Archeological sight of Akrotiri
The second biggest sight of Santorini that you must see. The city by the sea that was blooming in the Bronze Age and because of its port it was one of the biggest commercial centers of the Aegean sea. A violent explosion of the volcano in 1700 to 1600 B. C covered with ashes the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, while citizens had managed to flee. The excavations which started in 1967 from the great greek archeologist Spyros Marinatos, brought to light well preserved multistory buildings, areas of religious ceremonies and habitation, wallpaintings and many more artifacts that were left behind in hurry from the ancient Akrotirians. You will walk in the streets of this town and its squares, a visit and surelly will be unforgettable.
The archeological site is open daily, except Monday, from 10. 00 till 17. 00. The entrance fee is about 5 euro per adult, with discounts for children, students and elderly people. It is accessible by car / motorbike or by the local bus, there are frequent schedules.
Archeological site of Ancient Thira
After the destruction of Akrotiri, by the 8th - 9th century B. C, Dorian settlers from Sparta arrived to the island with Thiras as their leader, where the island was named of. The city which was build in Mesa Vouno (above the beach of Kamari) remained non-walled as the mountain offers a natural fortress on 385 meters hight, it controled all the island and was connected by roads with the ports of Oia (today's Kamari) and Elefsina (today's Perissa). Religious temples, Agora (commercial and administrative center of the town), the ancient theatre, the Gymnasium and many more monuments remain well preserved.
To visit Ancient Thira you will need at least one hour. It is accessible by car, bike or by foot from the base of the mountain in Kamari, it will take you about 10 minutes to reach the mountain. The archeological site and the view will reward you. It works daily except Monday from 09:00 until 15:00.
Other sights with archeological interest are the Prehistoric Museum of Thira, with artifacts, wallpaintings and a model from the archeological site of Akrotiri, and the Archeological museum, which has artifacts from Ancient Thira and from Cyclades from the Bronze age. Both museums are located in the town of Fira.
The Museum Santozeum located as well in Fira, close to the cable car station, has exhibition of the wall paintings that were found in Akrotiri. It is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, from May 1st to October 31st.
Castles - ''Kastelia'' of Santorini
In Santorini there are five castles or otherwise called Kastelia which where built mainly during the Venetian period.
Skaros or Epano Vrahos or Roka is located in Imerovigli.
It was the capital of Santorini from the Byzantine years until the 18th century A. D. On the upper Castle there was a whole settlement, but residents abandoned it by the 17th century A. D because of the large earthquakes that were happening at that time. Now some ruins are preserved and the imposive rock that looks to Thirassia and the Volcanoes.
In Oia, in one of the most cosmopolitan villages of the island are the ruins of the Kasteli of Agios Nikolaos. Its existence is mentioned from 1480 A. D and was a place of the ship owners of the village. Overlooking Thirasia right across, it is the favourite spot for visitors to watch the sunset.
In the village of Pyrgos, walking though the narrow streets towards the top of the village we meet the entrance for the Kasteli, walls that protected the village from pirates. There is also the church of Virgin Mary at the very top of the kasteli. It was built during the years 1660 – 1661 and there on Good Friday occurs the most significant Epitaph of the village.
The Kastelli of Emporeio village is also one of the most known and beautiful castles on the island. With one entrance, we walk through the narrow streets, see the houses built right next to each other, with entrances and windows only to the interior of the castle, for citizens to be better protected from raiders. You will be charmed by the small houses, many having large rocks wedged into the wall as steps and by the many small churches in the old town.
Finaly, during medieval times, Akrotiri was considered one of the ''kasteli'' of the island and was called La Ponta. In the center of the settlement there was the Goulas (tower) which until the large earthquake of 1956 was preserved in very good shape.
Skaros or Epano Vrahos or Roka is located in Imerovigli.
It was the capital of Santorini from the Byzantine years until the 18th century A. D. On the upper Castle there was a whole settlement, but residents abandoned it by the 17th century A. D because of the large earthquakes that were happening at that time. Now some ruins are preserved and the imposive rock that looks to Thirassia and the Volcanoes.
In Oia, in one of the most cosmopolitan villages of the island are the ruins of the Kasteli of Agios Nikolaos. Its existence is mentioned from 1480 A. D and was a place of the ship owners of the village. Overlooking Thirasia right across, it is the favourite spot for visitors to watch the sunset.
