After my previous post about taking the donkeys to Fira we decided we will just take the gondola. With that said does this seem practical? Gondola to Fira for lunch, bus to Oia, then a beach on the way back to the cruise tenders. Any recommendations on a beach to visit after Oia? Also, what is the best way back from Oia to the cruise ship port? We are only in Santorini for one day.
Posted by
Atlanta
5194 posts
You probably wont have as much time in port as you think. It will take a good bit of time just to tender in, go up in the gondola, and then find a good place to have lunch. We thought about doing something similar but the bus schedules to and from Oia didn't mesh with getting us back in time for the last tender. And unless you are on a ship excursion, and you don't get back in time for the last tender, you will be left. Have seen it happen a number of times. Depending on your interest, you might want to only go to Oia. Just food for thought.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
You can save time by taking the newly-reinstated water taxi service from the cruise ship dock straight to Amoudi Bay below Oia. Have lunch on the Amoudi wharf if you like or take the provided shuttle up into the village. If you stay down there for lunch they'll call you a taxi to bring you up the cliff. From there you can take a taxi or the public bus back to Fira, then take the cable car back down to the cruise ship dock. There's no road.
The beaches, Perissa and Kamari, are on the far side of the island from the caldera and about as far from Oia as you can get.
Look at this map: http://www.motorinn.gr/santorini-map
Posted by
OP
Santee, CA, USA
73 posts
Thanks Lee, that's great info.
Posted by
OP
Santee, CA, USA
73 posts
Has anyone used the water taxi to Oia recently? And Does anyone know the cost for the trip?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
I believe it's €10, but don't hold me to it!
Posted by
11569 posts
The lines for the gondola feom Fira down can be very, very long so if you can take a water taxi back to the ship feom Oia it sounds like a good idea.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
I have yet to hear from anyone who has tried it, but I did read a month or so back that the water taxi does not take passengers back to the tender port, only one-way to Oia. It doesn't make much sense but if someone can confirm or refute this from personal experience I would appreciate it if you would let us know.