19 Best Things to Do in Fira, Santorini

Fira is the buzzing heart of Santorini, and chances are, you’ll end up here at some point during your trip. Perched on the edge of the caldera with those famous white buildings and postcard views, this town is packed with energy, especially in the summer.

It’s one of the best places to stay in Santorini, with tons of restaurants, shops, nightlife, and easy access to other parts of the island. And even if you’re staying elsewhere, there are plenty of fun things to do in Fira to justify spending at least a few hours exploring.

From cliffside walks and photo spots to museums, cafes, and epic sunset views, I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Fira so you can make the most of your time in this iconic Santorini town.

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Best Things to Do in Fira You Can’t Miss

1. Visit the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral

The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is not your typical tiny, blue-domed church that has become associated with Santorini, but it’s just as picturesque.

With a white-washed exterior and location along the caldera, this church has been a busy Fira attraction for some time now.

Though the building itself dates back to the early 1800s, it was almost completely destroyed during an earthquake in the 1950s. Having been restored over 50 years ago, the cathedral looks as perfect as ever today.

As a traditional Orthodox church, you can expect to find colorful mosaics and detailed frescos when you head inside.

If you’re coming from another village on the island, you can catch a bus to Santorini’s central station. From here, the church is just a three-minute walk.

2. Check out the Prehistoric Thera Museum

Long before Santorini became a beloved vacation spot, it was home to a prosperous ancient civilization, which you can discover at the Prehistoric Thera Museum.

Tons of artifacts from over 3,000 years old are on display here, telling the tale of how island inhabitants, formerly called Thera, lived their lives until a devastating volcanic eruption reshaped the land that is modern-day Santorini.

You don’t need to be a history fan to enjoy this museum, as it’s remarkable to learn about how ahead of their time the Ancient Greeks were.

The permanent displays here feature the likes of pottery, utensils, and jewelry, while there are also some revolving exhibitions for you to explore.

3. Take a picture of the iconic Three Bells of Fira

With so many stunning picture spots in Fira, you won’t be able to put your camera away. One of the best Instagram spots in Santorini is the famous Three Bells of Fira.

This is the place to come to snap some amazing pictures of a typical Santorini church, complete with three bells, a blue dome, and breathtaking views. 

It won’t come as a surprise to hear that this Catholic church gets pretty packed, especially during the afternoon in the summertime. If you want to avoid the crowds, come in the morning, but the lights are better in the afternoon!

The walk up can be quite steep in parts, so an early start with plenty of water will help you to beat hiking in the heat, too.

4. Head down to the Old Port

If you’re visiting Santorini on a cruise, this is where you’ll arrive, but even if you’re staying in Fira, it’s still worth making your way down to the Old Port.

The walk down is a long set of steps with great views over the caldera along the way. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll find a few cafes and spots to sit by the water – plus, it’s just a fun place to take in the scenery from sea level!

Walking down is the easy part, but heading back up is a steep climb. Thankfully, there’s a cable car that connects the port with Fira.

It can get extremely crowded when cruise ships are in, so it’s best to go on a day with no ships scheduled (very rare in Santorini) or aim for the afternoon, when most cruise passengers are heading down instead of up.

5. Hike the Fira-Oia trail

If you only complete one hike during your time in Fira (which is highly likely when you’re faced with Greece’s sweltering summer temperatures!), make it this one.

Often considered Santorini’s most beautiful walk, you’ll walk along the caldera and pass by several traditional towns on the way. On top of this, you’ll be treated to amazing viewpoints at every turn.

The trail has some hilly parts, but it’s a relatively easy hike that’ll take you around three hours, depending on how many stops you make. At 10 km (6 miles) one way, you’ll probably want to take the bus back to Fira after you’ve spent some time in Oia.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many shaded patches during this hike, so the earlier you set off, the better.

6. Join a food tour

As amazing as the scenery is in Fira, there’s no denying that Greek food is an essential part of what makes Santorini so incredible! This walking food tour combines the two, making for the ultimate Greek vacation activity.

You’ll start your foodie adventure in the neighboring village of Firostefani. From here, you can walk and eat your way to Fira, stopping for photos between visits to local markets and taverns.

During this four-hour tour, you have the chance to try Greek coffee, local beer, a range of mezes, as well as favorites like souvlaki and loukoumades. Of course, the finest olive oils and locally sourced honey will be on the menu, too!

7. Watch the sunset

Nothing says Santorini quite like watching the sunset over the white-washed villages, which is rightfully on everyone’s list of things to do in Fira.

Oia tends to get all the glory as the island’s place to be at dusk, but Fira has some fantastic, less-crowded viewpoints to its name.

If you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to resist heading to Oia for at least one sunset, but don’t skip out on an evening perched along the walls of Fira. You won’t have the place to yourself, but you’ll have a little more space than you would in Oia.

8. Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar

Whether you arrive before or after sunset, Fira’s rooftop bars are where you want to be when the evenings roll in. Pretty bars are dotted all around Fira, but I’ve put together some of my top picks.

• Iriana Cafe: Open every evening until midnight, Iriana is a stylish lounge where you can sit out on the patio and watch the world go by with classic cocktails like margaritas, cosmos, and mojitos. It’s best to book ahead if you’re visiting around sunset, as the view from Iriana’s attracts heaps of people every night.
• Franco’s Restaurant & Bar: A sunset spot that I kept going back to, the ambiance at Franco’s is wonderful. With perfectly crafted cocktails, classical music, and a gorgeous setting, this bar will tick all of your boxes.
• Enigma Cafe Santorini: Comfy seating, sharing platters, and refreshing cocktails have made Enigma Cafe Santorini an ideal place to escape the scorching sun during the day or for casual evening drinks.

