Thira (Santorini)

3,600 years after the explosion of its volcano, Santorini is not anymore an island, but a small archipelago with two inhabited islands, Thira and Thirassia.

Nobody knows how Santorini looked like before the explosion, or even what was its name, since the names "Strongyle" and "Kalliste" appeared later and remain questionable.

Some 3,600 years ago, the caldeira already existed, as the volcano had exploded several times during the past millennia. The island probably had the shape of a crescent, with a caldeira only open to the southwest, between what are now Cape Akrotiri and Aspronisi islet.

Nowadays, Santorini is a small archipelago with two inhabited islands, Thira and Thirassia. The first is the well-known overcrowded tourist destination. The second, smaller, is much quieter, less touristic.

Santorini is (with Mykonos) the most famous destination in the Cyclades, the one that everyone wishes to see once in a lifetime. If you hate crowds, do not plan a stay during summer!

Smart tip: if you go to Santorini by boat, take a slow ferry (not a highspeed) to enjoy the show from the deck when arriving and departing!