Fira

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.
Santorini's primary industry istourism, particularly in the summer months. Santorini was ranked
world's top island for 2011 inTravel+Leisure Magazine.[23]Santorini was also named "the world's best
island" by the BBC in 2011.
Old port
Old port that is only for cruise ship travelers.
Old port in Fira where the only way up and down to the town is the donkeys,the cable car or to walk
although we don't recommend walking.

Cable cars
TheSantorini cable carconnects the port with the town ofTherainSantorini island inGreece
that the cable car travels up the path and in three minutes time you're comfortably in the beautiful
town of Fira, Santorini's capital,which is at the altitude of 220 meters.
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.

Donkey/ Mule Trail
donkeys and mules in Santorini are part of the native charm of the island and can be loads of fun.
the first question tourist ask us when they arrive at the old harbour, is if they can ride the donkeys up
to the Principal Town Fira. Yes they can ride the donkeys up to Fira and the cost is 5 Euros per
person.
580 steps stairs

National Airport / Bus Station
Santorini (Thira) National Airportis an airport inSantorini/Thira,Greece(IATA:JTR,ICAO:LGSR),
located north of the village ofKamari. The airport serves both as a military and as a civil airport.
Transportation to and from the air terminal is through buses, taxis, hotel car-pickups and rental cars.

Athinios Road

Athinios port that is for ferry and commercial boatsAthinios port is located in the area of Pyrgos
where there is a car access. Taxi ride down the spectacular zigzag road carved into the cliff face

Fira Main Square
Plateia Theotokopoulou The narrow paths, lined with all kinds of souvenir shops, jewelry shops, and
restaurants linking the upper cable car terminal and the central square, are packed with tourists
during the summer seasons.
the narrow paths and lanes just below the Caldera rim youll be climbing up and down all the time.
Golden Streets
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.
Streets
It's not so much a warning, but just a bit of friendly advice. The streets in the main town of Fira are
cobbled and rather steep in places, with lots of steps up and down.
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.

High density, narrow streets, small buildings due to:
shortage of safe land
mutual protection from sun & wind
security
family growth
construction economy
the highly communal spirit of the old societies.

Oia Street
Oia typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades, in many cases built directly into niches which
are cave houses used by crew of the ships, on the lip of the volcanic crater, between which are
narrow alleys and blue-roofed churches with cupolas.



Sunset Oia
One of the most popular attractions in the town is sunset viewing. It is a special event every evening
in Oia from the Sunset Seranade point. At this time the town is crowded with people to watch the
spectacle, when the white houses and the caldera catch all the colours of the setting sun for a few
seconds

Architecture
Solid volumes, thick walls, small openings, unifying plaster
fused into neighbourhoods via flexible repetition.
organic forms, responding to environmental constraints using local resources, imprinting social
evolution
ergonomic scale similar to ships
material & space minimalismvital for sustainability
products of necessity rather than choice
Due to sloping topoghraphy , a star like urban structure has been developed : the roof of a house is
frequently the veranda of the next one above or perhaps a public streets

Some of the remaining houses in Fira were cave because people discovered after the earthquake
that struck the city remains intact thus they make those caves into dwelling or hotel rooms . hese
rooms are prized because of the high insulation provided by the air-filled pumice, and are used as
living quarters of unique coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter.