Firá (Greek: Φηρά, pronounced [fi'ra]) is the modern capital of the Greek Aegean island of Santorini (Thera). A traditional settlement, "Firá" derives its name from an alternative pronunciation of "Thíra", the ancient name of the island itself.
Fira is a city of whitewashed houses built on the edge of the 400 metres (1,312 feet) high caldera on the western edge of the semi-circular island of Thera. The two main museums of interest are the Archaeological Museum of Thera, 30 metres (98 feet) east of the cable car entrance, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera at the southeast corner of the White Orthodox Cathedral of Ypapanti ([it]), built on the site of an earlier church destroyed in the 1956 Amorgos earthquake. The town also hosts a number of churches, including the Cathedral of Ypapanti and the Three Bells of Fira.
Beautiful art - oldest we ever saw. Good information on the walls too. Well worth the visit.
Ivan MakarovNov 25, 2017
I loved this museum. It is small, but on the particular day that I went, it was perfect. There is good information about each piece. In particular, I love the paintings on the pottery of the dolphins and birds. The frescos are lovely and well displayed. You can take photos, but no flash. Mine came out really well, so I doubt you need it. Oh, and the gold ibex is definitely a treat! This museum is a must if you're a history junky who's lamenting not being able to go to Akrotiri!
Seetheworldwith DaphDec 21, 2017
You can see many exhibits from prehistoric period. A must if you like the ancient history.
PChristosp PDec 2, 2017
Great art collection for 4000 years old frescos.
Dmitri Sokolov DCJan 29, 2018
Good background on the initial civilisation of the island and its creation, tours really kill the quiet though.
Simon GullifordOct 28, 2017
Outstanding and informative museum....the only gold object found on Santorini is here, that alone is worth the visit.....you will not be disappointed...
Old KakuliApr 23, 2018
Small but nicely done museum with information in English. All the artifacts come from the excavation site's in Old Thera and Akrotiri. In order to have a good idea I advise to first visit the excavation site of Akrotiri and afterwards visit the museum of prehistory in Fira. ! Buy a combi thicket and save €€€.
Pascal FastenakelsApr 29, 2018
An open museum..the guide explains it very well..do check the vineries..
tushita sarkarApr 22, 2018
The church is a bit small. Located at close to Fira town centre.
Jeffrey TanApr 10, 2018
It was VERY archaeological and filled with history! Now, it is very dusty and hot so if you don't mind the heat, getting your feet dusty and a lot of walking this site is for you! I feel more apart of the Greek culture after visiting the site!
Ang DMay 21, 2018
Ok, I didn't go in...BUT, I made one trip during our stay into this overrun smelly tourist town and there was NOWHERE to park. Almost got smashed by one of the crazy motor scooter drivers illegally flying down the middle of the road. Bag it!. Then we tried again on Tuesday because the web site states it is closed on Monday. NOWHERE to park (what do people see in this place?). We parked outside of town and hoofed it in. It was CLOSED, on Tuesday! Officially the sign outside says closed on Tuesday. Don't rely on the internet. We never got to see it...now we never will.
Brian LightMay 22, 2018
A small, but good collection of excavated ancient pottery and wall paintings from the ancient site of Akrotiri. Many of these dates back to between the 3rd millennium BC and 17th century BC. The quality of the pottery and the designs are amazing!! The famous young fisherman wall painting recovered from the site of the West House in ancient Akrotiri has been reconstructed and preserved in this museum and is worth looking at.
Girish K NanappaMay 19, 2018
This place has some bad reviews. Not sure why. Wonderful artifacts from Akrotiri here including fab frescoes. The pottery and objects of daily life were remarkable. The lives of inhabitants who apparently thought they’d be coming back after the event.
John BridgesJun 30, 2018
Really good museum with good collection of pre-hiatoric artefacts. Has only 1hour to visit and definetly I would stay more 2 hours if I had time. Very interesting.
Gali IltchevskaJun 4, 2018
The content in the museum is quite interesting. I am giving one star because the tickets description is misleading. You pay 14 euro for "all" museums for four days ticket but then you cannot enter all museums. A lot of museums are private and not included. Before buying ask for the list of the museums the ticket is valid for and ask which ones are closed. I ended up paying 28 euros for two people and could visit only this museum in the city. The other museum we could enter was closed for maintenance. You need the car if you want to visit other museums outside the city because they are far away.
