Spiti Stelios Restored Traditional House with Breathtaking Sunset Views

Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, free WiFi
Terrace/patio
Exterior detail
5.0 / 5.0
Outstanding(64 Ratings)

House in Pyrgos Kallistis

6 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsKitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi, Parking and more
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About this house rental

Situated in the 'trendy' mediaeval hilltop village of Pyrgos - benefiting from direct sunset views - Spiti Stelios originally served as an old artisan house and winery dating back to the early 18th century. This traditional building with truly beautiful caldera and island views, has been restored and converted into a simple and friendly family holiday home. Teams of local artisans have used traditional crafts, techniques and materials to restore this comfortable Santorini 4 bedroom dwelling.

Approached via an uphill footpath with unique breathtaking views across the island and aegean beyond, the entrance to Spiti Stelios leads into a large authentic cobblestoned courtyard with outdoor dining area and barbecue. Spiti Stelios has a large 80 sq. mtr. sunbathing terrace with direct views of the island, ideal for relaxing with a glass of local wine and enjoying the spectacular sunsets which are [almost] guaranteed on the island. On a clear day it is possible to make out more than 10 different islands in the distance including Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros, Milos, Amorgos, Naxos, Irakleia, Christiana, etc.

Inside, the spacious living room features two traditional Santorini couches, scattered with plenty of cushions. At the rear is an arched alcove which we use as snug/TV area; this used to be the tread for the white grapes in years gone by. The well equipped kitchen helps make preparation of breakfast/meals easy, with lots of utensils, modern appliances including a dishwasher. Adjacent to the kitchen is the first single bedroom (bed 130cm x 190cm) with breathtaking views across the island. An arched passage, from the kitchen, leads to a central hallway which retains some of the original architecture of the old red grape tread that used to be there. This leads to the other 2 bedrooms and family bathroom with its 'loo with a view' (perhaps unique on the island!). The master bedroom (bed 180cm x 200cm) is light and airy, with breathtaking caldera views and double doors opening onto a second enclosed courtyard. Adjacent to the master bedroom is the other single bedroom (bed 90cm x 195cm). In total there are one master bedroom and two single bedrooms on this level.

Spiti Stelios benefits from an authentic 'yposkafo' double bedroom (bed 150cm x 190cm) downstairs with en-suite wet room; this is dug out of the rock. This benefits from having its own independent entrance from the street (through the second enclosed courtyard) as well as being accessed from the master bedroom and the double doors to the courtyard. This double en-suite 'yposkafo' is carved out of the rock in authentic Santorinian style and served as the workshop where cheese and other artisan products were made in years gone by. The rear courtyard also has an outdoor shower, which can be used to rinse after returning from the beach!

The beautiful sugar-cube village of Pyrgos is one of the prettiest places on the island, built around the remains of the venetian castle, in a charming mixture of winding lanes and white-washed churches with distinctive blue domes. Pyrgos is centrally located with access to multiple beaches and places of interest.

Beaches

There are at least 2 beaches which are only 15 min drive from Pyrgos (1. Kamari and 2. Vlychada). In addition, there are Perissa and Perivolos beach within a 20 min drive from Pyrgos. While public transport is available from the village square it can get very busy in the summer months and is unreliable, therefore renting a car is strongly recommended.

On the other [East] side of the island there are several beaches, most notably Vourvoulos, Baxedes, Pori and Cape Columbo all worth exploring. Cape Columbo is somewhat secluded and a perfect location if you are looking for peace and quiet. It is reputed to 'sit' on a series of mini volcanic craters deep under the sea bed.

Walks

You can walk along the cliffs from Fira to Oia, about 11 km. Start out in the morning when it's cool and be sure to take along plenty of water, a snack, sun cream, sunglasses and a hat!

There is a hiking trail between Perissa Beach and Kamari Beach that passes by the archaeological site of Ancient Thira at the summit of the mountain. The Perissa side is a dirt trail. The Kamari side is a paved road with steep switchbacks. Not counting the time you spend exploring Ancient Thira, the hike will take you about 2 hours.

There is also a trail which starts at Vothonas village, winds up through Pyrgos and continues on to Profitis Ilias (some 567 meters above sea level). From there, the trail continues to Ancient Thira and then on to Perissa. This trail provides spectacular views of the island, and will take 2 – 2.5 hours plus the time you spend at Ancient Thira.

In addition, there is a hiking trail between Pyrgos and Mesa Gonia that passes through Mesa Gonia village. The trail is a bit dusty but most of the walk is very nice. The Mesa Gonia end of the trail really gives a different view of the island, taking you back in time 50 years or more perhaps.

Restaurants

In the village, there are several local restaurants and tavernas (Rosemary, Cava Alta, Penelope's, Mythos, etc) all within a short (3-7 min) walk from Spiti Stelios. We are also conveniently situated near one of the best restaurants the island has to offer: Metaxi Mas. a mere 15 min walk from the house.

