Travelers planning to explore the rich classical history of Santorini will need to adjust their itineraries until further notice. According to an official announcement by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, the prominent archaeological site of Ancient Thera has been closed to the public until further notice.

The closure went into effect on Saturday, June 27, affecting access to one of the island’s most significant ridge-top historic settlements. Because authorities have not provided a definitive timeline for when the site will reopen, visitors are advised to pivot toward other well-preserved cultural highlights on the island.

The History of Ancient Thera and the Monumental Discovery of the Kore

For those who had hoped to make the ascent, understanding the historical weight of Ancient Thera illuminates why it remains such a celebrated location in Aegean archaeology. Perched high on the rugged ridge of Mesa Vouno, located strategically between the coastal villages of Kamari and Perissa, the 9th century BC city sits roughly 360 meters above sea level. Ancient Thera represents an era of Greek history serving as a bustling hub through the Hellenistic, Roman, and Early Byzantine periods. The remaining foundations include a sprawling marketplace, ancient theaters, and sacred sanctuaries built into the steep rock.

The site is also famous for a spectacular archaeological breakthrough made in November 2000, during a careful rescue excavation led by the late local archaeologist Charalambos Sigalas, teams discovered the Kore of Thera.

This monumental statue, standing at an impressive 2.48 meters tall, is carved from pure white Naxian marble and dates back to the late 7th century BC. The Kore is an extraordinary artistic masterpiece because it survived nearly entirely intact, missing only the tip of its nose and a small portion of one arm. Since large-scale sculptures from the Archaic period are incredibly rare, this find fundamentally enriched our understanding of early Greek art. The statue is now prominently displayed on a specialized anti-seismic pedestal inside the newly renovated Archaeological Museum of Thera in Fira.

A Perfect Alternative: The Enclosed Bronze Age City of Akrotiri

If you are looking to replace Ancient Thera on your itinerary, the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri offers an equally compelling, deeply historic experience.

While a trip to Ancient Thera requires trekking along steep mountain paths exposed to intense Mediterranean winds and heat, the Akrotiri excavation site provides a much more comfortable environment for summer sightseeing. The entire excavation site is fully enclosed beneath a state-of-the-art bioclimatic shelter. This architectural canopy regulates internal temperatures and completely blocks out the intense sun, meaning heat exhaustion is never an issue. Visitors can stroll along a network of elevated wooden walkways to view an intact Bronze Age city, which was frozen in time by volcanic ash during the cataclysmic Minoan eruption of the second millennium BC.

Because it is a sheltered indoor facility, Akrotiri can be visited comfortably at any time of day. If you plan to add this archaeological marvel to your vacation plans, make note of the current summer operating hours:

• Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 08:00 to 20:00

• Monday and Thursday: 08:30 to 15:30

• Tuesday: Closed

Please note that final admission to the site is permitted up to 20 minutes before the official closing time.