Dramatic hotspot in super Santorini
Perched on top of a soaring volcanic cliffside, Fira – the gleaming capital city of Santorini –looks like something from an otherworldly painting. Studded with pristine, whitewashed buildings, Fira is not only charming but also a bustling cosmopolitan hub with plenty to keep both families and couples occupied and amused.
Fira holidays are, first and foremost, a dream for travellers who appreciate spectacle. From almost any point you choose in town, the views across the volcanic caldera, where the boats below bob like bath toys, are astonishing. When the sun sets to the west and the sky catches fire in the evening, you quite simply won’t be able to put your camera away. Shop, dine out, discover the local history at one of Fira’s excellent museums or get a feel for the cool local arts scene – you’ll find it all on holidays to Fira.
Your Fira questions, answered
Yes. There's a cable car, or – if you’re feeling brave – a zigzag set of 587 steps. Say hi to the adorable hard-working donkeys you’ll pass along the way.
With two strikingly different cathedrals at either end of Fira, and dozens of smaller churches in town, you won’t struggle to find a beautiful place of worship to visit.
Fira isn't short of nice restaurants, but for a quick local bite on-the-go, order a hand-held ‘gyros’ kebab from any one of the many vendors.
Best things to do in Fira
See the prehistory museum
Discover artefacts from nearly 5,000 years’ worth of history, including items from the ongoing excavation at Akrotiri, the ‘Aegean Pompeii’, down in the island’s southwest.
Catch the sunset
Several restaurants have multi-storey terraces from which you can enjoy the romantic scenery and watch the sun go down, while enjoying a seafood dinner and chilled bottle of wine.
Browse or buy some art
Local and internationally renowned artists display their work at a range of hip and contemporary galleries in Fira. You can just browse or buy a piece to take home as a souvenir.