Goran JosicJul 19, 2018
The display is fine. But the 4-day ticket is nonsense. Because not ALL museums are included. A lot of are closed and private museums not included. And you usually need to drive far to reach another museum.
Jingjing LinJul 23, 2018
Perfect small museum to accompany your visit to the Akrotiri site. Great explanations of the dig plus pottery, painting, furniture, and bronze work found on the site that was made on Santorini or imported. The fact that the artifacts are all from 1700 BCE (thus 3700 years old at least) is quite impressive.
Michael FinocchiaroAug 12, 2018
Beautiful art - oldest we ever saw. Good information on the walls too. Well worth the visit.
Ivan MakarovNov 25, 2017
I loved this museum. It is small, but on the particular day that I went, it was perfect. There is good information about each piece. In particular, I love the paintings on the pottery of the dolphins and birds. The frescos are lovely and well displayed. You can take photos, but no flash. Mine came out really well, so I doubt you need it. Oh, and the gold ibex is definitely a treat! This museum is a must if you're a history junky who's lamenting not being able to go to Akrotiri!
Seetheworldwith DaphDec 21, 2017
You can see many exhibits from prehistoric period. A must if you like the ancient history.
PChristosp PDec 2, 2017
Great art collection for 4000 years old frescos.
Dmitri Sokolov DCJan 29, 2018
Good background on the initial civilisation of the island and its creation, tours really kill the quiet though.
Simon GullifordOct 28, 2017
Outstanding and informative museum....the only gold object found on Santorini is here, that alone is worth the visit.....you will not be disappointed...
Old KakuliApr 23, 2018
Small but nicely done museum with information in English. All the artifacts come from the excavation site's in Old Thera and Akrotiri. In order to have a good idea I advise to first visit the excavation site of Akrotiri and afterwards visit the museum of prehistory in Fira. ! Buy a combi thicket and save €€€.
Pascal FastenakelsApr 29, 2018
An open museum..the guide explains it very well..do check the vineries..
tushita sarkarApr 22, 2018
The church is a bit small. Located at close to Fira town centre.
Jeffrey TanApr 10, 2018
It was VERY archaeological and filled with history! Now, it is very dusty and hot so if you don't mind the heat, getting your feet dusty and a lot of walking this site is for you! I feel more apart of the Greek culture after visiting the site!
Ang DMay 21, 2018
Ok, I didn't go in...BUT, I made one trip during our stay into this overrun smelly tourist town and there was NOWHERE to park. Almost got smashed by one of the crazy motor scooter drivers illegally flying down the middle of the road. Bag it!. Then we tried again on Tuesday because the web site states it is closed on Monday. NOWHERE to park (what do people see in this place?). We parked outside of town and hoofed it in. It was CLOSED, on Tuesday! Officially the sign outside says closed on Tuesday. Don't rely on the internet. We never got to see it...now we never will.
Brian LightMay 22, 2018
A small, but good collection of excavated ancient pottery and wall paintings from the ancient site of Akrotiri. Many of these dates back to between the 3rd millennium BC and 17th century BC. The quality of the pottery and the designs are amazing!! The famous young fisherman wall painting recovered from the site of the West House in ancient Akrotiri has been reconstructed and preserved in this museum and is worth looking at.
Girish K NanappaMay 19, 2018
This place has some bad reviews. Not sure why. Wonderful artifacts from Akrotiri here including fab frescoes. The pottery and objects of daily life were remarkable. The lives of inhabitants who apparently thought they’d be coming back after the event.
John BridgesJun 30, 2018
Really good museum with good collection of pre-hiatoric artefacts. Has only 1hour to visit and definetly I would stay more 2 hours if I had time. Very interesting.
Gali IltchevskaJun 4, 2018
The content in the museum is quite interesting. I am giving one star because the tickets description is misleading. You pay 14 euro for "all" museums for four days ticket but then you cannot enter all museums. A lot of museums are private and not included. Before buying ask for the list of the museums the ticket is valid for and ask which ones are closed. I ended up paying 28 euros for two people and could visit only this museum in the city. The other museum we could enter was closed for maintenance. You need the car if you want to visit other museums outside the city because they are far away.
Goran JosicJul 19, 2018
The display is fine. But the 4-day ticket is nonsense. Because not ALL museums are included. A lot of are closed and private museums not included. And you usually need to drive far to reach another museum.
Jingjing LinJul 23, 2018
Perfect small museum to accompany your visit to the Akrotiri site. Great explanations of the dig plus pottery, painting, furniture, and bronze work found on the site that was made on Santorini or imported. The fact that the artifacts are all from 1700 BCE (thus 3700 years old at least) is quite impressive.
