Santorini, Greece

Akrotiri Audio GuideExperience Santorini’s prehistoric city like you understand what happened here.

Turn your visit into an unforgettable journey through time. Our audio guide combines expert storytelling with interactive maps and flexible routes — accessible directly in your browser — so you can explore over 20 points of interest and see Akrotiri come alive in your ears.

Akrotiri Audio Guide app showing an interactive map and audio tracks on a phone
Created by a licensed local guide
20+ points of interest
Three route options
Runs in your browser

Get started in three easy steps

No sign‑up required. Works right in your browser.

1

Start Free Tour

Open the guide instantly in your browser. No download needed.

2

Follow the Map

Navigate the Akrotiri floor plan and choose your route.

3

Tap & Listen

Tap any point to hear the story and explore at your own pace.

Why Choose Our Audio Guide

Unlock the story of Santorini’s most significant archaeological site. Our audio guide is the most complete visitor companion for the prehistoric city of Akrotiri. With interactive maps, over 20 fascinating stops and hours of narration by a licensed local guide, you’ll see and understand details most visitors miss.

Pick one of three routes to suit your time and curiosity. Explore the iconic frescoes, marvel at the multi‑storey houses and learn how this advanced civilisation lived 3,600 years ago— all on your own terms.

Easy to Use

Simply tap and listen. Navigate the map or jump to any point— no complicated menus.

Interactive Maps

Explore with precision. Zoom in on the site map and follow routes designed by experts.

Licensed Local Guide

All content is written and narrated by a professional guide with years of experience at Akrotiri.

Flexible Pace

Pause, rewind or fast‑forward. Spend extra time on the frescoes or skip ahead if you’re short on time.

Explore the prehistoric settlement at your own pace

Akrotiri is Santorini’s crown jewel— an ancient city preserved under volcanic ash for millennia. Our audio guide helps you dive deep into its history, culture and innovations without rushing. Choose a route that fits your schedule and unlock over three hours of rich storytelling.

Visitors exploring the Akrotiri archaeological site using an audio guide

Akrotiri: Santorini’s prehistoric city

While Santorini is famed for its sunsets and caldera views, Akrotiri invites you into a world 3,600 years older. Buried by a massive volcanic eruption, this Bronze Age city was preserved under ash much like Pompeii. Walk through multi‑storey homes, study an advanced sewage system and admire vibrant frescoes that hint at an exceptional civilisation.

Today, the site offers one of the most complete snapshots of a prehistoric society anywhere in the world. Our guide makes sure you don’t miss the details that make Akrotiri so remarkable.

3,600 years of history Multi‑storey homes Famous frescoes Volcanic preservation
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What to expect at Akrotiri

A few things worth knowing before you step inside one of the most unique archaeological sites in Greece.

Is Akrotiri worth visiting?

Yes-especially if you want to understand what makes Santorini more than just views and sunsets. Akrotiri is not a typical ruin. You are walking through the remains of a real city that was suddenly buried by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BC.

What makes it stand out is how much has been preserved. You will see multi-storey buildings, streets you can actually follow, and details of daily life that are rarely visible in other sites. It feels less like "looking at ruins" and more like stepping into a place that was paused in time.

Visitors walking inside the covered Akrotiri excavation site

What will you see in Akrotiri?

Akrotiri is best experienced slowly. As you move through the walkways, you will notice details that reveal how advanced this prehistoric settlement really was:

Multi-storey houses: Some buildings rise two or three levels, showing how densely the city was built.

Streets and layout: You can follow actual streets and see how neighbourhoods were organised.

Drainage system: A surprisingly advanced system that managed water and waste inside the city.

Everyday objects: Storage jars, furniture remains and traces of how people lived and worked.

It is not about a single "highlight"-the experience comes from connecting these pieces together as you move through the site.

Overview of the Akrotiri archaeological city remains

Can You Visit Akrotiri Without a Guide?

Yes, you can visit Akrotiri without a guide, and many visitors choose to explore it on their own. The paths are easy to follow, but without any explanation, most of what you see can feel unclear or repetitive.

The truth is, without context, you only experience part of what Akrotiri really is. You might walk through impressive ruins, but miss the stories, the purpose of each space, and how life once unfolded here.

Whether you choose a licensed local guide or prefer to use an audio guide app, having guidance transforms the visit — bringing Akrotiri back to life and turning your walk into a journey through time.

