Discover Santorini - Santorini Tour Lovers

Fira Town

Fira is the beautiful capital of the island and the biggest and most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini. It is located in the western edge of the island, opposite the volcano and the two volcanic islands, Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni that lie in the sea.

Fira is such a modern spectacle and tourist destination that it’s sometimes easy to look past its incredible history. After one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions in prehistoric times, the island went deserted for some centuries.

Around 13th Century BC, it would be inhabited by Phoenicians, followed by the Dorians who started the settlement of Ancient Thera. The first church was constructed somewhere during the 3-4th century when Christianity arrived on Santorini.

Fira is a place to walk as there is no way to get lost.

You can wander through the cobbled streets that are full of shopping, while walking will allow you to experience the beauty of Fira and the amazing view of the Aegean Sea.

Firostefani

The village of Firostefani is located on the north side of Santorini, on a location between the two famous villages of Fira and Imerovigli. Officially, this location is perceived as a separate village however, the truth is different. In reality, this location is the extension of the capital village, the infamous Fira of Santorini.
Due to the fact that Firostefani is situated on the highest point of Fira, this settlement’s name can be translated as the Crown of Fira. In Greek language, Stefani means crown, therefore it is the Crown of Fira.

Impeccable Views!
There is no possible way that a visitor in Santorini will not spend time in Firostefani. This is because the location offers impeccable views over the blue Aegean Sea. From the top of the cliff, the panorama sets a fairy tale backdrop as visitors are able to view the infamous volcano of Santorini from a different angle.

In this place located also the famous church with three bells “The Dormition of the Virgin” (Catholic Church), which you can see on every postcard of Santorini!Admire the beauty of the church with a magnificent view of the Aegean Sea.

Imerovigli

The village of Imerovigli, also known as “The balcony to the Aegean”, is built on the highest point of the caldera cliffs, about 300 meters above sea level. It is situated at the north part of the island, 3 kilometers from the capital of Fira. Its position provides a magnificent view of the famous volcano, the sparkling Aegean Sea and the sunset that is out of this world.

An interesting highlight is that the village was named after the pirates that were operating in the area during the ancient times. The word Imerovigli is a composition of two other words, “Imera” and “Vigla”. The former can be translated as day, while the later derives from the Latin word viglare which means to guard or to take care of the area.

Therefore, Imerovigli broadly speaking means to guard the day and is a reference to its height serving as a viewing platform over the sea.

The notable attraction of the village is the famous, immense rock called Skaros that lies on the seaward side. It is of paramount importance since it was one of the five fortresses of Santorini and the most significant one. It was once an observation post providing security from pirates.

Today one can admire the remains left after the earthquake of 1817 and, of course, a striking view from the top. In Skaros, the symbol of Santorini, you can experience hiking as well.

Oia Village

Here comes the Queen! No words can describe the beauty of this place.The harmony and the beauty that the village of Oia demonstrates, is in reality beyond any expectations. They say that a picture equals a thousand words, however, in the case of Oia, a thousand of worlds is not enough to describe the thrilling and spectacular scenery. The beauty of Oia is unsurpassed.Is a place where one can spend a couple of hours, a day or a life!

The village of Oia is located at the northern part of the Island at a distance of 11km from the capital village of Fira. It is commonly known by the Greek people as “Apano Meria”, which can be translated as the upper site. Accordingly, the inhabitants of Oia are commonly known as “Apanomerites” or the people living in the upper site.

When it comes to the architecture, Oia is not an exception, as all the buildings reflect the traditional Island architectural style and maintain a unique and charming character. It is important to mention that there are two different types of houses in Oia. The first type is the one that includes the houses that were carved into the rocks and used to be owned by sailors. The second type of houses includes the ones that are built on the top of the cliff and used to be the property of the local ship owners.

If you have time to visit just one place in the island – choose Oia. That’s what you’ve been dreaming of for so many years looking at the pictures of the white churches with bright blue domes.

