The Art Lover’s Guide to Santorini: Exploring Top Galleries and Museums
Santorini’s art galleries and museums will introduce you to the island’s art scene, making your visit more enjoyable and interesting.
Although it may not be immediately apparent, Santorini is bursting with artistic surprises, so if you are an art lover you won’t be disappointed by the island’s art scene!
This Santorini art guide will share the best art attractions in Santorini, from galleries to museums, introducing you to the island’s cultural treasures. So, let’s embark on a journey of artistic exploration amid Greece’s most magical backdrop!
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera
- Mati Art Gallery in Santorini
- Santorini Museum of Contemporary Art
- The Archaeological Museum of Santorini
- Art Space Santorini
- Santorini Art Factory (SAF)
1. Museum of Prehistoric Thera
One of the most impressive museums in Santorini, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, will introduce you to the prehistoric and ancient history of the island, also known as Thera to the Greeks.
Situated in Fira, the picturesque capital of Santorini, this museum is divided into four sections, each displaying exhibits from different periods of the island’s history. These include cultural artifacts from the Cycladic era, findings from the excavations carried out in Akrotiri (also known as ‘Greek Pompeii’), as well as valuable information about the island’s geology.
Browsing the museum’s collection, you will see several ancient artifacts such as pottery, jewelry, tools, frescoes, fossils, and marble figurines that offer a glimpse of Santorini’s cultural evolution through the ages!
Address: Fira 84700, Santorini
2. Mati Art Gallery in Santorini
Located on a cobblestone-paved alley in Fira, close to the Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral, Mati Art Gallery is considered one of the top galleries in Santorini! Founded by visual artist Yorgos Kypris in the ’90s and counting over 30 years of presence in the local art scene, it is one of the most popular art destinations on the island!
In Mati Gallery, you will find creations of both emerging and established contemporary Greek artists, including Kypris’s famous ‘Fish Series’, a continuous work that he started in 1993, along with abstract paintings, jewelry, metal sculptures, as well as other contemporary artworks that represent a wide range of artistic expressions.
If you’re staying in a hotel in Mesaria or another village near Fira, be sure to visit this gallery!
Address: The Orthodox Cathedral Plateau, Fira 84700, Santorini
3. Santorini Museum of Contemporary Art
Santorini Museum of Contemporary Art in Megalochori is one of the best places to visit if you are an art lover. It hosts a collection of contemporary pieces by modern Greek artists, marrying the rustic charm of Megalochori village with innovative art expression.
The museum’s first floor hosts an exhibition featuring sculptures and 3-D digital prints by the visionary artists Kostas Picadas and Aris Katsilakis. On the second floor, you will find the museum’s permanent collection, featuring pieces by contemporary Greek artists representing the innovation characterizing the diverse local art scene. No matter how many days you stay in Santorini, the Santorini Museum of Contemporary Art is worth exploring!
Address: Megalohori, Santorini, Megalochori 847 00, Santorini
4. The Archaeological Museum of Santorini
If you want to delve into the island’s fascinating past, the Archaeological Museum of Santorini should not be missing from your bucket list!
Located in the postcard-perfect Fira village, this museum is split into three sections featuring several ancient artifacts dating back to the Archaic, Roman, Geometric, and Hellenistic periods, as well as some Minoan and Byzantine artworks.
Among the exhibits, you will find figurines, amphorae, ceramics, sculptures, and inscriptions that offer insight into the island’s evolution through the ages. Most of the exhibits in the Archaeological Museum of Santorini come from excavations on Mesa Vouno mountain, where archaeologists discovered a Hellenistic Period settlement, while others come from excavations carried out in the cemetery of Ancient Thera. It is arguably one of the top museums in Santorini!
Address: Main Street, Fira 84700, Santorini
5. Art Space Santorini
Art Space is one of the most interesting art attractions in Santorini, as it is both an art gallery and a winery! Housed in a 19th-century cave-like winery in the charming Ekso Gonia village in Santorini, Art Space has been holding exhibitions for over 20 years, combining the generations-old wine tradition of Santorini with modern charm.
In Art Space, you will find artworks inspired by the island’s natural beauty captured through several art forms including ceramics, sculptures, and paintings that occupy two wine cellars.
Once you’ve seen all the artworks, head to the restored winery on the premises to sample the renowned local wine aged there. The gallery’s tranquil courtyard is the perfect spot to contemplate the art and sip on some local wine, enjoying the island’s otherworldly charm -it’s one of the best things to do in Santorini!
Address: Ekso Gonia 84700, Santorini
6. Santorini Art Factory (SAF)
Santorini Art Factory, part of the Tomato Industrial Museum D. Nomikos, is a testament to the island’s vibrant cultural scene! Housed in a historical tomato factory in Vlychada, this amazing art gallery in Santorini is based on three pillars: History & Tradition, Culture, and Education, making it a multi-purpose cultural center showcasing the island’s industrial history.
Through a series of art events, including art exhibitions, as well as theater, music, and dance performances, Santorini Art Factory aims to promote artistic expression through various forms of art while highlighting the island’s ancient and modern history.
If you want to visit innovative art exhibitions that ignite creative thinking and inspire imagination, visiting Santorini Art Factory is a must!
Address: Vlychada 84703, Santorini
Beyond the dramatic cliff edges, Santorini offers a fascinating art scene worth exploring. From ultra-creative museums to art galleries in Santorini, the island brims with artistic history and charm. Are you ready to explore it?
