Will be arriving on a cruise and have 8 hours ashore - am pondering whether bus to Oia and other places on the island or would taxi's be a better idea - want to see the Santos Winery as well as the black beaches on the other side of the island and Lee if you are there a great place for lunch - I understand the Red Mullett is a must. Am I correct.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
In reality your 8 hours will be more like 5.5-6 hours because of the time it takes to get up the cliff from the tender dock, then to do it in reverse when you return to the ship, so with so few hours ashore you need to take a taxi. Order one so someone will meet you. Just make sure you let them know you're on a cruise ship and not arriving at the ferry port, Athinios. Go up the cliff by cable car and have them meet you outside the cable car building. Please don't ride the abused donkeys up the cliff. http://tinyurl.com/3mvhgf9 Santo Wines and the black beaches are on the other side of the island from Oia so you will have to budget your time carefully if you want to see it all. Even then it will be difficult. Red Mullet is known locally as Barbouni. I'm a vegetarian so I've never tried it but everyone says it's the best. The best place for this or for whatever fresh seafood is available on that day is Katina's Fish Taverna below Oia on the wharf in Amoudi Bay. http://tinyurl.com/c2d6g5b
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
I agree about Katina's on Ammoudi Bay and the red mullet is excellent. Remember that in Greece they charge by weight for the fish! Usually in Ammoudi Bay you will have the opportunity to choose your own fish after looking at them.
The taxi drivers are usually willing to drop you off and then come pick you up when you give them a call. You could have the same taxi driver for all your visitations.
Posted by
OP
Ontario Canada
649 posts
Thanks for the information. Can anyone recommend a taxi company I can contact. Also I understand that it is a long hike down to the beach at Oia to reach the restaurant - Is this correct?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
The link to the taxi company website is in my answer above! The hike down the cliff is by steps, 238 of them. If you get tired just stop and rest. Going down is a lot easier than walking back up.
Posted by
OP
Ontario Canada
649 posts
Sorry I forgot to mention that the ship docks at 7AM and leaves at 7PM. So if we left the ship at 8.30 and returned at 5.30 that would be 9 hours. So we could do the winery and and a couple of other stops as well??
Lee isn't the Santos winery on the Fira side of the island?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Yes, on the Caldera side. You can take the bus or a taxi. You should know that Sigalas Winery in Oia has some excellent, award-winning wine. they're located at the beginning of Oia behind the Santorini Mou Taverna on the right side of the road as you approach the village.