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Villages Fira Town the Capital

Fira & Firostefani Megalochori Pyrgos Imerovigli Oia - Finikia Karterados
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Fira the Capital of Santorini & Firostefani 'the Crown of Fira'

Fira The Capital - Caldera Volcano View
Sunset & Volcano (Nea Kameni) - Fira Caldera
Boat Trips to the Volcano


Welcome to Fira

Fira is the capital of Santorini. It can be found on the west coast of the island, on the caldera cliffs opposite the volcano. Modern day Fira is the cultural and commercial center of the Santorini. Although geared around the tourist industry, perhaps more so than other areas on the island, there is much about Fira worth taking a look at.

Apart from the museums, galleries and cultural events, it has the island's largest shopping center and the biggest choice of dining out and entertainment. Fira heads the nightlife section - many bars and cafes are actually on the caldera, whilst others, as well as the large clubs, are tucked into the quaint cobbled streets weaving through the town.

There is so much to choose from and so many places to explore. The whole of the Fira Caldera is connected by a path at the cliff edge that starts just above the Mayor's office and finishes up on the hill at the Nomikos Conference center. The volcano can be seen from every point, as can the mesmerizing sunsets. Sunset time in Santorini seems to be the only hour of the day when everything, and everyone stops moving ...


Fira By Night
The Petros M. Nomikos Conference Center with the permanent exhibition of 'The Wall Paintings of Thera' and the Catholic Church are in the distance on the hill.

Firostefani
Firostefani is an old village just north of Fira which has merged with Fira, becoming one of its suburbs. The name Firostefani means 'Crown of Fira' stefani = crown. Predominant characteristics are traditional houses, narrow paths and views to the volcano.

Kontochori
Kontochori is also a suburb of Fira, 15 minutes walk from the main square. It can be found on the lower road as you leave the center driving northward in the direction of Oia. Kontochori has an outdoor summer cinema.

Metropolis - The Church of Ipapanti

Ormos : the Old Port

The old port of Santorini is at the bottom of the Caldera cliffs in Fira. The little harbour has restaurants, taverns and small shops. To reach the old port, you can walk down the 600 stone steps, hop on a mule or take the Cable Car which leaves from the top part of the Fira caldera.

The large cruise liners drop anchor at Ormos and the passengers are ferried to shore in small boats. One can spot small fishing boats, the kaikia' as well as several pleasure boats that depart daily to the volcano 'Nea Kameni', the Hot Springs at 'Palia Kameni', Thirassia island and Oia for the sunset.

Perhaps the only way to realise what Santorini is, and where you really are, is to experience the island from the foot of the Caldera cliffs, and the best way to do that is from the sea.




History of Fira & when it became the Capital of Santorini

The history of Fira as a settlement started during the second half of the 18th century, when the Venetian nobles and Catholic community abandoned the Castle of Skaros in Imerovigli (capital of Santorini at that time), after a prolonged period of earthquakes.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Santorini fell to the Turks, and the islanders no longer had to deal with the constant fear of pirate raids on the island. Subsequently Fira became the island capital, replacing the successor of Skaros, which was the Kasteli of Pyrgos.


post office, banks, taxi depot, shops, galleries, clubs, bars, bookshops, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, cable car, old port, camping site, outdoor summer cinema
The main bus depot is near the central square of Fira on the lower side road.

See more : Fira Hotels (Superior)
See more : Fira Hotels (Economy)
See more : Cable Car
See more : Megaro Gyzi Museum
See more : Bellonio Cultural Center
See more : Lignos Folklore Museum
See more : Archaeological Museum
See more : Museum of Prehistoric Thira
See more : The Wall Paintings of Thera Exhibition

Ormos the Old Port

A Typical Scene in the Streets of Fira



 

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