While you might never have heard of Thira before, you have almost certainly heard of Santorini before - and they are the same place. Thira is just the official name. Sitting in the Aegean Sea and shaped like a croissant that has gone wrong, the trademark landscape of Thira is ideal for exploring on two wheels.
You'll recognise the clifftop villages of the west of the island, with their clusters of whitewashed buildings overlooking the cliffside and giving dizzyingly high views of the sea. Fira, the island's bustling hub, sprawls northward into settlements such as Firostefani and Imerovigli, which are 15-30 minutes walk or ride from Fira. These settlements are connected by a roadway that is studded with luxury hotels, restaurant patios, and countless photo ops.
Oia is one of the most beautiful spots on the island of Thira to view the sunset. The blue dome churches, nestled amid the descending whitewashed dwellings, provide the ideal environment for watching the sunset in the evening. This is the most crowded site on Santorini at sunset, so expect to see large crowds of people here.
When hiring a motorbike or scooter, aim to arrive at least three hours before sundown to ensure that you will be able to find somewhere to park - it gets incredibly busy and you will have to dodge coachfuls of tourists. Wine is a booming industry on Thira. Assyrtiko is the primary grape growing on the island, and it may be found in a variety of wines produced on the island.
You can either go on your own or join a tour to see the wineries. Visitors to Santo Wines are most likely to enjoy their experience, although Venetsanos Winery is also a good choice. Just make sure you don't hop on your rental bike or scooter afterward - grab a cab!
