Private Guided Prehistoric Museum and Nomikos Foundation
Private Guided Prehistoric Museum and Nomikos Foundation
Due to its fascinating geography, thousands of years of history, and its unique hospitality, all of our tours on Santorini include a professionally trained, licensed guide so you get an in-depth experience which you would not receive merely being driven around by a driver. You will meet your guide on the pier of Fira after tendering ashore. They will escort you via cable car to the town of Fira where you will walk to the Museum of Prehistoric Thira for a guided tour. Thira is the earlier name for the island of Santorini. The museum houses finds from the excavation site of Akrotiri, as well as other sites on the island. The exhibition is structured in four units, referring to the history of research at Thira, the geology of Thira, the island's history from the Late Neolithic to the Late Cycladic I period and the heyday of the city at Akrotiri. The exhibits include fossils of plants that flourished before the human habitation of Thira as well as archeological objects dating back to 3300 B.C.
After your tour of the museum, proceed to the Nomikos Foundation whose purpose is to promote the study of archaeology, geology, art history and other cultural events as they pertain to Greece and Santorini. Following the September 2005 closure of Akrotiri to the public, the foundation took the initiative to create a virtual tour of the Akrotiri Archaeological Site. This walk through allows visitors to gain an impression of the complexities and size of the site of Akrotiri. Of all the finds unearthed in the excavations at Akrotiri, there can be little doubt that the wall-paintings constitute the most significant contribution to our knowledge of Aegean art, economy, environment, technology, manners and customs - indeed life in general - in the first half of the second millennium BC. The foundation has reproduced all of the wall paintings found at Akrotiri to life size. Then proceed to a nearby cafe overlooking the caldera, where a typical light Greek lunch of meze-snacks and wine awaits. The view will stay with you for years to come!!!
The rest of the day is yours to explore the twisting pedestrian walkways of Fira in search of art, jewelry or the perfect view of the caldera. When you are ready to return to your ship, use your included cable car ticket to return to the tender pier in Fira.
Please Note: Tour is not available on Mondays as the museum is closed. The tour duration does not include the time required to tender ashore from your ship or to ascend from the tender pier to Fira Town by included cable car ride. Please be aware that waiting time for the cable car can be extensive when there are several ships in the port. Groups of ten or more guests will be tendered from the pier at Fira to the pier at Athinios and begin their tour from there. All tours end in Fira and include a return cable car ticket to the tender pier in Fira to be used at your convenience. This tour offers customized departure times between 7:30 AM and 7:00 PM. If your preferred departure time is not listed, please contact us to place your request.