Name: Zacharo Rooms Thirasia
Address: Thirasia, Therasia, 84702, Greece, Thira Town, Thira Town, Thira Town, 84702, Greece
Rating: 9

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At the hotel

Santorini Old Harbor

Athinios Port Santorini

Santorini International Airport

Zacharo Rooms Thirasia

jimmy and rula are the definition of Greek hospitality, they made our stay unforgettable. We’ve been 2 years running now, many more years planned. The views from the balcony are breath taking. Thirassia is a magical place, locals so friendly and it gives you a real taste for what Santorini would be without the mass tourism. Life is so slow paced here, amazing place just to relax and live stress free. The boat from ammoudi bay(just below Oia) to the Port of Riva is such an enjoyable experience, they definitely run on Greek timing tho! 

Just book it!!

We have had several occasions to visit Santorini and always spend a couple of nights on the little visited island across the Caldera, Thirassia.  If Santorini is overcrowded, overpriced and over wrought with tourists, just 3 miles across the caldera is the amazing little jewel of Thirassia.  Jimmy and his wife, Rula, run the small and simple Zacharo rooms, perched on the caldera facing Santorini, a 5 star location for which one would pay big bucks across the way.
Simple is the way to describe the rooms, but best in class is the way to describe the hospitality of Jimmy and Rula. It is just the real deal and a real pleasure after leaving the overdone hassles of Santorini.
Ask to take a hike and visit the monastery at the end of the island and learn about the most recent and most important Minoan era dig that is occurring under the radar of most.
If you are visiting Santorini, do yourselves a favor, and spend a night or 2 with Jimmy and Rula…...

Thirassia was our first stop on trip by Cyclades islands, we stay couple days in Zacharo studio. Now we can say that was very good choice so friendly people,  perfect view on caldera and really quite place to relax. Very good for tourists and what we know now don't take car there-it is not necessary and transportation by ferry is complicated. There is everything so close and many possibilities how to visit each inch of island (transportation by home guys, working, donkey or ebike). 

So if somebody likes quite place to relax,  for a very friendly price, this island you can't miss. 

My husband and I were on Thirasia this time last year.  We were visiting the island for the day and came upon Jimmy, who helped us navigate our way.  The island was a delight - quiet and peaceful.  We visited the grounds of Jimmy's place, though we did not sleep on the island that night.  The grounds and view were incredibly beautiful If/when we make it back to Santorini, we will definitely stay here, away from the craziness of the main island and in the company of a warm host.

I picked this place because I wanted to explore Thirassia on foot. It's pretty much ideal for this. This little sister island of Santorini is still the best haven from the mass tourism of its larger sibling. While the cruise lemmings were packed into Oia like sardines, I had the sunset to myself on the west coast of Thirassia.
The room was clean, spacious and well equipped. Even the bathroom was roomy, which is unusual in Santorini accommodations. The fridge was particularly welcome after a hot day's hike and families will be glad of the simple cooking equipment. Jimmy and his wife were super helpful and knowledgeable about Thirassia and Santorini in general.
The bed was a bit hard, but that's normal for Greece. Breakfast is an extra €5, worth doing as eateries are few on Thirassia.
Finally, the views of the caldera from this property are superb.

Only a week since we returned from Greece and already we are missing this place and making plans to go back. Reviewing the Zacharo Rooms or as everyone who has been here knows as Jimmy's place, is a bit of a dilemma. On the one hand there is so much that we enjoyed on this tiny island that we want to share but on the other hand there is this feeling that you don't want too many people to know about this place and spoil it. 

By spoiling it you don't have to look further than across the caldera to the crushing crowds, maddening traffic and unchecked development that has overtaken the main island of Santorini. Thirassia has the best of the Greek Islands without any of that...yet.

There are signs that things may be about to change on Thirassia. There are new villas and a caldera edge hotel nearing completion. It seems hard to imagine that with 20 million visitors coming to Santorini each year that some of that won't spill over to tiny Thirassia. There is already a rush of lunchtime visitors on daily cruises across the caldera at the waterfront Tavernas of Korfus. Only the most motivated ones make the climb to the Panorama Resto in Manolas. Other than that and the handful of other guests at the Zacharo rooms you mostly alone on the island. The 250 odd permanent residents are a friendly bunch but it would be to your benefit to speak at least a little Greek if you want to do anything more than wave. 

