Akrotiri
- Not to be confused with the Akrotiri region of Cyprus.
Akrotiri is a village in Santorini. It is on the southwestern side of Santorini and though it offers great view of the caldera and volcano, like Fira and Ia is not that touristically developed. It has become famous, due to the ancient settlement of Aktrotiri, which is located next the modern Akrotiri village
Get in
Start with Santorini#Get in.
From anywhere on Santorini: by taxi or local bus.
Get around
See
- 1 Archeological Site of Akrotiri. 08:00-20:00, 7 days a week during peak season (April–October); 08:00-15:00, Tuesday-Sunday during off-peak season (November–March). It was back in the end 19th century, that the volcanic Theran earth was excavated to provide first material for the construction of the Suez Canal. There have been traces of a prehistoric settlement, but it wasn’t until 1967 when the excavations at the so-called ancient Akrotiri started. The most important excavations, which brought to light multi-level buildings and masterpiece-wall paintings, were conducted by the archaeologist Spryridon Marinatos, a professor at the University of Athens. This is one of the best preserved sites all over Greece, and we owe that to the same factor that caused its destruction. After the eruption of the volcano in the 17 century B.C., the whole island, and Akrotiri as well, has been covered with volcanic material. This material has, however, played a major role in the protection of the ancient settlement and especially its wall paintings.
The archaeological site was closed from 2005-2012, due to a partial collapse of the shelter protecting the site from the elements, but has been regularly open since 2012.
Do
From Akrotiri, you can walk to the Red Beach or get a boat to it, which also makes stops at the White Beach and the Black Beach. It is €5 return but you don't receive any ticket or receipt (nor do they have the means to give you one). However, there is only one boat so they trust if you come back by it, you must have come so you aren't asked to pay again, only when you leave Akrotiri. The only stop with a pier is Akrotiri so if you intend to get off, tell them explicitly or they won't know to stop (though they often ask) and be prepared to get off directly into the sea and walk through the water to get to the beach. They always stop in waters shallow enough to walk in for adults (highest it comes to is the waist) so it is possible to bring bags, but make sure you can lift them above your head.
Eat
Drink
- Mathios Taverna, ☏ +30 2286081910, vmathios@otenet.gr. 7 pm to 10 pm. Home made meals Greek cooking and family wine.
- Pool-Bar Mathios, ☏ +30 2286081152, vmathios@otenet.gr. 10 am to 10:30 pm.. Light meals, salads, cocktails, Greek cooking, and specialties served around two pools. Relax and enjoy. Open daily.
Sleep
- 1 Apanemo Hotel, Akrotiri, ☏ +30 22860 82831, info@apanemo.com. Offers bed and breakfast accommodation. This is an amazing hotel. The rooms are immaculate and nicely decorated with stunning views. There is a 3 level infinity pool that looks out over the caldera view toward Fira.
- Avant Garde Suites, Akrotiri [Caldera], Thira 847 00, ☏ +30 2286028866, reservations@avantgarde-suites.com. Design all suite hotel with private heated jacuzzi offering magnificent views over the Caldera and the Volcano.
- Hotel Village Mathios (9 km from the town center, and 250 meters from Caldera beach and the historical center of town), ☏ +30 2286081152- 81910. Hotel in a quiet location with 55 rooms and suites, 2 pools, taverna, pool-bar, and a travel agency.
- Kalimera Hotel. 21 stylish and cosy hotel rooms, suites and maisonettes.
- Maison Des Lys Hotel. Offers romantic luxury and honeymoon suites with sea view, rooms overlooking the Caldera.
Go next
- Faros, the lighthouse: see Santorini#Faros