Thirassia

Thirassia is a beautiful island in the Cyclades, where time seemed to have stopped. The volcanic landscape, the wild beauty and the serene atmosphere of the island make it an unspoiled paradise. On this page you can find information about holidays in Thirassia, what to do and how to get there, accommodation, and ferry schedules. Book your ferry ticket online to Thirassia on Ferryhopper.

The port of Korfos in Thirassia and the steps that lead to Chora

Vacation in Thirassia

Thirassia is considered to be Santorini's "younger sister" as the islands used to be part of the island of Strongyli. After a volcanic eruption, Strongyli broke into smaller parts, forming the famous caldera and a group of islands around it. 

As the ferry arrives in Thirassia, you will feel like you have time-traveled to the past, to what Santorini used to look like some decades ago. 

Although Thirassia is located right next to Santorini, it remains untouched by the tourist development of its cosmopolitan neighbor. 

Thirassia is great for day trips or short getaways from Santorini, as well as for a relaxing vacation away from the crowds.

How to get to Thirassia

The only way to get to Thirassia is by ferry from Santorini or from the ports of Athens (Piraeus or Lavrio). 

What to do in Thirassia

Thirassia has a peaceful vibe and despite its small size, it has a lot of things to explore.  

We recommend visiting the traditional villages with the typical Cycladic architecture and the island's churches. 

During a night with full moon in Thirassia you can see the moon rising over the caldera of Santorini: a magical spectacle that will be an unforgettable experience!

Beaches in Thirassia

Due to the volcanic origin of the island, the coast can be steep and there are only a few accessible beaches. In Thirassia you can swim in the following beaches:

• The beach with black sand and crystal clear waters in the settlement of Agia Irini (Riva)
• The beach of Korfos which has wonderful water, pebbles, and volcanic rock formations from where you can dive

Sightseeing and activities in Thirassia

Thirassia is a perfect destination if you like hiking and exploring unspoiled landscapes. You can wander around the island on foot and enjoy the amazing views to the Aegean! 

Here is a list of activities that you can do during your stay in Thirassia:

• Wander around the island's Chora,  Manolas. A quiet village, built on the top of the caldera similarly to Fira in Santorini. Take a walk in the narrow alleys with the white Cycladic houses and enjoy the beautiful landscape and the imposing view of the caldera! Manolas has 1-2 cafes and a taverna, called "Panorama", which has - what else? - a wonderful view!
• Visit at the traditional village of Potamos. The village houses are build inside rocks and they have beautiful small yards. Here you will find the charming churches of Agios Dimitrios and Panagia Giatrissa, which are famous for their decoration.
• Hiking from Manolas to the church of Profitis Ilias. From the church you can enjoy one of the best viewpoints in the island. The route continues to Kera, a small abandoned village that has houses built in the rocks, and overlooks at Palea and Nea Kammeni. If you continue further south you will get to the cape of Tripiti and the Monastery of Koimissis Theotokou, which has a breathtaking view. 
• Visit Agrilia: the oldest village on the island, now abandoned. Walking in the village you will find the remains of cave houses and the Church of the Eisodia Theotokou, which is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Aegean. It also has an amazing view!

Looking at Santorini and the caldera from the harbor of Korfos

Nightlife in Thirassia

Thirassia is an island where you would go for relaxation, to recharge your batteries. If you want lively nightlife then you should probably catch a ferry to Santorini or Ios. 

Food in Thirassia

In Thirassia there are limited food options as the whole island has about 7 tavernas. Most of them are located in Korfos while there are also two tavernas in the village of Manolas and one in Agia Irini. 

Despite the limited options, the food in Thirassia is tasty based on Mediterranean recipes, fresh fish and local products.

Useful information for Thirassia

Thirasia is a small island with about 300 permanent residents. The largest village is Chora, also called Manolas, where you will find some infrastructure for travelers: Piraeus Bank ATMs, the doctor of the island, a Citizens' Service Center, a grocery store and some dining options. Most restaurants and cafes are located in the harbor of Korfos.

In terms of accommodation, the island has a few rooms to let mainly in Manolas. 

Important phone numbers for your stay in Thirassia

Some useful contact numbers for Thirassia: 

• Information about ferry schedules: +302286029238 / 29143
• Thirassia Medical Clinic: +302286029229
• Santorini Port Authority: +302286022239
• Citizen Services Thirassia: +302286029238

Transportation in Thirassia

Although the island is small and you can go everywhere on foot, there is a bus that runs the route from Riva (Agia Irini) to Manolas and Potamos.

The harbor of Korfos is accessible only by boat or by taking a path of 270 stairs from Manolas.

Small fishing boats in the crystal waters of Thirassia

Ports in Thirassia

Thirassia has 2 ports. Riva, or Agia Irini is its main port on the north coast of the island, where most of the ferries from mainland Greece and Santorini travel to.

The port of Korfos is smaller and it serves smaller boats and ferry-boats from Santorini. 

Island hopping from Thirassia

Thirassia has regular ferry connections with the following destinations: 

• Piraeus
• Milos
• Ios
• Sikinos
• Syros
• Lavrio

Check our Map of ferries and find all available crossings from/to Thirassia and plan your trip in the Cyclades with just a few clicks!

Thirassia ferry: Schedules and tickets

Usually during the winter there is no direct ferry from Athens to Thirassia and you have to travel via Santorini. 

During high season there is a direct ferry from Athens (either from the port of Piraeus or the port of Lavrio). The duration of the ferry trip from Athens to Thirassia can be around 14 hours. 

The distance between Santorini and Thirassia is short so the ferry trip takes from 10 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the ferry type.  

There are 3 ways to get from Santorini to Thirassia by ferry: 

• Ferry from the port of Athinios (main port of Santorini): This is the best route if you want to transfer your vehicle to Thirassia. There are weekly ferries serving this connection. 
• Ferry from the port of Ammoudi (in Oia): The distance between Ammoudi and Thirassia is the shortest between the two islands. There are daily routes with a small boat from Ammoudi to both ports of Riva and Korfos. 
• Ferry from the old port of Fira: The Fira-Thirassia route is mainly part of daily boat trips from Santorini so we would recommend contacting the local travel agencies to arrange the ride.

Overlooking Santorini from Thirassia

Where to book ferry tickets online to Thirassia

On Ferryhopper you can find all ferry connections to Thirassia from Santorini, the Cyclades and mainland Greece and book your ferry tickets online at the best prices! Check the ferry schedules, ports, companies, prices and book your trip at no extra cost.