Porto Castello
Fira - Exo Gialos
Located by Exo Gialos Beach, this family-run Santorini Hotel is only 2 km from Fira’s centre.
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Fira is the capital of Santorini, also called Thira, and is a small village with characteristic cobbled alleys where the colours of white houses, blue doors and windows and blue church domes dominate.
It is located in the western part of the island, 10 kilometres from the main harbour, and offers a large number of hotels, many of them with swimming pools and splendid sea views.
Perched on a cliff in the caldera 260 metres above sea level, it suddenly reveals splendid views at every turn. The exceptional views, primarily those of the submerged volcano, have over the years brought a large number of tourists to Santorini from all over Europe and beyond, and have led to an impressive number of shops and boutiques springing up in just a few years. It is likely that there will soon be more high-fashion shops and jewellery shops in the centre street than in the whole of Rome’s Via Condotti!
Finding your way around Fira is very easy: the main square is Theotokopoulou Square and is intersected by odos 25 -Martiou (25th March Street), the street that leads up to the upper part of the town. To get to the sea, one can take the cobbled alley at the corner of the Pelikan Travel agency. Day and night activity is concentrated in five or six small streets.
Fira is the only centre on Santorini where one can experience the night. The other villages are quieter, both during the day and at night… No doubt the more romantic will prefer Firostefani, a quiet little hamlet further north, right on the scenic road.
It is fascinating to look at Fira from afar: houses built directly into the pumice, one leaning against the other and tastefully decorated, follow one another as far as the eye can see. Even more beautiful is wandering through the steep, narrow streets, looking for quiet, peaceful corners.
Crowded at all hours of the day and night during the middle of July and August, but never so much as to be annoyed, Fira is beautiful at night when the town lights up in contrast to the dark sea.
Fira conjures up thoughts of idleness and fun, things like having a drink soaking in the water of an infinity pool, admiring the sunset from a vantage point or boozing from club to club.
But that is only a portion of the things you can do: in Fira you can also visit interesting museums to learn about the long history and rich cultural heritage of the island of Santorini or take relaxing walks along the caldera.
Here are the must-see attractions in Fira.
The caldera is Santorini’s top attraction, and even for those staying in Fira it is first on the list of things to see and do: a funnel-shaped basin created by the collapse of the volcano on which the island stands.
A must-see on the caldera at Fira is the unique panorama that has made Santorini a world-famous island: the blue expanse of the Aegean Sea at the foot of steep cliffs of dark volcanic rock, interrupted only by scattered islands and islets and made even more spectacular at sunset by the play of light created by the setting sun.
Things to do at the caldera include strolls along the alleys of the old town in search of the most beautiful panoramic view, sunset aperitifs and exciting excursions by sailboat, catamaran, speedboat or even galleon.
One of the best vantage points is on Nomikou Street more or less at the height of the conference centre. For aperitifs, you will be spoilt for choice among the many bars and hotels with panoramic terraces. There are also many proposals for boat trips on the caldera, with prices varying enormously depending on the itinerary and services offered. The most romantic and suggestive, and not surprisingly the most popular, are those at sunset with an aperitif or dinner.
The old harbour is one of those places in Fira that everyone wants to see, perhaps because of the irresistible charm of the ships or the fun way in which it can be reached.
There are two, actually, and of these the most characteristic is by mule, an animal that is somewhat of a symbol of the island. The other is the cable car that leaves from the centre of Fira: it allows you to admire a beautiful panorama without struggling, but it is the preferred option for most tourists so the queues to get on are almost always very long.
There is also a third option, recommended only for those who love walking or those who want to save money at all costs: descending the 500 plus steep steps of a winding staircase. Remember that after going down you must also go up!
Greek town you go, archaeological museum you find. This is also true in Fira: on display at the town’s archaeological museum are ancient artefacts from the Hellenistic period including vases, sculptures, ceramics plus some Byzantine works and remains from prehistoric times.
It is located in a small square near the cable car and the Catholic church. The Archaeological Museum of Fira also houses impressive frescoes and sculptures from the Hellenistic period, Byzantine works and some prehistoric remains.
