water blue travel agency fira

WATER BLUE TOURS CREATE LIFELONG EXPERIENCES IN SANTORINI 

Embark on an extraordinary Santorini adventure with Water Blue Tours, a cherished legacy since 1955, proudly initiated by the Koutsogiannopoulos family. A fourth-generation family business, we proudly stand as the epitome of excellence in incoming tourism, with a special emphasis on captivating land tours across the enchanting Santorini landscape.

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Embark on a journey through santorini, ending with a breathtaking sunset panorama.

BEAT THE CROWDS TOUR

Avoid crowds, savor santorini's charm: exclusive sights and serenity on our curated escape.

    HISTORY TOUR

Dive into santorini's rich past on an enlightening historical tour experience.

Savor Santorini's essence on a wine tour, where vineyards and sunset tastings await

FULL DAY TOUR

Maximize santorini's beauty in a day: history, landscapes, and authentic experiences await.

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Instagrammers' dream: santorini's beauty captured in iconic sights and hidden gems.

SANTORINI AT A GLANCE

Santorini, the captivating Greek island nestled in the southern Aegean Sea, is a postcard-perfect destination known for its stunning landscapes and rich history. Characterized by its iconic white-washed buildings with vibrant blue domes, the island offers a unique blend of ancient charm and modern luxury.

The dramatic caldera, a result of a volcanic eruption millennia ago, creates a breathtaking backdrop for the cliffside villages such as Oia and Fira. Visitors can wander through narrow cobblestone streets, explore boutique shops, and savor delicious Mediterranean cuisine in cozy tavernas overlooking the azure waters.

Santorini is not just a visual delight; it also boasts archaeological wonders like the ancient city of Akrotiri, frozen in time by volcanic ash. The island's renowned sunsets, considered among the world's most mesmerizing, draw crowds to witness the sky ablaze with hues of orange and pink.

Whether lounging on unique black-sand beaches, sailing around the caldera, or indulging in local wine tasting, Santorini promises an unforgettable experience that seamlessly combines natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern indulgence.

THIRA 

Travel guides, what to do in santorini , where to stay, boat tours in santorini .

The Island's Enchanting Nightlife

8 Fun Facts About Santorini 

4000 years of history in brief, 8 fun facts about santorini.

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Water Blue Yachting 

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Shared Catamaran Half Day Cruise in Santorini

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Water Blue Yachting - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Our Services

Sea Dream combines the optimal structure together with a guaranteed great performance. The fly bridge has two access points, whereas the helm station offers perfect visibility.

This catamaran features an ergonomic living space and a large cockpit in front with relaxation area for sunbathing on the same level as the galley. It is the perfect choice for a leisure summer cruise through the crystal waters around Santorini.

Sea Dream Benefits

Expansive, open living area offering high level of comfort inside and outside.

Leisure traveling to the destinations of your choice and on your own pace.

The unique moments to be shared only with your friends or family.

Why To Book With Sea Dream

Brand new catamaran, maximum 12 pax (from 24 capacity), we see the south part of santorini (red & white beach, mesa pigadia, black mountain, lighthouse, volcano, hot springs), very qualified english speaking crew 3 pax, (instead of 2), including professional guide speaking 7 languages, we are the oldest travel agency in santorini, reliable and specialized at top quality of services since 1955, transportation with our own minibuses, special rates “value for money”, because we succeed our guests to say : “we were more satisfied from what we were expected”, high liability insurance.

The Adonis represents traditional type of boat with its unique style and charm. Equipped up to highest safety standards, with a bar at the stern (back side of the boat) where you can find anything from water for your hike on the volcano to a snack to refuel upon descending.

There is enough space for everyone to chill under the shade of the upper deck.

Adonis Benefits

Why to book with adonis, the unique traditional sailing boat of capacity 150 pax, we made it luxury for 15 pax, full renovation made from 2020 till winter 2021, a twenty meter boat (60ft), free space for guests 120sq.m. (8 sq.m. per person) with sunbeds, sofas, and luxury tables, sailing along the cliff at the north beautiful part of santorini passing from fira town - imerovigli - oia - ammoudi - thirassia - volcano - hot springs, very qualified crew fluent english speaking, 3-4 pax crew instead of 2 pax, guiding at the volcano, in 7 languages, on request, common services.

Whichever boat or sailing tour you decide to enjoy, you will be provided with the best services for your convenience.

As a part of each tour, we offer you round-trip transfers, snorkeling gear and towels, freshly prepared BBQ meal on board with an option to choose vegetarian menu and a selection of unlimited drinks, including wine, beer, soft drinks and water.

Swim or dive

Meal on board

Very qualified English speaking crew 3 pax, (instead of 2), including guide speaking 7 languages

About the crew.

Captain Anthony

is a very experienced captain not only in Santorinian waters but also in the entire Cycladic Archipelago. More to that, he is adequately knowledgeable about the Historical background of the island of Santorini.

He has got quite long and varied working experience, considering his young age, having worked not only on both chartered and private luxury big vessels but also on both sailing and motor vessels mainly in Athens.

Seamanship runs in Anthony’s family since his father was and still is a very adept fisherman. As a person he has got a very pleasant and joyful disposition being very sociable and helpful at the same time.

