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 Getting There
Daily ferry connections with Piraeus (9 Hours), Crete (3 Hours),
Naxos (3 Hours), Paros, Mykonos, Ios. Santorini is also connected with other
islands of Cyclades, Dodecanese, Skiathos, Thessaloniki. Ferries call at
Athinios port southern to the Capital Fira. Cruise ships call beneath the cliffs at Fira.
Climbing up to Fira can be done by either donkeys or cable car.
There is also frequent catamaran service from Piraeus and other Cycladic islands.
There are direct schedules from Athens and charter flights from Europe.
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Getting Around
There is a frequent bus service which operates between Fira, Ia, Perissa,
Kamari, Athinios, Akrotiri, Monolithos. Car and motor bike hire is available.
Taxis are also available.
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Nightlife - Entertainment
Lively. Watch the sunset at cafe shops sitting at the rim of Fira. Cool bars where you will drink remarkable cocktails.
You will dance till you drop down.
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Excursions
Nea Kameni (appeared in 1720AD), is a volcanic islet. The trip involves 30 minutes walk from
the mooring up to the crater of the islet. Boat trips operate to Thirassia island
(half an hour from Ia), a small island originally part of Santorini until another
eruption-earthquake in 236 BC split them apart.The port village is about
300 steps up the cliff face.
Ia (north of Fira) with spectacular views sitting on the cliff,
Akrotiri (south west) the island's archaeological site are not to be missed.
Perissa and Kamari (south east) are the beach resorts with black sand.
In Fira the Archaeological Museum accommodates finds from
Akrotiri and early Cycladic sculpture. Megaron Gyzi Museum
exhibits island's history.
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Places to visit
- The New Museum of Fira, which opened in March 2000, is the second largest
pre-historical museum in Greece. It exhibits frescoes from Akrotiri and the first golden find in Cyclades.
- The Old Historical Museum in Fira, with finds from Santorini and the Greek Hellenic Period.
- The Archaeological site of Akrotiri, where the ancient town (1500-1600 BC) was destroyed. You can still walk through the streets and houses. (recommended)
- The Nautical Museum in Oia, with rare marine items, models of old and new ships and library.
- Boutaris Winemakers, in Megalohori. Excellent decaration, wine taste and multimedia with the history of the island.
- Megaron Gyzi in Fira, with old clothes, maps and cards from Santorini before the earthquake in 1956.
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Fira (Capital)
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Fira was suffered by the 1956 earthquake
is sitting on the edge of the cliff. It is a lively and very attractive town,
with sensational views to the sea and the caldera. There are plenty of coffee
shops and tavernas on the cliff, so be ready to enjoy the sunset
while having your drink. Excellent jewellery and fur boutiques are
not missing from Fira.
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Akrotiri
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One and a half kilometer below Akrotiri village, is the archaeological
site of Akrotiri which was destroyed by the Volcano erruption in 1500BC.
Akrotiri was buried by volcanic ash and was discovered after excavations
began by Professor Marinatos in 1967. No human skeletons or valuable
belongings were found, so it is an evidence that residents had the
warning of the eruption and they evacuated the place in time.
Akrotiri had cultural links with Crete and trading activities with Egypt.
You will walk through the streets, between two and three storeyed houses
with squares, workshops and shops. Finds included vases, cooking pots and
marvellous frescoes which are in exhibition in the National
Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Below Akrotiri is a beach, coffee shops, Hotels, rooms and taverns.
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Emborio
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is a large rural village which with Pyrgos
claims to be the oldest village on the island.
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Exomitis
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is east of Akrotiri and has
one of the best preserved Byzantine fortress of the Cyclades.
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Finikia
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(9 Km north from Fira) is a beautiful
small hamlet with very interesting architecture.
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Oia
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(11 Km north from Fira) was partly destroyed
by the 1956 earthquake and is one of the quit places of the island. It is
sitting, or better say, climbing on the hill with barrel-roofed cave houses.
The views are spectaculars and is one of the best places in Santorini
to watch and enjoy the sunset. 200 steps lead to the shore at the
north-west part of the island. From that point you can walk to
Ammoudi which is one of Oia's two small harbours.
Ammoudi has small red pebble beach and a taverna.
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Kamari
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is on the Eastern part of the island
with black sand beach. In Kamari there are numerous of tavernas/restaurants, bars,
discos, tourist shops, hotels and rooms.
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Perissa
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is very similar to Kamari with black
sand and plenty of tavernas/restaurants, bars, discos, gift shops,
hotels and rooms. It is separated from Kamari by Mesa Vouno on which
stood Ancient Thira the post eruption settlement.
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Pyrgos
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is one of the oldest settlements, with
old houses and alleys. It is a pleasant hillside village knocked by
earthquake in 1956.
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Useful Information
| Population | |
Port Authority | 22860 22239 |
| Distance from Piraeus | 130 NM |
Health Center | 22860 - |
| Commune Offices | 22860 22231 |
Olympic Airways (tickets) | 22860 22493 |
| Police | 22860 22649 |
Santorini Airport (JTR) | 22860 22525 |
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Please send your enquiries to
santorini@thegreektravel.com
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Santorini Island or Thera,
is one of the most picturesque islands of Greece, the rim of a gigantic
sunken volcano. Half of island was sunken after a volcanic eruption in 1450BC
which destroyed the island's civilization. Fira, the island's capital, sits
on the very rim of the crater nearly 300 meters above the sea with a
spectacular view to the sea.