Visitors exploring the Akrotiri archaeological site

Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to know before stepping into ancient history.

Opening Hours

Summer (April – October)
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun 08:00 – 20:00
Mon & Thu 08:30 – 15:30
Winter (Nov – Mar)
Daily except Tuesday 08:30 – 15:30
Hours may vary on public holidays or during structural inspections. Check the official site before you travel.

Admission

Standard
Adults
€20
Reduced
Students, seniors & eligible visitors
€10
Tickets are available on‑site or online through the official portal. EU citizens under 25 enter free, and other groups may qualify for discounts.
Buy Official Tickets

Quick Tips

  • Wear comfortable, flat shoes—walkways are uneven and can be slippery.
  • Bring water. The shelter warms up quickly in summer.
  • Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen for the outdoor areas.
  • Open the audio guide in your browser before you arrive. You can add it to your home screen for quick access.

Free Days

Free entry on these dates (confirm on the official ticket site before you travel).

  • 6 Mar
    Melina Mercouri Day Annual commemoration
  • 18 Apr
    International Monuments Day
  • 18 May
    International Museum Day
  • Sep
    European Heritage Days Last full weekend of September
  • 28 Oct
    Ohi Day
  • Sundays
    First Sunday of the month 1 November – 31 March

Reduced Admission

Discounted tickets may apply if one of these describes you (ID or proof usually required).

  • Parents on school visits Escorting parents on educational visits of primary schools.
  • EU seniors (65+) Valid ID · 1 October – 31 May
  • Non‑EU students Valid student ID required

Free Admission

No ticket charge for eligible visitors when rules and documents are met.

Age & ID
  • EU citizens under 25 (bring ID or passport).
  • Non‑EU visitors under 18 (age proof).
Passes & memberships
  • Cultural Card holders and official free‑pass holders.
  • Members of Societies of Friends of Museums & Archaeological Sites (membership card).
  • ICOM‑ICOMOS members (membership card).
Guests, staff & accessibility
  • Official guests of the Greek State (with approval).
  • Teachers escorting educational groups; Ministry of Culture & Archaeological Receipts Fund employees (service ID).
  • People with disabilities and their escorts (per site rules).

Where Is Akrotiri?

Akrotiri refers to both the modern village at the southwestern tip of Santorini and the prehistoric settlement discovered nearby. Since the original name of the Bronze Age town is unknown, the modern name is used for both.

The pin labelled Prehistoric Town of Akrotiri on the map below marks the main entrance of the archaeological site (ticket booth). Other pins labelled Akrotiri or Archaeological Site of Akrotiri also refer to this location and guide you to the entrance.

The site is about 12 km from Fira. You can drive and park onsite, or take a bus or taxi from Athinios port if you’re arriving by cruise ship.

Frequently Asked

Most visitors spend around 60–90 minutes on the Classic Route. Short on time? Use the Express Route to see the highlights in under an hour. Want a deeper experience? The full route takes about 2 hours. You choose your pace.

No. The Akrotiri Audio Guide runs directly in your browser. There’s no app to download and no account required—just open the link and start your tour instantly.

Yes. You can start the experience for free and explore how the guide works before continuing with the full tour.

Yes. You can explore Akrotiri on your own, but it’s highly recommended to have some form of guidance to fully understand what you’re seeing. A licensed guide offers a live, interactive experience with the ability to answer questions, adapt the tour to your interests, and bring the site to life through personal storytelling. The audio guide is a flexible alternative that lets you explore at your own pace, with clear explanations, stories, and context at each point.

Absolutely. You can pause, skip or replay any stop at any time. Spend more time where it interests you and move quickly through other sections—it’s entirely up to you.

Yes. The guide is designed for mobile use and works smoothly on any smartphone directly through your browser.

Headphones are recommended for the best experience, especially during busy hours, but you can also listen directly from your phone if needed.

Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and consider sun protection for outdoor areas. Your phone and headphones are all you need to enjoy the audio guide.

Don’t leave Santorini without visiting Akrotiri

Whether you explore with a licensed guide or with our Akrotiri Audio Guide, this site is not to be missed. Immerse yourself in one of the world’s best‑preserved ancient cities.

Buy official tickets

To respect fellow visitors and enhance your experience, please use headphones inside the covered shelter.

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Contact Us

Questions? Need more information? We’re here to help.

info@akrotiriaudioguide.com