Carpe Diem Hotel in Pyrgos, Santorini

Essentials
• Location: Traditional village of Pyrgos, one of the highest elevations on the island.
• Chart
• Hotel website: carpediemsantorini.com
• Hotel phone: +30 22860 34090
• Check prices for Carpe Diem

Hotel Review

Carpe Diem – Understated, romantic, all-suite property in Pyrgos village where each suite offers a private plunge pool and panoramic island views of sunrise and sunset.

This private island retreat provides luxurious lodging, outstanding dining, an indulgent spa made for two, and an infinity pool with sweeping views of the island. The 10 suites offer ample indoor and outdoor space ranging from 85 to 120 square meters, utmost privacy, exclusive plunge pools (six heated and four unheated), and views of both sunrise and sunset. Each uniquely crafted suite offers a completely different experience, such as the Terra Suite`s high-tech audio system with unlimited music options and the Lava Suite`s temperature-controlled winery featuring some of Santorini`s finest labels. Meals are exceptional at Exaltis, providing fine dining focused on local Santorinian flavors in the evenings and casual Greek appetizers during the day. Unmatched, custom service completes the experience with a guest to staff ratio of one to one, around-the-clock attendant assistance, and activities and packages tailored to guests` desires.

See Also

• The Top Accommodations in Santorini
• Where to Lodge in Santorini
• Top activities and experiences in Santorini

Carpe Diem – Location

• Area: Carpe Diem is found in Pyrgos town, the most unspoiled traditional town in Santorini. The highest point on the island, Pyrgos offers unmatched panoramic sights of the whole island and is a favorite for sunset views. Though the hotel feels distant, it is simply walkable to the pedestrian core of the town, only 7-15 minutes on foot to some of the island’s best eateries, bars, and perspectives, and 20 minutes’ stroll to the caldera. By car, Carpe Diem is 10 minutes to the nightlife in Fira, and 11 minutes to the shores of Kamari Beach.

• How to Get There:
Carpe Diem is situated up the mountain in Pyrgos village. Most of the village is pedestrian-only, but Carpe Diem sits just off the main driving road connecting Pyrgos to Fira, Santorini Airport, and the Athinios Ferry Port, making it easy to reach whether driving, taxiing, or busing (though busing means 2 buses plus a walk). It is approximately 6km from both the ferry port and the airport to the hotel, though they are in opposite directions.

Public transportation is consistently offered at the ferry terminal for all arrivals through ferries, as well as buses departing hourly from the airport. There are no direct bus routes from the port or airport to Pyrgos; buses from both locations travel to Fira, where travelers must disembark and transfer to a second non-express bus headed for Perissa, exiting at the Pyrgos stop located a 12-minute mostly flat walk from the hotel. The total cost to bus from the port or airport to Carpe Diem is about €5 but may take well over an hour or up to around 2 hours if a connection needs to be waited on. Tickets must be purchased directly on the bus using cash only.

✨ Best Hotels – Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve • Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort • Hyatt Vacation Club at Hacienda del Mar

For those preferring to drive, we recommend renting a car either at the airport on arrival or in Fira. The road from the ferry port is steep, narrow with many switchbacks, large trucks and buses. Best leaving that to the locals. We strongly advise reserving in advance, especially if requiring automatic transmission. Upon hotel arrival, each suite has dedicated parking (a major bonus).

– nearby: the center of traditional this village, a notable bar for sunset refreshments, a castle and church next to the bar

Map of Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem – The Basics

• Ages: An adults-only property, Carpe Diem allows guests ages 18 years and older only.
• Beach: Carpe Diem is closest to Kamari Beach (5 km away), though Perissa Beach (8 km away) is the easiest beach to access without a car since it is on the primary bus route running through Pyrgos. Kamari Beach is a black pebble beach that is popular with families, with several beach clubs, restaurants, and an open-air cinema. Just a little farther away than Kamari is Perissa Beach, a black sand beach that is among the highly esteemed on the island with stylish beach clubs and top-notch restaurants. Both beaches are connected via boat route, so you don’t have to settle for just one.
• View: All suites offer magnificent 270° panoramic perspectives over the island for breathtaking sunrisings and sunsets.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: All suites include private, rooftop pools for relaxation. The 3 Alba Suites and the Lapis Suite have unheated pools, while the remaining 6 suites have heated pools for comfort. The Astra Suite boasts the largest private pool area on the property. Each pool space is highly secluded, contributing to the hotel`s reputation outlined by CNN Travel as an exceptional location for solitude.”
• Parking: Each suite includes a dedicated parking spot next to its entrance.
• Extras: Personal butler service available all day and night; Front desk staffed 24 hours a day; Customized experiences can be arranged such as hiking, boating, wine tastings, and more; Guests can select their pillow and bed linens; Complimentary smartphone with unlimited data and calls to several countries; Rooms cleaned twice daily; Private dining is an option.
• When to Book: The hotel is open from April 1 to October 31. It is best to reserve at least 4 months in advance (6 months is preferable) for stays during the busy season from June through September, and about 2 months ahead for the low and shoulder seasons.
• Fino Cocktail Bar & Restaurant: The finest cocktails in Santorini. Plus, inspired Mediterranean cuisine and an extensive wine selection.
• Phone: +30 22860 34090
• Email: [email protected]
• Website Location: carpediemsantorini.com