Captain Chris

is a passionate professional Sea Master specialising in the yacht and daily cruising for the past 15 years. His strong naval skills, leadership abilities and calm personality is a guarantee of the safety for the passengers, crew, and the vessel.

The experience and the friendly character of the captain, make the stay of his passengers unforgettable as it is his goal to give them the cruise of a lifetime.

Ready to solve on the spot any problem and respond to any requirement of the trip.

Host Eugenio

is the kind host of our tours with his multinational background and personality. He is born in Amsterdam to Italian parents and living in Santorini since 1997 with his Greek wife.

Due to his multicultural nature, he speaks Greek, English, Italian, Dutch, French, German and Spanish! He is known for his kindness, professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm.

His motto is “It’s an honour to share in our guests’ special moments and ensure they will have an unforgettable day”.

All guests enjoying our services are eligible to benefits and discounts on any company of our group! To know more please contact our  Customer Service .

Water Blue Travel since 1955

Winery Hotel 1870 since 2019

Daydream Suites since 2014

Sea Dream Home since 2016

Winery & Wine Museum since 1870

Zoe Jewelry & Watches since 1978

All guests enjoying our services are eligible to benefits and discounts on any company of our group!  To know more please contact our  Customer Service .

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Shared Catamaran Half Day Cruise in Santorini

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Water Blue Yachting - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Start From €50

Santorini in one day bus tour.

Explore the island of Santorini in a day by joining Santorini in one day bus tour.

Start From €30

Santorini volcano tour.

Cruise Santorini’s caldera and experience its volcano, hot springs, and Thirassia island in one hassle-free trip with this tour from Fira or other points on Santorini.

Start From €20

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If you’re looking for a reliable, convenient, and premium taxi service in Santorini, book the best Santorini Transfers & Taxi Services now.

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Top Travel Inspirations

Everyone wants to travel in Santorini but with so many places to visit where do you start? Take a look at our Top 5 Places To Visit.

Imerovigli & Firostefani Villages

Oia Village

Pyrgos & Megalochori Villages

Akrotiri Village

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Sunbird travel agency.

Imerovigli Santorini Cyclades 84700 Greece

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What do they say about us

Cyn and Steve

Nikos our airport driver was waiting for us. He was brilliant, mini van for 2 fully air-con and very clean. Having paid for shared transfer we felt like VIP's and were treated as such. Definitely recommend them and would use them again.

Top! Excelent!

The cars are new and drivers polite. Punctual. They have really good prices for transfers in Santorini, where prices are expensive. Booked via tripadvisor, so the rout was guaranteed.

Great company for renting cars in Santorini

"We used Sunbird the second time now and just like last time we are more than happy with the service and the cars. The owners are very nice and helpful and respond to emails quickly. This year we were in Santorini for our wedding and for our family we rented four cars. All cars were new, clean and of high quality. There was not the slightest problem. We cannot recommend Sunbird highly enough. We are happy that we used them and next time we come back to Santorini, we will rent a car from Sunbird again. Dear Artemis, thanks again for all the emails you answered so nicely and for making our experience with you so great. Hope to be back in lovely Santorini soon."

Easy way to ride

We were a group of 7 Aussies traveling Europe and I had months in advanced organized our transfer from Santorini Airport to our hotel and Nikos was there waiting even though our flight had coming in early, would highly recommend and great value when you have a group of people.

easy way to travel

Arrived at santorini airport and was greeted by very friendly driver holding up a card with my name. We had a mini bus and my wife and i were only passengers Mini bus was very clean and driver very polite and friendly. Recommend !!

Had the best time touring around Santorini with George

I got in touch with Nikos couple days before our arrival in Santorini to get additional information for our trip, like meeting place, and time, etc. Nikos was very prompt and courteous. He provided me with his WhatsApp number for easy communication. The night before our trip, Nikos gave me the contact info of our driver, George, along with his photo and pick up details. The trip itself was very amazing. George was also very courteous. At the start of the tour we discussed how we wanted to spend our time on the tour. The car was very comfortable. He took us to all the nice spots around the island and suggested where we can get the best pictures and shared noteworthy information about the island with us. I am glad we picked this tour for our short visit to Santorini. We will definitely hire them again the next time we are on the island and highly recommend them to anyone visiting Santorini.

sunfunMaria

The best fun, relaxing, informative trip we had in Santorini !

After enquiring about Caldera cruises at numerous travel agencies, we finally decided on Sunbird Travel as they offered us exactly what we were after, in a very professional manner. We decided on this no frills 6 hour cruise which cost us 35euro each, perfect for our budget, as a lunch or sunset view was not necessary for us. The next day we met at Sunbird where we waited for a van to pick us up along with a few others. We were driven to another pickup point where we boarded a bus to Fira port. There we were met by our guide Eugene, from Water Blue travel. Eugene was amazing, passionate, informative, patient, caring and handsome. Our small group of 25people sailed thru the waters around the volcano, stopping to swim at the thermal springs, and then to Thirassia where you could purchase lunch in the restaurants, swim in the crystal waters & hike up the steep path to the village. Then we sailed back along the beautiful coastline to the sound of great music which we sang along to & left you feeling in complete happiness!. Would definitely recommend this trip & Sunbird Travel.

Easy Travel

We used this service in the off-season (November); however, the rise and driver were excellent. We were the only passengers and felt like superstars.

