Exo Gonia

Exo Gonia is one of the quieter traditional villages on Santorini, sitting on the island’s inland slopes away from the heaviest caldera traffic. It is best known for its village character, hillside views, and strong connection to Santorini’s wine culture. If you want a stop that feels more local and less performance-driven than Oia or Fira, Exo Gonia is one of the more rewarding places to explore.

Public village guides describe Exo Gonia as a sleepy hill village with traditional architecture, cobbled lanes, and a calmer rhythm than the island’s more famous settlements. Discover Greece also highlights Agios Charalambos as one of its standout churches and notes the close relationship between Exo Gonia and neighboring Mesa Gonia.

Why Exo Gonia is worth visiting

The village works best for travelers who want traditional Santorini atmosphere without constant crowd pressure. It is not packed with major ticketed sights, which is part of the appeal. Instead, the draw is the setting itself: quiet streets, old village textures, island views, and the chance to combine the stop with one of Santorini’s strongest wine experiences. Artemis Karamolegos Winery officially describes itself as being located in the heart of the island at Exo Gonia, which reinforces how closely the village is tied to the island’s wine identity.

What to do here

The best plan is simple: walk the village, look for church architecture, and combine the visit with a winery or good lunch nearby. Your own Santorini wineries and wine tours guide is the most useful pairing for this page, and your best restaurants in Santorini guide also highlights strong dining options in Exo Gonia, including well-known food-and-wine stops.

How to fit it into your trip

Exo Gonia fits especially well into a slower inland Santorini day built around villages, wine tastings, and lunch rather than pure sightseeing volume. It also works naturally with broader planning around things to do in Santorini and where to stay on the island.

Local tip: Exo Gonia is not about rushing between landmarks. Come when you want a quieter village atmosphere, and let the experience be about walking, eating, and tasting rather than chasing viewpoints.