Thira, Santorini
photo by Clarence

Fira (also called Thera or Thira) is the main town of Santorini island.

Understand

Every day during the summer is a bustling metropolis as cruise ships from all over the Mediterranean and Aegean seas descend. As a result prices in Thira (and Santorini generally) tend to be a little higher than other Greek Islands.

Getting there

Start with Santorini.

From Santorini airport: by taxi.

From the new port (where all ferries arrive): by cable road or by foot.

Traveling around

The main bus station of Santorini is in Fira, where you can catch a bus going almost anywhere on the island, usually hourly (every 30 minutes on 6/29/2009). The schedules are posted here daily. Up the stairs behind the bus station and across a parking lot to the west is the main taxi stand.

A public restroom is located at the southern end of the taxi stand. There is a crazed woman who confiscates the toilet paper from the toilets in the mornings, and then accosts patrons as they enter, demanding 50 euro cents for a couple of sheets of toilet paper. She follows people into the restroom and continues to harass them while they use the facilities. Bring your own napkins, and try to ignore her.

Another great way to get around the (small) island is by hiring a quad bike from numerous locations in the main tourist villages. for €20 a day, it is better value than taxis and more fun than a bus.

See

Definitely pay a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, where the story of Akrotiri and other ancient settlements is vividly told through a stunning collection of Neolithic and Bronze Age artifacts. Special ticketing package for the Archaeological Museum the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Archaeological Sites of Akrotiri and Ancient Thera: € 8 (reduced: € 4).

Things to do

There's actually not a lot to do in Fira other than shop (for overpriced jewelry, designer clothing and handbags) and go to the numerous (American-styled) discos and bars. Apart from the few museums and craft studios (which are open fairly late), travellers seeking unique experiences unobtainable elsewhere will be disappointed. Maybe stroll through the shopping district and watch a sunset over dinner in Fira one night, then get out of town to explore the beaches and other island sites. Fira loses its charm quickly.

Eat

In the early evening the passengers of the cruise ships return to their vessels and cafes become much more relaxed.

  • Restaurant Nikolas, 2286024869, Erythrou Stavrou, Fira, Head straight up the pedestrian mall (Danezi) and take the first right, A local eatery preserving traditional Hellenic cuisine. No English menu is provided, but the staff is efficient in explaining the Greek menu board and provide suggestions if necessary. Service is a departure from the overly warm receptions with most tourist traps as it is quick, efficient, and sufficiently friendly. Must tries include the Horiatiki (Greek) salad, moussaka, beef stew. Ask for

  • Santo Mythos, 22860 24346 , Located two blocks from Theotokopoulou square on M. Danezi street, Offers a wide range of cheap, tasty food including salads, sandwiches, moussaka, a variety of gyros, pizza, spaghetti, omelets, and both savory and dessert crepes. Great for travelers on a budget and the service is relatively prompt by comparison to many of the other restaurants in Fira. Gyros are €1.70, Greek Salads are €4.50. They also deliver from 10:00 - 24:00.

  • George's Ouzeri , 22860 21566, Fira, Santorini, Greece , Located in the center of Fira at the Fabrika shopping center which is next to the Cathedral, George and Iordana, the owners, welcome warmly all their guest. You will find a great variety of traditional Greek dishes using the local products of Santorini, Greek salad, green salad with Chorotyri, Mousaka, Ouzo meatballs, Soutzoukakia.

  • Koukoumavlos Restaurant, 22860 23807 , Fira, Santorini Greece, Award winning Restaurant Koukoumavlos, by well- known chef Nikos Pouliasis, invites you to discover modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Taste some of his favorite creations: Santorinian fava with smoked trout, salmon tartar in mandarin sauce and roasted almonds. Lobster and monkfish terrine with anchovy caviar sour cream in forest fruit tea sauce. Grilled beef fillet with potato puree flavored with bergamot, summer truffle sauce and parmesan ice cream. Tiramisu with smoked eggplant mousse on a base of almonds in green bitter orange sauce.

