Pyrgos sits on the hill below Profitis Ilias, and keeps a delicate balance between what you expect from Santorini and what you could never imagine. You'll climb its lanes with me: under the arches, into the fortified Venetian Kasteli walls, and up to where you can see how the whole island fits together. We'll move slowly, because the village asks for it.Two stops carry the walk. First, a local artist's gallery, where every painting carries a childhood memory. Then Kissiras, where Marios and Mikhalis grow microgreens and edible flowers on an island without water. "Welcome to our home" is how they greet you, and they mean the word—you'll walk through the room where the greens grow, the seasonal garden, and the coop where the day's eggs come from.Then you sit down. Lunch (or early dinner) is served family-style: five sharing starters, a main built from their own produce, something sweet, and a traditional drink to close. House wine and water stay on the table the whole time. Every plate is something you saw growing twenty minutes earlier.This is for you if you want to leave knowing two people by name instead of one village by sight.
Pyrgos Walk: Art & Greens in the Old Capital
Climb through Pyrgos, the island's older capital, with a local host. You'll visit a working artist's gallery, then meet two farmers growing microgreens on an island without water. The walk ends at their table, with a farm-to-table meal made from what you just saw growing from the volcanic stone.
Available: April to November
Language: English, Spanish
Good for: couples, friend groups, families
Min participants: 1
Accessibility: Contact the host for accessibility information
Animals: Check with the host
Why we love this experience
- Natural Ecosystems:
The walk arrives at Kissiras, a family micro-farm in Pyrgos run by brothers Marios and Mikhalis, who grow microgreens, edible flowers, and seasonal vegetables hydroponically using natural substrates — coconut, peat, and pumice — with no chemical fertilisers. Since starting in 2020 on a small family plot, the farm has grown into a model of local production, supplying fresh microgreens and edible flowers to over 120 restaurants across Santorini. The farm's logic is explicitly circular: there is no middleman — the chef sends the order, and in the morning we cut and deliver the same day.
- Community:
Kissiras is a family operation — guests are made to feel like part of the family enjoying a meal made with love and care. Marios and Mikhalis are Pyrgos locals who chose to farm the island's land rather than participate in its service economy — a deliberate choice that keeps both production and value on the island. The local artist visited during the walk is part of Maria's trusted circle of people who live and work in Santorini year-round. The experience routes guests entirely through locally owned, locally run spaces.
- Participation:
The tour of the farm is guided by the family themselves — not a rehearsed demonstration, but a working space opened to guests. The meal is farm-to-table in the strictest sense: the connection between what grows and what arrives on the plate is direct, visible, and explained.
- Rhythm:
Pyrgos receives a fraction of the foot traffic of Oia or Fira, and the walk moves through lanes that are genuinely unhurried. The meal at Kissiras unfolds at the farm's pace, not a restaurant's.
About the host
Mission
My mission is to connect visitors with "my people" — the circle of locals who love this island and work to keep its quieter side alive.
Impact
Experiences are built around a trusted circle of local producers, artists, winemakers, and cultural spaces that she has known for years. Her approach actively steers away from the island's most congested routes, designing days around quieter timing and smaller places that reflect Santorini beyond its busiest surface. She describes this openly as reducing unnecessary congestion and supporting smaller local producers. She is also a member of One Planet Journey as a Deep Travel Ambassador, reflecting a conscious alignment with values of slow, place-respecting travel.
Organisation
Santorini by Maria
Location
Pyrgos Kallistis, Greece
Google MapsThe precise location will be communicated by the host when booking the experience
Contacts host for booking
This host will handle your booking directly.
Good to know
Please wear comfortable walking shoes, and let me know of any health concerns or food allergies in advance.
Ask us anything
Do you have any questions before booking? Do not hesitate to contact us by filling out the form.
Curated accommodation
Where to stay nearby
Historical Villa Santa Croce
Historical Villa Santa Croce is a restored historic multi-level Venetian residence in Pyrgos, Santorini, carefully renovated under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Culture. It preserves authentic Venetian and Cycladic architecture while offering refined modern comfort.The villa offers 240 sqm of interior space for up to 10 guests, expansive terraces, a cave pool, and an outdoor jacuzzi across a four-level layout designed for both privacy and shared living.Unlike newly built luxury villas in Santorini, Santa Croce offers a living heritage experience, where history, architecture, and contemporary comfort come together in a unique cultural stay in Santorini.
Book your stay directly
Related experiences