There are also signs that things may never change on Thirassia. As you begin the long trek up the donkey trail from Korfus to Manolas you pass by a rock with a sign in blue paint advertising a pool and bar at the Cavo Mare Hotel. The dream of poolside cocktails is soon dashed when you find the crumbling abandoned hotel with its empty pool slowly filling with dust and debris. It looks like a perfect set for a remake of Casablanca.

The Cavo Mare was not the only luxurious retreat we found in ruins while exploring the island. There is in even an entire town filled with abandoned cave homes that you can explore called Agrilia. Locals will point the way but when the main town is barely 100 meters long it is hard to get very lost on Thirassia. 

Other than exploring the abandoned corners and solemn churches of the island we also enjoyed snorkeling along the caldera wall. It was an eerie experience gazing down the submerged cliffs into the deep blue.

What may end up being the salvation of this tiny island is the fact that it is a little tricky to get on and off of. Jimmy will meet you at the boat as long as you give him a few hours warning. There are two options. Either coming from the port of Amoudi below Oia on the Thirassia II or from the main ferry port of Athinios on the Nissos Thirassia. We liked the second option because it allowed us to skip the roadway madness of Santorini entirely. The ferry costs 1 euro and 3 euros respectively although fare collection on the Nissos Thirassia did not seem to be a priority. The Greek speaking crew was concerned that we understood this boat leaving on Saturday afternoon did not come back until Monday, something you need to consider when planning your trip to Thirassia.

We were lucky enough to spend two nights here in June, and only wish we had been able to stay longer.  We were picked up from the port in the "taxi", which was a van with seats in the back, making the journey authentic.  Jimmy was there to welcome us, and after taking us to our rooms, we had a welcome drink on the balcony overlooking the caldera with spectacular views.  The rooms were basic, but had everything you could need and were clean.  Breakfast in the morning was brought to us by Jimmy, with fresh, home cooked pastries which were delicious.  We wandered around Manolas and had a wonderful dinner there at Panorama restaurant.  We walked down to Riva for lunch and then had a swim in the sea.  It was so peaceful there and lovely to just chill out doing next to nothing after the hustle and bustle of Santorini.  The sunsets were amazing.  If it is peace and quiet and a taste of what Greece used to be like, then this is the place to go.  Jimmy and Rula were so welcoming and helpful.  Thank you for your hospitality and we hope to go back.

Well what can I say that hasn’t already been said , simple clean rooms that have everything you need, comfortable bed, fridge, two ring cooker , shower etc but that is not important in the grand scheme of things, Jimmy and Rula are the most friendly , helpful people , recommending walks etc and the veranda built by jimmy has the most amazing views, we ate out meals sat out there just watching life go head in the caldera or the birds swooping along the cliff face .
We got the boat from Alounda to Riva and was met by a chap organised by jimmy , there are restaurants on the island , we had fantastic Cappuccinos and a gorgeous homemade ice cream topped with honey and walnuts at the panarama restaurant.
The bakery’s wood fired bread and simple pizza s were delicious too ( not open on Sunday ) 
I would recommend this island to anyone who just wants to escape the craziness of Santorini for a few days and still have the most amazing views.

We were welcomed off the boat from Amoundi Bay, Oia by Jimmy & driven up to Zacharo rooms. Jimmy was great, we had a welcome drink on the balcony looking across the caldera and he told us about the island, walks & other activities we could do. It was a quiet escape and the sunrise & sunsets were beautiful. 

The other guests added to the memorable experience as we were all from different parts of the world. New Zealand, Israel, Hong Kong. 

Thank you for a wonderful experience and for a great start to our island hopping trip. We will be definitely be back.

Thira Town

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Authentic Greek experience

Jimmy and Rula are simply the finest hosts in Santorini!

Our first visit of Santorini 1st step Thirassia 

A beautiful view and gracious host

Ideal base for Thirassia

Five Stars is Not Enough - An Experience to Remember

Greece as it used to be

Fantastic stay with fabulous people !!!

Wonderful experience. A quiet retreat to enjoy traditional Greece

The place that the rooms are is spectacular. The rooms are in the age of 1970. All the facilities are old and you dont want to stay. The bathroom was broken and the kitchen smelling. Actually if i had an alternative place I would cancel the booking. 

Zacharo Rooms Thirasia

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