Monday, April 1, 2024

Santorini Cruise Port: What To Know Before You Go

santorini cruise ship port

What many cruise visitors do is pair up with another couple and go 4 together in a cab straight from the port to Oia. Taxis are readily available at the port, or you might choose to arrange a private transfer in advance for convenience and comfort, especially if you are a group and/or if you want to see both Fira and Oia. Fira is the capital of Santorini and is a beautiful village with many narrow alleyways and streets with lots of interesting shops. Local buses run from most locations and car hire and bike hire are also widely available. Taxis can also be found across the island for those who wish to use them.

ALL AVAILABLE FERRIES TO GREEK ISLANDS:

That is why, before planning your itinerary, you should read our other posts to learn more about Santorini and its attractions. As the day winds down, finding a place to really embrace the cuisine of the island is a great way to spend the evening, especially if you can catch a famous Santorini sunset while you’re at it. Although this is a common feature of Greek townhouses, Oia’s je ne sais quoi turns it into something unique. Although a traditional and unique way to ascend from the Old Port to Fira, riding a donkey is just plain cruel. The best time to visit Santorini depends on your preferences and priorities.

Go On A Hike

Here, you will have the opportunity to admire unique frescoes and artifacts from the Minoan Civilization era and discover the everyday life of its settlers. The guests with prebooked excursions from the cruise line may be tendering to Athinios ferry port, where there isn’t much besides a big parking space for the buses and a few coffee shops. The Old Port of Fira consists of a narrow dock with several souvenir stores, a few taverns, cafes, and tour booths. To get to Fira, you need to take a cable car that departs from the Old Port and connects the port to Fira town. The cable car ride takes only several minutes and offers fabulous views of the town and bay.

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

santorini cruise ship port

You’ll need approximately one hour to reach there and another hour to reach the port through the shuttle service. This is because you’ll need an hour to reach the cable car from the port and chances are that you’ll find a long queue of passengers waiting for the cable car. Please note that the last ship’s tender departs an hour before the cruise ship’s departure time. Cruise ships to Santorini Island dock (anchor) at Thira - port town on the western coast.

The Santorini cable car connects the port to the main town so you can arrive by ship and ascend the cliffs easily while admiring the spectacular views. Travel through the island hilltops and sweeping island vistas on your journey from the sea. As mentioned before, Santorini's cruise port is, in fact, its old port, also known as the port of Skala, in Fira, the capital of Santorini, which is not the main port of the island. One thing to keep in mind is that the old port doesn't boast a spacious cruise terminal. As a result, passengers need to be transported via small boats in order for passengers to reach the shore.

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Santorini 2024 (with Prices) - Santorini Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Santorini 2024 (with Prices) - Santorini Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:07:36 GMT [source]

For a more adventurous option, visitors can choose to climb the 588 steps known as the “Donkey Path” or hire a donkey to carry them up. This traditional path offers a unique experience and allows travelers to witness the traditional mode of transportation that has been used for centuries. From Fira, visitors can explore the charming streets lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. The town offers beautiful panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, as well as easy access to other popular destinations such as Oia, Imerovigli, and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Santorini is a breathtaking Greek island known for its stunning landscapes, picturesque villages, and unique volcanic formations.

In recent years, the island has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world. Santorini remains the home of a flourishing wine industry, which is based on the Assyrtiko grape variety. White varieties include Aidani and Athiri, whereas red ones include mandilaria and mavrotragano.

santorini cruise ship port

This hotel was once a winery and is popular for its unique architecture and design. This hike is about 6.5 miles in length and is considered to be moderately challenging with over 1,000 feet in elevation gain as you trek from the capital city of Fira to the charming village of Oia. Another one of the best places to visit when exploring Santorini is the Museum of Ancient Thera. This museum consists of various items found during different excavations throughout the island. The exhibits show artifacts ranging from sculptures to clay masterpieces to inscriptions and so much more. This museum is one of the most popular places to visit because of the artifacts found that help to teach us about the early lives that once lived and occupied the island of Santorini.

The Town Of Oia

You park even closer to the city center than the tour buses of the cruise lines. In addition to exploring the town of Fira, the Old Port provides convenient access to other parts of the island. There are regular bus services that connect Fira to popular destinations such as Oia, Kamari, and Perissa beach.

It contains letters, photos, paintings, and artifacts that reveal the history of this fairytale island. Be mindful of the crowds, especially on the way back to the ship (allow at least 1 hour to embark on the last tender). You can purchase the tickets on-site and both cash and credit cards are accepted. Alternatively, if you’re in good physical shape, you can climb 587 steep stairs to the top. The closest to the cruise port Thira/Fira international airport is approx 6 km from downtown. Santorini is the most active volcanic centre in South Aegean Volcanic Arc, but what remains today is mainly a water-filled caldera.

Amoudi Bay is a hidden gem located below the village of Oia in Santorini. While it is not a designated port for cruise ships, it is worth mentioning as it offers a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience for travelers. Moreover, the Old Port is also home to several boat tours and excursions that allow visitors to explore the island from a different perspective. Many of these tours offer the opportunity to visit the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, where you can swim in the hot springs and witness the unique geological formations.

Options are bus, taxi, private car or shuttle service, and private transfer arranged via your hotel. Santorini is often described as paradise and is among the world’s most breathtaking places. The towns on the island are situated atop of high cliffs and are looking over the caldera of an ancient volcano. The volcanic eruptions created impressive underwater scenery making for plenty of diving opportunities. Diving tours offer trips to shipwrecks, volcanic caverns, and coastal reefs. Snorkeling locations also abound for those wanting to look below the waves with a bit less equipment.

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