Fira is the capital and largest town of Santorini, in the South Aegean region of Greece. It sits on the rim of the island's caldera, the great flooded crater that gives Santorini its dramatic shape, and it is also known by the spellings Thira and Phira.
The town is the main commercial and tourist centre of the island, so it is where most visitors begin or end their stay. Its position on the cliff edge gives it wide views over the Aegean Sea, and many people come simply to walk the paths along the rim and watch the light change over the water.
What a visit offers
- Caldera views: the town's clifftop setting makes it an easy place to look out over the sea from many angles.
- Shops and services: as the island's commercial centre, Fira has the widest range of shops, cafes and tour services on Santorini.
- Walking: the streets and paths along the rim are best explored on foot, at a slow pace.
- A base for the island: from Fira it is straightforward to plan trips to other parts of Santorini.
Planning your time
Fira is busy, especially in the middle of the day when day-trip visitors arrive, so many travellers prefer to walk the rim early or later in the day. Wear comfortable shoes, since the paths can be steep and uneven. If you are deciding whether to go, Fira suits visitors who want views, lively streets and easy access to the rest of the island, rather than quiet, undisturbed surroundings.
