Best things to do in Fira

Set your clock back a few thousand years with a visit to Akrotiri, a Minoan Bronze Age settlement destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1627 BCE. The volcanic ash buried the remains of many everyday objects used by the settlement's inhabitants, preserving for posterity the ancient way of life of a long-lost culture. Some historians suggest this archeological site, once an important port city on the Aegean, served as an inspiration for Plato's story of Atlantis, a supposedly fictional place mentioned in two of the philosopher's major works. To gain a better understanding of the lost community, take a guided tour around the excavation site.

To see the best of what Santorini has to offer relatively quickly, tackle Ekklisia Theoskepasti hiking trail. Hundreds of people hike the 9 km (5.5 mi) long trail every day, stopping along the way to discover the island's picturesque beaches, small villages, and ancient churches. The scenic trail covers a variety of terrains, including some rocky and steep pathways for which you should bring a pair of comfortable hiking shoes. The best time to start the hike is just after sunrise or late in the afternoon, during the coolest parts of the day. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, and bring lots of drinking water and a light snack.

Famous for its red rock formations, Red Beach sits just steps from the site of an ancient Minoan settlement destroyed by a volcanic eruption and buried in ash around 1627 BCE. Blue waters lapping this beach create a striking contrast with the all-red landscape of the surrounding steep cliffs, which offer unobstructed views of the sea and the curving coastline. The small beach attracts hundreds of visitors each day, creating a lively resort atmosphere well into the evening hours. Two small cafes, cut into the volcanic cliffs just a short walk from the beach, offer cold drinks and light snacks.

A place of romantic sunsets and traditional taverns, Amoudi Bay sits just below the small port town of Oia. After a swim in the Aegean, scramble up the bay's red cliffs to take in sweeping views of the sea and the coastline, dotted by tiny beaches attracting water lovers from around the world. The bay gets extremely crowded by mid-afternoon, so try to arrive as early in the day as possible. It's best to spend the first part of the afternoon exploring the bay's many seafood restaurants, leaving plenty of time to find a good spot for watching the sunset near the water or up on the cliffs.

Thousands of visitors come to Santorini just to experience the famed Sunset in Oia, one of the island's major attractions. A small town precariously perched on the crescent-shaped volcanic cliffs of the island, Oia has been a popular sunset-watching spot for centuries. A major stop for cruise ships touring the Aegean, the town gets quite crowded by mid-afternoon. It's best to arrive early in the day, leaving plenty of time to explore the town's narrow streets and find the best place for watching or photographing the setting sun. The western side of the town offers the finest views and attracts the majority of visitors, so claim your spot as early as you can.

Featuring artifacts uncovered on the island, Museum of Prehistoric Thira represents Thira's prehistoric centuries with artifacts excavated from nearby Akrotiri and Potamos. Items are divided into four units representing: the history of research, Thira’s geology, the history of the island between the late Neolithic to late Cycladic Period I, and the city’s peak at Akrotiri. Examine pottery and marble figurines that are thousands of years old, and see the changes in pottery as Thira progressed through the centuries. The artifacts from Thira’s heyday paint a picture of how Therans lived in the 17th century BCE.

Soak up the island atmosphere at Kamari Beach, a popular spot to watch sunrises and sunsets. This beach, Santorini's longest, attracts water-lovers from around the world with its black volcanic pebbles and unobstructed views of the Mesa Vouno and Profitis Ilias mountain peaks, rising imposingly over the calm blue waters of the Aegean. The nearby village, from which the popular beach got its name, boasts a thriving tourist industry and offers a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs. Be sure to visit the remains of an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the god Poseidon, located at the southern end of the beach.

Taste exceptional Greek wines while enjoying a view of Santorini’s coast at Santo Winery. The vineyard produces a selection of whites, reds, sparkling wines, and dessert wines. Take part in a wine tasting on the upper terrace, which offers views of the islands and sea. Enjoy the small bites of Greek olives, cheese, and tomato paste with your wine.

Skaros Rock once housed a castle that protected the 200 Catholic settlers who called the town home. The town of Skaros was the capital of the island of Santorini until multiple earthquakes caused families to leave. Today the site offers views from the lookout over the flat-top rock next to the sea. The Chapel of Agios Ioannis Apokefalistheis stands silent over the abandoned town. The white buildings high on the plateau are often pictured in postcards of Greece, and it's not uncommon to see a wedding party on the hills among the cafe terraces.