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DISCOVER FIRA

The capital of Santorini is Fira, located on the west of the island at the centre of the horseshoe, perched on the edge of sheer 260 meter cliffs.

Fira is busy and touristy, with shops filled with sparkling jewelry, streets filled with restaurants for fine dining, and bars that will have you hopping well into the night. But, despite the mass tourism, the landscape and drama is quite incredible from this spot.

Fira was first settled in the late 18th century, when islanders moved from Skaros (near Imerovigli) for easier access to the sea.

The port of Fira is Athinio, the main port of the island and a busy place for ferries and cruise ships. You can reach Fira high above by car, on foot, by donkey on a zig zag path crossing the face of the cliff, or by cable car.

The main square in Fira is Plateia Theotokopoulou. The main road, where the bus station is located, runs north to south cutting through the square. From the main road to the caldera, you'll find streets lined with souvenir shops, bars and restaurants.

Stroll around busy Fira, and you will still see the beauty of the blue-domed churches and brilliant white sugar-cube buildings set against the deep blues of the Aegean below and the sky beyond.

The balcony views are magnificent and all around you'll see arches, terraces, and bougainvillea to relax you. And even the bustling shops with their sparkling jewels and tourist offerings have a charm of their own.

There is a cable car station to the north (across from the Archaeology Museum), which will take you to the port of Fira Skala where the cruise ships and excursion boats dock. Alternatively, you can rent a donkey, or leg the nearly 600 steps yourself.

The Archaeology Museum is worth a visit to see finds from Akrotiri and Ancient. It is Fira where you will also find the much photographed blue dome and white bell tower of Agiou Mina.

Thera, as well as sculptures from the Cycladic, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The Megaron Gyzi Museum has fascinating photos of Fira before and after the last major earthquake in 1956.

With the same magnificent views and just outside of the major hussle and bussle are Firostefani (1 km away) and Imerovigli (3 kms away). Both are a nice walk from Fira, and at Imerovigli you can visit the old Orthodox Nunnery of St. Nicholas.

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