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Archaeological site · Fira, Egeu Meridional
Akrotiri
Bronze Age town buried by the volcanic eruption more than 3,500 years ago, excavated under a shelter and visited via raised walkways.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Akrotiri
Akrotiri is Santorini's prehistoric town, in the south of the island, near the village of the same name. It was a prosperous port of the Cycladic culture, with strong Minoan influence, until it was buried by the great volcanic eruption dated between the 17th and 16th centuries BC. The ash preserved two- and three-storey houses, streets, squares, a sewage system and workshops. No bodies were found: the inhabitants appear to have left before the end.
Systematic excavations began in 1967 with archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos and continue today. Only part of the town has been uncovered. The site lies under a shelter that protects the ruins from sun and rain, and the visit is made via elevated walkways, with views over the streets and the interiors of the houses. Panels explain each sector.
The frescoes found in the houses, such as those of the fishermen, the blue monkeys and the boat procession, are not on the site: some went to the Museu Arqueológico Nacional de Atenas and some are in the Museu Pré-histórico de Thera in Fira. It's worth visiting the museum before or after to connect the paintings with the houses they came from.
The site usually closes one day a week and has reduced hours in winter. Check before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 hour to 1.5 hours, including the panels.
Best time
At opening, before the excursion groups, or at the end of the day. The shelter protects from the sun, so it works well at the hot midday. Check the weekly closure day.
How to get there
KTEL bus from Fira to Akrotiri, about a 30-minute journey; the stop is next to the site entrance. By car, via the southern road, with parking on site. It is about 15 km from Fira.
Tip
Visit the Museu Pré-histórico de Thera in Fira on the same day: the frescoes and objects displayed there come from these houses. Combine it with the Akrotiri lighthouse, a few kilometres away, in the late afternoon.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Akrotiri
What can you see in Akrotiri?
Streets, squares and multi-storey houses of a Bronze Age town, preserved by volcanic ash and viewed from walkways under a shelter. The original frescoes are in the museums of Fira and Athens.
Is Akrotiri open year-round?
Yes—open year-round with shorter hours in winter and one weekly closing day. Check before you go.
Is it worth visiting Akrotiri with a guide?
The information panels explain the site well, but a guide helps understand life in the town and the eruption. There are guided tours from Fira that include the museum.
Can you get to Akrotiri by bus?
Yes. The Fira–Akrotiri line stops at the site entrance in about 30 minutes. Check return times, which are less frequent outside summer.