Justine1935

Nikos is great

"Nikos went above and beyond to find our accommodation- he is a great driver and we were so grateful for his assistance!"

Great service all round

"Nikos was incredibly helpful in booking us on two excursions, one to the volcano (not for the faint hearted, lots of uphill walking) and one for a sunset boat trip which included unlimited drinks! There was only 8 of us on the catamarann, beautiful sunset and food included. Both trips were great value for money and I would highly recommend. Nikos also kindly booked private taxis for us to visit Oia and the red beach for a reasonable price. Reliable service and only needed 30 mins notice to put a car on. Great all round, and special thanks to Nikos."

Excellent Service

"My daughter and I rented an adorable car from Artemis. She was so friendly and helpful with giving us tips & suggestions. No problems with the car - it drove perfectly. It was so fun we decided to rent an extra day. Easy and professional pick up and drop offs. I would highly recommend their services."

Nedim Alajbegovic

Proper pickup with no delays!

Drivers were extremely friendly and proper. There were not late. They picked us up when expected. Would definitely recommend. Would used them again

Airport transfer from Santorini airport

Friendly staff. Holding sign with our name at airport to waiting to pick us up. Clean car and the driver help with the lauuages. Highly recommended.

Excellent and reliable service

"Our driver Nikos was quickly and easily identifiable at the port with our names on a board. He had parked right by the exit so we were the first transport to leave ahead of all the many vans and buses. He was also very friendly and helpful during the journey to our hotel. On arrival, we booked with him to take us to the airport at the end of our stay and he arrived punctually and gave us the same excellent, friendly service. We highly recommend this service."

Rachel Smith

Very accommodating and kind

"We rented an ATV for three days. Prices were reasonable. We had no problems with the rental, and the woman we worked with was very kind."

On time, good vehicle fleet and friendly

"The host/owner will personally message you with the pick up detail and location. Well maintained van with friendly driver was on time at my hotel early morning."

Review of: Santorini Sailing Cruise The Ultimate Experience "Excellent Excellent Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!" The excursion was Great. The Crew was Fun, and Friendly . Santorini was breathtaking

Punctual and convenient

"Picked us up right at our hotel and dropped right at our embarkation point at the port. Super efficient, nice van, and we still had time to get our tickets and some breakfast before the ship came to port."

Polite, friendly and on time

"Arrived at airport greeted by very friendly driver holding up a card with my name on very clearly. We booked a taxi that wouldn't necessarily be just us but it was just us on the bus. Mini bus was very clean and driver very polite and friendly. Would not hesitate in booking again 5 stars :D"

Awesome tour

"The guy ws really coperative and the service provide by this company ( sun bird agency ) was awesome."

Super service

"There are nice brothers with attention to all our non-standard requests. They helped us throughout our 3-day stay in Santorini. There is reasonable price."

Vicente Ramirez

AWESOME PEOPLE

"I can assure you that you will have an amazing service in Sunbird Travel Agency. The people that work there make feel like home. We rented a Smart car for 3 days it was amazing to move around Thira, Imerovigli, and Oia. On top of that our last day in Santorini they took down to the port to catch our next Ferry to our next Island. I 100% recommend this place if you are ever in Santorini. Check them out."

Airport Transfer

"I took a transfer from my hotel to the airport. They were great. Communication was excellent, they even sent me a map with a location pinned of exactly where they would pick me up. They were on time and the van was very comfortable. Would highly recommend"

shrestha jha

Amazing service

We booked the volcano and hot springs tour plus the oia sunset. We really liked the professional service,so we booked the fira tour the next day. Nikos is really a terrific guy. He is professional in his approach but also reaches out to help tourists. Understands what they want to do and advises accordingly. I am actually thankful to him to advise me on the eatery options. I found a friend in Nikos at the end of my trip. I will surely recommend him for anyone travelling to Santorini. Cheers SJ

Konstantinos M

Very nice and kind peoples

"We rent a car from there for 5 days. The staff was very helpful and also they help us to organize a sunset cruise. We recommend this office to everyone . Thank you all and especially George and Niko!!!"

MarkyMarkMM

Sun Bird Made our Santorini Visit Perfect

Sun Bird made our stay on Santorini absolutely perfect. From guided tours to rides to and from the beach and dinner. Every recommendation was outstanding. They made our vacation fun and carefree.

Excellent travel & tour company; Santorini

Very courteous staff, helpful with local tips and hints; the sailing cruise was a delight; thoroughly professional and varied; with a Greek barbecue on board and unlimited drinks: very highly recommended.

"It was an excellent service! Giorgos drove us around Santorini, showing us the best places and explaining, teaching us the fun facts that made the trip even more amazing! We will be grateful eternally!"

Transportation of choice for our group of 7!

"Although listed as a travel agency, Sunbird is also great for transfers!! George and his brother Nicos totally solved our transportation problem for our 4 days in Santorini! Our group of 7 was too large for rental cars and atvs, and too uncertain about the bus schedules and stops. We’d let them know when and where we wanted to go (Oia, Fira, airport) day or night, and they were prompt, friendly, and reliable with nice air conditioned vehicles. Totally worth the convenience and genuinely gracious service!"

