take you up to Skaros. The route is very straightforward and impossible to miss!
Most of the route is comprised of a long stairway, and after a while, you’ll find yourself walking along a narrow gravel path that leads to the rock formation.
Once you get to the bottom of the rock, the route splits in two. You have to take the path on the right, which will take you to the top of Skaros Rock.
Here comes the most challenging part of the hike as you’ll have to do a little climb on the steep rock wall to get to the top of Skaros Rock.
It really came as a surprise to me when I realized that you actually need to climb up – for some reason, I thought that you could just walk up on the trail!
So I would definitely recommend wearing appropriate shoes and hiking pants (or some sort of leggings, but definitely not dresses or skirts) if you decide to tackle this hike.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. It’s a perfect spot to watch the sunset and take some amazing photos!
2. Visit the Panagia Theoskepasti Chapel
The trail leading down to Skaros Rock doesn’t stop at the rock formation. It continues down to the Panagia Theoskepasti Chapel, which is a beautiful little Greek Orthodox church.
It’s one of the lesser-known blue domes of Santorini, most probably because it requires a bit of extra effort to get there. However, it’s absolutely stunning and I was so in love with the views from the chapel!
Unfortunately, you can’t go inside the chapel, but it’s still definitely worth visiting. And if you’re lucky, you might even have the place all to yourself!
The church with its classic blue dome and pristine white exterior is a photographer’s dream. And it was actually one of the only churches on the island where I didn’t see a “do not climb” sign, so you can even take some cool photos from the top!
It would also serve as a fantastic sunset spot if you don’t mind hiking back in the dark.
3. Take photos with the iconic Anastasi Church
Santorini is known for its stunning blue-domed churches and one of the most beautiful ones is actually located in Imerovigli! The gorgeous Anastasi Church sits in the heart of the village and offers incredible views of the caldera.
To find the best perspective, head to the street above the church (if you have trouble locating the street, turn on the satellite view on your phone for help).
If you’re visiting during the summer months, you will find a huge pink bougainvillea tree blooming right next to the church, making it the perfect photo spot.
The church is also really beautiful during sunset when the sky turns into shades of orange and pink. It’s truly a sight to behold!
A little heads up: as the church is known as one of the best Instagram spots in Santorini, it can get quite crowded during peak season, especially with flying dress photoshoots.
So if you want to take some photos without anyone else in the background, try to visit early in the morning.
Or even better, book a few nights at Imer Villas which are located right in front of the church. We stayed at the Amara Villa which has a beautiful terrace and also a rooftop overlooking the church and it was absolutely magical!
4. Book a flying dress photoshoot
Speaking of flying dress photoshoots, booking a photo shoot with beautiful flying dresses is one of the most popular things to do in Imerovigli (besides taking photos at the iconic Anastasi Church, that is!).
Most photography tours run in Oia and Imerovigli, but photographers usually recommend Imerovigli as it’s less crowded and offers more variety in terms of landscapes.
There are several different photography tours, I booked this experience and I absolutely loved it! You can choose from a variety of dresses and the photographer will take you to different locations around Imerovigli to create the most amazing photos.
A personal assistant is already included in the package who will help you with the flying part and assist with the dress. This is especially great if you’re traveling solo as you don’t need to worry about setting up the dress alone.
I would recommend booking a shoot for either sunrise or sunset as the lighting is just perfect during those times.
It’s not a cheap experience for sure, but if you’re looking for a unique and memorable photoshoot on your trip to Santorini, this is definitely the way to go!
5. Hike to Fira or Oia
Hiking from Oia to Fira (or vice versa) is one of the most popular things to do in Santorini. It’s an 11-kilometer (6.8 miles) hike that offers incredible views of the caldera and takes you through some of the island’s most picturesque corners.
Since Imerovigli is located between Oia and Fira, you can easily split the hiking route into two parts and start from Imerovigli.
If you’re looking for a very leisurely hike, you can take the path to Fira which is only 2 km (1.2 miles) from Imerovigli. It’s a pretty easy walk with incredible views along the way.
