NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Akrotiri is on Santorini in the Cyclades island group, Greece
DATE OF CONSTRUCTION
20th–17th centuries BC
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
Jan: 54°F (12°C); Apr: 61°F (16°C); Jul: 77°F (25°C); Oct: 66°F (19°C)
The Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri, once the largest Minoan city outside Crete, suffered a Pompeii-like end when it was buried in ash following the explosion of the volcanic island of Thera (modern-day Santorini) around 1500 BC.
This eruption was one of the most devastating in recorded history, and is thought to have inspired Plato’s legend of Atlantis, which told of an island that vanished without trace. The ash preserved much of Akrotiri in a near-perfect condition, and today you’ll find three-story houses replete with pottery and furniture as well as a remarkable array of frescoes. Most of these artifacts are now in Athens, though excellent replicas are displayed at the Thíra Foundation in the island’s capital, Firá.
Practical Information
Getting There International flights go in and out of Athens regularly. You can then take a local flight or a ferry to Santorini.
When to Go May, June, and September are pleasantly warm but not too hot. Avoid the summer crowds and meltémi (winds) of July and August.