We’re taking a Celestyal cruise Oct. 9-16, 2021 and have nailed down most of our shore excursions except for Santorini. We really want to see Oia at sunset (as I’m sure everyone else who’s there does too!) but the excursions offered by the ship visit Oia during the day. We are in port at Santorini from 8:00AM until 2:00AM the next day, so is it difficult to find a taxi or other method of returning to Oia before sunset? We’ve heard we shouldn’t miss that if possible but haven’t found any really good resources in my online searches. Suggestions?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
When we were on Santorini off a Holland Am cruise ship, we took the tram up and took a hard left on the first street that paralleled the beach. There was a local tour office around the corner that offer a wide range of very reasonable local tours. Booked a couple. The office was mentioned in the Steves' guidebook for Santorini. And taxis are plentiful.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
We took a guided bus tour on Santorini that included the highlights on the website below..
We were offered our tour through a travel agency. We skipped Oia at sunset because we were staying at Firostefani and it had the same Caldera view. We enjoyed all the sites on the tour.
https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/santorini/tours/s5-santorini-day-bus-tour/
Posted by
USA
35 posts
I found a day trip sailing excursion through Get your Guide: https://www.getyourguide.com/greece-n28/
The website also looked to be a good resource for private taxis, tours etc...
I'm a planner so I like having something planned/reserved before hand so I can relax while I'm there. I don't like the idea of having to show up and then make my arrangements like looking for a taxi or tour once I show up on the island. To each their own, but Get Your Guide was useful.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
As for the sunset, (BTW, it can be viewed all along the West coast of Santorini, from any good high point on the cliff-edge) you have been told ("we've heard") thru endless tour/cruise promotions that OIA is THE place to see it. Be aware that it can be standing-room only along the rimside path. Here are OIA photos from summertime - http://tinyurl.com/lnquk6h October will be better of course, but u will need to plan ahead, and there's NO seating along the path ... there are upscale restaurants in OIA with sunset views... and plenty of restaurants in Fira Town as well. I have enjoyed the sunset in June at STANI Taverna in Fira on its top-floor terrace http://www.stani.gr/ -- where a lovely traditional Greek meal is about €30-40 for 2. The leading OIA expert on all Greece travel forums, brotherleelove, can recommend OIA restaurants with optimum views. A taxi back to your cable-car station in Fira can cost €25?? Good to check bus timetable since fare is a few €. Since ur ship doesn't depart until 2 am, u wd even have time for a bit of Fira nightlife.
Posted by
11156 posts
Spent four nights in Oia on Santorini and never saw one sunset.