Fira is the capital city of Santorini since the early years of the 19th century, when the capital of the island was moved from Pyrgos to Fira. It was built on the edge of the Caldera rim, 260 meters over the sea level, enjoying stunning views of the sunken volcano and the opposite islands (Thirassia, Nea and Palea Kameni).
Most of visitors arriving with cruiseships prefer to enjoy the view of the Caldera coming up the 525 steps from the old port of Santorini on foot, riding donkeys or by cable car.
Nowadays Fira is the most importan cultural and trade centre of Santorini with many shops, jewelries, restaurants and tavernas, bars, cafes and nighclubs, hotels and studios. The village is very pictoresque with whitewashed houses and narrow streets, blue domed churches, narrow stone stairways and imposing venetian manors dating back to the 19th century.
From a cultural point of view Fira boasts an important archaeological museum preserving many remains of the Akrotiri Minoan city, the Prehistoric museum and the Megaron Gyzi museums with photos of the capital before and after the terribel Santorini earthquake 1956, that destroyed the most part of the island. In the town center there are lots of churches and monasteries, the Orthodox Cathedral and a Catholic church.
Fira (also know as Thira) is definitely the most lively and populated town of the island and especially in August the narrow alleys of the center and the small clubs are pac. Nevertheless this crowding doesn't keep visitors from admiring the Caldera quietness from one of the relaxing terraces and balconies on the cliff's edge.
Fira is about 5km from Santorini International Airport and 8km from the main port (Athinios Port).
Firostefani is a small village that has been recently merged with the capital and it's located only 1km north of Fira. Firostefani is famous for the stunning view of the Caldera at sunset and for its restaurants and tavernas.
Being these towns very popular, most visitors prefer to find accommodation in Santorini city center or in the surrounding villages.
Hotel, Studios and Apartments in Fira, Santorini:
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Firostefani (600 m north of Fira)
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Distances from Fira to Santorini beaches:
Beaches on the north and north-east coast: 12km
(Ammoudi bay, Baxedes beach, Paradisos beach, Koloumbo beach, Pori beach)
Spiagge sulla costa sud e sud-ovest: 13km
(Red Beach, White Beach, Kambia beach, Mesa Pigadia beach)
Perissa and Perivolos beaches: 12km
Vlychada beach: 12km
Kamari beach: 9km
Monolithos beach: 6km
