Beautiful Fira Santorini
Infinity pools and cave homes. Romantic, winding streets. A cruel and beautiful landscape shaped by nature at her most powerful. This is Fira, the main town on beautiful Santorini in the Greek Cyclades. If you’re looking for a taste of island life, there’s no place better to be.
Welcome to Santorini
Santorini and Greece have long been synonymous with each other. Every time you see pictures of domed churches and whitewashed homes perched high on the cliffs, it’s a view of Santorini. With the volcanic caldera unfolding below you, and a unique landscape shaped by nature’s violent hand, it’s difficult not to be in awe. Multicolored cliffs barely look real, while the Aegean Sea sprawls in bright blue, lapping the beaches.
While Santorini sunsets are famous, and the views are breathtaking, they’re not all this lovely spot has to offer.
Escape the Crowd | Fira Santorini
If Santorini has one problem, it’s that it suffers from its own popularity. At the height of the peak season, there will always be crowds around. Luckily, Fira has a spectacular nest of winding back roads despite its small size, and you can combine fascinating exploration with escaping the crowds easily. Hidden chapels, arching doorways, vine-covered courtyards, sunbathing kitties, and spectacular floral displays await.
If you’re looking for shots for the ‘Gram, then you have to spend a day simply walking the town. Spectacular churches provide the perfect backdrop for a range of photo opportunities- and sometimes you can hear the nuns singing, too. And don’t forget to sip a glass of the iconic local vintages- shaped by the volcanic soil of the island- in one of the seafront pubs as the sun goes down.
If you’re up to the challenge, hiking the caldera’s edge makes for a spectacular way to walk off the fantastic local seafood. The cliff path will take you through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli before reaching Oia.
A Slice of Art and History
Fire hasn’t always been this picture-perfect, however. Once the home of the historian Minoans, it was the volcanic eruption that created the caldera that wiped out their civilization. If you love to explore the romance of the past, then there’s plenty to see and do in Fira. Think museums with artifacts from ancient Akrotiri, detailed recreations of the invasions and folklore that envelop the town, and so much more.
There’s also the Old Port- accessible by foot or cable car from the town. If you’re up to the challenge, 587 Karavolades stairs zigzag their way down the hill to the fort proper. Iconic donkey rides are associated with the trip, too, but not all service providers treat their animals ethically, so be careful who you choose. The cable car views, however, can’t be beaten and should be on every itinerary.
Fira is also the art center for Santorini. Explore galleries brimming with everything from paintings to traditional art and glasswork.
Explore the Water
Fira’s also a great spot to grab a boat and see Santorini from a different angle. Anything from luxury yacht hires to a romantic voyage on a creaking traditional wooden sailboat can be had here. Visit the island of Nea Kameni in the center of the caldera, where sulfur and steam remind us that the volcano is asleep, not dead. Explore Santorini’s coastline, or watch the sunset from the water. Want something a little different? Bathe in the hot springs and mud baths at Palea Kameni, or experience a hot water beach in the Agios Nikolaos Bay.
When to Visit Fira, Santorini
Fira is beautiful at any time of year, but the peak season is June through September. The weather is dry and hot. Hot enough you will need to pack your sunscreen, as it reflects from the walls too, and is a pricey buy on the island. We, however, advise going in Spring and Fall, when you get the best balance of weather and crowds. April, May, October, and November are the best months for sightseeing, but there may be the odd overcast or rainy day. Winter will be quiet and some places may be closed, but many fantastic restaurants and sights will be open if that’s the only season you can get here.
Getting to Fira
Santorini has an international airport, so you can connect directly from Europe or fly to Athens and hop on a plane. Alternatively, there’s the ferry from Athens’ Piraeus Port, which will take between 5-8 hours. There’s a lot of ferry connections from other Greek Islands, too, if you’re island hopping.
There’s tons of fantastic places to stay on-island, from spectacular luxury boutique hotels with infinity pools that stretch over the sunset, to authentic cave homes carved out of the cliff centuries ago. Whatever your flavor of luxury, you’re sure to find it waiting for you in Fira, Santorini.
Are you keen to explore Santorini’s Capital? This haven of beauty and relaxation is waiting for you, so why not plan your trip today?
