Fira Village
Clung at the rim of the steep cliff, actually at the middle of the crater of
the volcano, Fira, officially Thera, is the capital of the island with approximately
2100 permanent residents.
The town is not typically cycladic. The long period of Venetian domination has
left its influence in the architecture of the town and cycladic and venetian
architectural features are found side by side in a quite interesting blend. more
about Fira village...
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Firostefani
Built at the edge of the cliff facing the caldera, some 1 to 1,5 klm from
Fira at the North, Firostefani offers to the visitor a magnificent view,
romantic walks and a sunset of unique beauty, less crowded than that of
Oia more
about Firostefani village...
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Imerovigli
Situated 3 klm of Fira at the Northwest, Imerovigli is a typically Cycladic
settlement, with traditional low, white washed houses with terraces, narrow
pebble paved streets and numerous tiny churches found in every quartier.
This settlement of 460 permanent residents has been declared preservable.
Built at the rim of the volcanic crater, 300 m. high, it has an extraordinary
view to the caldera, fully justifying its name
more
about Imerovigli village...
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Vourvoulos
2,5 klm far from Fira at the North and the same distance from Imerovigli
at the East, just at the center of the northern part of the island, it
is situated Vourvoulos. Although a bit remote from the sea the village
has exceptional view to the Aegean, traditional architecture and calmness.
In the taverns of the village it is offered good food with local dishes; you
will also find a mini market, cafes and a swimming pool bar
n more
about Vourvoulos village...
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Finikia
10 klm far from Fira, at the North west on the public road to Oia and less
than 1 klm from it, it is found Finikia, a small inland traditional village
with 50 permanent residents. The entrance is quite impressive, as the visitor
is faced with a high wall made of dark volcanic stone.
Two churches, that of Aghia Matrona and of Epta Paides, made in the rock, are
worthseeing
more
about Finikia village...
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Oia (or Ia)
Situated 11 klm far from Fira, at the northwest edge of the island, Oia shares
the same landscape as Fira. Built at the rim of a steep cliff, it views
the caldera, the nearby island of Thirasia, but also almost the whole island.
About 500 people live permanently in the village, rather few if compared
with its population by the end of the 19th century. In that period of time
Oia was a prosperous town more
about Oia village...
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Karterados
Small inland village just 2 klm far from Fira, at the South, Karterados
is situated on the public road leading to Messaria. The village has an
interesting architecture and it is surrounded by a mild landscape with
vineyards more
about Karterados village...
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Messaria
Situated almost at the center of the island, this inland village is only
4 klm far from Fira, at the Southeast. Messaria has 1.075 permanent residents
and it is the heart of the Santorini wine. Surrounded by gardens and vineyards,
with its white houses and narrow paths, it is possibly the most beautiful
village of the island more
about Messaria village...
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Vothonas
6 klm far from Fira at the Southeast, it is situated Vothonas, a small scenic
village built in a valley, with small cute houses and few residents.
It is worthseeing the two churches built in caves; the "Panaghia tis Sergeinas"
and the "Panaghia tis Tripas" (meaning "of the hole")
more
about Vothonas village...
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Monolithos
Small village on the coast 9 klm far from Fira at the East and very close
to the airport, Monolithos has 405 residents.
It is a typical cycladic village with narrow streets and white washed houses,
less crowded than Kamari or Perissa. Due to the shallow sandy beach it
is suitable for families with children more
about Monolithos village...
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Pyrgos
An inland village built on the slope of the mountain Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos
is situated 7,5 klm far from Fira, at the southeast and has 730 permanent
residents.
The houses are arranged amphitheatrically surrounding the remains of the Venetian
castle (today known as "kasteli") offering a magnificent view
more
about Pyrgos village...
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Messa Gonia
Village at the interior of the island 8 klm far from Fira at the southeast,
on the way to Kamari. The village suffered from the earthquakes of 1956
and was partly abandonned by its residents who settled to Kamari.
It is a traditional village, surrounded by vineyards, one of the major wine production
center of the island.
more
about Messa Gonia village...
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Exo Gonia
Small traditional village, 12 klm far from Fira at the South-east, with few
permanent residents. The village has kept the way of leaving of the past,
it is quiet and unaffected from big crowds. Narrow streets, beautiful houses,
a flat landscape and a marvellous view, people sitting in the courtyards,
enjoying their company and greeting the people passing by more
about Exo Gonia village...
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Kamari
One of the best organised places in Santorini Kamari is situated 10 klm far
from Fira, at the South east. It is a new village, reconstructed after
the earthquake of 1956 and fully developed in a touristic resort, with
1350 permanent residents.
Apart from the beach, it is worthseeing the ruins of ancient buildings by the
sea
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about Kamari village...
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Megalochori
At a distance of 10 klm far from Fira at the Southwest, it is found Megalochori.
Its name in greek means "big village", but in fact with 460 permanent residents,
the name is not fully justified! However, Megalochori is one of the most
representative villages of Santorini, having kept almost intact its features.
Typical traditional cycladic houses, neoclassic buildings and small houses
dug in the volcanic rock blend together with harmony more
about Megalochori village...
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Emporio
Built at the middle of the big plain of the southern part of Santorini, Emporio
is 12 klm far from Fira at the South and has 1770 permanent residents.
Due to the touristic development the village has been expanded and it tends
to join the nearby resort of Perissa at the east more
about Emporio village...
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Perissa
Due to its impressive long black sandy beach, Perissa is the most well known
summer resort of Santorini. Situated at the southeastern edge of the island,
it is 15 klm far from Fira and has 470 permanent residents. Due to the
touristic development, Perissa has almost been joined with the nearby village
of Emporeio.
It is worthseeing the Byzantine church of Aghia Irini (St. Irene) more
about Perissa village...
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Athinio Port
It is the new port of Santorini, 12 klm far from Fira at the South, almost
at the middle of the caldera coasts. Some cafes and one or two mini markets
are available to serve the passengers arriving by the ships of the line,
but it is not a settlement more
about Athinio port...
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Akrotiri
Situated 15 klm far from Fira, at the southwestern part of the island, this
village of 450 people has been famous thanks to the very important Minoan
settlement brought in light by excavations conducted at the site since
1967, firstly by Sp. Marinatos and after his death by Chr. Doumas, up to
now more
about Akrotiri village...
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Thirassia
A small island opposite Oia; a bit of the once round island that was Santorini
before the explosion of 1500 b.C. Along with Oia, it forms the northern
entrance of the caldera. Its extent is 9 square klm and it has 150 permanent
residents.
The main settlement is Chora (or Manolas), not far from the sea and Korfos on
the beach at the Eastern part; Riva, just opposite to Oia at the North
and Potamos at the west are the rest
more
about Thirassia...
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