Pyrgos

What makes Pyrgos unique is the fact that it is the highest village of the whole island, providing great panoramic views of both sides of the island. It is situated on the west coast, about 5 kilometers southeast of Fira, the capital of Santorini.

Thanks to its privileged position it stands out from a distance and the sight from up there offers a different point of view, you can only admire from Pyrgos. You can set eyes on green valleys, the vast sea and the whole island unfolding below your feet. Pyrgos remains traditional, accordant to the Cycladic architecture. The fact that it is slightly undeveloped with narrow, winding paths and stone houses makes it adorable.

As you are ascending this hillside village you will reach the Venetian Kasteli, one of the five castles of Santorini, where the view is unexampled. It is built amphitheatrically with three churches in and around it. The village can boast of a good number of churches and traditional Cycladic architecture while a sunset from here is also very promising and away from the crowds.On the west side lays the church Theotoki or Koimisis of Theotokou that is believed to be one of the oldest churches of the island.
Use a chance to take pictures with a different setting!

Megalochori

Megalochori is a peaceful, picturesque village on the south side of Santorini. The village is mentioned in historical records of the 17th century AD. Famous for the tripartite bell tower , its pirate hideaways and wine canavas.
Megalochori has a history of merchants and wealth which will enchant you.

Emborio

Emporio is the largest village of Santorini, situated at the center of the south part of the island, at a distance of 12 kilometers from Fira. It is built in the lowlands, at the foot of Profitis Ilias Mountain. The village was probably named Emporio (=trade) because it used to be the center of the commercial affairs in the past.

The big attraction of Emporio is the medieval Kasteli, one of the five fortified castles of Santorini. Inside the castle there is a church that dates back to the 16th century or earlier. In close distance lies the Tower of Nimborio (The “Goulas”), a square building that was used as a watchtower and a refuge.

Ancient Thira

The second most important historic period in the history of Santorini is connected with Ancient Thera, which represents a great ancient civilization. Ancient Thera is located on the top of Mesa Vouno Mountain which lies on the east of Prophet Elias Mountain and separates the coastal villages of Perissa and Kamari. It is about 365 meters high and so it constitutes an excellent observation spot on the southeastern Aegean Sea and its steep slopes offer natural fortification.

This strategic position was the ideal place for the Lacedaemonian colonists to build their town. They arrived in the 8th century BC along with their king Theras and named the island Thera in his honor. At this spot there were also several building materials and the only natural springs on the island. This fortified location was later appreciated by the Ptolemaic dynasty and in the 4th century BC it was the naval and military base of Egypt.

The excavations in Mesa Vouno Mountain, which started in 1896 by a German baron and continued in 1961 by Greek archaeologists, revealed a settlement of the Hellenistic Period. There was a main paved road, many smaller paths and a drainage system. The public buildings were made of limestone, whereas the private ones of small, unsymmetrical stones.

Two cemeteries, a theatre, markets, pagan temples, Christian churches, baths and more public buildings have also been discovered and indicate a sophisticated society where religion played an important role. Thera was the religious and commercial center of the island.

Art wasn’t vastly cultivated since the Spartans were conservative people that didn’t encourage the development of arts and education. However, the archaeological excavations have revealed remarkable artifacts of ceramics and plastic arts. Despite being an abstinent and conservative society, it was affected by the cultural developments and had commercial ties with the rest of the Cycladic islands, islands of the northern Aegean, Crete, Cyprus, mainland Greece, Corinth and even North Africa.

In addition, Thera was one of the first places to adopt the Phoenician alphabet as the basis of Greek writing. A long period of drought led the people of Thera to create their unique colony in Africa in 630 BC, the Ancient City of Cyrene, which was a brilliant civilization that shined in arts and education.