Carpe Diem – Amenities

• Pool: An unheated infinity pool located on the island`s west-facing side offers panoramic views.
• Spa: Holistic spa for two with a yin-yang shaped hot tub, sauna, steam room, and full menu of massages, skin treatments and body services.
• Fitness Center: No gym onsite. Personal training and yoga instruction can be scheduled on guests’ private terraces.
• For Guests With Disabilities: This hotel is designed across multiple floors connected only by stairs. Suitable for guests with mild mobility issues but definitely not wheelchair accessible.
• For Families: This is an adults-only property, with no one under 18 years allowed. There are no special amenities or facilities for children, and each room sleeps a maximum of 2 guests.
• Activities: Carpe Diem proudly offers 6 custom experience packages showcasing Santorini`s finest attractions. These focus on wine, hiking, boating, scuba diving, culture, and local highlights. Of course, the butler team can also craft a personally tailored itinerary upon request.

Carpe Diem – Food and Drink

• Restaurant: Exaltis is the hotel`s signature fine-dining eatery. All ingredients are locally harvested and personally selected for quality to creatively combine traditional and modern Santorinian flavors in innovative recipes. Open for lunch (12 pm to 5:30 pm), and dinner (6:30 pm to 10:30 pm).
• Lounge/Bar: 270 Meze and Wine offers poolside refreshments, snacks, and light meals from 11:30 am to 7 pm. Flavors are distinctly Greek and made with locally sourced ingredients. The bar skillfully mixes unique, signature cocktails and stocks a fantastic assortment of wines with a special focus on local brands.
• Breakfast: Carpe Diem’s signature wine breakfast is a highlight. An a la carte breakfast paired with wine is incorporated into the room rates and is served from 8 to 11:30 am in the lounge or on guests’ terraces.
• Room Service: Meals and refreshments can be requested for delivery to guest rooms anytime between 8 am and 10 pm daily.

Carpe Diem – Rooms

• Accommodation Types: Alba Suite – Aura Suite – Lapis Suite – Astra Suite – Vita Suite – Terra Suite – Dea Suite – Lava Suite
• Smoking Rooms: The hotel does not allow smoking in any of their room categories. It is permitted on the private outdoor terraces and in the outdoor common areas.
• Every suite here offers amazing accommodations, but the Lava Suite stands out as the finest option. Boasting an indoor and outdoor space of 120 square meters, it ranks amongst the largest suites on site. Constructed utilizing lava rock and pumice, this suite`s distinctive design and amenities epitomize Santorini, particularly its temperature-controlled selection of local wine varieties along with its record player and curated collection of vinyl records. The Lava Suite features a privately heated plunge pool with panoramic views spanning the caldera to the west, the Aegean Sea to the east, and the villages and vineyards to the north.
• For Families: An adult-only property, Carpe Diem only allows guests 18 years or older. There are no amenities or facilities for children. Each suite has a maximum occupancy of 2 people.

