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Horse riding excursions in south Thira, including the famed black sand beaches.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Ακρωτήρι
At the end of the 1800s, the volcanic earth here was excavated to provide material for the construction of the Suez Canal. There were traces of a prehistoric settlement then, but it wasn’t until 1967 when archeological excavations at the so-called ancient Akrotiri started. Archaeologist Spryridon Marinatos, a professor at the University of Athens, brought to light 3-story buildings and masterpiece-wall paintings. This is the most popular archaeological site in Santorini, and one of the best preserved sites in all of Greece, owed to the same factor that caused its destruction. After the eruption in the 17th century BC, the whole island was covered with volcanic material, destroying a society while protecting remnants of their daily life. The entire site is covered with a giant canopy.
Ruins of an old wind mill.
A small beach with relatively deep clear waters, which makes it an excellent spot for diving and snorkeling. There is a diving school that rents out equipment. You feel like swimming in an aquarium if you go underwater here!
Άγιος Ευστάθιος
Greek Orthodox church with three bell towers.
Ruins of a Venetian castle in the centre of Akrotiri. The Republic of Venice, occupied Thira in 1207, and soon constructed this fortress, along with several other fortifications and watchtowers across the island. Before, the site used to be a Byzantine watchtower. Due to its excellent location, the castle became the best defensible position on Thira. The Ottomans failed to conquer the castle during the Ottoman-Venetian wars and it remained in good condition, but was reduced to rubble by the 1956 earthquake.
Greek Orthodox church built against the cliffs, with a characteristic bell tower with 3 bells.