Through centuries the ancient city of Thera went through glorious and turbulent times as well; it was inhabited and conquered by various civilizations. Its decline began at the end of the 3rd century AD, when the residents gradually started dwelling on the coasts of the island as they offered a more convenient everyday life.

Today, visitors can feel this bygone glory by exploring a large part of Ancient Thera that has been excavated. A tour at the archaeological site on the top of Mesa Vouno Mountain also provides magnificent views on the sparkling Aegean Sea. In addition, a great collection of statues, clay figurines, pots, vases and other objects and artifacts can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Fira, which is well worth a visit for the unique finds it exhibits.

Finally, one kouros (ancient Greek statue of a young man) known as Apollo of Thera, which dates back to the 6th century BC, is at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Two more of them, from the 7th century BC, can be admired in the Archaeological Museum of Fira, too.

Monastery of Profitis Ilias

Prophet Elias Monastery is located in the southeast part of Santorini, near the village of Pyrgos, on the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias. It is built at a height of approximately 567 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest point on the whole island and therefore a place with a tremendous view.

The Monastery was built in 1711 in the resemblance of a fortress and it is a stunning example of Cycladic architecture. During the first years, it played a very important role in the cultural and educational life of the people, as it operated as a school, where its students were taught the Greek language and Literature.

Not only its role in the society was significant, but it also exerted economic influence, as it conducted a prosperous trade business in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea with its private ship. It finally went through serious damage from a severe earthquake that hit Santorini in 1956.

Today, the Monastery has its own museum, with a collection of ecclesiastical items, rare handwritten books and stunning Byzantine icons and sculptures. It also hosts displays of shoemaking, printing and candle making.
Still, almost any day of the season you can get traditional products produced by the monks from a monastery shop located on the square next to St. Nectarious church.

The monastery area is closed on Sundays. On that day you can only enjoy the views from the mountain itself.

Perissa-Perivolos Black Beach

Perissa is a coastal village, located on the southeastern edge of the island, 13 kilometers away from the capital. It lies on the south base of Mesa Vouno mountain and is believed to be the place where the ancient city of Elefsina used to stand.

The reason most visitors come to Perissa is to take pleasure in the extraordinary beach, which is characterized by deep, dark blue waters and black lava sand. It is fully-organized with sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, lifeguards and a playground and it has received the Blue Flag Award.

You can find both a quiet and a noisy spot here, depending on your preferences.

At the very beginning and the very end of the season, this beach is a very quiet and relaxing place loved by the locals. In fact, it offers you a real feeling of freedom, where you can enjoy in full the sand, the sea, and the sun.

More than that, this beach almost everywhere offers a very smooth entrance into the sea – especially in Perivolos, which makes it the best spot to swim with children.

Kamari Black Beach

Kamari Beach is one of the most popular and most visited beach resorts in Santorini. It is located in the seaside village of Kamari, 10 kilometers southeast of Fira and close to the Airport. The beach is composed of black volcanic sand and is 5 kilometers long, among the 3 longest beaches in Santorini, with deep crystalline waters and a series of trees. Kamari Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag.

The sea is deeper than behind the mountain, but still attractive for swimming and water sports.

Kamari Beach has actually everything you may need for a relaxing and satisfying day at the beach as it offers the most amenities you can find. There is a diving center where you can take lessons and try snorkeling.

Here you have the opportunity to experience a variety of water sports as well, such as windsurfing, water skiing, surfing and paddle boats that induce an adrenaline rush. In the north part of the beach there is a fine spot for dives, only for daredevils. Close by you can find a football field and a beach volleyball area that add to the amusement.

A long, parallel promenade is ideal for a pleasant stroll where you come across various shops. The lively atmosphere at the numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and night clubs by the sea can offer you an enjoyable time. The beach is ideal for everyone, of all ages, and is a wondrous typical beach of Santorini, the volcanic island.

Red Beach

Close to the excavation site of Akrotiri you will find what is probably the most famous beach on the island, the Red Beach! What makes the beach absolutely irresistible is its impressive red rock formations, which form a breathtaking unique volcanic landscape.

