Please sign in to post.

a day in Santorini

My husband and I will be in Santorini for most of a day (8-6) during a cruise. Unfortunately the day is a Monday when museums and ancient sites are closed. As nondrinkers we have little interest in the cruise sponsored trip to the winery. Does anyone know of a private car/guide we could hire for a drive around the island for 4-6 hours? We'd just as soon leave the driving to someone else, and not rent a car. Thanks. Catherine, San Diego

Posted by
42 posts

Take the bus from Fira to Oia....about a 30 min. drive....or hike the 8 1/2 miles for beautiful sites...if you are into hiking.

Posted by
5678 posts

When I was there many, many years ago there was a trip to the volcano in the middle of the caldera. It involved hiking, but was interesting. The countryside is quite beautiful as the other poster pointed out. We spent a day in cafe in Santorini just people watching.

Pam

Posted by
61 posts

You will love Santorini but by far the best way to enjoy it all is by walking. You can only see the most beautiful vistas you could ever imagine by wanding up and down the little alleyways and gazing out over the most unique views. As a previous traveller said the public transport to Oio is a great thing to do and then you wander around there too.
Enjoy - it is spectacular.
Margaret

Posted by
61 posts

You will love Santorini but by far the best way to enjoy it all is by walking. You can only see the most beautiful vistas you could ever imagine by wanding up and down the little alleyways and gazing out over the most unique views. As a previous traveller said the public transport to Oia is a great thing to do and then you wander around there too.
Enjoy - it is spectacular.
Margaret

Posted by
1158 posts

Get a scooter and drive around. It's easy to park and it runs fast.

Posted by
9 posts

We had a stop in Santorini last week on a cruise. We shared a taxi to Oia with another couple -- 15 euros. The problem was getting back. The bus was 25 minutes late and no taxis came when we called. We barely made it to the ship and that was because the tenders stayed late to pick up a late-running excursion. The only way up-and-down from the tenders is via the cable cars or donkeys. Both of them have long lines just before the ships pull out. We ended up running down the donkey trail which I would NOT recommend. But Oia was beautiful. With a full day there you shouldn't have a problem getting back.

Susan

Posted by
40 posts

We just got back from cruising with one of the ports being Santorini. There are many travel agents on the main drag of town that will take you any where you want to go especially by ferry. If you do not want to go on your own, I would go there ASAP as you arrive in Santorini. There are half day tours and full day tours to the Caldera, Oia, and then back and I am sure that you could find some that would take you around on land. My husband & I saw the buses but decided to take an ATV around the island. For 4 hours it was only 20 euros. The island is not difficult to get around. It was so much fun and we got to go other places that the buses/tour guides do not go. We took the donkeys up the mountain which as silly as it sounds we are still talking about that experience. Took the cable back down. Santorini was one our most favorite ports other than the Amalfi coast on the cruise. Enjoy!!!

Posted by
3115 posts

Sally, I appeal to you not to encourage people to ride the donkeys. What you may not know is how badly they're abused.

Please, PLEASE DO NOT RIDE THE DONKEYS! I know they're cute and some people want to take photos riding them and experience the ride up or down the steps in Fira and Oia, but believe me, these poor animals are abused on a regular basis, forced to keep moving without rest or water even on the hottest days of summer. The donkey men use sticks with nails to prod them or whip them into moving along their way. I've seen this myself countless times. It's no wonder they try to wipe their passengers off their backs by rubbing up against the sides of the steps. I've also seen some pretty badly scraped legs from people who weren't able to avoid that circumstance. There is an effort going on to protect them from mistreatment, but until something legal is done only the tourists can stop the abuse by not riding them. PLEASE DO NOT RIDE THE DONKEYS!

Posted by
178 posts

If there are a lot of cruise ships in the harbor, it will make for a difficult time getting up or down on the funnicular. Hopefully, it will be a slower day. We hit it lucky.

Posted by
632 posts

Lee....thank you for the alert...I doubt I would have ridden the donkey's but with your input, I will take up the cause with you and spread the word when I get there later this fall.

Posted by
40 posts

Lee-
We were first time cruisers and had no idea how to get up the mountain to Santorini. If we would have known about the abuse of the animals we would have opted to walk up the 630 steps rather than take the cable cars and or donkeys.

Your response was beneficial to all but please would you refrain from using all caps in your posts. As Kent said in a post that I read a few months ago, it is disrespectful because it reads as if you are yelling at the people on the helpline. This helpline had so much information that I used for our trip. You can get your emotional point across without using the uncalled for "caps."

Thank you for the link to help others realize the abuse of these animals.

Sally

Posted by
3115 posts

Sally, respectfully I question your impulse to correct me. Over the years I've observed others complaining of capitalized words online before, but as far as I'm concerned you've completely overreacted. You've chosen not to take my message in the spirit offered. I don't habitually use all caps in my posts as you've implied but, internet etiquette aside, in this case I felt that "raising my voice" (to put it in your terms) a bit was completely justified considering the way people fail to see what is happening to the donkeys there. To be clear, it was my purposeful intention to use caps to draw attention to my message. If you feel disrespected (do you really??) that's got nothing to do with me. You've got bigger issues to deal with if a few capital letters sets you off to the point where you're compelled to make such a big deal of it. After all, if I really wanted to yell I would have used all caps, not just a few. I'm finished. That's all I'm going to write on this silly subject. Have your final say and be done with it.

Posted by
4555 posts

Lee...Lee! Talk about over-reacting! A simple declaration that you meant to use caps to emphasis your message about the abuse of the donkeys would have been sufficient. Considering Sally thanked you for letting us know about the issue, I would have thought that would have made a bigger impression on you than whether she understands why caps are (or not) used on the internet.

Posted by
20 posts

I would highly recommend a day tour with Kamari Tours, which RS recommends. The website is http://www.kamaritours.gr/ and the office that you catch the tour from is outside of Thira. We did the Santorini in One Day tour. It is a great value. In one day we saw much of the town, hiked the caldera (volcano), which is a MUST, swam in the hot springs, lunched on island off of the caldera with a black sand beach, and spent the evening in Oia. Highly recommended.

Posted by
42 posts

Thanks Kristen! I just sent Kimora tours an email; we'll be there on Oct 1 from 7 to 5, but I think we have to tender in so I'm not sure how early we can be off the boat. I doubt we can do the SAntorini in a day as it returns at sunset and by then our ship will have sailed, but I'm sure they will find a great tour for us!

Posted by
42 posts

I am confused. The only ways out of the port are donkeys or cable car with a long line? Or walking of course, but I dont want to wear out my feet before I get there! If you book a tour, do you still have to face this situation or is there some way for them to meet you at the port? I like the idea of dune buggies but wonder...is there traffic on the island? Can you drives these anywhere? Anyone who has been there please give me any info you can share on how to best tackle Santorini. Thank you!

Posted by
3115 posts

Those are your only 3 choices if your cruise ship brings you ashore at the old port below Fira. If you are tendered ashore at Athinios, the new port, then there will be buses and taxis to take you into Fira. You can also rent a car or motorbike at Athinios.

As for tours, your cruise ship should be offering one that coincides with your arrival and departure. This makes the most sense for time management.

Private tours:

http://www.santorinidaytour.com/

http://www.santorinitours.net/

Traffic can be heavy and the local drivers a little reckless, so be careful if you decide to rent something. If you're from the U.S. or Canada be sure to bring an International Driving Permit with you from your local AAA or CAA office. You can rent a vehicle without one but if you get in an accident and don't have it your insurance will be invalidated and you will be in serious trouble with the local police.