Offering some of the most magnificent views on Santorini, Firostefani is a whitewashed village north of the island’s capital, Thera. Its name translates from Greek as “crown” in reference to the village’s high elevation. In addition to Firostefani’s photogenic churches, several cosy restaurants and boutiques occupy its atmospheric streets.
Stroll through the narrow streets of Firostefani to admire its charming churches, such as the blue-domed Saint Theodoros Thira Holy Orthodox Church. Overlooking Firostefani’s main square is the Church of Saint Gerasimos, which is a popular spot for photographing the sun sinking towards the Aegean Sea.
Located between Firostefani and Imerovigli is the 17th-century Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which is one of the first monasteries to be built on Santorini. Its halls now house folkloric and religious artefacts, including rare Byzantine icons. Nearby are the centuries-old castle ruins of Skaros Rock, which can be accessed via a steep but spectacular trail.
Getting there
Firostefani is around five minutes’ drive or 15 minutes walk from the centre of Thera. Santorini International Airport is 10 minutes’ drive from Firostefani and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Most of Firostefani’s attractions can be accessed on foot.