Cidade Turismo
Greece

Before you go

Your trip to Fira.

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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Fira – Egeu Meridional

How to get there

  • Aeroporto de Santorini (Thira) (JTR) Kamari · 6 km
  • Porto de Athinios 8 km
  • Rodoviária KTEL de Fira 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. From Athens, the flight to Santorini airport, near Kamari, takes under an hour; from there it's about 6 km to Fira by bus, taxi or transfer. By boat, ferries from Pireu and Rafina arrive at Athinios port, about 8 km away, from which buses and taxis climb the switchback up to the town. Cruises anchor in the caldera and disembark at the old port, linked to Fira by the cable car and the stairway.

How many days

One day for Fira: the two museums, the caldera promenade, the cable car and the walk to Firostefani and Imerovigli. As a base, two or three days cover the rest of the island by bus: Oia, Akrotiri, a beach and the boat to the volcano.

When to go

From May to October the town is fully operating, with frequent buses, boats and open museums. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with cruises almost every day. May, June and September are usually more comfortable. In winter some hotels and restaurants close and the cable car reduces its schedule.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for Fira, which is explored on foot, nor for the main points of the island, linked by KTEL buses from the central bus station. A car or quad helps for the Akrotiri lighthouse, the wineries and inland villages, but parking in Fira is scarce and the streets in the center are pedestrian-only.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Fira
  1. Morning
    Museums and cable car

    Start at the Museu Pré-histórico de Thera, with the Akrotiri frescoes, and walk to the Museu Arqueológico, beside the cable car. Take the cable car down to the old port for a stroll along the quay and return, or descend on foot via the stairway.

  2. Afternoon
    Caldera to Imerovigli

    Have lunch in Fira and walk along the caldera-edge promenade to Firostefani and Imerovigli, stopping at Skaros rock. It's about a 30-minute walk one way, with views of the volcano all the time.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sunset on the rim

    Watch the sunset from Imerovigli or Firostefani, which usually have fewer people than Oia, and walk back to Fira along the same promenade.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in Fira

    Dine in the alleys behind the caldera promenade or near Theotokopoulou square. Greeks eat late; tables fill up after 9 pm in summer.

2 days in Fira

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Akrotiri and Megalochori

    Take the bus to Akrotiri and visit the archaeological site at opening time. On the way back, stop in Megalochori for a walk around the village and, if you like, a winery.

  2. Afternoon
    Winery on the caldera

    Have lunch in Megalochori or Pyrgos and end the afternoon at a winery on the caldera rim near Pyrgos, with tasting and views of the volcano.

  3. Late afternoon
    Akrotiri lighthouse

    By taxi or car, go to the Akrotiri lighthouse for sunset, with the whole caldera in front of you and fewer people than in Oia.

  4. Evening
    Fira

    Dinner in Fira. Book in restaurants with caldera views during high season.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Volcano and hot springs

    Go down to the old port and board the boat trip to Nea Kameni, including the climb to the crater, and to Palea Kameni, with a swim in the hot springs.

  2. Afternoon
    Oia

    By bus to Oia. Walk the main street, climb up to the castle and, if you're fit, descend to Ammoudi to see the bay and the boats.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sunset in Oia

    Secure a spot in advance at the castle or the viewpoints along the main street; the village fills up in summer. Check the schedule of the last bus back.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in Oia or Fira

    Dine in Oia (reserve ahead), or return to Fira by bus and eat in the town center.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Santorini airport to Fira?

The airport is about 6 km away. There are KTEL buses to Fira's bus station, taxis outside the terminal and hotel transfers, which are worthwhile in high season when the taxi line is long.

How to get from Athinios port to Fira?

KTEL buses wait for ferries and climb the switchbacks to Fira in about 20 minutes. Taxis and transfers are also available at the port. You can't walk up.

Is Fira a good base for exploring the island?

Yes. The central bus station links Fira to Oia, Kamari, Perissa, Akrotiri and Athinios, and the cable car descends to the old port where boats to the volcano depart. It has the largest selection of accommodation and restaurants.

Does Fira have a beach?

No. Fira sits atop the caldera cliff. The beaches are on the other side of the island, in Kamari and Perissa, about 20 to 30 minutes by bus.

How many days to stay in Fira?

One day for the town and the walk to Imerovigli. As a base, two or three days are enough for Oia, Akrotiri, the volcano, a beach and a winery.

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