See Also
- Accommodation options in Santorini
- Top hotels picks on Santorini island
- Top things to do in Santorini
Archaeological Site of Ancient Thera
The Archaeological Site of Ancient Thera is the second most important archaeological location in Santorini after Ancient Akrotiri. It was uncovered during extensive excavations between 1896 and 1902 by the German archeologist Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen. The ruins on the NE and NW slopes were excavated by N. Zapheiropoulos between 1961-1982.
The archaeological site is situated at the top of Mesa Vouno Mountain, on the southwest side of the island in an area called Episkopi Gonia near the town of Kamari. Mesa Vouno, standing 369 meters tall, and the adjacent Mount Profitis that reaches 567 meters, are the highest elevations on the island and present spectacular panoramic perspectives. Trails link Kamari, Perissa, and Pyrgos to Mount Profitis and to Mesa Vouno and Ancient Thera, with the longest route extending 5 kilometers. A 2-kilometer path connects the two mountains as well. All trails guide to a snack stand beneath a small paved road guiding to the entrance of the location. Directions for the trails can be found in all three towns.
Ancient Thera was found in the 9th century BC by Dorian colonists, one of the four primary ethnic groups in Ancient Greece. Thera (modern day Santorini) was named after the Dorian’s leader, Theras, and was inhabited up until the Byzantine time period. The city was in a strategic placement at the mountain`s peak, between the coasts of Kamari to the north and Perissa to the south. The Dorians built two routes, one to Perissa beach and the second to Kamari beach, where they constructed their ports which enabled them to oversee the southeastern Aegean Sea.
The archaeological site has an organized layout with a clearly defined route throughout the area. Open-air sanctuaries, temples, a central plaza for community gatherings, public buildings, private residences arranged into neighborhoods, and a well-constructed network of roads with drainages create the outline of the ancient city. The preserved remains primarily date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods when the city thrived. Thorough descriptions available in both Greek and English are posted throughout the site.
Archaeological Site of Ancient Thera Hours and Information
- Season: Open throughout the year except on Tuesdays.
- Hours: Available daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Final entry at 3pm.
- Website: odysseus.culture.gr
- Telephone: +30 228 608 1939
- Admission Cost: €6. €3 for EU senior citizens (65+) and those under 25 from non-EU countries. A €15 combined ticket per person includes single entry to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, archaeological site of Ancient Thera, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira. Valid for 3 days.
- Free Entry: 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri) • 18 April (International Monuments Day) • 18 May (International Museums Day) • The last weekend of September (European Heritage Days) • National Holidays • 28 October • Every first Sunday from November 1 to March 31
- Top-rated Luxury Hotel: Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort
- Transportation: The nearest bus stop is in Kamari (3.5 km). The location can be accessed by vehicle, taxi, or hiking uphill from the bus stop.
Archaeological Site of Ancient Thera
