Thirasia sits directly across the caldera from Oia and was, until a major eruption in the 1400s BCE, connected to what's now Santorini as a single island. Today it's a quiet, sparsely populated alternative just a short boat ride away — a genuinely different pace from the main island, even in peak season.
Getting there
Small local boats run from Oia's old port (Ammoudi Bay) across to Thirasia, and it's also included as a stop on some of the volcano and hot-springs boat tours covered in our boat tours guide. A steep set of steps or a mule ride connects the port at Korfos up to the main village, Manolas.
What's there
Little beyond a handful of tavernas, quiet lanes, and caldera views without the crowds that come with them on the main island — which is exactly the appeal. It's a half-day trip rather than a destination in itself, best combined with a volcano tour or booked as a standalone if you want a genuinely quiet few hours away from Santorini's busier villages.
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