Walking in Fira
A walk to treasure in your heart

Fira stands on the edge of a 260-meter cliff and it is considered to be the most important town of the island. Being the capital of Santorini, it provides a vast variety of sightseeing and "things to do". Traditional architecture, labyrinth narrow streets, shops, restaurants, bars, night clubs and a breathtaking view are only a few elements that represent this beautiful town. Our proposal is a walk from the bottom of the city towards the Cable Car station and then a visit to the old port.

Note: Click on each small image on this page for larger view

Fira - Cable Cars - Old Port

General Information & Tips Distance (by foot): 0.71 klm (0.39 miles) Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the stops and the traffic at the cable cars.

Your tour can start from the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral; a jewellery of Orthodox Christianity with an evocative presence over the caldera. The white dome can be seen from a distance from many parts of the island. Visit the inside and feel free to take photos of the beautifully decorated walls and ceiling.

The walk through the narrow streets of Fira is a typical representation of the most common characteristic of the Cycladic islands, the small shops packed one next to the other, the pebbled streets, the traditional houses with the small blue and sun-burned verandas and of course the amazing view which distinguishes Santorini from every other island.

You can walk the Golden Street, named by the mass of jewellery shops gathered, towards Firostefani - the extension of Fira. You can also enjoy some coffee to one of the many cafes; have breakfast or just enjoy coffee with a heavy dose of caldera view. Do not forget to follow the signs that point towards the Cable Cars and enjoy the course.

After a 10-minute walk, you will find the entrance to the Cable Car Station. Buy your ticket and enter the station's cable car parking area. The cars fit 4 people but are comfortable enough. The course is rather short (3 minutes long) but funny since you are viewing Fira's cliff from a unique angle. You look up and the top starts shrinking, you look down and the old port gets bigger and bigger. On your left, you start losing vision of the town as it bends behind the cliff. On your right, the rocks seem steeper than looking them from the top.

As you get off your wagon, you will notice the impressive red wheel that rolls the cables. You have reached Santorini's old port. The old port of Santorini originally could only be reached by the long winding set of steps down from Fira. The locals used mules to go down and carry merchandise and products up and down. Today the mules are mostly used in order to keep the tradition alive and provide the tourists an alternative way up/down, from the old port to Fira or the opposite. You can find them at the old port.

The old port looks rather quiet but it is actually very busy. When the gigantic cruise ships anchor between Palea Kameni (volcano) and Fira the passengers are moved with boats (kaiques) from the ship to the port and then up to Fira. Moreover, a lot of boats depart daily for tours to the volcano, Nea and Palea kameni, Thirasia and Oia for the sunset. In addition, you can spot lots of fishing boats. You can also find restaurants, cafeterias and bars. A very interesting theme for photos are the cave houses built inside the rocky foot of Ormos.

On your way back you might notice a marble sign out side the entrance wall to the cable cars. the sign briefly narrates the story of the cable cars. "Loula & Evangelos Nomikos Foundation" was established in 1979 by the ship owner Evangelos Nomikos, the man who has contributed the Cable Cars and much more to the island's economic development. His love for the island led him to offer one of the most developed works of the Cycladic province. Focused on the transportation problem of the locals and the numerous of tourists who visit Santorini every year, Evangelos Nomikos gave a solution necessary for further development of the island.