Fira
Fira is the capital and the commercial center of Santorini. Built on the caldera’s rim with beautiful views of the volcano and the sea. In Fira, you will find all services, banks and the central post office as well as most culinary options, options to enjoy your drink and also to do your shopping on the island.
Fira has many attractions such as the Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, the Belonio Foundation, the Catholic Monastery, the new Santozeum museum and the Gyzi Palace, which are a very important part of Santorini’s history. Visit Kontohori and the Manolis Lignou Folklore Museum to see and book an authentic canvas that turns into a museum, as the folk history of Santorini is told.
Santorini night finds its expression in the streets of Fira. Koo Club, Enigma and Tango are the big clubs of the island, while guest djs come often in Casablanca. For drinking and loud music also visit Kira Thira (jazz rhythms), 2Brothers and Highlander.
Imerovigli
In addition to the wonderful view of the volcano, Imerovigli offers enchanting sunsets and idyllic tranquility. There is a main square which leads up to the Caldera and the traditional hillside cave settlements. If you follow the road to Oia, the lower plains of Imeroviglio, that is, you will also be enchanted by the wonderful sunset of the east coast!
Its position at the highest, most central point of the caldera gives it visual dominance over the whole area, while at the same time its proximity to the fortress of Skaros gives it an excellent prominent position. The Church of Our Lady of Malta, which you will come across, has a wonderful wood-carved iconostasis with pictures depicting scenes from the Old Testament. At the same time, there is also a path from the route of the Caldera of Imeroviglio to the Rock of Skaros and the chapel of Panagia Theoskepasti. A ride you will never forget!
- Imerovigli - Airport: 8 km.
- Imerovigli - Port: 10 km.
- Imerovigli - Oia: 9.5 km.
- Imerovigli - Perissa: 14 km.
- Imerovigli - Kamari: 9.5 km.
- Imerovigli – Fira: 3 km
Oia
Oia or Ano Meria (as locals call the village of Oia) is located 11 km north-east of Fira and is the absolute must- see during your visit to Santorini. The traditional settlement of Oia, which is the first that has been included in the program for the preservation and development of traditional settlements in Greece. It is a unique point that you can see and experience all the magic of Santorini. The architecture, the aura of the village and the caldera are gorgeous.
Akrotiri
Akrotiri is located in the southern part of the island and is 15 km away from Fira. Akrotiri is not exactly a hinterland village as it features coastal line and a large area that overlooks the caldera. The village itself, however, has been built very close to the sea and at the foot of the Goulas (the highest tower of Akrotiri’s castle city).
The oldest city of Santorini was developed here. The prehistoric town of Akrotiri, which came to light with the excavations of Spyros Marinatos continued from Christos Dumas, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. In the medieval period Akrotiri was one of the Kastelia (castle cities) of the island and the Goulas was the last piece of the island passed under the Ottoman rule. Today is a quiet village with a fishing and agricultural character where in many parts the view to the caldera is staggering.
The Archaeological Site of Akrotiri with the city that was buried under the lava after the eruption of the volcano 3500 years ago came to light and today is visitable. Also, the Red Beach, the Goulas and Faros (the lighthouse) are places that should not be missed.
Perissa & Perivolos
Perissa is a seaside village on the south east coast of Santorini with several kilometers of black sand beach. Towering over the beach on the north side is the mountain of Mesa Vouno, site of Ancient Thira. Perissa connects with Perivolos, and the collective area is longest stretch of beach on the island. Both beaches are organized. Church of Timios Stavros, one of the largest churches on the island, Timios Stavros can be found in Perissa square. The original church, built during the period 1835 up till 1840, was destroyed by the 1956 earthquake and was later rebuilt. At the base of the mountain of Mesa Vouno, one can find the ruins of the Basilica of Agia Irini. The building dates to the 5th century, while evidence of a second construction period during the second half of the 6th century was discovered in 1992. The completion of the excavation of the site, whose floor reaches to a depth of two meters, will take several more years. For many years it was thought that Santorini was given its name by the Venetians in the 13th century. Nowadays there is strong evidence that the Basilica of Agia Irini gave Santorini its name.
Pyrgos
Pyrgos can be found at the highest point of Santorini, with panoramic views of the whole island all the way to the village of Oia. This hillside village was declared a protected settlement in 1995. Pyrgos is a typical Fortress Settlement of the Cyclades. On the hilltop you can find ruins of Kasteli Castle, one of the five ‘kastelia’ on the island. Although there are many reports that Pyrgos was the capital of Santorini in the mid-18th century, the truth is that Pyrgos has never been the island’s capital. Traditional architecture, remains of neoclassical mansions, narrow winding paths leading up the hillside, small white houses, galleries, vineyards, churches, breathtaking sunsets … Pyrgos is truly magical.
If you make your way up from the main square towards the mansion of Zannos Melathron and up, you will discover one or two wonderful hillside cafes from which you can sip on a glass of wine and to breathe the Theraic atmosphere while enjoying the sunsets and the panoramic view.
Near to the village of Pyrgos and crowning Mount Profitis IIias is a monastery of the same name which was dedicated to the prophet Elijah. The monastery has an important museum – the Icons & Relics Collection. ‘Vanishing Santorini’ Exhibition is a look into Santorini’s past.
Megalochori
Megalochori is one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Its existence is recorded back to the 17th century. Home to historical mansions, old traditional houses, pirate hideaways and wine canavas, it has a history of merchants and wealthy land barons exporting Vinsanto wine that the island still produces. A prominent feature of the historical homes and mansions are the high walls, inner courtyards and solid wooden door entrances, built for privacy and for safety against marauding pirates.
A great effort is been made by local residents and businessmen to preserve the characteristics and beauty of this traditional settlement, and many of the original houses that had fallen into disrepair, have been restored to their former glory.
Wineries & Breweries
Venetsanos Winery
Estate Argyros Winery
Domaine Sigalas Winery
Koutsoyannopoulos Winery & Wine Museum
Gavalas Winery
Santowines Winery
Boutari Winery
Hatzidakis Winery
Artemis Karamolegos Winery
Vassaltis Winery
Art Space Winery
Canava Roussos Winery
Gaia Winery
Anydrous Winery HOME | Anhydrous Winery
Santorini Brewing Company
Volkan Brewery
Ftelos Brewery We Brew Something New! | Ftelos Brewery Santorini
Museums Exhibitions & Archaeological Sites
Archaeological Site-AKROTIRI
Ancient Thira-MESA VOUNO
Archaeological Museum -FIRA
Museum of Prehistoric -Thira
Lignos Folklore Museum-FIRA
Megaro Gyzi Museum-FIRA
Naval Maritime Museum-OIA
G. Emmanuel Argyros Mansion-MESSARIA
‘The Wall Paintings of Thera’-FIRA
Bellonio Cultural Center – FIRA
Art Space Argyros Canava-EXO GONIA
Icons & Relics Collection-PYRGOS
Exhibition of Santorini’s past “Vanishing Santorini”-PYRGOS
Museum of Minerals & Fossils-PERISSA
Wine Museum-VOTHONAS
Lost Atlantis -MEGALOCHORI