Visit Santorini on a Cruise Ship? Heres Everything You Need to Know

Table Of Content

• Culture & History of the Santorini Cruise Port
• Akrotiri Archaeological Site
• Where is Santorini Cruise Port located?
• Explore The Archaeological Museum Of Ancient Thera
• Cafes and Restaurants in Skala
• How Early to Arrive for Santorini Ferry Departures in Athinios port?
• How to get to Fira, Oia, and around Santorini

Fira has a number of interesting highlights, countless shops, and excellent restaurants. Cruise and Sea is not responsible for the content of external websites and transactions made on third-party websites.AdFind amazing things to do. Cruise and Sea is not responsible for the content of external websites and transactions made on third-party websites.AdFind unforgettable experiences to discover the world. If you have only one day, or several hours, to spend in this paradise, you can visit some of the attractions mentioned in this post. That is why, before planning your itinerary, you should read our other posts to learn more about Santorini and its attractions.

Culture & History of the Santorini Cruise Port

Megaron Gyzi Museum located a block away, is a local history museum housed in a 17th-century mansion with a beautiful yard. It contains letters, photos, paintings, and artifacts that reveal the history of this fairytale island. Greek is the official language, but English is widely spoken - Santorini is such a tourist island that English-speaking cruise passengers will easily communicate with locals everywhere.

Akrotiri Archaeological Site

Cruise Ship Cancels Santorini Visit Due to Overcrowding - GreekReporter.com - Greek Reporter

Cruise Ship Cancels Santorini Visit Due to Overcrowding - GreekReporter.com.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:40:36 GMT [source]

Also, keep in mind that during the peak season there is a long queue of people waiting at the top of the cable car station for their return back to the cruise ship. Thus, it would be wise to get there about 2 hours earlier of the last scheduled boarding time. The cruise port is located at the bottom of Fira which is the capital of the island. If you arrive from your cruise ship to the land and notice a huge line for the cable car, you can book in the stands there in the port area another option. After a day of shopping and dining, explore the vibrant nightlife scene in Santorini. Bars, clubs, and rooftop venues come alive as the sun sets, offering a mix of live music, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.

Where is Santorini Cruise Port located?

Akrotiri was once an advanced Mediterranean settlement; many pieces of pottery and golden figurines were discovered in the city, pointing to an artisan society. One of the city’s most impressive features was its extensive drainage system, which was made up of stone channels and terracotta pipes that carried water and waste away from the city. Unfortunately, this thriving society was shaken and buried by the Theran eruption in the 16th century BC. Most buildings on Oia have blue details, like domes and window frames. Although this is a common feature of Greek townhouses, Oia’s je ne sais quoi turns it into something unique.

As mentioned before, the island as we know is what is left after the volcano eruption and here you have an amazing opportunity to hike the Nea Kameni volcano which has eight craters. The last one you will visit is still active and you can easily see the steam coming out. The hike is not surprisingly all uphill, so please make sure to wear proper shoes and keep hydrated, as you are hiking in warm weather with mostly rocks around you so it can get pretty hot.

Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. A somewhat blurry photo of Athinios Port, as seen from a ferry window upon arrival at Santorini. For the large number of vessels and passengers it serves, the Santorini ferry port is small, its amenities laid out in a neat row opposite the water.

As cruise ships anchor at the vast bay surrounding the volcano's crater, passengers will be transported to the to the small port of Skala on large and comfortable tender boats operated by locals. Skala is right below the town of Fira perched on the top of the volcano's wall. On the other hand, if you book a catamaran cruise or a private yacht cruise, the departure port will be Ammoudi or Vlychada Port. In this case, your cruise ship must arrive at least a couple of hours before the cruise tour starts because usually, the pickup is on the nearest road just a few meters away from the cable car. You’ll need approximately one hour to reach there and another hour to reach the port through the shuttle service. The time to depart, however, should be 2.5 hours after the tour ends.

How Early to Arrive for Santorini Ferry Departures in Athinios port?

Princess Cruises Ship Cancels Port Visits Due to Congestion - Cruise Hive

Princess Cruises Ship Cancels Port Visits Due to Congestion.

Posted: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The easiest and most common way to reach the Old Port is by a cable car. On the other hand, if you’re feeling adventurous and decide to walk to the port, it’ll be 587 steps. Since 1979, there is a cable car connecting the port of Skala and Fira.

As you explore different wines in the area, make sure to try the Assyrtiko white wine, one of the most famous and delicious wines in Santorini. The whole city was destroyed including all of the human remains and valuables. Today you can walk through Akrotiri and view the walls of what once was a bustling city. Take a look at some of the best things to see during your free time including attractions and activities that will make for a memorable day spent on the Santorini island. Book an excursion through your cruise line to be one of the first passengers. No strenuous activities are included, all you need to be able to do is board the sailing boat.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the port area itself is not very large and can become congested when multiple cruise ships are in port. It’s recommended to allow some extra time when returning to your ship to account for possible delays or long queues for the cable car or donkey ride. Created by the volcano eruption in 1650, Santorini and its port sit at the site of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Years later when civilization returned to the Greek island and reconstruction began, its unique natural beauty and wild scenery meant more and more guests began to visit. Kamari Beach is unique for its black sand and home to a famous beach resort. Fira, the island’s capital, boasts numerous dining establishments, bars, shops, churches, museums, and art galleries, among other attractions.

Most cruise lines offer a shuttle service from the cruise port to Oia. The bus station is usually located within walking distance of the port. The fare is only a couple of Euros and you can usually get a seat (although it can be touch and go during the peak season). You can either go to Oia after visiting Fira or straight from the cruise port. If you are looking for souvenirs to take back onboard the cruise ship, there are many shops selling handicrafts, handmade jewelry, and a range of local souvenirs. Capture picturesque moments at the Three Bells of Fira, a famous blue-domed church with a bell tower.

The day trip starts with a beautiful panoramic sailing of the caldera before you reach the point where you start your volcano hiking. The driving distance between Fira and Akrotiri is approximately 20 minutes, but due to the traffic and crowds, it can take longer. The site is enclosed and a visit takes anywhere between 4o minutes to 1 hour (or more if you wish). The ticket costs 12€ per person, but some discounts and combo packages are also offered. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs just € 1.80 per person (one way). You park even closer to the city center than the tour buses of the cruise lines.

Tipping taxi drivers isn’t common, but it’s polite to do so when given great customer service, and a typical percentage would be 10% of your fare. It’s also customary to leave some Euros behind at a restaurant if the service or meal was very satisfactory. If there is no service charge included in your bill, a 10% tip is customary. Finally, if you’re taking a tour in Greece, leave an additional tip of €5-€10 for your tour guide. Many a cruise traveler cannot resist the temptation of this adventure and the thrill has become a typical attraction when visiting Santorini.

Santorini Island (Greece) is among the most popular ports of call on Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean cruises. The island is in the Aegan Sea and is the southernmost of the Greek Cycladic Islands. To get to any of the beaches in Santorini, renting a car or a scooter is our favorite way. But you can easily travel to any of the unique beaches of Santorini on your own or spend quality time in Oia.

Santorini’s capital also boasts several museums where you can learn about the island’s history and origins. One of the most famous ones is the Archaeological Museum of Thera where you can admire exhibits and archeological findings including ancient vases, sculptures, frescoes, and inscriptions. This museum is located near St. John the Baptist Cathedral, in the heart of the town. The church was built in the middle of the 19th century, however, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1956 and later restored. It is located in the heart of Fira and boasts a beautiful interior ornated with frescoes painted by a local artist.