Santorini Venetian Castle

Location: Akrotiri

The Venetian Castle lies in Akrotiri village, on the southern side of Santorini.
In addition to its historical importance that makes it one of the most visited landmarks in Santorini, it is a wonderful viewpoint, from where you can admire the sea.

The 13th-century castle was constructed during the Venetian occupation of the island as a defensive fortress in place of an old Byzantine watchtower.
It was called La Ponta ("The Peak") and was a property of the Gozzadini family from Bologna for a few centuries.

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Around its central defensive tower, Goulas, and behind its walls, approximately 200 houses were constructed.
The castle is considered the island's most successful fortification system since it offered protection during many years of war.
It managed to remain independent for several years during the Ottoman occupation period, although, in 1617, it was eventually conquered by the Turks.
Nonetheless, it remained in excellent condition until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1956.

These days, the castle is mostly in ruins, although some remnants of its old buildings are in relatively good condition.
Some parts of it have been restored, including the Goulas tower.

How to get there

The Venetian Castle is built on the highest spot of Akrotiri and is located in the center of the village.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of scheduling a direct pickup by a local driver at the following numbers: 0030 690 679 4316, 0030 22860 22555.

Car rental: There’s the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from your hotel. You can then visit the Venetian castle but also many other places of interest.

Public transfers: In Akrotiri village lies the ‘Akrotiri Santorini Central Square’ stop of the bus route Fira > Akrotiri. From there, it is about a 220-meter walk to reach the Venetian Castle. Fira is where the central bus station of the island is located. Bus connections between this bus station and most areas of the island are available. There are buses to Akrotiri approximately every 1.5 hours. Note that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination in advance.