Iconic Blue and White: the Beauty of Firá, Santoríni (Thíra), Greece

Looking over the dome and Three Bells of Fira towards the sea, Santorini, Greece

Worth the Wait!
Everywhere you look in Fira, on Santorini, iconic white-walled and blue-domed Greek Orthodox churches stand against the blue skies and waters of the South Aegean Sea. I had waited a lifetime for this!

It is just breathtakingly beautiful!

I couldn’t believe I had finally made it – made it to Santorini, the southernmost island in the Cyclades.

Santorini is the largest part of a circular archipelago surrounding the Santorini caldera in the South Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece. This was the site of the Minoan eruption about 3,600 years ago, one of the largest volcanic explosions in recorded history. The eruption left a large water-filled caldera surrounded by volcanic-ash deposits hundreds of metres deep.

Some say this is the site of the lost civilisation of Atlantis.

Known for its beauty, Santorini’s primary industry is tourism, particularly in the summer months. It is frequently ranked the world’s top island by tourism magazines and travel sites. An estimated 2 million people visit every year.

I was lucky: I was visiting during the autumn shoulder season, and Covid19 restrictions had not long since ended, so the island was markedly less crowded than it can be.

I was on a small group tour: we had been in Naxos for a few days (see: Life in a Marble Village) and travelled the short distance from Chora, Naxos, to Santorini by fast ferry in the morning. Our accommodation on the island was in Firá.

Santorini’s official and historic name is Thira; this is where the capital town of Fira gets its name. It is only a 20-minute drive from the ferry terminal, but most of that is zig-zagging up the pumice cliffs that make up the 400 metres (1,312 feet) high caldera on the island’s western edge.

Once we dropped our bags, we set off on foot: wandering through the narrow white-walled streets packed with cafés, boutique hotels, and old domed Orthodox churches.

Join me:

Silhouetted passengers in the Naxos ferry terminal, Greece.

Waiting for the Next Island
Our bags are packed, and we hurry up to wait in the Chora ferry port for our fast-ferry to Santorini. (iPhone12Pro)

View over the Órmos Athiniós ferry terminal, Santorini, Greece

Scenes from a Bus : Passengers Piling onto a Santorini Ferry
As our bus winds its way up the steep side of the broken caldera, I get views back over the harbour. (iPhone12Pro)

Mama Thira Tavern
Tourism is Santorini’s primary industry – but even tourist-focussed buildings conform to the traditional Cyclades charm.

Dome on a Hill
There are white walls and blue domes everywhere I look.

The Caldera
Fira is poised on the top of the steep wall of the caldera.

Still Life Found : Boat on the Patio
Santorini is a relatively small island, with an area of approximately 73 square km (28 sq mi); the sea is central to life here.

You Could Be Nowhere Else!
The three bells of the Church of the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary stand against the cloudless autumn sky. (iPhone12Pro)

Churches on the Hilltop
Can you count the churches in this picture?

Arches and Stairs

Life in the Caldera
The island has a hot semi-arid climate; the natural vegetation is be rugged!

Keys to the Island?

Clinging to the Cliff
The buildings looks precarious, and during a recent earthquake swarm in early February 2025, much of the population was evacuated from the island as a precautionary measure. Many of the buildings extend down into the pumice – creating well-insulated spaces that are cool in summer and warm in winter.

Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Candlemas of The Lord
Streets and stairs wind and loop – leading to unexpected views.

Church of St. John the Baptist
Unlike most of the other churches we see, which are Greek Orthodox, this one is Catholic. Neither I nor Google-translate can read the writing on the wall.

Another Bell Tower

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
With every step, we get different views of beautiful old buildings.

In the Narrow Laneways
The streets of Fira are lined with boutiques and cafes.

Fresh Penne and Local Wine
Fabulous food is around every corner – and comes with a view.

Buildings on the Ridge

A White Dome
Unlike many Greek Orthodox churches, the Church of Agios Minas – built between 1537 and 1650 – features an impressive white dome that contrasts with the beautiful blue Aegean Sea it overlooks.