Santorini Argyros Mansion museum

Location: Messaria

Argyros Mansion in Santorini: Argyros Mansion (or Archontiko Argyrou) is a beautiful traditional mansion in the village of Messaria built in 1860. It is renowned for its elegant Neoclassical architecture. Visitors have the chance to get a view of how life in Santorini was through the past two centuries.

The mansion is characterized by its high-quality architecture, arched ceilings, and exquisite floors. A sense of romance is distinct on the inside. The museum is located on the first floor and boasts a collection of artifacts and antiquities that offers a fascinating insight into the fabled Greek tradition, culture, and heritage. You will come across unusual paintings, antique furniture, and many items dating back to the 19th century. The neighborhood surrounding the mansion is dotted with lovely small shops.

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The palatial mansion was the residence of George Argyros, a prosperous landlord, and trader of local wine. He built that remarkable mansion during the 1880s; since then it constitutes a family heritage. Unfortunately, a part of the edifice was severely damaged in the earthquake of 1956, after which the building remained uninhabited for 35 years. In 1985, the mansion was declared  "a valuable sample of traditional architecture" by the Greek Ministry of Culture and then its renovation started. Nowadays it is utilized as a museum, hosting permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Opening hours: May to October (except Mondays and Thursdays)
10:00-14:00 and 17:00-19:00

How to get there

Argyros Mansion is located in Messaria village.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of scheduling a direct pickup by a local driver at the following numbers: 0030 690 679 4316, 0030 22860 22555.

Car rental: There’s the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from your hotel. You can then visit Argyros mansion but also many other places of interest.

Public transfers: In Messaria village lies the 4th stop of the bus route Fira > Perissa. Argyros Mansion is a 5-minute walk away. ira is where the central bus station of the island is located. Bus connections between this bus station and most areas of the island are available. There are buses to Perissa approximately every 1.5 hours. Note that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination in advance.