Fira is a picture-perfect whitewashed Greek town
The capital of the crescent-shaped Greek island of Santorini is small but perfectly formed. By day, Fira is crowded with eager vacationers who descend from docking cruise ships, but as they depart, the town reverts to its sleepy self. If you've ever imagined a picture-perfect Greek town, it's Fira. Whitewashed houses with azure blue roofs tumble down from rocky hilltops towards the Aegean Sea below. If you stay in a Fira vacation rental, the island, first named by Venetian travelers more than 700 years ago, is best explored on the back of a hired scooter.
Fira is a treasure-trove of history
For such a tiny place, Santorini's got a surprisingly large treasure-trove of interesting things to see. Step out of your Fira vacation rental and you won't be far from the Archaeological Museum of Thera which is packed with fascinating finds from the Cyclades. Afterwards, consider a visit to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site which has been actively excavated since the late 60s. One of the landmark sites on the island is the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral which contains a wildly colorful interior. If all else fails, sit back in the pretty village of Oia and watch the famous orange sunset drop behind the sea.
Fira's hot springs and volcanoes
Santorini is one of the most volcanic islands in the Aegean Sea and while there haven't been any major eruptions for more than a millennium, the craters are still very much active and have the occasional explosive burp. If geothermal activity is of interest, you can hop on one of the tours to see the craters or soak in the hot springs. If that's not your thing, scoot over to Kamari Beach, one of the island's most popular spots for catching the sun. Here, you can pull up a lounger to work on your tan or head out on any number of watersport adventures.
Avoid the throngs and visit Fira during spring or fall
The daily cruise dockings bring throngs of tourists during summer months. While the climate can be deliciously hot around this time, your best bet is to book a Fira vacation rental in the shoulder months. If you visit between April and May or September to October, you'll most likely enjoy bright blue skies and warm sunshine. With lower prices, fewer crowds to contend with on the beaches and a climate that's still comfortable enough to sunbathe and eat al fresco, even in the evening, it's an attractive time to visit.
Fira's pretty olive groves and wildflowers
Santorini might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of nature, but dig around a little and there is plenty of flora and fauna to see. Pretty little groves of olive and fig trees dot the island, as do rows of vineyards. While there aren't any wild mammals on the island, if you pull out your binoculars you can spot gulls and rock doves around the cliffs. Like many of the Greek islands, the landscape of Santorini is barren and rocky but if you stay in a Fira vacation rental after the winter rains, the island comes alive with blooming wildflowers.
Transportation to and around Fira
The nearest airport is in Santorini National Airport (JTR), located 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from the city center.