In the village of Pyrgos, walking though the narrow streets towards the top of the village we meet the entrance for the Kasteli, walls that protected the village from pirates. There is also the church of Virgin Mary at the very top of the kasteli. It was built during the years 1660 – 1661 and there on Good Friday occurs the most significant Epitaph of the village.
The Kastelli of Emporeio village is also one of the most known and beautiful castles on the island. With one entrance, we walk through the narrow streets, see the houses built right next to each other, with entrances and windows only to the interior of the castle, for citizens to be better protected from raiders. You will be charmed by the small houses, many having large rocks wedged into the wall as steps and by the many small churches in the old town.
Finaly, during medieval times, Akrotiri was considered one of the ''kasteli'' of the island and was called La Ponta. In the center of the settlement there was the Goulas (tower) which until the large earthquake of 1956 was preserved in very good shape.
Kamari
One of the cleanest beaches (it had earned the Blue Flag) with crystal waters and black volcanic pebles. It is maybe the most suitable beach for families, with a canteen, sunbeds and umbrellas. There are also water sports for the daring. Here also you will find many restaurants, cafes, shops and the two cinemas of the island, an open air and a indoor. During high season the road above the beach, about a kilometre long, becomes pedestrian, which makes it one of the most ideal options for your walk.Perissa & Perivolos
Two more of the most known and best beaches of the island. They stretch to about 2, 5 kilometres of black volcanic sand or pebbles and clear waters. Here also you will find all facilities, such as umbrellas and sunbeds, but also many taverns, bars, shops and hotels. Here you will find the most known beach bars and watersports, Where locals and visitors compine their swimming with their coffe or drink and lots of dancing! The beach of Perissa is connected with the beach of Kamari with a small boat that sails around the mountain, if you want to take an alternative way of transportation.Monolithos
The shallow waters and the thin black sand makes the beach of Monolithos one of the most ideal option for families with small children. There are available sunbeds, umbrellas, canteen, beach volley and many more activities for children. Here you will also find two of the best fishtaverns of the island.Red & White Beach
In Akrotiri, close to the archeological site, take the road on the right, park at the parking lot in front of the small church of Agios Nikolaos, follow the path behind the cliff and brace yourself for a striking image. You will see a large wall of red lava (the reason the beach is called Red Beach) and the beautiful beach underneath of black-red sand and pebbles and crystal waters. Follow the path going down which will take you 5 - 10 minutes to reach the beach. While there are sunbeds, umbrellas and a small canteen, you should always keep a bottle of water and some snacks with you. The White Beach is a small bay behind the Red Beach, which is accessible only by boat. Its main feature is the wall behind this beach which is of white ashes and pumice stone from the explotions of the volcanoes of Santorini.Vlychada
Ideal choice for those you seek a quite beach. With the typical thin black sand of the island and the clear and shallow waters, it is also a nice spot to watch the sunset. Next to the beach there is a small port with fishing boats and yaghts that find here shelter. Here also you will find some of the nicest traditional and family taverns with local delicacies and fish.Firostefani
The continuation of Fira located only two kilometres away. Here except the traditional houses of local people you will find also many hotels with view to the Caldera.Fira
The capital and the heart of the island. Here are all the shops, public services, restaurants and cafes built on the edge of the Caldera, offering an amazing view of the volcanic and surrounding islands. Here also you will find night clubs and bars for the entertainment of local people and visitors. Walking underneath the church of Ipapanti, below the hotels, you will be in Kato Fira, where you will see the traditional houses carved in the rock. The old port of Fira, the first port of Santorini is located in the bottom of the cliff. Now it serves cruise ships and tour boats, but worth a visit, as it is accessible only by cable car, by foot or donkeys. We suggest to take the path behind the cable car station which will lead you to the next villages, Firostefani and Imerovigli.Imerovigli
Also one of the nicest villages with view to the Caldera and many hotels. Here you will find the path to Skaros, the striking rock with ruins of its castle, or as it called in Santorini ''kastelli''. Behind the rock you will find the beautiful church of Theoskepasti. Both places are higly recommended for hiking lovers. From here starts also the hiking trail for Oia, along the caldera.Akrotiri
