While the spectacular views of Fira (or Phira), Ia, and Imerovigli are enough to enchant the most demanding traveler, Santorini’s history which reaches back three thousand years, offers another dimension to the natural beauty of the island. The excavations at Akrotiri have unveiled a plethora of prehistoric frescos which speak of the existence of a joyous society before it was abruptly interrupted by one of the largest volcanic explosions known in the history of mankind. In addition to the Prehistoric history of Santorini, evidence of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine cultures are also exposed on the barren rock they call Mesa Vouno on the South shore of the island.

The Museum of Prehistoric Art in Santorini, located in the town of Fira, is one of the most important museums of Cycladic Art in the world, and it mostly houses artifacts unearthed during the excavations in Akrotiri. The entrance to the museum costs € 5.00 and the same ticket allows entrance to the museum of ancient art which exhibits a collection of artifacts from the Ancient Thera archaeological site. I was also impressed with the exhibition of exact replicas of wall paintings from Akrotiri. I found the exhibit in the Nomikos Conference center at the highest part of Fira, and while the climb there was steep, the view from the veranda and the exhibit more than made up for the effort.

The incredible views of the Aegean from atop the caldera will always be etched in your memories.

What to See in Thira

There are so many sights that your holidays will not seem to be enough to admire them all.

Here are just some of them.

The volcano of Santorini is one of the few active volcanoes of Greece. It erupted once in 1500 BC and the eruption was so strong that the size of Santorini changed (from circular it became of a strange shape), the smoke recovered the entire island and many neighbouring islands and the waves caused by the eruption arrived all the way to Crete and were one of the most important cause of the destruction of the Great Minoan Civilisation. With the power of the eruption the volcano went into the sea.

The volcano is lying in the center of the basin of Santorini and has formed, after its eruption, two small islets of frozen black lava called Palea Kameni (Old Burned) and Nea Kameni (New Burned) which are respectively 2000 years and 500 years old.
Santorini’s volcano is called Caldera and has become one of the main attractions of Santorini; thousands of visitors visit it every year by regular boat excursions which let them on Nea Kameni (the central part of the volcano) where they can walk through this amazing landscape reminding of a lunar one. The volcano crater can be seen as well as some holes with sulfur steam coming out of them.
The view from the volcano over the villages of Santorini perched on the cliffs is really worthing the trip as is the view from the villages to the volcano.
Fishing boats also give the possibility to reach the surroundings of the oldest volcano (Palea Kameni) where visitors can enjoy an unforgettable swim in the deliciously hot waters.

Suggestions: running shoes for you to climb the volcano, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, bathing suit, beach towel.

During this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the active volcano of Santorini, you could go on dry lava to the top of the volcano and even feel its warmth under your feet, and there and see how steam sulfurous gases are emitted by Vulcan. The next stop will be the hot springs cruise where you can swim in the natural Jacuzzi (35-36 ° C). Towards the end of the excursion boat dock on Thirassia island where you can relax at the beach, visit the town or just relax with a meal at one of the fish restaurants. After island Thirassis ship to dock in the harbor of Armeni where we arrive in Oia village or climbing stairs or traditional, the donkey. In Oia, you have free time for shopping and to admire the famous sunset.

The first stop will be the Kameni Island, where you have the opportunity to visit the active volcano of Santorini, you can go to the top of volcanic lava and dry even feel its warmth under your feet, and there and see how gas steam sulfur are released by Vulcan. Nea Kameni was formed after a volcanic eruption between 1550-1500 BC, Caldera was formed as a second island, Thirasia. The next stop will be the hot springs cruise where you can swim in the natural Jacuzzi (35-36 ° C). At the end of the tour boat dock on Thirassia island where you can relax at the beach, visit the town or just relax with a meal at one of the fish restaurants.

Apart from its natural beauties, the island is also ideal for sports activities. You can treat yourself to moments of true excitement and a healthy body as well. In Santorini, you will find a total of three diving centers, one of which is located on Perissa beach, while the other two on Kamari and Ammoudi beach respectively.
So enjoy the fun in the water sports clubs and pump up your adrenaline!!!

There are a lot of shopping options in Santorini.

The shopping area is in the capital, Fira, where one can find a wide variety of products. Also, Oia has a shopping street with lots of interesting things, while smaller markets exist in Kamari and Perissa. Lots of wineries (called ”canava”) are scattered all around the island offer fine quality of the local special wine. It is worthy of note that some of them are famous in the global market.

For those visitors who wish to go beyond Santorini’s golden sunset and take the memory of some real gold with them, the jewelry market in Fira and a smaller one in Oia is there to fulfill every sweet vanity of the summer holidays!!!