  • Shinx Resturant, Fira, Santorini Greece, Center of Fira in front of the Cathedral, Restaurant Sphinx has been accommodated in a restored mansion in Fira since 1991. Its unique view over the Caldera of Santorini becomes more breathtaking during the exquisite sunsets just in front of you. Chef and owner George Psychas, creates Mediterranean cuisine which showcase the best of Santorini's products and the freshest of the Aegean's Sea fish. Sophisticated service welcomes you in the restaurant's relaxing environment and an extensive selection of exceptional wines accompanies your dinner.

  • Selene Restaurant, 22860 22249, Fira, Santorini Greece, The

Drink

  • Two Brothers Bar, An internationally famed watering hole, catering to the tourist party crowd.

  • Bonjour Café , 22860 23744, Fira, Santorini Greece, Central Square of Fira , Modern café bar open all day offering variety of coffees, juices, soft drinks cocktails and snacks. Open from early in the morning until late after midnight.

  • The Highlander, a Scottish bar, Happy Hour from 9-10:30 PM

  • Koo, cool nightclub to hang out after drinking at the other bars and to close out the night..

Sleep

  • Kallisti Thera Hotel In the center of Fira town is within a few minutes of the rim of Caldera.

  • Hotel Katerina's Castle , Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece, It is located on the cliff of Imerovigli, which is a beautiful area of traditional Cycladic architecture in the magical island of Santorini.

  • Mill Houses , Firostefani, Santorini, Greece, At the gulf of Firostefani, on the stately rock that bridges the sky with the sea, the all-white figure of Mill Houses Studios & Suites looks like hovering over the mesmerizing cliff.

  • Panorama Hotel, +(0030) 2286022481, Fira, Santorini, Greece, The hotel on Caldera faces the sea and the renowned Santorini volcanos. 12 studios, one Greek villa and one honeymoon suite, proximity toshops, restaurants, banks, night life and public transportation.

  • Sofia Hotel , Economy family run hotel.

  • Rina's Place, A simple, clean affordable option. A very helpful staff, which includes pick-up from the arrival port. Some of the rooms even have ocean views and even the complimentary breakfast is good. It's a 3 minute walk into the heart of Fira.

  • Santorini Palace Hotel 7km from the airport and 12km from the port of Santorini. Providing a wonderful view of the Aegean.

  • Cliff Side suites . (tel: +30 22860 22141 fax: +30 22860 22187) 23 rooms and suites with all four star conveniences. Respecting the Aegean Architectural style, the complex promotes the design and comfort of locality along with an ecstatic merge of joyful colors while the performance of light and shadows crafts an incomparable sentiment. The on-the-edge-of-the-rim swimming pool with views to the caldera evokes a feeling of total calmness and all spa services including outdoor heated Jacuzzi.

  • El Greco Hotel . (tel: +30 22860 22052 fax: +30 22860 24945) A contemporary establishment which blends the heritage and the love of santorini with a component of luxury to yield reach memories.

  • Villa Evgenia , +30 22860 22575, Villa Evgenia Hotel Fira Santorini 847 00, A short walking distance (300 metres)to Fira town center, where you can find shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and the main bus terminal where you can take the bus to Ia/Oia for the sunset. Doubles from 60 euro

  • Summer Time Pension , +30 22860 24313, Fira, The Summer Time Pension Hotel is located 100 meters from the center of the capital town of Fira. Room Rates from 40- 80 Euros

Contact

  • Easy internet cafe with 20PC minimum charge 1€. Next to taxi station. A nice and calm greek internetcafe to see your e-mail, web surf, chat. They also have Wi-Fi with 2Mbps bandwith. You will find it from the orange color.

Contact & location

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The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:

Clarence, Wolfgang Staudt, Harvey Barrison, bongo vongo, karol m, Emi Yañez

Some photos courtesy of: . The photos provided by Flickr are under the copyright of their owners.

This travel guide also includes text from Wikitravel articles, all available at WikitravelView full credits

Eleni, Denis Yurkin, Raymond Lai, David, Jean H, Bill Johnson and Simone Bravo, Inas, Ndasyras, DemBuca, The Yeti, Morph, Airin, Unique, Jonboy, Wojsyl, Akubra, Nils and Les Golding

This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at WikipediaView full credits

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