Santorini, classically Thera and officially Thira is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of Greece’s mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 and a 2011 census population of 15,550. The municipality of Santorini comprises the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. The total land area is 90.623 km2. Santorini is part of the Thira regional unit. Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island, and created the current geological caldera. A giant central, rectangular lagoon, which measures about 12 by 7 km, is surrounded by 300 m high, steep cliffs on three sides. The main island slopes downward to the Aegean Sea. On the fourth side, the lagoon is separated from the sea by another much smaller island called Therasia; the lagoon is connected to the sea in two places, in the northwest and southwest. The depth of the caldera, at 400m, makes it possible for all but the largest ships to anchor anywhere in the protected bay; there is also a newly built marina at Vlychada, on the southwestern coast. The island’s principal port is Athinias. The capital, Fira, clings to the top of the cliff looking down on the lagoon. The volcanic rocks present from the prior eruptions feature olivine and have a small presence of hornblende.

Fira: Fira is the capital town of the island, and the undisputed centre of the tourist business. In summer it buzzes with people and activity, packed with hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and businesses serving the many visitors. The view of the Caldera and the black islands of Palaia and Nea Kameni, the remains of the volcano, is an unforgettable spectacle. You should take a stroll around Fira enjoying the sights and sounds of the narrow streets, and walk down to the little harbour of Mesa Gialos among the rocks at the bottom of the cliff, admiring the little houses carved into the cliff face or perching on the rock. There is a cable car to bring you back to the top of the cliffs.

Museum of Prehistoric Thera: The museum tells the story of prehistoric Thera through a variety of finds from excavations and collections, making up the dynamic image of an island which was a significant commercial and economic centre in the Aegean during the 18th and 17th centuries BC.
Fira, tel.: +30 22860 23217

Archaeological Museum: Next to the point where you embark on the cable car to take you to Mesa Gialos stands the Megaro Gyzi, the building housing the Santorini archaeological collection – including sculptures, inscriptions, vases and figurines. The museum is particularly proud of the huge volcanic rock, weighing 480 kilos, which according to legend was once lifted by the ancient weightlifter Eumastas, and of the Theran amphora with geometrical decoration dating from the beginning of the 7th century BC.

Oia: This is the finest of all the villages on Santorini, located on the edge of the Caldera. It is famed around the world for its sunsets, one of the island’s must-sees, and has a delightfully sophisticated atmosphere, picturesque narrow streets and stunningly beautiful houses. Descend the two hundred steps to the old harbour, Ammoudi, with its pretty fish tavernas.

Akrotiri: Fifteen kilometres south of Fira, close to the village of Akrotiri, you will find one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, discovered in 1967. Originally a Neolithic village, founded in the middle of the 5th millennium BC, its central position on trade routes allowed it to develop rapidly into an important commercial port. You can walk along the ancient roads, admire the amazing multi-storey buildings and see a prehistoric community come alive before your very eyes!

Imerovigli: This picturesque community 2km to the north of Fira was, throughout the Middle Ages, a vantage point looking out over the whole area of the Caldera – hence its name: imerisia vigla – daytime observation point. Walking along its cobbled streets, and enjoying the spectacular sunsets, are just two more unique experiences you will take home from a vacation on Santorini.

Emporeio: A famous mediaeval community, one of the largest on the island, lying in the shadow of the Venetian castle above the town. Stroll along the narrow streets and admire the architecture of the houses, which seem to be carved into the soft rock.

Pyrgos: The village is built on an elevated plateau and until 1800 was the capital of the island. It has traditional houses built around the Venetian castle and many churches. A little higher up you will find the Profitis Ilias Monastery, built in the early 18th century, where a picturesque feast day is celebrated each year on 20 July.

Volcano: As you’re just a stone’s throw from one of Europe’s active volcanos, it would be a shame not to inspect it at first hand, to feel the scorching of the earth and the dangerous crater which submerged the great island of ancient Strongyli and destroyed the Minoan civilization in 1613 BC. You can take a little boat from Mesa Gialos and visit the jet black islands of Palaia and Nea Kameni, swim in the warm waters of the sulphurous springs and walk across the scorched earth. A unique experience which will fill the visitor with awe at the force and wild beauty of nature.