Carpe Diem – Local Transport

• Walking: Situated approximately 700 meters from the heart of Pyrgos village with its winding footpaths dotted with eateries, places of worship, boutiques and panoramic views, Carpe Diem is conveniently located. Much of the traditional settlement excludes motor vehicles, with charming narrow lanes and steep staircases leading to some of Santorini`s premier sunset outlooks from its elevated position as the island`s highest point. Numerous restaurants, wineries and attractions lie within easy walking distance, though hiring a car or taxi is best for exploring further afield on the island.
• Bus: From the hotel, it’s approximately a 12-minute walk to arrive at the bus stop location. Pyrgos is served by the non-express Fira-Perissa bus route. Travelers should avoid taking the Fira-Perissa express route, as it does not pause in Pyrgos. The non-express Fira-Perissa bus connects Pyrgos directly to Perissa or Fira, or passengers can switch buses in Fira to arrive at other villages, the airport, or the port. Tickets are bought onboard and range from €1.80 to €2.50 per individual during daylight hours, depending on the route. Night buses (12:30 am to 5 am) run less regularly (sometimes not at all) and cost a little more, from €2.30 to €3.10. Buses can fill up very quickly, particularly during the high season, so as to be completely full and not able to take on more passengers. There are only 23 public buses serving the island.
• Taxis: There is no set taxi stand in Pyrgos village – instead, book Santorini taxis ahead of time. The cost for a taxi from the airport to Carpe Diem would be around €25. A taxi from the ferry port to Carpe Diem is estimated between €20 to €25.
• Motorbikes: Locals commonly use motor scooters as transport, but unfamiliar roads present hazards. Thoroughfares zigzag steeply upwards and downwards on narrow paths sometimes without guardrails or nighttime illumination. Unpaved trails and potholes are common.
• ATVs/Quads: ATVs are an enjoyable and popular method of transportation with visitors, but for the locals required to drive behind them, they maneuver too gradually and hold up traffic in an area where moving around is already challenging. For individuals who don’t routinely ride quads (i.e. most people), they can be risky at high speeds and on turns. Crashed your ATV is a guaranteed way to ruin your vacation.

Carpe Diem – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants

• Cava Alta: Charming and elegant Mediterranean restaurant, tucked in the alleyways of Pyrgos inside a century-old wine cave.
• Kantouni Restaurant: A casual eatery known for its authentic Greek meze and comfort food.
• A deli serving food and drink: Fantastic establishment with sharing plates of meats and cheeses alongside local wines or Greek coffee.
• Penelope`s Ouzeri: Authentic, traditional appetizers (try the meatballs and fava) paired with wine or ouzo. Great views from the outdoor terrace.
• Metaxi Mas: The top diner on the island serves Santorinian and Cretan meals made with fresh, local ingredients and served with warmth.
• Botargo Restaurant and Bar: Upscale restaurant with a decadent menu and stunning sunsets in a 19th-century mansion.

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Franco’s Bar: The most popular sunset watch point in Pyrgos with breathtaking perspectives, champagne cocktails, and superb customer care.
• Affordable Hotels: The TSASKAN Hotel and the Glacier View Guest House are options.
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Best Nearby Cafes

• Agaze Bistro: A charming space offering wonderful breakfast and brunch with a covered terrace.
• The Bakery of Pyrgos – Ioannis Fousteris: Very traditional Greek bakery providing a great selection of sweet and savory pastries and pies. Limited seating, so planning to take food to go is recommended.

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

• Art Gallery Kallisti Kastelli: An art and gift shop with a wide range of items extending onto the sidewalk in central Pyrgos town.
• Theotokaki Art: Small gallery showcasing exquisite paintings on wood, all handmade by the owner, plus a fantastic selection of unique gifts.
• Marilena: Jewelry, clothing, accessories, and souvenirs in a cozy small store.
• Souvenir Shopping: Boutique featuring local handicrafts alongside mass-produced gifts and accessories.

Nearby Attractions

• Church of Agios Nikolaos Theotokaki: Dating back to the 1300s and renovated in the 1600s, this is one of the oldest churches on the island, distinguished by its blue dome and 6-bell tower.
• St George Church/Eisodia Tis Theotokou: This beautiful church dates back to the seventeenth century and is considered one of the most significant places of worship on the island. Situated just behind Franco’s at the top of Pyrgos, this is the simplest church to identify among a cluster of churches within the fortress grounds, counting the Church of the Virgin Mary.

Museum of Icons and Ecclesiastical Artifacts: Right next door to St. George Church is a small museum of 17th and 18th-century religious artifacts inside a former Catholic convent, Agia Triada

• Pyrgos Castle: The ruins of the castle are not much to see by themselves. The primary reason to visit here is to see the panoramic view over the island and to visit the several churches surrounding the grounds. Behind Franco’s.
• Church Christos (Metamorfosi Tou Sotiros): The Church of Christ is an imposing religious building perched just above the main square, notable for its architectural design.

Nearby Markets and Grocery Stores

• Maria’s Small Market: The best (and only) market in Pyrgos with well-stocked shelves of produce, wine, and groceries, and extremely friendly staff.
• Vidalis Market: If Maria’s selection falls short of your needs, check at Vidalis. Their inventory is more inclusive and complete, despite premium pricing and lackluster customer care.

Carpe Diem – The Hotel