Akrotiri

Archaeological site · South Aegean

Akrotiri

Archaeological site · South Aegean

5

Fira 847 00, Greece

Photos

Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by philoursmars (Atlas Obscura User)
Akrotiri by Photo by Candice Walsh
Akrotiri by Norbert Nagel (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Akrotiri by Norbert Nagel (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Akrotiri by Pericles Rosa (Atlas Obscura User)
Akrotiri by Norbert Nagel (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Akrotiri by Leonard G. (Public Domain)
Akrotiri by Jaszmina Szendrey (Atlas Obscura User)
Akrotiri by Dirk Herdemerten (Public Domain)
Akrotiri by Pericles Rosa (Atlas Obscura User)
Akrotiri by voyager16 (Atlas Obscura User)
Akrotiri by Photo by Candice Walsh
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null
Akrotiri by null

Highlights

Discover the captivating Akrotiri Archaeological Site in Santorini, where preserved Bronze Age ruins and intriguing history make for a must-see adventure.  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
Placeholder
Placeholder

Fira 847 00, Greece Get directions

odysseus.culture.gr

Information

Static Map

Fira 847 00, Greece Get directions

+30 2286 081939
odysseus.culture.gr

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@cntraveler

"Known for its white-washed buildings, volcanic beaches, and legendary sunsets. A must-visit for its iconic views and cultural sites."

The Best Time to Visit Greece—and How Long to Stay
View Postcard for Akrotiri
@cntraveler

"A picturesque island in the Cyclades, renowned for its stunning sunsets and unique architecture."

With Wildfires Near Athens, Here's What Travelers to Greece Should Know
View Postcard for Akrotiri
@atlasobscura

"Tucked away at the southern tip of Santorini are the ruins of one of the Bronze age’s most sophisticated settlements, which prospered for centuries before being eradicated by a great volcanic eruption. Like the Roman ruins of Pompeii, the remains of the Minoan town of Akrotiri are remarkably well-preserved. The settlement was all but obliterated in the middle of the second millennium BC, when the volcano it sat upon, Thera, erupted, and its inhabitants fled. The volcanic matter enveloped the entire island of Santorini and the town itself, preserving the buildings and their contents, and visitors can still identify houses and pots.  Unlike Pompeii, no human remains have been found at Akrotiri, and only one gold object was found on the site, suggesting that the Minoans performed an orderly evacuation before the eruption, and they had time to take their valuables before they fled. The Minoan civilization existed on Crete and its surrounding Greek islands, and flourished from approximately 3600 BC to 1400 BC. The eruption of Thera has been credited with its demise; geologists have called it the most destructive natural event in recorded history. The town of Akrotiri was an outpost of Crete which dates back to the third millennium BC and gradually developed into one of the main ports and urban centers of the Aegean.  Akrotiri was incredibly sophisticated for its time. The buildings in the town were multi-storeyed and faced with masonry, and the elaborate drainage system was highly evolved–it is here that we see some of the first instances of indoor lavatories. The town’s elaborate architecture and vivid frescoes indicate a highly cultured settlement. It is perhaps this level of sophistication that has lead scholars and historians to believe that Akrotiri served as Plato’s inspiration for the city of Atlantis. In his dialogues Timaios and Kritias, Plato wrote of an island on which there was “a great and wonderful empire,” which was suddenly destroyed. “There occurred violent earthquakes and floods; and in a single day and night of misfortune all your warlike men in a body sank into the earth,” Plato wrote, “and the island of Atlantis in like manner disappeared in the depths of the sea.” Some scholars have argued that Plato’s description of the sudden obliteration of Atlantis is parallel to the eruption of Thera and the subsequent destruction of Akrotiri. Since “Akrotiri” is a modern name given to the settlement after the nearby town of the same name, there is no way of knowing what the original inhabitants knew their home as–perhaps it was “Atlantis.”" - ATLAS_OBSCURA

