Explore the enchanting Emporio village

Sprawled out in the foothills of Mount Prophet Elia, and sitting in the shadow of the ancient 15th-century Venetian Castle, the village of Emporio is the largest settlement on the island. It is sprawled out in the foothills of Mount Prophet Elia and is situated in the shadow of the historic Venetian Castle from the 15th century. One of the most soothing things to do in Santorini is to stroll around the picturesque medieval streets, where little shops, secret restaurants, and whitewashed buildings are everywhere.

Spend a few minutes at the 15th-century stronghold before wandering around the popular local market. While you're there, don't forget to take some envious pictures of the blue-domed churches and their eye-catching bell towers.

You shouldn't igrnore Kasteli. It is the heart of Emporio village and the medieval castle town. It is unique among medieval castle town structures for many reasons. One is that the walls are made with mortar containing volcanic materials, which gives the walls a smooth surface that you won’t get to see elsewhere. The winding pathways in Kasteli are very narrow, meant for a single person to walk through, with steep staircases and very narrow doors and windows. The houses in the outer part of Kasteli basically form an unbreachable wall, protecting the rest of the settlement inside.

Location: the south part of Santorini