Fira is the main town on the Greek island of Santorini, and it is where cruise ship tenders dock and where you’ll find the majority of hotels, nightlife, shopping, and services. Here are some of the best things to do in Fira:
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Escape the crowds in the backstreets: One of the best things to do in Fira is to just choose a direction, follow the path, and see what you find. The town is fairly small, so you can walk from one end to the other in half an hour. But along the way, there’s a maze of alleyways to explore, with hidden chapels, arching doorways, tucked away viewpoints, colorful flowers, and sunbathing cats.
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Photograph Fira’s churches: With so many hotels along the caldera in Fira, if you walk along the path, you’ll see plenty of churches with blue domes and bell towers. Some of the most famous ones are the Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist, the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Church of Panagia.
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Visit museums: Fira has several museums that are worth visiting, such as the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, the Archaeological Museum of Thira, and the Folklore Museum of Santorini.
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Watch the sunset: Fira is known for its spectacular sunsets, and there are several spots where you can watch the sun go down, such as the Caldera Walkway, the Three Bells of Fira, and the Santo Winery.
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Go shopping: Fira has a variety of shops selling everything from souvenirs to designer clothing. Some of the most popular shopping streets are Gold Street, Ypapantis Street, and Mitropoleos Street.
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Enjoy Firas nightlife: Fira has a bustling nightlife, with several bars and clubs to choose from. Some of the best ones are Murphy's, Town Club, The Highlander, and Two Brothers.
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Take a boat trip: Fira is a great starting point for boat trips to the volcano, hot springs, and nearby islands. You can book a tour at one of the many travel agencies in town.
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Walk the path from Fira to Oia: This is a scenic walk that takes you along the caldera from Fira to the picturesque village of Oia. The walk is about 10 km long and takes around 3 hours.
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Catch the cable car: If you don't feel like walking up and down the 587 steps that connect the old port with Fira, you can take the cable car instead. The ride takes about 3 minutes and offers great views of the caldera.
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Eat local food: Fira has many restaurants serving traditional Greek cuisine, such as gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, and fresh seafood. Some of the best ones are Argo, Naoussa, and Pelican Kipos.