Michael FinocchiaroAug 12, 2018
Beautiful art - oldest we ever saw. Good information on the walls too. Well worth the visit.
Ivan MakarovNov 25, 2017
I loved this museum. It is small, but on the particular day that I went, it was perfect. There is good information about each piece. In particular, I love the paintings on the pottery of the dolphins and birds. The frescos are lovely and well displayed. You can take photos, but no flash. Mine came out really well, so I doubt you need it. Oh, and the gold ibex is definitely a treat! This museum is a must if you're a history junky who's lamenting not being able to go to Akrotiri!
Seetheworldwith DaphDec 21, 2017
You can see many exhibits from prehistoric period. A must if you like the ancient history.
PChristosp PDec 2, 2017
Great art collection for 4000 years old frescos.
Dmitri Sokolov DCJan 29, 2018
Good background on the initial civilisation of the island and its creation, tours really kill the quiet though.
Simon GullifordOct 28, 2017
Outstanding and informative museum....the only gold object found on Santorini is here, that alone is worth the visit.....you will not be disappointed...
Old KakuliApr 23, 2018
Small but nicely done museum with information in English. All the artifacts come from the excavation site's in Old Thera and Akrotiri. In order to have a good idea I advise to first visit the excavation site of Akrotiri and afterwards visit the museum of prehistory in Fira. ! Buy a combi thicket and save €€€.
Pascal FastenakelsApr 29, 2018
An open museum..the guide explains it very well..do check the vineries..
tushita sarkarApr 22, 2018
The church is a bit small. Located at close to Fira town centre.
Jeffrey TanApr 10, 2018
It was VERY archaeological and filled with history! Now, it is very dusty and hot so if you don't mind the heat, getting your feet dusty and a lot of walking this site is for you! I feel more apart of the Greek culture after visiting the site!
Ang DMay 21, 2018
Ok, I didn't go in...BUT, I made one trip during our stay into this overrun smelly tourist town and there was NOWHERE to park. Almost got smashed by one of the crazy motor scooter drivers illegally flying down the middle of the road. Bag it!. Then we tried again on Tuesday because the web site states it is closed on Monday. NOWHERE to park (what do people see in this place?). We parked outside of town and hoofed it in. It was CLOSED, on Tuesday! Officially the sign outside says closed on Tuesday. Don't rely on the internet. We never got to see it...now we never will.
Brian LightMay 22, 2018
A small, but good collection of excavated ancient pottery and wall paintings from the ancient site of Akrotiri. Many of these dates back to between the 3rd millennium BC and 17th century BC. The quality of the pottery and the designs are amazing!! The famous young fisherman wall painting recovered from the site of the West House in ancient Akrotiri has been reconstructed and preserved in this museum and is worth looking at.
Girish K NanappaMay 19, 2018
This place has some bad reviews. Not sure why. Wonderful artifacts from Akrotiri here including fab frescoes. The pottery and objects of daily life were remarkable. The lives of inhabitants who apparently thought they’d be coming back after the event.
John BridgesJun 30, 2018
Really good museum with good collection of pre-hiatoric artefacts. Has only 1hour to visit and definetly I would stay more 2 hours if I had time. Very interesting.
Gali IltchevskaJun 4, 2018
The content in the museum is quite interesting. I am giving one star because the tickets description is misleading. You pay 14 euro for "all" museums for four days ticket but then you cannot enter all museums. A lot of museums are private and not included. Before buying ask for the list of the museums the ticket is valid for and ask which ones are closed. I ended up paying 28 euros for two people and could visit only this museum in the city. The other museum we could enter was closed for maintenance. You need the car if you want to visit other museums outside the city because they are far away.
Goran JosicJul 19, 2018
The display is fine. But the 4-day ticket is nonsense. Because not ALL museums are included. A lot of are closed and private museums not included. And you usually need to drive far to reach another museum.
Jingjing LinJul 23, 2018
Perfect small museum to accompany your visit to the Akrotiri site. Great explanations of the dig plus pottery, painting, furniture, and bronze work found on the site that was made on Santorini or imported. The fact that the artifacts are all from 1700 BCE (thus 3700 years old at least) is quite impressive.
Michael FinocchiaroAug 12, 2018
Monday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Tuesday | Closed |
Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Thursday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Friday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Saturday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Sunday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
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