Amenities

Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV

Map of Pyrgos Kallistis

Ratings and reviews

5.0 / 5.0
Outstanding(64 Ratings)
5.0 / 5.0
Aug 2024
My family and me stayed at Spiti Stelios for one week, the owner checked everything for us, transfer to the house, car for the week which was brought, the fridge was filled with the basics including wine...the house was just perfect for us, we enjoyed having breakfast outdoor, the sunset on the terrace, bed- and bathrooms where very clean and comfortable. The location of the house is perfect, view to both sides the caldera and the open sea, an area where it is quiet and calm but only a few minutes away from some of the best restaurants on the island. We will come again.
5.0 / 5.0
Jun 2024
We stayed at Caroline’s place in June during a heat wave and found it a cool and wonderful retreat during our weeklong stay on Santorini! I cannot understate how beautiful this place is! It is beautifully appointed and has everything you need and so many unique features that make it feel authentic and special. We had lots of space for our group of four to relax together and have time on our own. I loved the location in the quiet village and we had excellent food and coffee everywhere we went and only a short walk away. I would note that though I was warned I didn’t fully understand that you cannot drive to the place, you park and walk uphill about 6 minutes into the area of the village only accessible by foot or donkey. This created a challenge for the fifth member of our party who uses a wheelchair. The host dropped everything to help us solve this issue, finding an affordable single room near by. Very special place with amazing hosts that go above and beyond.
5.0 / 5.0
Jun 2024
We just spent eight wonderful days in Pyrgos at Spiti Stelio’s. The villa is amazing and within easy walking distance to six wonderful restaurants/Tavernas Both Caroline and Ester were amazing and responded immediately to our questions. We would definitely recommend staying here and we would love to return in the future.
5.0 / 5.0
Nov 2023
The cave house and its amenities were amazing!! The sunsets and sunrises were both beautiful from the roof top patio. I would most definitely stay here again, especially if you like to cook while you’re traveling like I do. The kitchen was very well stocked!
5.0 / 5.0
Oct 2023
From the get go, this was an awesome experience. Communication with the owner gave us guidance on transfers to and from airport. Ester, our contact on site, was wonderful, she helped us with everything, she had wine, eggs, bead and stuff waiting for us in the home. She assisted in getting us taxis to and from places, she went above and beyond what we expected! I highly recommend this place, it's perfect, from rooftop views, location to Pyrgos village (which is great and less tourists than Fira and Oia)...will definitely come back here. Thank you for a memorable experience.
5.0 / 5.0
Sep 2023
We stayed at Spiti_Stelios last September and were so captivated by the house, the island, the hospitality and the attentiveness of the hosts, we had to return. This time, for 2 weeks! And once again, we had the experience of a lifetime. We sailed the Caldera with Vista Yachting (twice!) we explored the Akrotiri ruins, the tomato museum, several wineries including Gaia, Estate Argyos, the art museum and more. We dined at Metaxi Mas which was one of the highlights of the trip and visited our friends (servers) at Kantouni in the Pygros village square several times. They greeted us fondly and we felt as if we’d been reunited with family. Additional dining delights included Agaze, Mythos and of course beach side dining in Kamari. These wonderful island experiences are only amplified by the beautifully appointed Spiti Stelios and the truly exceptional hospitality that Ester, Caroline and Stelios provide. I feel so lucky to have found this gem of a home to share with friends and family. And we are counting the days until we return next year! When you find a place this special… that can be the only plan. ❤️
5.0 / 5.0
Jul 2023
Spiti Stelios was the perfect holiday home for us. It is well equipped and very comfortable. The house has been built in a traditional design giving it a historical ethos but with modern conveniences. The roof terrace gives sensational views across Santorini and beyond. Carolyn and Ester were fantastic hosts making sure we had everything we needed and more. We had a wonderful 2 weeks in Santorini and in particular loved Pyrgos. I would thoroughly recommend Spiti Stelios and would like to thank Carolyn, Stelios and Ester for their kindness and attention.
5.0 / 5.0
Jun 2023
We spent a week in Santorini and drove all around the island, and without a doubt I would choose to stay in Pyrgos at Spiti Stelios again! The location is really central to everything on the island, and with the elevation of the town, you have a 360 view of the island. From the rooftop deck, you can see both the Caldera side and the Seaside at the same time, making for fantastic sunset and sunrise views. The house itself is beyond charming, with cool nooks and comfortable bedrooms, a very nicely stocked kitchen with full size fridge, and everything you can think of to make your stay comfortable. The separate suite is downstairs and accessible by the back gate or through the larger bedroom. My teenage son stayed in that room and loved having his personal "cave." The front courtyard is a great place to gather for meals or for kids to play (with supervision, as steps to rooftop are in courtyard). It is a short walk into the charming town of Pyrgos through winding lanes with stunning views at every turn. Once there, you find a variety of delicious restaurants and tavernas, lovely shops, and far less crowded than Oia or Fira. We recommend Cava Alta - truly delicious! We also had the most delicious affogato at Kasteli. And morning coffees at Penelope's were delightful! We can't say enough good things about Ester and Caroline who had amazing communication all through, and Ester provided concierge service, even bringing breakfast ingredients for us on the first day! Thank you both!

FAQs

How much does this house cost compared to others in Pyrgos Kallistis?

The average price for a rental in Pyrgos Kallistis is $301 per night. This rental is $120 above the average.

Is parking included with this house?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Spiti Stelios Restored Traditional House with Breathtaking Sunset Views. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Spiti Stelios Restored Traditional House with Breathtaking Sunset Views pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Spiti Stelios Restored Traditional House with Breathtaking Sunset Views?

We found 8 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, parking, and laundry.

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