Domes and donkeys: The best things to do in Fira, Santorini

Posted on Last updated: March 26, 2024

Discover the best things to do in Fira, the main town on the stunning Greek island of Santorini, from sunset views and whitewashed churches to boat trips and delicious local food and drink.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

Santorini is Greece’s postcard island, with its white-domed churches, blue painted doors, sleeping cats and bougainvillea-strewn terraces, all set against the backdrop of the deep blue Aegean Sea. The island’s biggest and busiest town is Fira (also known as Thera), and when you visit Santorini, you’re likely to pass through Fira at some point.

Fira is where cruise ship tenders dock and where you’ll find the majority of hotels, nightlife, shopping and services. Perched on a 220-metre-high cliff, Fira’s views are spectacular, but that’s not all it has to offer – here’s my pick of the best things to do in Fira, Santorini.

The best things to do in Fira, Santorini

Escape the crowds in the backstreets

There’s no doubt that Fira is one of Santorini’s busiest spots, and when three or more cruise ships are docked there at once the streets can be packed with people. But if you head away from the busiest spots – the area outside the Orthodox Cathedral, the cable car station and the main shopping area – it doesn’t take you long to find a quiet spot.

One of my favourite things to do in Fira is to just choose a direction, follow the path and see what I find. The town is fairly small so you can walk from one end to the other in half an hour. But along the way there’s a maze of alleyways to explore, with hidden chapels, arching doorways, tucked away viewpoints, colourful flowers and sunbathing cats.

Photograph Fira’s churches

Fira’s skyline is dotted with church domes, and they make one of the town’s best photo opportunities – as well as a peaceful, shady stop on a hot day. The town’s biggest church is the 19th-century Orthodox Cathedral, which was rebuilt after it was damaged by an earthquake in 1956 and contains beautiful frescoes inside and mosaics outside.

Plateia Theotokopoulou square in front of the cathedral is where you’ll find locals gathered to meet, chat and shop at the small market. There’s also a Baroque Catholic cathedral dedicated to St John the Baptist, built in the early 1800s, and a Dominican Convent where you can hear the nuns singing in the evenings at the church of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The town is also dotted with other picturesque churches with panoramic views, including the Three Bells of Fira – also known as the Catholic Church of the Dormition – which is a popular photo spot with its distinctive three bells and blue domed roof.

Learn about Santorini’s history

Santorini hasn’t always been this picture-perfect slice of Greek whitewashed perfection. The island has a long and dramatic history, and there are a few museums in Fira where you can find out more about it. Santorini was originally inhabited by the Minoans until a huge volcanic eruption blew the middle right out of the island and formed the caldera.

The Museum of Prehistoric Thera (closed Tuesday), has exhibits about the island’s geology and some of the artifacts uncovered from the ancient city of Akrotiri , in the south of the island, which has only recently been excavated after being buried by ash in the eruption.

After the eruption, Santorini was eventually recolonised and occupied by a whole series of invaders including the Phoenicians, Dorians, Romans and Ottomans.

The Santorini Archaeological Museum (closed Monday) displays relics like sculptures, ceramics and carvings which have come from different periods of Santorini’s history. And the Santorini Folklore Museum has exhibits about island life, culture and traditions, including an old winery, furniture, clothing and artworks, in a cave house built in 1861.

Watch the sunset

The village of Oia is Santorini’s most famous sunset spot, with its church domes and windmills silhouetted against an orange sky. But it has the crowds to go with it, so you need to get there well in advance if you want to bag a coveted front-row position.

You don’t need to go as far as Oia though, as Fira does a pretty good Santorini sunset of its own. It’s also easier to find a quiet place – the busiest spot is the area in front of the Orthodox Cathedral but there are plenty of other sunset viewpoints.

With so many hotels along the caldera in Fira, if you’re staying in town you’ll often have a terrace where you can watch sunset with a glass of wine. Otherwise visit a cliffside bar for a sundowner with a view as the sun sinks into the Aegean. Or if that sounds too busy, get up for sunrise instead, when the skies glow pink and you have it almost to yourself.

Walk (or cable car) to the old port

Fira’s old port – known as Gialos – sits at the bottom of the cliffs below the main town. If you’re visiting Santorini by cruise ship, this is where the tender boats dock so you’re guaranteed to be passing through. But even if you’re not, it’s worth making the trip down to visit some of the waterside restaurants or to dip your feet in the sea.

To get to the old port, if you’re feeling fit you can climb the 587 Karavolades stairs which zig-zag their way down the hillside (there’s no shade for most of the day so bring a hat and water). Santorini’s famous donkeys also carry passengers up the path, but concerns over their welfare and the tough conditions mean we advise visitors not to use them.

There’s also a cable car which was built in 1982 by local ship owner Evangelos Nomikos. It only takes a few minutes to travel up 220 metres to the town of Fira, with great views. One-way tickets cost €6 for adults and €3 for children. Though beware that both the path and the cable car get very busy when multiple cruise ships are docked in Fira.

Hike along the caldera

For a string of spectacular views, follow the caldera rim northwards where a cliff path runs through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli to Oia. The full route is around 10km/6 miles and takes three to five hours to walk (depending on how many photo stops you make). There’s not much shade, so late afternoon or early morning are the best times.

The route is a mixture of pavements and rough mule paths, with churches, hotels, restaurants and viewpoints along the way. You can also add in a diversion to Skaros Rock just after Imerovigli if you have time (allow an extra 45 minutes to an hour). Or if you don’t want to walk the full stretch, it’s only 3km/2 miles from Fira to Imerovigli.

