The village of Akrotiri is right near one of the most important sites of the prehistoric Aegean, revealed in increments starting in 1967. Its long and celebrated history makes Akrotiri one of the most influential forces on the development of Cycladic civilization.

The excavated site offers visitors a view of the splendid prehistoric city in its Late Cycladic period. First it was struck by an earthquake and then buried under volcanic deposits following a devastating volcanic eruption in the Late Bronze Age, probably at the end of the 17th century BC, much like Pompeii centuries later.The excavated section of what appears to have been a densely built urban center has unearthed streets with drainage systems, squares and multi-storey public and private buildings, once decorated with luscious furnishings and masterful frescoes, attesting to the high living standards of its cultured inhabitants.