Famous village mostly because of the archeological site which was discovered here, but also known of its ''kasteli'', its view and quietness. Ideal for visitors that want to stay somewhere calm and relaxing and enjoy the view.Oia
It is considered the most beautiful village of the island. It used to be a city of captains, because there used to be a small shipyard, and there are still beautiful houses and mansions preserved. Breathtaking view of the caldera, marbled narrow streets, shops, traditional local houses and hotels, all built on the edge of the cliff. The atmosphere here is magical at the time of the sunset, which Oia is famous of. You should also visit the Naval Museum which is housed in a traditional captain's mansion. Oia haw two picturesque ports, Armeni and Ammoudi. Both are right below the village, you can either walk down (about 250 steps) or by donkeys. Ammoudi is also reachable by bike or car and the view here is also magical. A small jetty with taverns next to each other with local delicacies and fresh fish continues all the way behind the cliff, where it takes you across the small church of Agios Nikolaos, built on a rock. Ammoudi is also suitable for swimming for the daring, as it is not a beach, but the deep blue mysterious waters dare you for a dive.Pyrgos, Megalochori & Emporìo
These villages are known for their traditional castles, their charming narrow streets around the village and the fact that they are almost intact from tourism. Here you will see the every day life of local people of the south side of the island, some small taverns, mostly family businesses and local products. Other villages intact from tourism are Karterados, Vothonas, Mesa and Exo Gonia and Vourvoulos.Due to the climate of Santorini which is very humid, the vines are pruned and made in a way looking like baskets. When the leafage thickens, it keeps the humidity and it waters itself. All these infromation and many more you can find in the many wineries on the island and also taste the varieties of wines.
There are also wineries which are highly suggested to visit such as:
Gavalas winery in Megalochori, Sigalas winery in Foinikia of Oia and Canava Roussos in Mesa Gonia are some of them.
Santo Winery
is located in Pyrgos, above the port. Open all day from the morning until sunset, it offers tours in the premises of the winery, wine tasting and amazing view. There is also a cafe that stays open until sunset, where you can also do the wine tasting.Koutsougiannopoulos Winery or Volcano Wines
will amaze you. The entrance fee includes the tour in the basement museum, the winery and wine tasting. During summer season greek night are organized with buffet menu, traditional dances and the typical breaking plates.Boutari winery
is also one of the most famous around the world and of the biggest wineries of the island. There are also wineries which are highly suggested to visit such as:
Gavalas winery in Megalochori, Sigalas winery in Foinikia of Oia and Canava Roussos in Mesa Gonia are some of them.
Panagia Episkopi
One of the most beautiful and oldest churches of the island is Panagia Episkopi.
It is located in Episkopi Gonias (between Mesa Gonia and Kamari) and was build by the Byzantine emperor Komninos A. The paved yard and the church it self with the marble temple will amaze you. On the 15th of August there is a big festivity and after the service they offer fava, wine and grapes.Other churches worth visiting
The orthodox cathedral of Mitropoli (Panagia Ypapanti)
Nameday on the 2nd of February), which has beautiful wallpantings painted by the local painter Christoforos Asimis and was rebuilt after the large earthquake of 1956. It is located in Fira and on the edge of the caldera, offering magnificent view.The monastery of Agios Nikolaos (female nuns)
Located between the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli.The monastery of Profitis Ilias (male monastery)
Located on the top of the mountain in Pyrgos, is an other significant sight of the island. It was built in the beginning of the 18th century and here you will see the beautiful carved wooden temple and impressive exhibits in the church's museum.The holy church of Timios Stavros in Perissa
the biggest church of Santorini. It was built in the 19th century above the old basilica of Saint Irini.The church of Panagias Akathistou
in the main square of Oia.The holy church of Panagia ton Eisodion (Virgin Mary)
in Megalochori with carved wooden temple and russian icons. And many more, such as Panagia Malteza in Imerovigli, Saint Epifanios in Akrotiri, Saints Anargyroi in Megalochori, Saints Eftapedes (7 children) in Oia (located in a cave on the base of the Caldera), Panagia tou Kalou (Virgin Mary of good) in Kouloumpo and more, that reach a number of 300 that adorn the island.