Head out on the water on a boat trip

For a totally different perspective on Fira, take to the water on a Santorini boat trip *. From sea level the cliffs tower high above you, showing the layers of different coloured rocks which make up the island’s unique geology. And from a distance the mass of white buildings almost looks like a sprinkling of snow sitting on top of the cliffs.

There’s a range of different boat trips available from Fira. You could also hire your own boat and explore the island independently. SamBoat * is a boat rental platform which has everything from self-drive inflatable dinghies to luxurious sailing boats with a skipper which would be perfect for a romantic Santorini honeymoon cruise.

You can watch sunset from the water, sail and swim along the island’s coastline or visit the island of Nea Kameni in the centre of the caldera. This is the heart of the volcano and is still active, so you can smell sulphur and see steaming vents. There are also hot springs and mud baths on the island of Palea Kameni, and a hot water beach in Agios Nikolaos bay.

Admire local art

As well as being he island’s capital, Fira is also Santorini’s centre for art and culture, with galleries dotted around its streets. Best known is MATI Art Gallery, whose exhibits spill out onto the street near the Orthodox Cathedral. It was founded by artist Yorgos Kypris in 1990 and features his series of fish sculptures as well as works by local artists.

There’s also the T.K. Place Art Gallery for contemporary Greek art, Eduart Gjopalaj’s workshop for delicate wood sculptures and the Art of the Loom Gallery for glasswork, paintings, jewellery and ceramics. And if you want to take a memento of your trip home with you, there are many art, craft, jewellery, pottery and clothing shops around Fira.

Feast on Greek food

You’ll find all the Greek classics like moussaka , kleftiko and Greek salad at Santorini’s restaurants . But there are also local specialities to try when you visit the island, like fava (yellow split pea puree served with olive oil and lemon juice) and keftedes (meatballs).

There’s also a vegetarian version – ntomatokeftedes (tomato fritters). These are made with Santorini’s local tomatoes, a sweet, bright red fruit around the size of a cherry.

You can also try saganaki , a fried cheese served with honey, and melitzanosalata , a paste made from unusual white aubergines. And leave room for dessert – you can’t go to Greece and not eat baklava , thin filo pastry layers filled with nuts and soaked in sticky syrup.

Some of the our favourite places to eat in Fira were Argo, Naoussa and Parea Tavern. Or if you want to learn to cook Santorini-style yourself, you can take a cookery class *.

Try some local wine (or beer)

Wine has been grown on Santorini for over 3000 years. You won’t see the traditional rows of vines here though. Instead the vines are grown coiled up in a dip in the black volcanic soil to protect them from the wind and heat. You’ll find whites made from local grape varieties like Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aisani, as well as rosés and red wines.

Most wineries are in the south of the island, but Santos Winery is just south of Fira near Pyrgos (to get there, you can catch a non-express bus to Perissa which stops at the winery). They offer tours followed by a wine tasting on their caldera view terrace.

Or if beer’s more your thing, local craft brewers Santorini Brewing Company produce a range of beers, including their signature Crazy Donkey (a 6% IPA). You can find it for sale in Fira, or their brewery is three miles out of town where you can see the brewers in action.

The details

When to visit fira, santorini.

Santorini sees visitors year-round, but the busiest months are June to September when it’s dry, sunny and the sea is at its warmest – average high temperatures range from 26–29°C (79–84°F). Spring and autumn are cooler, quieter and cheaper. April, May, October and November are best for sightseeing, but prepare for the odd grey or rainy day.

Winter is the quietest time to visit Santorini, though there is a still a decent selection of hotels and restaurants open in Fira. It never gets too cold, with daytime average highs of 14°C/57°F and lows of 10°C/50°F. December and January are the rainiest months though – and it’s even been known for there to be a few snow showers on Santorini.

How to get to Fira, Santorini

You can reach Santorini either by plane or by ferry. Santorini’s international airport (JTR) has flights from various destinations around Europe. Or you can fly to Athens and connect onto a local flight to Santorini from there, which takes just under an hour.

Then you can catch a local bus from the airport to Fira, which takes 20–25 minutes and costs €1.80 one way. Buses run once an hour in summer and less often in the low season.

There are also a limited number of taxis which cost around €30 from the airport – agree the fare in advance though as most don’t use their meters. Or you can pre-book a transfer from the airport to your hotel with an English-speaking driver through Welcome Pickups .*

You can also reach Santorini by ferry from Athens’ Piraeus port in around 5 hours on a high-speed catamaran or 8 hours on a regular ferry. Santorini also has ferry links to other Greek islands like Mykonos , Crete, Ios , Paros, Naxos and Rhodes , though frequencies vary.

Santorini’s port is at Athinios, 8km from Fira, which you can reach by bus in around 20 minutes for €2.50, or you can take a taxi or pre-book a transfer to your hotel.

Book your ferry travel to Santorini*

Where to stay in Fira, Santorini

Fira has the best selection of places to stay in Santorini, and if budget allows, it’s worth staying somewhere with a caldera view to make the most of those fantastic sunsets.

The Aroma Suites * are just 100 metres from the cathedral along a quiet alleyway, and have a roof terrace overlooking a domed church. There are a mix of standard and sea view rooms, cave suites and two private villas, one of which has its own outdoor jacuzzi.