Fira’s other historical museum is the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, considered by many to be more interesting than the Archaeological Museum: if you only have time (or patience) for one, choose this one.
On display are objects of everyday life from the 3rd millennium BC and some primitive artworks; the highlight of the collection are the frescoes found at Akrotiri.
Better known as a cultural centre than as an exhibition space, the Megaro Gizi Museum is housed in a former patrician mansion that once belonged to a wealthy Venetian family.
The eclectic collection traces the history of the island of Santorini with photos, manuscripts and memorabilia; there is also a section dedicated to the late 18th century engravings of Count Choiseul-Gouffier, one dedicated to local artists and one to Byzantine icons.
Popular with locals and tourists alike are the concerts and shows that are organised every summer (many with free admission).
The most photographed church in Fira is the Orthodox Cathedral, a distinctive white church with an imposing dome located in the centre of the town. Built in the first half of the 19th century, it was almost completely destroyed in the 1956 earthquake and rebuilt.
Inside it retains some interesting frescoes, but what fascinates tourists is the majesty of the dome and its typically Cycladic exterior.
Less famous but no less interesting is the Catholic Cathedral dedicated to St John the Baptist, easily recognisable by its architecture in contrast to the typical Greek churches. If you are still in doubt, you will be sure you have found it when you see the bell tower with clock.
It is a corner of peace in a mundane and congested island like Santorini: don’t miss it; from its terrace you can enjoy a breathtaking view without having to scramble with other tourists.
Located in the village of Kontochori, a short distance from Fira, the Emmanuel Lignos Folklore Museum will give you an insight into how people lived on the island in the early 20th century, long before Santorini became a chic (or snobby, depending on your opinion) resort. The house survived the 1956 earthquake and is still very faithful to its original appearance, despite a renovation in 1973.
Named after the journalist Lignos, a fervent advocate of the importance of handing down the island’s cultural heritage, it is considered one of the most important folklore museums in Greece and is a pleasant diversion from boutiques and infinity pools in search of the island’s authentic soul.
Another way to enjoy the beauty of Fira without the hustle and bustle of mass tourism is to take the seaside walk from the centre to Oia.
The complete path is almost 10 km long and takes about three hours to complete, but it is not necessary to walk the whole length to admire the breathtaking views: the first stretch to Imerovigli is enough to fall madly in love with Santorini.
It is a footpath within everyone’s reach: well-marked, mostly uphill but with only one steep section, it is exposed to the sun but well ventilated. Admittedly, some fatigue must be reckoned with, but you will be amply rewarded by the incredible views of the sea, the luxury resorts, the little churches scattered in the middle of nowhere, and the quiet, which is a somewhat rare commodity on Santorini.
Hiking boots are not necessary but sandals and flip-flops should be avoided. Protect yourself from the sun and take water supplies with you.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
In Fira, the island’s capital, tourist facilities abound: the hotel offer is of a high standard, if your budget allows you can reserve a room with a pool overlooking the caldera, otherwise you can always choose a traditional hotel or a flat; choosing Fira as a base for touring the island is a good idea, given the town’s location and the nightlife it offers.
We offer a selection of hotels at Fira to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Fira, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Fira. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Fira are in high demand.
Getting to Fira from the airport is very easy: the airport is located at the same height as Fira on the other side of the island at a distance of only 4 km.
It is connected to the centre of Fira by frequent and inexpensive local buses, but it is best to rent a car at the airport so that you can then move freely around the island; by booking online you can take advantage of very cheap rates.
Only cruise ships and tourist boats dock at the port of Fira. Ferries and hydrofoils from mainland Greece and other islands arrive at the port of Athinios, which is about 5 km away. Here, too, one can use local buses, but a hire car is much more convenient.
Finding a taxi to/from the airport or port is not difficult, but the fares are usually very high.
Fira is located on the west side of Santorini, directly overlooking the caldera. It is located about halfway down the island, so it is an excellent base from which to reach any location.
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