Travel points of interest in Santorini
Travel attractions in Santorini, Greece? Fira, Santorini’s capital, is one of the best places to see on the island. It’s the perfect Cycladic town, a real postcard scenery. Wander in the city’s alleys and discover the breathtaking viewpoints of the sea and the caldera. You will for sure fall in love with the island (even if it’s often crowded!). From Fira, follow the beautiful walking trail to reach the villages of Firostefani (only a 10-minute walk) and Imerovigli (the highest point of the caldera, 30 minutes away from Fira). Plan at least between 1 and 2 hours, as you will stop every 2 meters to enjoy the view and take pictures! You can also walk to the small port of Fira Skala. It’s quite easy to get down the 587 steps, but getting back up can be more difficult, especially under the sun! Read even more information on Oia Santorini.
Oia is a place with a long and rich history. The turn of the century is considered to be the time of the peak of its prosperity, and its economy was largely based on maritime trade – many owners of merchant ships lived in Oia. The village was built on a steep slope descending into the sea from the caldera. Oia is dominated by architecture typical of the entire Cyclades abounding in white houses, sometimes with a light blue finish (roofs, frames, shutters). What distinguishes the architecture at Oia is the fact that some of the buildings are painted in other colors – e.g. orange or salmon. The whole, against the backdrop of a raw, volcanic landscape creates a unique mosaic of colors.
From Pyrgos, a road runs to the summit of Mt. Profitis Ilias (584 meters), Santorini’s highest point, affording panoramic views of the island and out across the sea. Here stands the mighty Profitis Ilias Monastery, an 18th-century sanctuary that is open to the public. Inside, you can see the church, with a richly carved iconostasis. Visit the museum displaying the miter and crozier of Patriarch Gregory V, who was hanged in Constantinople by the Turks in 1821. Also of interest are the library, the monastic archives, and the kitchen. The monastery ran one of the many “secret schools,” operated during the Turkish period.
The island of Thirassia is located just in front of Oia. This crocodile-shaped island was separated from Santorini by a huge volcanic eruption. If you want to visit Thirassia, you can choose a 1-day boat trip (the one going to Nea Kameni’s volcano and hot springs also stops there) or take the boat directly from Amoudi Bay. The island is way quieter than Santorini. During your visit, you will enjoy the charming village of Manolas and its good taverns, and enjoy a splendid view of Santorini!
The capital of Santorini, Fira (Thira) is made up of whitewashed cubic houses and terraces, winding lanes, little squares, and blue-domed churches perched on the cliffs 300 meters above the caldera. From the small port of Skala, Fira can be reached either by walking or riding (mules are for hire) up the steep and winding stepped path (587 steps) or by taking the cable-car. It can also be reached from neighboring towns via the Fira to Oia scenic trail that takes you along the caldera cliff. Ferries dock at the port of Athinios, connected to Fira by road, while cruise ships put down anchor in the caldera, and passengers are transported to Skala by tender. Fira lives principally from tourism, and many of its buildings now serve as small hotels, apartments, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and jewelers. Discover extra information on https://santorini-more.com/.