Heading to the south of the island where the black sand beach meets stunning sunsets, we discovered a boutique hotel that gave us everything we needed to truly recharge! Find out what we got up to and the choices we made to keep the serenity we found in Santorini!
Kouros Village Hotel, Perissa, Santorini © Kerry McCarthy
Why we chose Perissa, Santorini
We were looking for some sunshine, fabulous Greek food, and also wanted a very relaxed break – so started our search for an adults-only hotel (somewhere in Greece) where we could truly unwind.
In all honesty, the draw for Kouros Village Hotel was in the stunning decor. Statement striped sun loungers, apartment rooms that looked like their own little Grecian village, exotic plants, and a very chilled vibe. Kouros did not disappoint and I would 100% recommend staying here!
© Kerry Mccarthy
What we did
RELAX!
In all honesty the hotel was so tranquil we spent most of our time sipping cocktails on the loungers and dipping in the pool to cool down. I packed my kindle, and read the whole of Circe by Madeline Miller – the perfect read for the destination, taking in the tales of Greek Gods whilst taking in the views of ancient Hellenistic sites from where I lounged.
© Kerry McCarthy
Peruse Perissa Beachfront
Perissa beach front has plenty of loungers if you fancy time by the sea, and there are plenty of shops with local handmade goods – perfect for supporting local artisans – and there is the usual touristy evil-eye selection you’ll see all across Greece. It was easy to spend an hour doing a very slow wander and browsing shops and where to eat later!
Beach view from Tranquilo Bar on Perissa beach © Kerry McCarthy
Took a teeny tour of Pyrgos
While Oia and Fira are the hotspots for insta-pics, we were keen to avoid the crowds that come with it, and chose instead to head to Pyrgos, a 20 minute bus-ride away. The village has the same tumble-onto-the-sea whitewash buildings draped over the hillside, and the iconic blue-domes that create the aesthetic. But with far fewer crowds!
TOP TIP TO AVOID THE CROWDS!
Be warned – the cruise ships do come in! While we were two of just a few milling the narrow lanes of Pyrgos, the next day 22,000 people were expected to descend those very same streets. Ask your hotel ahead of time when the ships are coming in and plan your trip accordingly!
The Church of the Virgin Mary is a gorgeous sanctuary steeped in orthodox iconography, and sitting on top of the hill has the power to tug a little religiously even at the most agnostic heart!
Franco’s Cafe sits right next to the church, offering panoramic views of the island, and the perfect place to chill with an iced coffee before heading back down the hill!
The Church of the Virgin Mary in Pyrgos © Kerry McCarthy
What we ate (and where we ate it) in Santorini
The food is part of why we chose Greece, so it is fitting to give a rundown of what we enjoyed the most and where we went to enjoy it.
The hotel served up an amazing buffet breakfast – favourite things to pile on my plate were:
- Strapatsada eggs with Santorini sausage
- Feta with fig marmalade
- Greek yoghurt with walnuts & Honey
They also had an extensive bar menu – the Gyros was incredible!
Eating at The Volcano Restaurant on Perissa Beach © Kerry McCarthy
The Volcano Restaurant was our choice for dinner the first night – a wonderful warm taverna-style welcome with tables on the beach and traditional varied menu. We were so hungry we ordered a whole host of traditional Greek cuisine and shared the plates. We highly recommend their Shrimp Saganaki (an ouzo-infused tomato and prawn dish), Moussaka, feta from the oven (feta and honey in a clay pot served with breads), and stuffed vine leaves.
Fratzeskos Fish Tavern was recommended by the hotel, is highly recommended online, and was the only restaurant along the strip that didn’t have to hustle to get people in! The food was absolutely incredible. Super fresh, very tasty and they were liberal with the wine top-ups too! Do not miss the house special Fratzeskos salad (leaves, oranges, walnuts, honey, feta…). The beach-front seats are stunning at sunset!
Fratzeskos Fish Tavern © Kerry McCarthy
Ntomatini is the place to be for a slice of Greek-style fine dining. The dishes were exceptional, and the service was slick. This was the only place we ate that didn’t have tables on the beach, but the view of the sea was still there! Top recommendation is for the Lamb Shank in a Brousko wine sauce served with Orzo.
A nod to Tranquilo Beach Bar is due too. We didn’t eat here, but it was the perfect place for an ice cold beer on a beach-front walk. Laid back hippy vibes, cool tunes, hammocks, and pallet wood chairs all added to a Thailand/Bali vibe, especially with the morning yoga classes.
Tranquilo Bar © Kerry McCarthy
Other things to do during your stay in Santorini
The sunset is where it is at, and while the sky looked sublime in Perissa, we didn’t get to see the iconic orange dip into the sea. For that you need to head west, but be prepared to be shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone else! Oia is the most popular location, but in the south apparently Akrotiri Lighthouse gives just as good a view, and there are plenty of boat tours that will take you out to sea to see the sunset.
There are also loads of historical sites and ancient ruins. Perissa is very close to Ancient Thera, a window into the Hellenistic era ( head to Akrotiri if the Minoan period is more your thing) . Sitting atop Mesa Vouno, it is quite a hike in the hot weather, so you either need to set out at sunrise, explore at a cooler time of the year, or grab an uber to take you there. Yes, Santorini has Uber.
Views of a chapel on Mesa Vouno from Perissa © Kerry McCathy
Top Tips for visiting Santorini
Including what we loved (and didn’t love) about our trip
- Get an uber from the airport – it is quick, easy and only about €35 – we read somewhere that that is what you pay to get anywhere on the island.
- Take a bus to see the sights – at €3(ish) to get from one end of the island to the other it is a cheap day out!
- Eat out – the food here is incredible, support the local tavernas and experiment.
- It is not as expensive as you think – at least not in the “poor” south. Dinner for two including “bulk” wine (a village wine that comes by the ½ litre) was averaging at €50
- Bottled wine is expensive! The local shop was charging €29 for a chilled bottle.
- Check when the boats come in – some places say to arrive before 10.30 to miss the crowds, but at 2 hours ahead of UK time getting up that early feels like a push! Instead choose to go to local towns on the quiet days!
- From the Kouros Village hotel head right along the seafront for nightlife with a bit more vibe. Head left for a quieter slower experience with a greater selection of restaurants.
Persissa Beach at night © Kerry McCarthy
Would we go back to Santorini?
Yes! October would be a great time to go exploring, far fewer crowds, and a little cooler but still warm enough to dip in a pool!
Travel Writer Bio
Kerry McCarthy is a Writer, Editor, Artist & Breathwork Instructor who loves to travel. You can find out more about her adventures over on instagram at @kerrymccarthystars
Me with my locally sourced Santorini lava jewellery© Kerry McCarthy
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