The capital of the island was moved to Fira from pirgos Kallistis in the beginning of the 19th century. Now Fira is a growing town with a population of about 2500 people, which lives in the present but tries to retain the local traditions of the past. In the summer, a loud and good-natured crowd of  people strolls, carefree , on the roads which are parallel to the cliff and the small street that cross them.

.The central part of the town, the market, is here. Numerous shops offer a great variety of merchandise, satisfying even the most demanding customers. Also, the offered merchandise, from the cheapest (cotton shirts and blouses) to the most axpensive (furs and jewelry) give it a particular accent which is quite interesting to the visitor. The visit to the picturesque market of Fira is a pleasant walk.

Small houses, dug in the land, one- or two storied, have a view of  either the sea or the land. Lit and crowded against each other, as they are, on the  top of the cliff, they seem to be wanting to support  each other, so they can reach outward, over the abyss. Terraces of the houses which are not terraces but balconies or passages, vaults and archways, and small , white, decorate facades. Straight lines are unknown, everything is in curves, giving a unique architectural  characteristic to the houses of Fira which are sunk inside the earth. At Fira buildings do not have height, they have depth.

"Fira" today, is full of life, there are many things that you can do, not mater the age and the interest  that     any body has! Night clubs offers music form classical to hard rock, open until 4am to give you the best    time of your Holydays. After ours  bar are open for only two months in the summer time.   .