Archaeological Route

This route is identical to Path Three (3). It connects Ancient Thera, which was built on the peak of Mesa Vouno at 365 meters altitude, with its two ports at the foot of the hill--ancient Oia, today’s Kamari, in the north, and ancient Elefsina, today’s Perissa, to the south. The route starts in Kamari, follows an initially wide cobblestone path, and ends at Ancient Thera. On the way up, we will pass the little church of the Life-Giving Spring (Zoodochos Pigi). Next to the church, there is a cave with the most important source of drinking water, in ancient times, for both the nearby city of Ancient Thera, and the whole island. The distance from Kamari to the archaeological site is 1,600 meters, and the estimated ascent time is one hour. From the archaeological site (at the location shown here), the trail descends gently to touristic Perissa (1,300 meters, estimated time 35 minutes).