The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira presents the culture that developed on Santorini in prehistoric times, including finds from the ancient city of Akrotiri. Its two exhibition floors bring together pottery, tools, tablets and wall paintings, making it a cultural outing from Perissa, about 26 minutes by car from Villa Voula.
- Location: Fira, Thira 84700, Santorini, Greece
- Opening pattern: Open Wednesday to Monday; closed Tuesday
- Tickets: €10 regular admission and €5 reduced admission
Where the Museum Is in Fira
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera is in Fira, the main town on Santorini. The building was designed by architect Ioannis Koumanoudis and constructed in the 1970s to house finds from excavations at Akrotiri.
The museum’s two exhibition floors focus on the culture that developed on the island in prehistoric times. The main exhibition moves from the history of research and Santorini’s geology to the island’s prehistoric development and the flourishing city of Akrotiri.
Highlights of the Collection
The collection spans everyday objects, craftwork and painted decoration from Santorini’s prehistoric past. Look for Neolithic and Early Cycladic pottery, marble figurines and vessels, stone tools, copper-working examples, household objects, bronze vessels and Linear A tablets.
Wall paintings are another central part of the visit. The exhibition “Thera Wall Paintings: The Treasure of the Prehistoric Aegean” presents 28 additional paintings from Akrotiri, arranged according to their iconographic programs.
How do you get from Perissa to the museum?
KTEL Santorini operates the Fira–Perissa bus route. The adult single fare is €2.70; student tickets cost €1.40, child tickets €2.00 and return tickets €3.40.
For a separate archaeological outing on the island, the Ancient Akrotiri visitor guide covers the site that supplied many of the museum’s finds.
Opening Times and Tickets
The summer season is 1 April–31 October, and the winter season is 1 November–31 March. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing.
Opening hours
- Monday and Wednesday to Sunday: 8:30–15:30
- Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Regular admission is €10; the reduced ticket is €5. Tickets are available online through the official Hellenic Heritage platform. The museum is closed on 1 January, 25 March, Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May, and 25 and 26 December; hours vary on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Before you go, check the official site before you go for current hours and ticket details. The Directorate of Archaeological Museums identifies a WC for disabled visitors at the museum. For questions, the museum’s telephone number is +30 22860 25405.
Planning a Museum Visit with Other Fira Stops
Give the museum its own place in your Fira plans so you can follow the exhibition from the island’s geology and early development through to Akrotiri. If you’re arranging a broader day from Perissa, the one-day Santorini itinerary starting in Perissa offers another way to plan the island outing.
FAQs
What can you see at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera?
The collection includes pottery, marble objects, tools, household items, bronze vessels, Linear A tablets and wall paintings. Its displays cover prehistoric Santorini and the city of Akrotiri.
Is the museum open every day?
Open Wednesday to Monday; closed Tuesday. No. It has holiday closures, with different hours on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Can you buy tickets online?
Yes. Tickets are available through the official Hellenic Heritage platform.
Where is the Museum of Prehistoric Thera?
It is in Fira, Thira 84700, on the island of Santorini, Greece.