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Europe Greece Santorini Do & See Ancient Thera

Overview

Ancient Thera

The guide was updated: 2025-05-21

Sitting high up on Mesa Vouno, Ancient Thera has the kind of views that make the hike worth it. The ruins stretch along a ridge above Kamari and Perissa, with bits of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine history still visible—temples, bathhouses, homes, even an old theatre. You can drive most of the way from Kamari (steep road), or hike up from Perissa if you’re up for a long, hot climb (around 2 hours). Bring water, wear shoes with grip, and go early if you want to avoid the heat.

Useful Information

Address: Ancient Thera, Santorini

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Oia Village

Oia Village

Oia’s the one you’ve seen in all the photos—white houses, blue domes, and narrow lanes packed with people come sunset. It sits on the edge of the caldera, about 150 metres up, with genuinely great views (if you can find a spot to stand). It’s pricey, often crowded, but still worth a visit, especially early in the morning or just after sunset when things calm down. Good for wandering, photos, and a splurge meal if you’re into that.

Fira

Fira

Fira’s the main hub of the island—busy, a bit chaotic in peak season, but a good base if you want everything within reach. It’s where you’ll find most of the museums (the Museum of Prehistoric Thera is the one to prioritise), plus loads of shops, cafés, and bars. If you’re using the bus to get around, this is where they all connect. It’s also a decent spot for watching the caldera without Oia’s crowds.

Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia)

Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia)

The unique colour of the sand and the breathtaking volcanic landscape make this beach a must-see destination. Its particular rock formations treat travellers to stunning views, and the smooth, mirror-like sea creates a contrast with the bold red of the shore. The beach is pebbly and not ideal for lying, though its rock formations make it perfect for snorkelling.

Hiking Fira - Imerovigli - Oia

Hiking Fira - Imerovigli - Oia

This cliffside hike is one of the best ways to take in the island, spanning approximately 9 km from Fira to Oia, with Imerovigli and several smaller villages in between. It’s not difficult, but parts of it are steep, rocky, and exposed, so bring water, sturdy shoes, and start early to avoid the midday heat. Expect churches, caldera views, and the occasional detour through quiet paths. It takes around 3–4 hours, depending on pace and photo stops. Ending in Oia means you can reward yourself with dinner and a view—just be ready for the crowds if you hit sunset.

Perissa Beach

Perissa Beach

Perissa Beach stretches for 7 km along Santorini's southeastern coast, charming the traveller with its peculiar shades of black. Perfect for snorkelling, the beach also features a volleyball court and numerous options for water-sport activities. The picturesque Perissa village offers an assortment of restaurants and bars, and its close proximity to the ruins of Ancient Thira makes it a magnet for tourists.

Ancient Thera

Ancient Thera

Sitting high up on Mesa Vouno, Ancient Thera has the kind of views that make the hike worth it. The ruins stretch along a ridge above Kamari and Perissa, with bits of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine history still visible—temples, bathhouses, homes, even an old theatre. You can drive most of the way from Kamari (steep road), or hike up from Perissa if you’re up for a long, hot climb (around 2 hours). Bring water, wear shoes with grip, and go early if you want to avoid the heat.

Wine Tour — Fira

Wine Tour — Fira

A trip to Santorini wouldn't be complete without a wine-tasting tour. The island's volcanic wine is particularly renowned for its crispy flavour. Santorini Wine Adventure is based in Fira and offers tours to explore local wine, food and culture, as well as the picturesque countryside.

Akrotiri Excavations

Akrotiri Excavations

Akrotiri is the island's most important archaeological site, home to Minoan ruins dating to the 4th century BC. When the volcano erupted, the entire population was forced to flee from Akrotiri, which was swept away by the lava flow. However, preserved buildings and utensils remain a freeze-frame of the lifestyle of these Ancient people.

Venetian Castles

Venetian Castles

Venetian rule in Santorini extended from 1207 to 1580, and the last vestiges of this historical period live in the castles that dot the entire island. Five fortresses can be found in Santorini in Oia, Pyrgos, Emporio, Akrotiri, and Skaros, which have been partly demolished by the earthquakes that shook the island in the 15th and 16th centuries. Skaros is probably the most important and well-preserved among the five castles, built on the peak of the namesake rock to protect the village from pirate attacks. The ruins of the once magnificent fortress can be reached on foot from Agios Georgios church in Imerovigli, connected to Skaros by a 0,5 km walking trail and a long stairway.

Pyrgos Kallistis

Pyrgos Kallistis

Pyrgos Kallistis is a medieval fortress surrounded by cobbled streets that twist and turn down the hill towards the village. With its 600 residents, Pyrgos retains the allure of an old Greek village that is gradually opening up to the growing influx of tourism. Tavernas, restaurants and traditional Greek cafés find their home along the village streets, blessed by the scent of grapes released by the vineyards that surround Pyrgos.

Nea Kameni — Boat trip

Nea Kameni — Boat trip

Take a boat trip to Nea Kameni, an inhabited island that is part of the volcano's caldera. Given the frequent eruptions in the last centuries, the island is defined by scenery created by the lava flow and sulfuric waters, which are said to have therapeutic benefits. Cruises leave daily from any village, making Nea Kameni a perfect day/half-day trip.

Therasia

Therasia

A short boat ride from Santorini, Therasia feels like stepping back a few decades. It’s quiet, with only a few hundred residents, scattered villages, and not much in the way of shops or crowds. Most people visit as a quick stop on a caldera boat tour, but if you’ve got more time, it’s worth staying a bit longer—have a slow lunch, walk around, and take in what Santorini was like before tourism took over.

Museum of Prehistoric Thera

Museum of Prehistoric Thera

Right in the centre of Fira, this museum gives proper context to all the ruins you’ll see around the island. Most of the finds come from Akrotiri, the ancient town buried by the volcanic eruption: wall paintings, pottery, tools, and other items from thousands of years ago that somehow survived. It’s small, doesn’t take long to get through, and is absolutely worth popping into before or after visiting the Akrotiri site itself.

Archaeological Museum of Thera

Archaeological Museum of Thera

Smaller and less detailed than the Prehistoric Museum, this one focuses more on sculptures, pottery, and artefacts from the Classical and Hellenistic periods. It’s right in Fira, so easy to drop into if you're nearby, but it’s best paired with the Prehistoric Museum to get the full picture of Santorini’s ancient past.

Amoudi Bay

Amoudi Bay

A picturesque bay tucked among precipitous cliffs, Amoudi Bay is an old fishing port that can be reached from Oia. Wonderfully decorated taverns are squeezed on the seafront, and there is a great number of traditional eateries to choose from. Amoudi Bay is also blessed with a peaceful beach, far from the hustle and bustle of the holiday resorts.

T.K. Place Art Gallery Santorini

T.K. Place Art Gallery Santorini

T.K. Place (formerly Tzamia-Krystalla) is a well-established, picturesque hillside art gallery on Santorini, showcasing and selling ceramics, jewellery, paintings, and sculpture by Greek artists—everything carefully curated and one of a kind. Prices vary, but even if you’re just browsing, it’s a relaxed space to take in some local creativity.

MATI Art Gallery Fira

MATI Art Gallery Fira

Right near the cathedral in Fira, MATI showcases work by Yorgos Kypris—mostly sculptures and installations using glass and metal. Sea life and island themes run through a lot of it, but it’s not your typical tourist art. Bold, modern, and a bit different from what you’ll see elsewhere on the island.

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