Fira

Fira stands on the edge of a 260-meter cliff and it is considered to be the most important town of the island. Being the capital of Santorini, it provides a vast variety of sightseeing and "things to do". Traditional architecture, labyrinth narrow streets, shops, restaurants, bars, night clubs and a breathtaking view are only a few elements that represent this beautiful town. Our proposal is a walk from the bottom of the city towards the Cable Car station and then a visit to the old port.

 Santorini's primary industry is tourism, particularly in the summer months. Santorini was ranked world's top island for 2011 in Travel+Leisure Magazine.[23]Santorini was also named "the world's best island" by the BBC in 2011.

Old port

Old port that is only for cruise ship travelers.

Old port in Fira where the only way up and down to the town is the donkeys, the cable car or to walk although we don't recommend walking.

Cable cars

The Santorini cable car connects the port with the town of Thera in Santorini island in Greece

that the cable car travels up the path and in three minutes time you're comfortably in the beautiful town of Fira, Santorini's capital,which is at the altitude of 220 meters.

You look up and the top starts shrinking, you look down and the old port gets bigger and bigger. On your left, you start losing vision of the town as it bends behind the cliff. On your right, the rocks seem steeper than looking them from the top.

Donkey/ Mule Trail

donkeys and mules in Santorini are part of the native charm of the island and can be loads of fun. the first  question tourist ask us when they arrive at the old harbour, is if they can ride the donkeys up to the Principal Town Fira. Yes they can ride the donkeys up to Fira and the cost is 5 Euros per person. 580 steps stairs

National Airport / Bus Station

Santorini (Thira) National Airport is an airport in Santorini/Thira, Greece (IATA: JTR, ICAO: LGSR), located north of the village of Kamari. The airport serves both as a military and as a civil airport.

Transportation to and from the air terminal is through buses, taxis, hotel car-pickups and rental cars.

Athinios Road

Athinios port that is for ferry and commercial boats Athinios port is located in the area of Pyrgos where there is a car access. Taxi ride down the spectacular zigzag road carved into the cliff face

Fira Main Square

 Plateia Theotokopoulou The narrow paths, lined with all kinds of souvenir shops, jewelry shops, and restaurants linking the upper cable car terminal and the central square, are packed with tourists during the summer seasons.

the narrow paths and lanes just below the Caldera rim you’ll be climbing up and down all the time.

Golden Streets

You can walk the Golden Street, named by the mass of jewellery shops gathered, towards Firostefani - the extension of Fira. You can also enjoy some coffee to one of the many cafes; have breakfast or just enjoy coffee with a heavy dose of caldera view. Do not forget to follow the signs that point towards the Cable Cars and enjoy the course.

Streets

It's not so much a warning, but just a bit of friendly advice. The streets in the main town of Fira are cobbled and rather steep in places, with lots of steps up and down. 

The walk through the narrow streets of Fira is a typical representation of the most common characteristic of the Cycladic islands, the small shops packed one next to the other, the pebbled streets, the traditional houses with the small blue and sun-burned verandas and of course the amazing view which distinguishes Santorini from every other island.

High density, narrow streets, small buildings due to:

• shortage of safe land

• mutual protection from sun & wind

• security

• family growth

• construction economy

• the highly communal spirit of the old societies.

Oia Street

Oia typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades, in many cases built directly into niches which are cave houses used by crew of the ships, on the lip of the volcanic crater, between which are narrow alleys and blue-roofed churches with cupolas.

Sunset Oia

One of the most popular attractions in the town is sunset viewing. It is a special event every evening in Oia from the Sunset Seranade point. At this time the town is crowded with people to watch the spectacle, when the white houses and the caldera catch all the colours of the setting sun for a few seconds–

Architecture

Solid volumes, thick walls, small openings, unifying plaster

fused into neighbourhoods via flexible repetition.

• organic forms, responding to environmental constraints using local resources, imprinting social evolution

• ergonomic scale similar to ships

• material & space minimalismvital for sustainability

• products of necessity rather than choice

Due to sloping topoghraphy , a star like urban structure has been developed : the roof of a house is frequently the veranda of the next one above or perhaps a public streets

Some of the remaining houses in Fira were cave because people discovered after the earthquake that struck the city remains intact thus they make those caves into dwelling or hotel rooms . hese rooms are prized because of the high insulation provided by the air-filled pumice, and are used as living quarters of unique coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter.