# Vlychada

Vlychada (sometimes spelled Vlichada, Greek: Βλυχάδα) is a fishing village on the southern shore of Thira, the largest island in the Santorini archipelago.

## Understand

Vlychada is the largest coastal settlement on the south coast of Thira, and it has the only marina of significance in the archipelago. Most of the vessels moored in the marina are small fishing vessels, which unload their catch and sell directly to the fish restaurants of Vlychada and its environs. The southernmost tip of Thira is a laid back village known as Exomytis. On clear days, Crete can be seen from the coast at Exomytis.
The area of modern-day Vlychada has been inhabited since antiquity, shown by the evidence of the remains of Ancient Eleusis. These rock carvings representing tombs are the third most important archaeological site of Santorini, after the cities of Thera and Akrotiri.
In the 20th century, Vlychada became an industrialised town when a tomato paste factory was opened. The factory ran on steam, generated in boilers of which the two chimneys still dominate the skyline of Vlychada. Later in the 20th century, diesel engines provided power to the factory. Vlychada didn't have a proper port at the time, and barrels with oil were just dropped overboard of cargo freighters. Oil is less dense than sea water, so the barrels floated and were pulled ashore by factory workers. Tomato farmers from the southern part of Thira came to Vlychada to sell their tomatoes, carried by donkeys, and returned with tomato pits that could be sowed the next season.
The acute scarcity of fresh water on Thira meant that the industry was dependent on sea water; even in the tomato factory, tomatoes were washed with sea water. Tomato paste was dried for multiple days in the sun on the roofs during summer months. Unfortunately, these practices were not compatible with increasingly strict food regulations, and the tomato industry gradually moved from Thira to the Greek mainland. The tomato factory has since been turned into an industrial archaeology museum and can be visited.
Little evidence of Vlychada's industrial heritage can be seen today, and the modern town has once again returned to a laid back fishing village with excellent sea food restaurants and accommodation that is much cheaper than other coastal towns on the Santorini archipelago.

## Get in

    See also: Santorini#Get_in
There are no direct bus services from Fira or Perissa, instead, take the bus from Fira to Perissa and get off at Emporio. It's a half hour (2.5 km) walk downhill to Vlychada.
There are water taxis available from Akrotiri and Perissa, but these don't appear to have regularly scheduled services (as of Apr 2022).

## Get around

There are no bus services in Vlychada. The town is small enough to get around by foot. E-bikes can be rented from 36.3352625.446591 E-bike Adventures near Exomytis.

## See

* 36.339925.43111 Vlychada Beach. 24/7. Widely considered the best beach of Thira island, this black sand beach has the stunning sand of beaches in Perissa and Kamari but with spectacular wind-eroded cliffs, and without the over-the-top commercialisation. Also has a nude and gay section. Free. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33925.432762 Tomato Museum, ☏ +30 22860 5141, info@tomatomuseum.gr. Apr, May, Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-16:00; Jun-Sep: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. An industrial heritage museum documenting the history of one of Santorini's most famous produce, the tomato. A historic tomato factory has been transformed into the modern Tomato Museum, which guides visitors through the cultivation, processing, and production of tinned tomatoes in juice, and tomato concentrate. The collection features processing machinery dating back to the late 19th century, hand written account books of the factory, authentic tools, and traditional processes. An audio guide in English is included in the admission fee. A tour takes around 1 hour, and ends with a tasting session of tomato paste. Visitors can also seal their own can in an authentic can press. €12 standard, €6 reduced. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33960225.4412193 Ancient Eleusis. 24/7. On the southern slope of Gavrilos Hill are rock-cut ancient tombs (also known as Ancient Echendra) dating from 400-200 BC. The archaeological site consists of tombs, an altar, rectangular niches carved into the rocks, the remains of a catacomb or temple with wall and remains of entrance gate visible. On one of the rocks is a bas-relief depicting a snake crawling on the rock (called Echendra). Archaeologists believe that the archaeological site may have been part of the ancient city of Eleusis, located in what is now Perissa and was one of the most important ports of ancient Thera. Free. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.336625.43514 Marina. 24/7. The largest marina on the Santorini archipelago, where fishing vessels can be watched departing and arriving, then unloading their catch. It's very calm during the day but gets quite busy in the evenings and early mornings. Free. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33974125.4347865 Agios Merkourios Church (Εκκλησία Άγιος Μερκούριος). 24/7. Greek Orthodox church. Free. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.34531625.4382346 Profet Elias Church. 07:00 - noon daily. Iconic white church building with typical 3 bell clock tower. On top of the hill, it offers a lovely view over Vlychada, Exomytis, and Agios Georgios. Free. (updated Apr 2022)