The Cosmopolitan Suites * are a favourite for a romantic break with their wow-factor infinity pool looking out over the caldera. It’s one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, with just 10 individually designed rooms, many of which have verandas or balconies, and is just a few minutes’ walk from restaurants, bars and the cable car.

Or for something more budget-friendly, the Antonia Hotel * is a traditional Cycladic property close to the main square. It has 15 traditionally furnished rooms, some with balconies, plus a small swimming pool. And they run a shuttle to the airport and port.

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• Thira town, the capital of Santorini and the largest city on the island
• Santorini towns
• Updated on: 2024-04-02

Fira (or Thira) is located almost in the center of Santorini, equidistant from the northern and southern extremities of the island. Our most important city is located about two hundred meters high on the steep cliffs of the west coast, with an amazing view of the volcano and the sea.

The city of Thira is the capital of Santorini and at the same time the largest and most populated city on the entire island. About 1,500 people out of the 14,000 inhabitants of the island live here permanently. In fact, the population of Fira is one tenth of that of the entire island of Santorini.

Fira is the city from the postcard. You’ll see when you get there! Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island

Fira takes its modern name from the ancient name of the island of Thira (Θηρα in Greek). Throughout the history of Santorini, Thira has undergone many different periods of rise and decline. Resettlements, natural disasters, devastating earthquakes, the most recent of which caused serious damage in 1956.

Nevertheless, the town was rebuilt and now also bears the title of Santorini’s tourist capital and one of the island’s most beautiful towns with a ‘postcard’ view. Check it!

Thira: a bit of history and how it all began

Around 1500 B.C. (between 1646 and 1500 to be exact) there was a tremendous eruption of the volcano Santorini, which reached a score of 7 out of a possible 8 on the scale of eruptions. The eruption was so powerful and destructive that it significantly affected the shape of the island. The crater of the volcano collapsed and went under water, and in its place a huge crater (caldera) was formed, which was instantly filled with sea water. All that remained was a small island – a stone crescent with a gentle coastline to the east and a high cliff to the west.

In the 16th century, under Venetian domination, the city of Fira was founded on the western part. It became the official capital of the island later during the Turkish occupation in the 18th century, taking over this role from Pyrgos town (Πυργος in Greek).

The city was built in its unique style over a two-hundred-meter cliff overlooking the caldera. The modern capital of Santorini, Thira, surprises anyone and everyone who ventures to our dormant volcano. Snow-white houses with red and blue doors and shutters, an endless variety of churches with blue domes, the intricacies of small winding streets, the constant descents and ascents…

You get the impression that the city is literally hanging on a cliff, and the houses are chaotically arranged on top of each other! In fact, that’s how it really is 🙂

The western part of Fira, facing the sea, is, of course, the tourist area, while the administrative and residential quarters are to the east, inland. The narrow streets, the world-famous white and blue houses and churches, the many hotels, boutiques, art galleries, stores and restaurants have gathered on the front lines overlooking the sea. This is where the main street passes, where life bustles day and night. But imagine, this is also Fira, with black paved and, by our local standards, even quite wide streets:

What to see in Thira: best sights in Santorini’s capital

Thira’s attractions are varied, but as far as the seaside component of the holiday is concerned, the city is left out. There’s plenty of sea (view! 🙂 ) in our capital, but all without beaches – the scenery is suitable only for leisurely contemplation! So back to the first line – a promenade along the seashore with a beautiful view of the volcano’s caldera.

The seashore and caldera of Santorini volcano

Fira cannot boast its own beach, so beach lovers will have to find some other place to swim in the south or east of the island. But Fira has an old port from where many ships sail daily to the volcano and to cruise around the caldera. A little over 600 steps or a funicular and you’re there! Are you ready?

Fira is perfect for hikers or for a contemplative (with a cup of coffee from a cafe or tavern) holiday. Start your exploration of the city with the beautiful promenade over the cliff leading north to the neighboring village of Imerovigli (Ημεροβιγλι in Greek). It is a narrow path with steps and a variety of souvenir stores on one side and stunning views of the caldera, the sea, the vertical cliffs and the crater of the volcano on the other:

If you want to go on one of the many boat trips (to the volcano of Nea Kameni, to the beaches of the island…), go down to the sea and the old port of Santorini:

The seaport can be reached by descending a wide stone staircase or by taking a cable car with several funiculars (such a trip takes just a couple of minutes, if you are lucky enough not to get in a long line). Be careful! The cable car here is not big at all and is very limited in the number of seats. When the next cruise ship arrives at the port with hundreds and thousands of travelers, there is a huge line below!

For this reason, you can’t count on it alone, especially if you’re going up to the city from the port. But you are welcome to admire the views!

By the way, both for the descent and the ascent back you can also arrange with a specially trained donkey… or its owner – it is, of course, not so much a comfortable transport, but one of the attractions of Fira and tourist entertainment:

However, even here we may have noticeable queues – in the season there are so many people who want to ride on a donkey! Just look at this:

As for hiking on this road I hasten to dissuade you 🙂 In the heat of +30 degrees among dozens of donkeys it becomes more of a hardship than a pleasant walk. If you’re very interested in the details – write to me in any social network, and I’ll tell you the details, but it’s better to just believe me – you should not walk here. Take a cable car (better) or a donkey (for your liking) and that’s it.

