Fira Travel Information

Fira Information

Fira is located on the western side of the island of Santorini (which is officially called Thira) in the Greek Archipelago. It is a traditional Greek town of around 1,500 residents who maintain strong links to their ancestral past.

Visually Fira is stunning. The town sits roughly in the middle of the crescent shaped island and  the 'arms' of the caldera that makes up the island almost seem to embrace the town. Many of the whitewashed buildings have brightly painted roofs and walls of blues and gold, and cling to the edge of the cliffs that overlook the sparkling Aegean and Mediterranean seas 1,000 feet below. The views down the hillsides of the bay are stunning with many of the villas and hotels having pools or spas built in to the step cliff face.

Many of the tourists that visit the town of Fira each year arrive by cruise ships which dock on the eastern side of the island. For those wanting a good workout there is a switchback footpath of about 600 steps that leads up to the town form the port, or for the more adventurous you can even take a donkey ride to the top. A cable car runs from the old port and terminates at the upper station which is only a short walk from the Plateia Theotokopoulou, or Central Square. Here you'll find cobbled streets and narrow lanes bursting with cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. There are also several interesting museums in the town which are well worth visiting to see fine examples of Thira's archeology and history. Fira also has the largest shopping precinct on the island as well as a great selection of bars and clubs spread through the town.

Fira is a wonderful example of tourist oriented town that has maintained many of the fine Greek traditions from the past. And with spectacular scenery, beautiful sunsets and a warm Mediterranean climate it will definitely leave you with great memories that will keep coming back again and again.