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Viewpoint · Fira, Egeu Meridional
Faro de Akrotiri
Lighthouse from 1892 at the southwest tip of the island, at the end of the road, with views over the entire caldera and the sunset without Oia's crowds.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Faro de Akrotiri
The Akrotiri lighthouse is at the southwestern tip of Santorini, at the end of the road that passes the village and the Akrotiri archaeological site. It was built in 1892 by a French company and is one of the oldest functioning lighthouses in Greece; it belongs to the Navy and the interior is not open to the public.
People visit for the view: from there you can see the whole caldera, with the cliffs of Fira and Oia in the background and the volcanic islets in the middle, and the open sea to the south. It's one of the island's sunset spots, with far fewer people than Oia, although the parking fills up in the late afternoon in summer.
Around the lighthouse there are dirt paths along the rocky point and a small seasonal café. The wind is usually strong. It's worth combining with visits to Akrotiri and Megalochori on the same side of the island.
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
30 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
Late afternoon, for the sunset—arrive early to find parking in summer. In the morning the place is empty and the light shows the caldera well. If it's very windy, hold on to your hat and camera.
How to get there
By car or taxi, via the road that goes through Akrotiri and continues to the end, about 20 km from Fira. There is no bus to the lighthouse; the nearest stop is in the village of Akrotiri, about 3 km away, on a paved road.
Tip
Combine it with Akrotiri and Megalochori on the same day and finish here for the sunset. Bring a light jacket even in summer: the wind on the point is constant.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Faro de Akrotiri
Can you enter the Akrotiri lighthouse?
No. The lighthouse belongs to the Navy and only the exterior area is open to visitors.
How to get to the lighthouse without a car?
By taxi, or by bus to the village of Akrotiri and then about 3 km on foot along the road. There is no bus to the lighthouse.
Is the lighthouse good for sunset?
Yes, it offers views of the caldera and far fewer people than Oia. In summer the parking fills up at the end of the afternoon.