Exploring Santorini by Sea and Shore
Santorini, Greece is one of those destinations that seems to exist equally in history and in postcards. Known for its iconic whitewashed villages perched on volcanic cliffs, this island has been shaped by eruptions and legends alike. Much like visiting Edinburgh, UK for its layered history, arriving in Santorini gives you that same sense of time standing still, even while cruise ships come and go in the caldera below.
I’ve only managed to set foot on the island twice, despite multiple itineraries that listed Santorini as a port. Sometimes congestion at the port or gondola maintenance cancels the stop altogether. That makes the successful visits feel even more rewarding, and I’ve tried to make the most of each one.
On my first visit, I booked an excursion to Akrotiri, an archaeological site often called the Pompeii of the Aegean. Walking among the Bronze Age ruins preserved by volcanic ash felt like stepping into another world. From there, a bus tour carried us across the island, with a stop in Oia for shopping and lunch. Perched on the cliffside, the views were stunning, with the deep blue sea and ships anchored below. I lingered at a rooftop restaurant, where I enjoyed baklava and a cold drink before heading back to Fira and the ship.
My second time was more spontaneous. I was cruising with friends and got an early start by taking the gondola up before the crowds formed. After breakfast in town, we found a local company willing to take us around in a van for a few hours, no strict itinerary needed. We ended up back in Oia for another lunch at the same rooftop restaurant. By then, the line for the gondola was at least an hour long. With the clock ticking for the last tender, we chose the Karavolades Stairs instead.
The stairs themselves are an adventure. There are 588 steps that zigzag down 1.2 miles of cobblestones. Add in donkey traffic, piles of donkey waste, and slippery stones, and you’ve got a bit of chaos mixed with some laughs. By the time we reached the bottom, the tender crews were packing up their tents. We were the very last passengers on the very last boat back to the ship. It felt like we’d beaten the odds, and the memory of that descent is still one of my favorite Santorini stories.
If You Have More Time…
- Visit the black sand beaches of Kamari or Perissa – Unique volcanic sand and crystal-clear water make them a standout island experience.
- Explore the volcanic island of Nea Kameni by boat – Hike an active volcano and take in sweeping caldera views from the summit.
- Sample local wines at a Santorini vineyard – Taste wines made from the island’s distinctive volcanic soil and grape varieties.
- Stroll through Pyrgos, a less crowded hilltop village – Enjoy traditional Cycladic charm without the heavy crowds.
- Catch the famous sunset views in Oia – Iconic sunsets paint the sky over whitewashed domes and the Aegean Sea.