It may be a surprise, but Santorini had one of the largest tomato production lines in Greece and the Balkans in the 20th century. Greece’s economy was very different before the 1980s, when tourism barely existed on the island of Santorini, and the money came from agriculture, fishing, and shipping.
The largest factory in Greece has now been transformed into the Santorini Tomato Industrial Museum, which hosts many cultural events for the island every year, along with the Santorini Art Factory and local Festivals, in a beautiful, fully restored space. Along with the Santorini Wine Museum, this is worth a visit while on the island of Santorini.
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VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW
- Official Website of the Santorini Tomato Industrial Museum in Vlychada
- Santorini Tomato Museum on Google Maps
- Santorini Tomato Industrial Museum Tickets Prices:Full (12€), Reduced (6€) – for Children 12-18 years old, Unemployed, Seniors Over 65 years old, Disabled people with their escorts
- Free Admission to Santorini Tomato Industrial Museum: children up to 18 years old
- Online Tickets: you don’t have to pre-book your tickets online as there is never a queue or large crowds; the museum does not have that many visitors, as not that many people know about it
- How long does it take to visit the Santorini Tomato Museum? You need at least 1 hour to see the whole factory
- Opening Hours April, May, and October:
CLOSED Monday
10:00-16:00 Tuesday
10:00-16:00 Wednesday
10:00-16:00 Thursday
10:00-16:00 Friday
10:00-16:00 Saturday
10:00-16:00 Sunday - Opening Hours June, July, August, and September:
CLOSED Monday
10:00-18:00 Tuesday
10:00-18:00 Wednesday
10:00-18:00 Thursday
10:00-18:00 Friday
10:00-18:00 Saturday
10:00-18:00 Sunday - Santorini Tomato Industrial Museum is CLOSED on:
1 January
25 March
1 May
Greek Easter Sunday
25 December
26 December - Last Entrance: it’s always 45 minutes before closing
- Best Time to go to the Santorini Tomato Museum: anytime is fine to be honest so if you are in Vlychada you can just pop in and learn a bit about the tomato production of the island; you may also want to combine your visit with one of their cultural events that mainly happen in the summer months of June, July and August
- How to Get to the Santorini Tomato Museum: The “Vlychada Bus” from Fira will take you there in about 20 minutes (check the Santorini buses)
- Where to Eat after your Santorini Tomato Museum visit: there are only a few options just down to Vlychada small harbour, such as: To Psaraki (my personal favourite with some of the best seafood on the island), To Steki tou Psara, and Aura
SANTORINI TOMATO MUSEUM
It’s very easy to get to the Santorini Tomato Industrial Museum. There is a direct local bus from Fira (20-minute ride), but you can also take a taxi or drive your car.
FAQs
Where is the Santorini Tomato Museum located?
The museum is located in the coastal village of Vlychada, on the southern end of Santorini. It is situated directly next to the Vlychada Marina and the striking, wind-carved pumice cliffs of Vlychada Beach.
How much are tickets to the Santorini Tomato Museum?
How do I get to the Tomato Industrial Museum from Fira?
The cheapest way is to take the public KTEL bus from the main terminal in Fira heading toward Vlychada. The bus ride takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from Fira will cost approximately €25 to €30.
How long does it take to visit the Santorini Tomato Museum?
You should plan to spend about 1 hour at the museum. This gives you enough time to view the historic 1890s industrial machinery, listen to the audio guide, and sample the traditional Santorini tomato paste at the end of the tour.
Is the Santorini Tomato Museum worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you are interested in the island’s history before the modern tourism boom. It provides an excellent contrast to the crowded caldera towns, and because it is located in Vlychada, it is very easy to combine a museum visit with a seafood lunch at a nearby taverna (like To Psaraki) and an afternoon at Vlychada Beach.
