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Santorini Museums

GreeceSantorini › Museums & Historical Sites
Updated: June 18, 2024
By Santorini Dave

See Also

Best museum in Fira, Santorini.

The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.

The Best Santorini History & Culture Tours

  • Best of Santorini Private Tour: Awesome private tour that covers all the highlights of Santorini. 6 hours.
  • Private Guided Tour of Akrotiri: Excellent guided tour of a well-preserved ancient Minoan settlement, one of the most important excavations in Greece. 90 minutes.
  • Mesa Gonia, Pyrgos, & Oia Tour: Explore the traditional architecture, churches, and fortresses (and amazing views) of three historic Santorini towns. 7 hours.
  • Archaeological Bus Tour: First explore an ancient monastery, a traditional Santorinian village, and the excavations at Ancient Akrotiri; then relax at the beach and visit a local winery. 7 hours.
  • Santorini Volcano and Thirassia Islands Tour – Visit the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, swim in the Palea Kameni, and explore the traditional village of Manolas on the island of Thirassia. 8 hours.

The 16 Best Museums, Galleries, Archaeological, & Cultural Sites in Santorini

Map of Santorini Museums and Cultural Sites.

1. Archaeological Site of Akrotiri – Akrotiri

Akrotiri Archaeological Site in Santorini
Well-preserved ruins of the ancient city of Akrotiri which was destroyed by a massive earthquake and buried under ash from the subsequent volcano in 17th-century BC. The site is enclosed, with elevated and accessible walkways throughout. Open year-round from 8am onward. Shorter hours and closed Mondays November-March.

  • Guided Akrotiri tours: Privategroup
  • 2. Museum of Prehistoric Thera – Fira

    Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira
    Great museum in the heart of Fira with displays featuring art, artifacts, and jewelry from the ancient villages of Akrotiri in Santorini and Potamos in Crete. Open April to October, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

    3. Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum – Vothonas

    Koutsoyannopoulos Winery and Museum in Vothonas
    Koutsoyannopoulos is a nice winery producing several types of wines and also features an underground museum highlighting the island’s wine-making tradition. Tours and tastings are offered. Open year-round, with shorter hours in the winter.

  • Advance tickets for tasting and entry with audioguide.
  • 4. Ancient Thera – Kamari

    Archaeological Site of Ancient Thera
    Located on Mesa Vouno, this archaeological site of the ancient city of Thera is the second-most important site in Santorini after Akrotiri. The site is well-organized and the views are magnificent. Open year-round 8:30am to 3:30pm, closed on Tuesdays.

    5. Symposion Santorini – Megalochori

    Symposion cultural center in Megalorchori
    Symposion is a superb cultural center focused on Greek mythology, music, and ancient instruments. There are regular live performances, presentations, and workshops. Open March to October. Hours vary, closed Mondays.

    6. Naval Maritime Museum – Oia

    Naval Maritime Museum in Oia, Santorini
    Museum displaying the fascinating and extensive personal collection of maritime objects of Captain Antonis Dakoronias in a restored captain’s mansion in Oia. Open April to October, 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm. Closed Tuesdays.

    7. Art Space Winery – Exo Gonia

    Art Space Winery in Exo Gonia
    Art Space features 150-year-old caves with an old winery turned into a museum, a modern winery producing mostly whites, a tasting room, and an art gallery. Open April-October, 11am to 7pm. November-March by appointment only.

    8. Earth & Water Pottery Studio – Megalochori

    Earth & Water Pottery Studio in Megalochori
    Clay and ceramics studio selling beautiful handmade items by award-winning ceramicist couple in Megalochori. Pottery lessons and workshops as well. Open through the year, until 6pm daily.

    9. Mati Art Gallery – Fira

    Mati Art Gallery in Fira, Santorini
    Showcases and sells the magnificent art work of world-renowned visual artist Yorgos Kypris, especially his fish and ship series. Located in the heart of Fira. Open April to October 10am to 11pm.

    10. Profitis Ilias Monastery – Pyrgos

    Profitis Ilias Monastery in Pyrgos, Santorini
    One of Santorini’s oldest Greek Orthodox monasteries located on top of Mount Profitis Ilias with a 300-year-old church, gift shop selling traditional items made by the monks, and the best views of the island. Open year-round, 9am to sunset. Closed Sundays.

    11. Canava Santorini Distillery and Museum – Mesaria

    Canava Santorini Ouzo & Tsikoudia Distillery in Mesaria, Santorini
    Distillery specializing in ouzo, tsikoudia, and flavored liqueurs. The adjoining museum offers guided tours of the traditional distillation process as well as tastings. Open year-round, 10am to 6pm. Shorter hours in the winter.

    12. Archaeological Museum of Thera – Fira

    Archaeological Museum in Fira
    Small but interesting museum featuring artifacts that date from the Archaic, Roman, Geometric, and Hellenistic Periods – as well as some Minoan and Byzantine art; most from excavations of a Hellenic settlement on Mesa Vouno Mountain and from a cemetery of Ancient Thera. Open year-round, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Closed Tuesdays.

    13. Tomato Industrial Museum – Vlychada

    Tomato Industrial Museum in Vlychada, Santorini
    Interesting museum showcasing the history and cultivation of Santorini’s famed cherry tomatoes. Also, an art gallery in the warehouses and a small souvenir shop. Open through the year, 10am-6pm. Appointments necessary November-April.

    14. Panagia Episkopi – Mesa Gonia

    Panagia Episkopi Church in Mesa Gonia, Santorini
    This 11th-century Greek Orthodox church dedicated to Virgin Mary is located at the foot of Profitis Ilias Mountain. Several ancient frescoes and holy icons are still on display today. Open year-round, 10am-12pm and 2pm-5pm.

    15. Lost Atlantis Museum – Megalochori

    Lost Atlantis Museum in Megalochori, Santorini
    Modern museum using interactive digital installations, holograms, and a 9D movie theater to explore the mythological island of Atlantis. Small souvenir shop. Open April to October, 10am to 7pm.

  • Advance tickets to the 9D experience.
  • 16. Santorini Museum of Contemporary Art – Megalochori

    A white museum sits on a hill on Santorini.
    There are two compact floors featuring contemporary Greek artists. The first floor houses the temporary collection. The second floor (the permanent collection) is filled with tactile art, from layered paintings to sculptures to multimedia expressions. The best part is conversation is welcome and the owner openly chats about the art and intention of the work. Open May 1 to November 15, 9am-3pm and 5pm-8pm daily. €10 per person and free for children under the age of 10.

    About Santorini Dave

    Santorini Dave I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.