If walking or riding a donkey up a mountain is not your choice, just allow extra time for a possible wait at the cable car. So, back to town!

Walking around Fira in the daytime

It may not be a large city, it may have been destroyed by earthquakes, but the attractions of Fira are varied and numerous. Many temples have been restored or rebuilt, and the ancient times can be seen in the exhibits that have been discovered during excavations and are now preserved in museums on the island.

So… Let’s take our traditional selfie at the caldera and go for a walk around town:

The island of Santorini is called “the island of churches” for a reason. It’s hard to imagine, but more than three hundred churches and temples have been built on our small island! What’s more, new churches are also being built these days, and even in 2024 there are churches that are still unfinished.

There is at least one church for every 40 Santorini residents

On the main street of Fira are two cathedrals, the Orthodox Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral. The orthodox cathedral of Ipapantis (Υπαπαντης, Ypapantis, Ipapantis) was built in 1968-1970 on the site of the Church of Our Lady of Belonia, destroyed in the relatively recent 1956 earthquake. In the photo below you can see them both: the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Fira in the close-up, and the Catholic Cathedral of Santorini one, visible on the left, almost on the horizon. We’ll get to that one later.

This church can be seen from a great distance and from many parts of Santorini. The snow-white cathedral is stunningly beautiful. On a clear sunny day, against a blue sky… I have no words for how beautiful it is – just look at my photos:

In the square next to the cathedral, the Fira promenade begins. Stop for a while before going inside and take a look at the cathedral’s exterior – it’s quite an unusual structure from an architectural point of view!

All along the promenade there is a magnificent view of the volcano caldera on one side and many stores and boutiques on the other. Fira is an expensive city, so in addition to the souvenir shops, there are many jewelry and watch stores with Greek and international brands:

The price range is enormous, from a few euros for souvenir trinkets to tens of thousands of euros for branded jewelry:

Shopping in Santorini is a separate topic, and I’ll tell you about it too, but for now we’ll continue along the promenade to the north. Ahead of us is the Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, a very beautiful and recognizable place on the island. It is located in the Catholic quarter of Fira and distinguishes for its vibrant colors: peach and lilac blue exterior and its size make it stand out from afar!

The cathedral was built in 1823, a baroque structure of blue-gray and peach-cream, and it was also damaged in the last earthquake, but was rebuilt in 1970-1975 in its original form absolutely unchanged. There’s also a wonderful clock tower – look at this beauty:

The interior of the church is beautifully decorated with large religious portraits, but on the whole the interior decoration is rather modest. Worship services are held there every day, and you can easily get to one of them.

Walking through the streets of Fira and taking one turn after another, one can unexpectedly reach small, picturesque churches. Yes, yes, the same ones that are on the covers of books, postcards and many photographs. The most interesting of these are the Cathedral Church of Candlemas of the Lord, built in 1968-1970, the Church of St. John and the 17th century Church of Agios Minas, whose dome is tacitly one of the symbols of the Santorini island:

Built around 1537-1650, the church is dedicated to St. Minas and St. Alexis, the Man of God. It has an impressive white dome, a bell tower with 3 bells and a small terrace with a beautiful view of Santorini’s volcano caldera. Its courtyard faces the boundless blue of the Aegean Sea, and the sanctuary of the church is placed in the heart of a volcanic cliff.

After you’ve walked around Fira and enjoyed the beauty and then want to satisfy your intellectual hunger or just hide from the hot sun, you can visit the museums of Fira – the Archaeological and Prehistoric Museums.

The Archaeological Museum has a fine collection of ancient finds, including marble and copper, a variety of jewelry and ceramics, while the Prehistoric Museum displays artifacts from the island’s ancient times, such as a fresco dating back to the 17th century BC!

Opening hours and ticket prices for the museums of Fira:

• Prehistoric Museum – all days except Tuesday from 10:00 to 16:00, ticket costs 3 euros;
• Archaeological Museum of Fira – all days except Monday from 9:00 to 16:00, ticket costs 3 euros.

For 8 euros you can buy a single ticket to two museums and to the archaeological site of Fira.

Also at your disposal is Palazzo Megaro Gyzi, a beautiful venetian-style building built in the 17th century. The museum is known for its drawings, some of which date back to the 16th century. There is also an old photography pavilion, where rare photographs of Thira, taken before and after the 1956 eruption, give an insight into the history of Santorini’s capital.

Nowadays, the Megaro Gyzi Museum is used more as a cultural palace. Seasonal and permanent art and photographic exhibitions, theatre shows, festivals, workshops are held here, and in the evenings there are philharmonic concerts.

If you visit Fira in late August or early September, you can witness the phantasmagoric action – “Volcano Days”. This is a large festival with concerts of symphonic music, which is accompanied by a festival of fireworks, simulating a volcanic eruption.

Evening Fira: a pleasant walk before sunset and under the stars

Of course, there are nightclubs, late-night bars and restaurants. Of course, you can walk the streets of the town at any time – it’s beautiful and perfectly safe. But Fira’s main evening attraction is undoubtedly sunset contemplation.

