Therasia
Cross from Ammoudi in the morning, walk Manolas to Potamos to Riva, return by sunset.
Therasia is the small island that sits across the caldera from Santorini — visible from every Oia sunset photo, but essentially unvisited. About 250 year-round residents live in three settlements: Manolas (the cliff-top capital, opposite Imerovigli), Potamos (an inland village of cave houses), and Riva (the harbour). The cruise ships don't stop here. The fast ferries skip it. You get there on a small boat from Ammoudi, climb 263 steps from Korfos to Manolas, and find yourself in the Cyclades that existed before your grandparents were born. One day is enough to walk the length of it.
1-day itinerary for Therasia
Day 1: Manolas, Potamos & Korfos
- · Korfos Harbour
Tiny harbour at the foot of the cliffs — boats from Ammoudi (Santorini) dock here every couple of hours in summer. Three small fish tavernas at the water that are some of the best in the caldera. Lunch here either before or after the climb. - · 263 Steps to Manolas
The traditional climb up — stepped switchbacks zigzagging up the caldera face. About 20-30 minutes at a steady pace. Donkeys available if you don't fancy the climb. The view back down to Korfos and across to Santorini gets better with every step. - · Manolas Village
The cliff-top capital, built on the very edge of the caldera directly opposite Imerovigli on Santorini. White cube houses, blue-domed churches, and one main path along the rim. Every house has the caldera view. A few cafés serve the same sunset that costs €30 in Oia for the price of a frappe. - · Potamos Village
Inland village 2km south of Manolas — entirely cave houses carved into the soft pumice. Five blue-domed churches in the central square. Almost completely uninhabited in winter, sleepy even in August. The walk between Manolas and Potamos is the best in Therasia. - · Agrillia Abandoned Village
1km south of Potamos. The oldest and once-largest settlement on Therasia, abandoned in the 20th century. Cave houses and cellars overtaken by vegetation. Atmospheric and free; nobody else there. - · Korfos Beach
Small black-pebble and pumice beach at the harbour — the easy swim before catching the boat back to Ammoudi. Translucent turquoise water with the dramatic Santorini caldera cliffs across the strait. - · Sunset Boat to Santorini
If you stay until the late boat, the return crossing to Ammoudi at sunset is one of the most memorable experiences in the Cyclades — you watch the sun drop behind Therasia from the water itself. Check the day's last departure when you arrive.
Top beaches of Therasia
Korfos Beach
The harbour beach — black volcanic pebbles and pumice with translucent turquoise water and the dramatic Santorini caldera cliffs visible across the 4km strait. The view is what you came for; the swim itself is straightforward but cold (the water here stays cool from caldera depths).
- Type
- Black pebble and pumice
- Length
- 100 m
- Depth
- Medium — sudden drop-off
- Facing
- East-facing — sheltered by the caldera cliffs
- Facilities
- Three small fish tavernas at the harbour right behind. No sunbeds.
Riva Beach
The southern harbour beach — mixed dark sand and black pebbles with crystal-clear blue water. Quieter than Korfos and the only beach you can drive to. Less spectacular setting but easier swimming.
- Type
- Dark sand and black pebble
- Length
- 150 m
- Depth
- Medium
- Facing
- Southeast-facing
- Facilities
- Light: one summer taverna at the harbour, parking. Reachable by car from Manolas.
Ammoudi (Therasia side)
Tiny pebble cove on the western side of Therasia, opposite the more famous Ammoudi of Oia. Crystal water, complete isolation. Reached on foot from Manolas via a steep trail or by private boat.
- Type
- Black pebble
- Length
- 50 m
- Depth
- Deep — sudden drop-off
- Facing
- West-facing
- Facilities
- None — accessible only by boat or hike from Manolas.