Fira

Understand

The city derives its name from an alternative pronunciation of "Thira", the ancient name of the island itself. Fira became prominent in the late 1700s, as reduced piracy in the Aegean allowed islanders to move further out from existing castles, and eventually became Santorini's administrative centre. Until recent times, its port was the island's main connection to the world. Every day during the summer, Fira is bustling as cruise ships from all over the Mediterranean come and go. When the rest of the island mostly closes up for the winter season, Fira remains open and active, though much quieter.

Getting there

By plane Santorini Airport (JTR IATA) is a few km to the southeast, about a 10 minute drive. Most people hire a taxi from there, or have their hotel arrange a private transfer. There is also frequent bus service between Fira and the airport, the route takes 10-15 minutes each way.

By boat Ferries dock at 1 Athinios Port, where buses meet each arrival to transport passengers to Fira (trip takes 15 min and costs €2.3); taxis are also available. All vehicles climb a very steep, winding road (it makes seven 180 degree turns) to leave the port.

Other boats may dock at the 2 Old Port (Gialos), which seems not to have changed over the last 50 years. There is no road from the Old Port, as it is at the bottom of the steep caldera cliffs, which poses a problem for anyone who wants to actually go beyond the docks:

The 3 Santorini Cable Car connects the port to the town centre. The lift has a capacity of 1,200 passengers per hour, so there are rarely waiting lines except when cruise ships arrive. Journey travel time is 3 minutes. Perfect for families with children as each gondola carries up to 6 passengers. Single journey costs €10. The 4 Karavolades Stairs is the alternative, a paved stairway that climbs up 200 m over 588 steps. It is also known as the Donkey Trail, because the best way up it is via a donkey ride. Obviously there are weight limits for riders. The donkey trail takes a lot longer than the cable car, but is a good option if there are long queues at the base station. Single journey costs €10. You are also free to walk (ignore any scammers demanding a ticket), but the stairway is winding, narrow in parts with only low walls, covered with slippery donkey poop, and the donkeys will make no attempt to avoid you.

By bus KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing €2.00-2.80 one way (2025), depending on the route. This is probably the only cheap thing you'll find on the island considering the buses are comfy and

Getting around

The limited space on the caldera ridge has led to a very condensed city layout with many narrow streets that are only accessible by foot, motorcycle, or donkey. Exploring the city by foot is the most convenient, because of the many steep paths and steps, and also the most rewarding because the centre is dotted by souvenir shops and art galleries. There are only a few streets suitable for motorised vehicles, and almost no parking opportunities. To the north, Fira flows into the quieter village of Firostefani, with a little more charm than the highly-commercialized city centre. To the south is an inland "suburb" of Karterados. There's no views here, so it is cheaper and has a more "locals" feel.

By quad bike A great way to get around the (small) island is by hiring a quad bike (ATV) from numerous agencies in the town. It is a better value than taxis and more fun than a bus.

See

Museums

1 Museum of Prehistoric Thira, Τ.Κ. 84700, ☏ +30 22860 23217, fax: +30 22860 23217, [email protected]. 08:30-15:30 daily, closed Tuesdays. The story of Akrotiri and other Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements is vividly told through a collection of colorful and artistically-detailed artefacts. Don't miss the collection of vibrant wall murals recovered from Akrotiri. €10. Free entrance on 6 Mar, 18 Apr, 18 May, and the European Heritage Days (last weekend of September). (updated Dec 2025) 2 Folklore Museum, ☏ +30 698 704 8274. M 10:00-17:00. Museum about the evolution of lifestyle and living on the Santorini archipelago, with displays featuring artisan crafting, a cobbler, blacksmith, distillery, winery, and even a mine underground. All lifestyles from cave houses to modern day typical white dwellings are covered. A guided tour is a necessity to get the most out of a visit, which takes about 45 minutes. €5. (updated Apr 2022) 3 Archaeological Museum of Thera. Tu-Su 08:00-15:00. It houses artefacts from Proto-Cycladic culture of the 3rd millennium BC, and continues on to the Classical period. Full €2, reduced €1. (updated Apr 2019) 4 Megaro Gyzi Museum, ☏ +30 2286 023077, [email protected]. May - Oct. An ethnographic museum with a collection of maps, landscapes, engravings, and dresses of the Cycladic Islands from the 15th to the 19th century. It is housed in the Megaro Gyzi mansion dated to the 17th century. It also features an exhibition of old manuscripts from the 16th to the 19th century, as well as painting and photographs of Santorini. (updated Apr 2022) 5 Roger Tourte Exposition, ☏ +30 2286 023016. Exhibition of work by French artist J.R. Tourte, who moved to Greece before the outbreak of the Second World War and toured the Cyclades until his death in 1972. His work consists of watercoloured scenes of all the major Cycladic Islands along with maps drawn by the artist. Most of the scenes show the authentic islands before they became tourist attractions

Do

Watch a sunset from the caldera rim, ideally while enjoying dinner or a drink. Go to the Old Port if you didn't come in that way; see #By boat above. There is almost nothing to do at the Old Port except to take a boat or take a couple of pictures, but the ride down and up can be fun. 1 The White Door Theatro, ☏ +30 2286021770, [email protected]. Theatre famous for its play The Greek Wedding, a comedy set in 1940s Greece. (updated Apr 2022) 2 Santorini Zen Spa, ☏ +30 6985824393, [email protected]. 09:00 - 20:00 daily. Massage and relaxation. (updated Apr 2022) 3 Kokkalo, 25 Martiou Street, ☏ +30 2286025407, [email protected]. 14:00 - 00:00 daily. Restaurant offering cooking courses to teach yourself how to cook Greek cuisine the traditional way. (updated Apr 2022)

Walks and hikes

Agiou Mina Street. This street goes along the crater rim through Fira, from the south part of town to the cable car. It provides the stunning views of Fira that you came to see. You can walk either north or south, but walking north has the advantage that the main part of Fira is in front of you. Just be careful of the donkey poop! (updated Dec 2025) Fira - Oia Hike. By far the most spectacular hike on Thira is the 11 km trail along the crater rim to Oia. It offers some breathtaking views over the caldera, and the other islands of the archipelago. At a moderate walking pace, the hike takes about 3 hours. The trail starts northward from Agiou Mina Street and is well-ma