9. Dine at a cliffside restaurant

For a meal you’ll never forget, you have to spend a night dining at a restaurant sitting on the cliffs of Fira.

La Colline is a favorite of mine. From the food and drinks to the views, everything down to the service at this spot is impeccable.

Seafood lovers will be in for a treat here, but La Colline has plenty of options if fish isn’t your thing, with steaks, lamb, and fresh salads on the menu. Plus, you absolutely have to try their volcano dessert!

You don’t have to celebrate a special occasion to dine here, though it makes for a pretty stunning spot for the likes of romantic anniversaries and birthday dinners.

10. Explore the Santorini volcano by boat

Hop on board a boat tour to get an insight into how Santorini and the surrounding islands formed as a result of volcanic activity thousands of years ago.

You’ll move between a couple of super-cool spots during this excursion, where you can climb the rim of an active volcano, take a dip in hot springs, and wander around quaint Greek villages.

Your guide will fill you in on each stop along the way before giving you some free time to explore the area as you please. 

For the ultimate Santorini experience, you can add a drop-off at Oia to your trip, where you’ll reach the famous town right in time for sunset.

11. Start the day with a delicious brunch 

Slow mornings on vacation call for a mid-morning brunch! Fira has some brilliant spots for a bite to each when you don’t fancy an early start. Here are some of my favorites:

• Diverso: This place is always buzzing, yet the service is super quick and efficient. Those with a sweet tooth will be drawn to the chocolate-topped waffles and stack of fluffy pancakes, while the club sandwiches and omelets will do the trick if you prefer something savory.
• Magma City Cafe: A Fira hotspot for brunch, Magma City Cafe has plenty of options to fill you up before a day of exploring Santorini. The pancakes and coffee here are a little taste of heaven, and you can even play board games while waiting for your food.

12. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Thera

A small cultural center that packs a big punch, the Archaeological Museum of Thera details the history of Santorini, and it highlights the events that shaped the island into what it is today.

Most of the artifacts displayed here are from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Archaic periods and consist of vases, statues, and artwork, many of which have fascinating inscriptions that give details about life in Santorini thousands of years ago.

13. Watch a movie at the Volkan Cinema

Watching a movie from an outdoor bar in Santorini? It’s hard to imagine a chilled night out that can top this!

At the Volkan on the Rocks Cinema, you can admire the caldera from a unique perspective while kicking back with a movie on the outdoor patio. Films like Mamma Mia and My Big Fat Greek Wedding are played here every night at 9 pm, so book your ticket in advance or get here early to grab a seat. 

Of course, you’re able to order some Greek mezes and tasty drinks to your table during the film!

14. Head out on a luxury catamaran cruise 

A day out at sea is the perfect addition to your holiday to-do list, and this catamaran cruise is the best in the business.

When you’re not sunning yourself from the lounge area on the boat, you’ll have a chance to do some snorkeling, visit the majestic Red Beach, and sail to the secluded White Beach. 

Not only are the stops along the way to die for, but the boat journey itself is so much fun, with plenty of wine and good tunes throughout the trip.

In the afternoon, the crew prepares a top-notch BBQ to keep you feeling full and soak up all that wine! The boat pulls up just in time to witness the sun setting from Oia.

15. Wander around MATI Art Gallery

When you want to get your arts and culture fix, head to the MATI Art Gallery, which happens to be among the best indoor things to do in Fira.

Showcasing the work of Yorgos Kypris, this gallery is filled with contemporary and thought-provoking sculptures and handmade pieces, many of which are inspired by the vibrant Aegean Sea.

Everything in this gallery is a feast for the eyes, and you can even purchase some jewelry and trinkets to take home with you as a keepsake.

16. Explore the Folklore Museum of Santorini

Get a taste of some of Santorini’s modern history at one of the top Fira attractions, the Folklore Museum.

Set in a 19th-century cave house, this museum was once a winery and workshop for craftsmen. Today, you can browse through old-school libraries, chapels, and courtyards as part of a guided tour and learn about the daily lives of the family that previously lived here.

Situated in Kontohori on the outskirts of Fira, this spot is just a 10-minute stroll from the central bus station. 

17. Go on a Greek wine-tasting experience 

Any wine lovers out there need to make some room in their schedule for this incredible wine-tasting tour. 

You’ll spend an afternoon hopping between three wineries, where you can wander through the vineyards and learn about the steps involved in producing some of Greece’s organic wines. 

Over the course of the afternoon, you’ll sample 12 wines as your guide shows you the ropes of tasting techniques. In case you get hungry, you’ll have snacks like cheese and olives to munch on between glasses.

18. Explore the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

Wander through Fira’s Catholic neighborhood, and you’re sure to come across one of the main things to see in Fira, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

In contrast to the classic white churches that are often the first thing many of us picture when we think of Santorini, this cathedral is bright peach in color, much larger than many of its counterparts, and has a soaring clock tower. Make sure you pop inside to see the blue dome.

Within walking distance of the center of Fira, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is very easy to visit.

19. Attend the Greek Wedding Show

For a night you’ll never forget, put on your dancing shoes and smash some plates at a Greek Wedding Show.

Depicting life in Greece in the 1940s, the cast will give you an insight into Greek culture through traditional dance, lively music, and food. 

After you stroll through a quintessential Greek home, you’ll head to the patio and enjoy wine and mezes while the performers put on an interactive show.

Though the dialogue is in English, each music number is performed in Greek, making the show feel more authentic.

As the show goes on, you’ll be invited to get involved and show off your dance moves, but you’re also able to sit back and enjoy the performance from the comfort of your seat if you prefer!