When you reach the place you will see a beautiful white chapel of St. Nicolas against the dark red rocks. From here a wild path starts leading you to the place with a stunning panoramic view of the whole Red Beach and its turquoise blue waters.

You can continue your walk to the beach itself following the path, although at your own risk. Red Beach presents a part of a many-thousands-year-old former volcano, therefore the beach is considered to be wild.

White Beach

The White Beach in located in the very South of Santorini, very far from the Lighthouse. This is the white part of the island with unusual white rocks featured against the bright blue of the sea.

The only easy way to get here is by boat.

The beach is considered to be wild and therefore not very comfortable for swimming but lately, even here you can find some sun beds and umbrellas.

No sunset visible from here.

Vlychada Beach

Santorini is hiding many mysteries. One of them is a “Moonscape” beach, a virgin spot in the south of the island, not far from a small but comfortable marine. The farther you go, the more impressive rocks appear aside the beach to turn the landscape into something resembling another planet.

It is, in fact, the most atmospheric beach you can find in the whole island. Vlychada is one of the most quite places in Santorini even in mid August.

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse was built in 1892 by a French trading company and it is considered a very important site, as it is one of the first lighthouses that were manufactured in Greece. During the first 100 years it was powered by petrol fuel and there was a person in charge of running it manually, before 1893, when it got connected to electricity. It stopped operating during World War II, until 1945 that was reconstructed by the Greek Navy.

The Lighthouse is built right above a small building with whitewashed walls, that used to be the house of the warden, who was taking care of it at the first years that it was operating and it reaches up to 10 meters height. Today, it is still operational as it emits a bright white light over the sea every 10 seconds and still contributes to the protection of the travelling boats.

Santorini is mainly famous for its spectacular sunset and its colors that are reflected in the small white houses built on the tremendous Caldera cliffs. The Lighthouse of Akrotiri is another prominent location where you can admire the captivating sunset from.

When sitting on its exterior wall or on the rocks around, you see the magnificent view of the red sun diving into the Aegean Sea, creating a unique romantic atmosphere that takes your breath away. It is the ideal time to visit this beautiful location with your partner and relax while absorbing amazing views.

The endless sky meets the endless sea, and you see the whole circle of Santorini from a totally different point of view.

Akrotiri

Located on the southern edge of the island, the impressive Bronze Age site of Akrotiri is also known as the “prehistoric Pompeii”.

In Akrotiri you get to understand the tremendous effect the volcanic eruption of the 17th century BC had on the island. Excavations have revealed that prehistoric Akrotiri was a very sophisticated society.

We explore the ancient city that was frozen in time because of the volcanic eruption, walk through its stone paved streets and squares where two- and three-story houses were built with worked stone and richly decorated with figural wall paintings.

Volcanic Islands

Little islands in the middle of the Archipelago of Santorini are Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni.

Both of them have an interesting story to tell you, and we are sure they wake up your curiosity.

Nea Kameni, the closest island to Santorini, is an active, although dormant volcano. Its name means “new burnt”.

There are several craters, with no burning lava inside though, and rewarding views to Santorini, Palea Kameni Island and Thirassia.

During the summer season, the Municipality of Santorini is organizing a festival called Ifestia, in honor of the Volcano. This is a remarkable celebration attracting many people. The fireworks above Nea Kameni imitate an eruption, while many people are watching this phantasmagoric show from the boats or from caldera.

From Santorini best of all, you can admire the Volcano from Fira.

Behind the Volcano, there is one more volcanic island, Palea Kameni, which means “old burnt”. Palea Kameni used to be a volcano, but it stopped its activity long time ago. Still, besides it, there are hot thermal springs located right inside the sea. The only way to swim there is to jump from the boat. The waters are reddish due to iron. Leave at home your white swimming suites!

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