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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. Here you will find all services, banks and the central post office plus the most suggestions for eating, drinking and shopping on the island. Fira, apart from the center of the island, also has many attractions. The Cathedral, the new Santozeum museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, the Megaro Gyzi, the Belonio Foundation, the Catholic monastery are among the most beautiful sights of Thira that are worth visiting. In addition, do not miss to visit Kontochori and the Manolis Lignou Folklore Museum where you can book an authentic canvas that turns into a museum and tells the whole folk history of the island.
The nights in Santorini are just as enchanting as the sunset and its sights. In the streets of Fira, you will find Koo Club, Enigma and Tango which are among the biggest clubs on the island. For a slightly louder musical spree, check out Kyra Thira (jazz beats), 2Brothers and Highlander.
Imerovigli with its magnificent view of the volcano, its enchanting sunsets and its unique tranquility will fascinate you. The central square of Imeroviglio leads to the Caldera and the traditional settlements on the slope. It is worth taking the road to Oia, which are the lower plains of Imeroviglio on the east coast and have. also, great view of the famous sunset.
Imerovigli is located at the highest point of the caldera and it seems to dominate the entire area. In the area there is also the imposing fortress of Skaros. In addition, the Church of Our Lady of Malta with its magnificent wood-carved iconostasis with images from the Old Testament is also a must-see.
Following the path of the caldera of Imerovigli you can head towards the Rock of Skaros and the chapel of Panagia Theoskepasti.
Skaros Rock one of the 5 fortified castles of Santorini
Small supermarkets, pharmacy,
restaurants & taverns
Oia or Ano Meria (as the locals call the village of Oia) is located 11 km northeast of Fira and is the most essential place in Santorini. It is a unique spot to enjoy all the magic of Santorini. The traditional settlement, the architecture, the aura of the village and the caldera are unique and worth visiting.
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 a 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 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.
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 breathe in the sunsets and the panoramic views. 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 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 has 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.
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
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