History Tour: The Bronze Age World
View Postcard for Akrotiri
@afar

"An Ancient Minoan Town Perfectly Preserved for 3600 Years In the 20th century, an archaeologist by the name of Spyridon Marinatos wanted to prove “the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded world history” was the reason for the Minoan collapse. It didn't take long for him to find Akrotiri. Akrotiri is like a Greek version of Pompeii. For the last couple thousands of years, earthquakes and volcanoes have repeatedly caused havoc in this part of the world. The Minoans always rebuilt. But it was that final volcano -- the one famously responsible for Santorini's dramatic shape -- that destroyed the civilization for good. The site will take you through the various 40-something rooms of Akrotiri. You’ll see the remains of window frames, beds upturned on top of one another as if their owners would be coming back for them, and even the remains of a clay pipe system carrying a constant supply of water to the city. The lava and ash that covered and destroyed the city helped protect it. Scientists have used plaster casts to create replicas of some of the Minoans’ furniture, including intricately detailed tables. Mosaics with ivory pieces were uncovered, and even a gold ibex in a jewelry box. It's best to take a guide tour onsite, otherwise you'll miss many important details."

One Week in Greece
View Postcard for Akrotiri
@afar

"An Ancient Minoan Town Perfectly Preserved for 3600 Years In the 20th century, an archaeologist by the name of Spyridon Marinatos wanted to prove “the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded world history” was the reason for the Minoan collapse. It didn't take long for him to find Akrotiri. Akrotiri is like a Greek version of Pompeii. For the last couple thousands of years, earthquakes and volcanoes have repeatedly caused havoc in this part of the world. The Minoans always rebuilt. But it was that final volcano -- the one famously responsible for Santorini's dramatic shape -- that destroyed the civilization for good. The site will take you through the various 40-something rooms of Akrotiri. You’ll see the remains of window frames, beds upturned on top of one another as if their owners would be coming back for them, and even the remains of a clay pipe system carrying a constant supply of water to the city. The lava and ash that covered and destroyed the city helped protect it. Scientists have used plaster casts to create replicas of some of the Minoans’ furniture, including intricately detailed tables. Mosaics with ivory pieces were uncovered, and even a gold ibex in a jewelry box. It's best to take a guide tour onsite, otherwise you'll miss many important details."

The Best of Santorini, Greece
View Postcard for Akrotiri

Christine M

Google
We were disappointed by Akrotiri, really disappointed. What could have been a really good place to visit was average. €20 each to get in, May 2025. The best bit of our visit; the three dogs sleeping just inside the door.

Eduardo

Google
I really enjoyed visiting this archaeological site. It's very well preserved and the whole area is covered and air-conditioned, so it’s comfortable to visit even during the hottest hours of the day. The entrance fee is €20, but there are some exemptions. If you’re under 25 or over 65, you can enter for free. They go by birth year, not the exact date — so for example, in 2025, anyone born in 2000 or later doesn’t have to pay. That was a nice surprise. You can get your ticket from a machine or at the counter, whichever you prefer. The visit doesn’t include the museum where most of the original artifacts are displayed — that’s a separate place — but walking through the site itself is still very interesting. You get a good idea of how the city was organized and how advanced it was for its time. There’s no free audio guide, so either take time to read the signs (which are helpful), or consider booking a guided tour if you want to get the full picture. I read all the panels and spent about an hour there, and that was enough to enjoy it without rushing. Definitely worth the visit if you’re in Santorini and curious about its ancient past.

Joanne Weldrick

Google
If you like history, this place is really interesting and well laid out. Easy to walk around and wheelchair accessible. Coffee shop and toilets outside. There is a carpark but on a busy day it would fill up quickly. Also a small beach within walking distance with some nice restaurants on it.

James Rowson

Google
Had a great time here, it's a fascinating place and they have done a really good job of it! There were coach tours gong round but that didn't really stop us. My top tip it to actually go around the place twice we saw and appreciated far more on the second time round and we could stop and look at the interesting things!

Debbie McGowan

Google
Extremely interesting ruins from 4k BC. I'd recommend a tour as you find out so much more. We visited via Jet 2 excursions and plenty of time to see everything plus a fresh fruit drink in the cafe.

Chris Coupland

Google
Expensive. The price has gone up a lot in 12 months to £20.00. Over 65 half price discount does not apply to non EU citizens. The combination ticket with the museum where the artifacts found are displayed no longer applies from this year. Car parking of £6.00 is Expensive.

Travis Cotton

Google
This place is so cool. The entrance will fool you however into thinking this is a small excavation. The entire thing is covered to protect it from the elements but the area covered is quite large. If you are on the island I would suggest spending a couple of hours here.

Michael Stone

Google
Amazingly well preserved from 1700BCE with in wall plumbing, multi-level homes, and incredible resurrected items from lava cover. Do not miss!