Things To Do in Perivolos

Just along the black sand in Agios Georgios you’ll find Taxidi Bar. It’s housed in what used to be a tomato-processing plant, and you can still see some of the cast-iron factory machinery sticking decoratively out of the walls. Ice-cold beers and an impressive selection of local liqueurs are served up by the cheery waiters, and they do a lovely Greek yogurt with honey and fruit if you’re hungry.

Hungry holidaymakers pull up a chair at one of the friendly tavernas along the seafront. Menus here are dominated by fish and seafood, so there’ll be calamari, octopus, grilled sardines and lobster pasta on the menu. Of course there are Greek classics, too, like moussaka and the famous gyros – delicious kebabs served in pitta.

The capital, Thira, is a 10-minute drive away. Its whitewashed buildings climb up the side of a cliff and you can get and up and down on the town’s cable car. The Archaeological Museum is here and it houses ancient relics from the Minoan settlement at Akrotiti. In the evening, the daytrippers leave and locals head to Theotokopoulou Square to socialise over a glass of local Boutari red.

Perivolos Beach has a peaceful vibe, but there’s lots of action out on the water. If you’ve ever wanted to try out a squab – that’s an inflatable sofa – now would be the time to do it. There are banana boats and fast-speed powerboats, or you can give wakeboarding, parasailing or scuba diving a go.

Shopping wise, Perivolos has a handful of shops, supermarkets and craft shops where you can pick up essentials and browse for souvenirs. The real retail action, though, is in Thira, a 15-kilometre bus ride away. The narrow cobbled streets are filled with shops selling clothes, leather goods and handicrafts – and there’s a great line-up of jewellers at the top of the town near the church.

An ancient volcanic eruption submerged most of Santorini, leaving a great ocean bowl called the caldera. It’s this Minoan eruption that the Ifestia Festival commemorates. Fireworks are set off from boats out at sea and you have a great spot in Perivolos. The most impressive firework is the one that leaves a plume of smoke that looks like volcanic ash. Post-fireworks, there’s a party along the harbour with music pumped through the loudspeakers.

Check the daily specials board at this beachside taverna to see what the owner landed in his fishing boat that morning. There’s a good chance red mullet, cod and lobster will make an appearance at some stage. This friendly, family-run place also serves up a delicious oven-baked feta, along with their famous XL pork steak.