Windmills of Emporio
Windmills of Emporio
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4.0
26 reviews
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Very good
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Gary M
Mission Viejo, CA692 contributions
July 2015 • Couples
Greece is known for its windmills and Santorini has a couple, most notably in Oia, which are still standing but the windmills on a ridge above Emporio are less than spectacular. While the windmills are listed as a tourist attraction in some tourist brochures and there is a small direction sign as you enter the outskirts of Emporio, these eight or so windmills are largely deteriorated and in very poor condition. No sails remain and most of the wooden mill machinery is in very poor shape; in some cases simply non-existent.
It is unfortunate that at least one or two of the windmills could not be reconstructed but I suspect that the cost of restoration would be greatly outweighed by the ability to recoup the costs. Still somewhat unfortunate in that the windmills' ruins line a ridge looking over the southern part of the island.
A large Greek flag flies from one of the windmills in better condition.
Not really worth the effort to visit unless you are already in Emporio. Also note that the road along the ridge is narrow and climbing into the windmill towers is probably not recommended. Do as I say, not as I do.
It is unfortunate that at least one or two of the windmills could not be reconstructed but I suspect that the cost of restoration would be greatly outweighed by the ability to recoup the costs. Still somewhat unfortunate in that the windmills' ruins line a ridge looking over the southern part of the island.
A large Greek flag flies from one of the windmills in better condition.
Not really worth the effort to visit unless you are already in Emporio. Also note that the road along the ridge is narrow and climbing into the windmill towers is probably not recommended. Do as I say, not as I do.
Written 22 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,033 contributions
June 2018 • Solo
At lunch in Akrotiri I had seen a line of derelict windmills along a crest and was determined to find them and photograph them. I had seen rows of old windmills, used to ground flour on high ridges before in Spain and Mykonos. But this lot were nearly 10 in number and in various states of disrepair. If you are into windmills like me - you will enjoy first finding the tiny one lane road with stone walls either side that led up to the ridge and there they were. One even had its stone wheel for grounding the flour still there inside the collapsed mill. One seemed to be in the throes of conversion to a residence. Others were near collapse into rubble.
Written 5 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marshall B
Ferney-Voltaire, France4,585 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
You travel through some vineyards on your way to these windmills - which are interesting to examine, particularly the traditional way of cropping the vines almost to ground level, in a basket form - and there is a small church close to the top, but otherwise you are looking at ruins and views across Santorini and towards the ocean. Definitely windy at the top, and the road is rather narrow in places for cars, although several spots where you can turn around. What it gives you though is a good perspective of the island, and from that vantage point we made some decisions as to where else to go in the Perissa area. Whether these windmills could be converted, as done in the much more fashionable Oia style, to vacation homes - not sure that will happen soon, but it is fun to imagine, looking into these piles of stone and collapsed wooden mechanisms. So, if you like history, even with its declines and falls, you will enjoy seeing these true relics of an earlier time.
Written 13 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annalisa
Monza, Italy604 contributions
June 2016 • Couples
On the Gavrilos hill, there are 8 old windmills that have now be abandoned. The wind here blows strongly, and the windmills have been repared several times before being finally replaced by new technologies.
There is nothing much to see here, but the atmosphere is perfect to take pictures!
There is nothing much to see here, but the atmosphere is perfect to take pictures!
Written 24 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana W
Swindon, UK18 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
Take time to find the small road that drives up past the 8 windmills on the hill above Emporio. They are lovely to see, and the views from up there are stunning.
Written 3 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire H
Bristol, UK92 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The windmills are not overly interesting but the views you get over Perissa and Emporio, as well as the boats in the sea around Vlychada, make them worth a visit. There are vineyards and a couple of pretty churches too. If you're staying in Emporio or Perissa it's a doable walk, although you can also take a quad bike, bike or car up - the roads are quite narrow in places though. It is a very quiet and peaceful spot to take in the famous Santorini sunset.
Written 18 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania37,258 contributions
July 2016 • Family
We made a short stop here in our way to Pyrgos.Don't waste your time,there's nothing to see.Only the abandoned ruins of some former windmills.
Written 20 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anonymous eater
London, UK41 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
A must do on Santorini! The sunset is amazing and it’s a quiet spot - perfect. Some of the windmills are open, some have been refurbished - there was a taverna but it was closed down when we went, didn’t look like it was in business any longer. Bring snacks and enjoy!
Written 19 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuzanneGarber
Miami Beach, FL255 contributions
June 2019 • Family
The flat we rented was across the street from the road to the windmills so we had a beautiful view of them every day. We took the opportunity to do a photo shoot in front of them, which made for great pics. If you’re on this side of the island they are worth a view.
Written 23 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DansworksDale
Bacup, UK32 contributions
Sept 2018
It was fascinating to walk along the road with all the windmills. Amazing views along the way and also a really interesting nature walk. The windmills are fascinating and in different states of repair with some transformed into gorgeous homes and some in ruin
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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