However, if you’re up for a real challenge, you can hike to Oia, which is a roughly 8 km (5 miles) hike. Depending on your pace and breaks, it takes around 2-3 hours to complete.
If you opt for the longer hike to Oia, make sure to start early in the morning and take plenty of water with you as it can get quite hot during the day.
Whichever route you choose, make sure to bring your camera along as the views are truly breathtaking! And if you get tired along the way, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can rest and refuel.
6. Have brunch at Confetti Dessert Boutique Santorini
Whenever I stay in Imerovigli, I always make sure to visit Confetti Dessert Boutique, whether it is for brunch or an afternoon coffee break.
Sitting in the heart of Imerovigli, this cafe is the place to be when you’re craving brunch classics like eggs benedict, hearty bagels, fluffy pancakes, and colorful smoothie bowls. The coffee here is also top-notch.
When you’ve finished your meal, you have to try their ice cream or impeccably presented desserts. You can always get yours to go if you’re full after brunch!
7. Splurge on a hotel with a private pool or caldera view (or both)
If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury experience in Santorini, then staying in a hotel with a private pool and caldera view is an absolute must! In terms of things to do in Imerovigli, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Imerovigli is one of the best places to stay in Santorini for luxury stays as it’s home to some of the most stunning high-end hotels on the island, including Cilon Suites Santorini, Kasimatis by La Perla, and Cocoon Suites.
It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to wake up to a view of the caldera and have your own private pool overlooking the Aegean Sea.
It’s not a budget-friendly option, but if you’re looking to splurge on your Santorini visit, this is definitely the way to do it.
If you’re looking for the best hotels, browse through these articles:
- 25 Prettiest Imerovigli Hotels with Private Pools
- 21 Imerovigli Hotels with Caldera Views You Can’t Miss
8. Have coffee at Altana Cafe Bar
We randomly stumbled upon this gem on our recent trip to Santorini and I’m so glad we did! Located a street below the famous Anastasi Church, Altana Cafe Bar is the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee break.
They have a small terrace with a beautiful bougainvillea tree overlooking the caldera and the view is absolutely breathtaking.
Aside from the coffee, they also have a few sweets on offer. We tried the pistachio cannoli and it was delicious!
9. Enjoy the sunset from a rooftop bar
On an island that’s home to the world’s most iconic sunset, you’re obliged to catch as many of them as you can during your stay.
We’ve all seen the crowds of people gathered along the streets of Oia to watch the sky turn shades of pink, purple, and orange, but luckily there are other, less crowded spots to enjoy the sunset in Santorini.
In Imerovigli, there are some fantastic rooftop bars where you can witness this bucket list event away from the notoriously busy spots.
Head to Buddha Bar for cocktails and tapas, or sip on a glass of vino at The Wine Bar.
Planning a trip to Santorini?
Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Santorini. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!
Hotel Guides:
- Where to Stay in Santorini: 6 Best Towns & Hotels
- 21 Incredible Hotels in Santorini with Private Pools
- 21 Best Oia Hotels with Private Pools for Every Budget
- 21 Incredible Fira Hotels with Private Pools
- 25 Prettiest Imerovigli Hotels with Private Pools
- 25 Best Hotels in Santorini with Caldera Views
- 24 Stunning Oia Hotels with Caldera Views
- 21 Best Fira Hotels with Caldera Views for an Epic Stay
- 21 Imerovigli Hotels with Caldera Views You Can’t Miss
- Hotel Review: Villa Bordeaux, Santorini
Travel Guides:
- The Ultimate Santorini Travel Guide for First Timers
- The Perfect 3 Days in Santorini Itinerary for First Timers
- Top 29 Best Santorini Instagram Spots You Can’t Miss
- Blue Domes of Santorini: Where to Find & How to Photograph Them
- Where to See the Best Sunset in Santorini
- 20 Amazing Things to Do in Oia, Santorini You Can’t Miss
- 9 Best Things to Do in Imerovigli, Santorini
Other Amazing Destinations in Greece: Athens | Mykonos | Milos | Naxos | Paros
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