Discover the Hidden Gem of Santorini: Why Mesaria is the Best Place to Stay
Santorini is full of hidden gems -one of which is the scenic Mesaria (or Messaria), a village that encapsulates the essence of the Cyclades!
Messaria in Santorini may not be one of the island’s most famous villages, but it preserves its authentic charm and laid-back atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation!
Are you ready to discover the wonders of Mesaria? Keep reading!
Tranquility away from the hustle and bustle
If you want to escape the crowds in a serene retreat, away from bustling Oia and Fira, Mesaria in Santorini is the place for you! In this peaceful village, you will immerse yourself in tranquility, embracing the slow island life of the Cyclades.
Let yourself get lost in the village’s narrow cobblestone alleys, chat with the locals, take in the sights, tour the lush vineyards, enjoy scrumptious dishes at the restaurants in Mesaria, and marvel at the Cycladic architecture. Staying in Mesaria is truly a unique experience!
Amazing hotels in Messaria
Santorini is well-known for its stunning hotels, and Mesaria is no exception! In this village, you will find a wide range of accommodation options, from private villas to luxurious hotels like Noūs Santorini. All hotels in Messaria exude Cycladic elegance, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape and offering all-encompassing views of the glorious surroundings and the famous sunset of Santorini.
Most of them also feature rooftop terraces or spacious pool areas where you can savor the panoramic views while sipping on a glass of local wine. Whether you’re searching for the perfect hotel for your honeymoon in Santorini or the ideal place for a family getaway, Mesaria has something for everyone!
The warm Greek hospitality of Messaria in Santorini
If the Greek villages are known for one thing, it is their warm hospitality, extended by the friendly and accommodating locals! In Mesaria, the locals will welcome you genuinely and make you feel like part of the community from the first moment of your stay, but it’s not only the locals who will make you feel at home.
The business owners, from the restaurant to the hotel owners, will go out of their way to ensure your stay is unforgettable. Interacting with the locals of Messaria in Santorini, tasting traditional delicacies, taking in the sights, and participating in the local festivals taking place on the island every summer, you will soon feel part of Greek culture!
Perfect position
Messaria in Santorini boasts the perfect location for those who want to be close to everything but far enough from the hustle and bustle! Thanks to its strategic location in the center of the island, this village is the ideal base for exploration and sightseeing.
From the most popular archaeological sites of Santorini, like the archaeological site of Akrotiri and the top galleries in Santorini, to the stunning Santorini beaches and the best sunset-watching spots, Mesaria offers easy access to all the must-visit places on the island. What’s more, it is close to the airport and the port of Santorini, which makes arrival and departure a lot easier!
Majestic sunsets
Oia and Fira may attract hordes of tourists who want to take the perfect photo of the super famous Santorini sunset, but Mesaria offers otherworldly sunset views without the crowds in a more tranquil setting.
So, if you want to watch the sun slowly sinking into the vast Aegean Sea, painting the sky with hues of orange, pink, and purple, and creating a magical spectacle, there are various spots around the village where you can enjoy the view in privacy. Watching the sun dip below the horizon from a serene point in Mesaria will make you feel an integral part of the majestic natural scenery!
Delicious local cuisine at the excellent restaurants in Mesaria
Greece is world-renowned for its gastronomy, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that Santorini is a culinary haven. If you are an avid foodie and like to discover new flavors, Mesaria won’t disappoint! Strolling through the village, you will find a plethora of traditional taverns and restaurants in Mesaria, where you can sit and enjoy finger-licking good local delicacies, including fava (yellow split pea puree), tomato keftedes (tomato balls), melitinia (sweet cheese pies), apochti (pork meat carpaccio), and white eggplants.
Besides traditional taverns, though, you will also find a wide variety of international restaurants in Mesaria, where you can savor delectable flavors from all over the world! Everything you will taste is made using locally sourced seasonal ingredients, the secret behind the food’s deliciousness. One thing is for sure: the food in Mesaria will fascinate you!
World-famous wine varieties
Santorini is not only known for its stunning sunsets but also for its exceptional wine! Thanks to the island’s volcanic soil, centuries-old winemaking traditions, and unique weather conditions, the vineyards of Santorini produce some truly amazing wine varieties, which stand out for their distinct taste.
Some of the most iconic wine varieties in Santorini are Assyrtiko, a refreshing white wine with vibrant acidity; Athitri, a white wine with fruity notes; Vinsanto, a sweet wine with notes of dried fruits, spices, and honey; and Aidani, a white dry wine with citrus fruit and floral aromas. To taste them all, book a private wine-tasting session at one of the island’s historic vineyards near Mesaria!
Easy access from Messaria to Fira
One of the main advantages of staying in Mesaria is it offers easy access to the island’s main points of interest, including Fira. Taking the bus from Messaria to Fira is one of the easiest ways to get to the island’s capital. There are frequent bus routes from Messaria to Fira that also stop at other villages, so even if Fira is your final destination, you can see more beautiful spaces along the way.
If you take an afternoon bus from Messaria to Fira, you will be at the capital just in time to watch the glorious sunset and take super-Instagrammable photos. Then you can return to Messaria to enjoy dinner at one of the village’s excellent restaurants. What better way to end the day than that?
Mesaria is arguably one of the best places to stay in Santorini for travelers longing for tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of other overcrowded villages. Whether you want to savor the delicious local gastronomy and taste the local wine varieties or enjoy a luxurious accommodation experience and watch the sunset, Messaria in Santorini is the perfect destination for a memorable island vacation!