Before the sun disappears into the depths of the sea, the city, completely white during the day, seems to be transformed. Many lanterns light up, the lights come on, and Fira is immersed in the last rays of the setting sun:

If your hotel does not have a view of the sunset, it is not a problem at all: you can watch the sunset in Santorini right from the promenade of Fira. Of course, it depends on the season and therefore on the spot on the horizon where the sun touches the waterline and on the weather of the particular evening, but often many sunsets are unrealistically beautiful and one wants to watch them over and over again. In fact, many tourists come to our island to enjoy the evening view and sunset in Fira. It’s as if time stands still and takes your breath away – it’s so beautiful here!

If there are big sailboats and cruise ships in the caldera after sunset, sometimes you can catch an even more beautiful picture: hundreds of lights on the ships turn on, and it’s… just gorgeous! Here’s a picture of one of these moments – as they say, “instead of a thousand words.”

By the way, this week’s approximate sunset time in Santorini is 20:00.

Where is Thira town located: the very center of the Santorini island

The answer is in the headline: our island is shaped like a crescent, so if you imagine a crescent, Thira would be at the center of its interior.

The capital is located right on the edge of the caldera, and from here all the roads of the island start. The city of Fira on a map of Santorini:

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GPS coordinates of Fira: 36.41726, 25.43304

How to get to Fira

Fira is located in the center of the island and is almost equidistant from the north and south. The location of the city is very convenient, from here you can quickly get to any point.

If you are arriving at Santorini seaport, airport or one of the coastal villages by boat, you can use one of the following ways to get to Thira besides renting a car (read more about car rental in Santorini ).

Getting to Fira by public bus

Because of its location, Fira has become a kind of transport center for the entire island. The main bus station, where all the bus routes converge, is located in town.

If you choose to travel by public transport, a bus from the port, the airport and many villages will take you here. The ticket costs from 1.8 to 2.5 euros depending on the length of the route (read more about buses in Santorini ).

Getting to Fira by tour bus

If you arrived on the island by ship to the new seaport of Athinios, you can buy a sightseeing tour in Santorini and one of the places you will visit is Fira. This option is convenient because, firstly, you will be guaranteed a seat on the bus, which cannot be said about the shuttle bus, and secondly, a qualified guide will be with you the whole way. He will also tell you about the island and take you to the most famous sights. A pleasant and useful experience!

Getting to Fira by taxi or private transfer

Depending on the number of people and luggage you can get a taxi or book a private transfer by car or minibus. Transfer and taxi services are quite good on our island, although during the season there may not be enough cars for everyone (read more about taxi and private transfer ). Please keep this in mind and arrange your transfers well in advance. If you need assistance, we will be happy to arrange any transfer for you .

Sergey Kolyer

I am co-founder of the Santorinika Travel Agency, a personal guide and the author of the island travel guide. I share the beauty of Greece all year round and help organise great vacations on land, sea and air.

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Luxury Suites Fira, Santorini

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Luxury Caldera view hotel Fira accommodation, Santorini island

Daydream Luxury Suites are situated in the heart of the capital of Fira in Santorini, Greece. The hotel enjoys a central location right next to the nightlife spots and the shopping areas.

The hotel offers easy access to the cable car and public transportation. It is located only 6km from Santorini's International airport and 8km from Athinios port. The hotel's manager will be happy to make all the necessary transportation arrangements and offer guests recommendations for excursions and other essential travel information.

Located at the western edge of Santorini, built on the cliffs opposite to the volcano, Fira is a picturesque, lively town with impressive architecture and panoramic views over the Caldera. The cosmopolitan capital of Santorini offers many options for shopping, dinning and entertainment.

Fira is home to interesting museums, two impressive Cathedrals, Orthodox and Catholic, impressive Art Galleries and several cultural events. Fira also hosts the main bus hub of Santorini, and therefore is a perfect starting point to explore the island.

Distances from Daydream Suites

• Fira Main Square: 240 meters
• Santorini Airport: 6km
• Athinios Port: 8.2km
• Oia village: 11km
• Pyrgos Kallistis: 5.5km
• Kamari beach: 8.5km
• Perivolos beach: 12km
• Akrotiri Archaeological Site:11.8km

Eight luxury suites of varying sizes that can accommodate from 2 to 4 Guests. Crafted according to the norms of the local architecture, the suites presenting contemporary interiors equipped with all the modern amenities for a relaxing accommodation at Fira in Santorini. Most of our suites directly facing a dramatic seascape that keeps changing as the day goes by.

• Superior Cave Suite
• Suite Size: 35 sq.m. - up to 4 Guests
• 1 double bed & 1 double sofa bed
• Outdoor Jetted Hot Tub
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• Elegant Cave Suite
• Suite Size: 40 sq.m.- up to 3 Guests
• 1 double bed & 1 sofa bed
• Indoor Jetted Hot Tub

• Grand Cave Suite
• Suite Size: 65 sq.m. - up to 4 Guests

• Petite Junior Suite
• Suite Size: 20 sq.m. - 2 Guests
• 1 double bed

• Deluxe Suite
• Suite Size: 30 sq.m. - 2 Guests

• Premier Suite

• Honeymoon Suite
• Suite Size: 25 sq.m. - 2 Guests
• Private Infinity Pool

• Executive Suite
• Suite Size: 40 sq.m. - 2 Guests
• Indoor & Outdoor Jetted Hot Tub
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