## Do

* 36.3384625.432651 Santorini Arts Factory, ☏ +30 2286 085141. Exhibition hall and music performances. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.34043825.4363292 Art & Soul Coaching, ☏ +491791665647, mail.art.soul@gmail.com. Personal training and meditation. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33784925.4430083 Efipos, ☏ +30 6937335657. 09:00 - 22:00 daily. Horse riding tours. (updated Apr 2022)

## Buy

There are no supermarkets or shops in Vlychada, the only shop is a mini market at the waterfront.
* 36.33724225.4354821 Minimarket Vlychyda (next to the Fisherman's House restaurant). Small market with drinks, food, convenience items, souvenirs, and basic supplies such as sunblock and hats. (updated Apr 2022)

## Eat

* 36.3391625.4331161 Salty Bone, Vlychada (across the street from the Tomato Museum), ☏ +30 2286027540, info@saltybone.gr. noon - midnight daily. Greek restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33759625.4370282 Meroula, ☏ +30 2286 082113, michalisvlih@gmail.com. 07:30 - midnight daily. Nice and quiet sea food restaurant. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33793525.434913 To Psaraki, ☏ +30 2286082783, info@topsaraki.gr. 13:00 - 23:00 daily. Seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33556125.4416264 Aidoni, ☏ +30 2286081906. 09:30 - 23:30 daily. Restaurant and event venue. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33613725.448815 Lava, ☏ +30 6982274845. 14:00 - 23:00 daily. Grill restaurant and bar with sea view, between Exomytis and Agios Georgios. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33762425.4359096 Dimitris, ☏ +30 2286082532. 09:30 - 23:00 daily. Mediterranean restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and a nice terrace overlooking the marina. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33721125.4355577 Fisherman's House (Το Στέκι του Ψα), ☏ +30 2286082774. 11:00 - 20:30 daily. Seafood restaurant with only outdoor seating, so bring a sweater! While dining, fishing vessels can be observed entering and leaving the marina, unloading their catch, and so on. Many local specialities on the menu. (updated Apr 2022)

## Drink

* 36.33871525.4324051 Vlychada Beach Bar (at the beach front near the Tomato Museum). Drinks and cocktails bar. (updated Apr 2022)

## Sleep

* 36.33775725.4338141 Notos Therme And Spa (Ξενοδοχείο), ☏ +30 2286081115, info@notosthermespa.com. Hotel and spa with sea view in the centre of Vlychada. Quite luxurious, with private swimming pool next to the marina. €75. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.3380625.4375942 Diamond Apartments, ☏ +30 6978780381. Looks like a shabby motel on the outside, but the flats are actually quite comfortable with a large living room and equipped kitchen, and bathroom with washing machine. On a 5 min walk from the marina and 10 min walk from the beach. €50. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33782625.437283 Villa Michalis, ☏ +30 2286082113. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. €41. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33739325.436494 Porto Villa. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Small hotel with private pool, next to the marina, and within 5 min walking distance to the beach and restaurants. €55. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33760925.4359485 Villa Stella, ☏ +30 2286082532. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33957325.4359536 Family Village, ☏ +30 6983110082. Bed and breakfast for families. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33522425.4392477 Vlychada's Holiday Home, ☏ +30 6980274618. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33362225.4401898 Aegean Melody Suites, ☏ +30 2286021737. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Luxurious accommodation with sea view. (updated Apr 2022)
* 36.33476525.4425349 Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, ☏ +30 2286440600. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Apr 2022)

## Go next

* Akrotiri
* Perissa
* Kamari
* Fira