Santorini is a highlight of any Greek Islands cruise, a popular stop alongside Mykonos. While both islands are “must-see” destinations on major cruise itineraries, visiting Santorini as a cruise passenger comes with its own set of logistical challenges. Unlike those staying overnight, cruise passengers face strict time constraints and have limited transportation options. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading my post on visiting Santorini where I cover essential topics such as how to get up to Fira from the port and the best ways to get around the island. I’ll be building on that information here to help you plan your perfect day on the island!
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by the taxi services I recommend.
Critical Constraints for Cruise Passengers
Like I stated above, to make the most of your limited time in Santorini, it’s essential to understand the unique logistical challenges that can stand between you and the island’s famous attractions. These include:
The Tender Process
You have to take a tender from your ship to the Old Port of Fira. This process can take a significant amount of time, especially on a busy summer day.
Getting to Fira from the Port
Once at the Old Port, you have to get up to Fira, which is on top of the caldera cliff. The line for the cable car can be an hour or even more on a busy day. I write about taking the cable car in more detail in my Santorini post. Alternatively, you can walk the 600 steps, which is exhausting, or take a donkey, which is also slow.
The “All Aboard” Deadline
Your ship will not wait for you! There is a non-negotiable time by which you must be back on the tender boat. Missing this deadline means missing your ship. Unfortunately, the sunset in Oia, a major attraction on Santorini, typically happens well after most cruise ships have set their “all aboard” time.
Arrival Timing
The first tenders of the day are usually the least crowded; take one of the first tenders to get a head start on the day’s crowds. To avoid the worst of the crowds when waiting for the cable car to get up to Fira, it’s best to either take one of the earliest tenders to the port or wait until later in the morning (between 11am and 1pm) when the initial rush has subsided. Always remember to check your specific ship’s schedule and plan accordingly.
Specifically, you should try to avoid these peak times when taking the cable car:
- Mid-Morning (9am to 10am): This is often when passengers from multiple cruise ships are disembarking and trying to get up to Fira.
- Mid-to-late Afternoon (2pm to 4pm): This is when many day visitors are heading back to their ships, causing significant lines for the return trip down to the tender boats.
- Evening: On days when ships stay late, the queue to go back down can be particularly long as everyone tries to get back to the ship for the “all aboard” deadline.
What to Wear and Pack
Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes, as the caldera cliffs and towns like Fira and Oia have many stairs and cobblestone streets. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle as Santorini is hot and sunny throughout the summer and early fall.
Currency & Payment
Greece uses the Euro (€), and while credit cards are widely accepted in most shops and restaurants, it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand for smaller purchases or for places that only accept cash, like some small souvenir shops.
Realistic Itineraries for a Day Trip
Because of these time constraints, it is better and more enjoyable to focus on one main activity and build in a large time buffer than to try and see everything on Santorini.
Option 1: Visit Oia
Oia is Santorini’s northernmost town and is world-famous for its breathtaking sunsets, stunning views of the caldera, and its iconic, cliff-hugging architecture.
Morning
Take the tender to the old port and get up to Fira using the cable car. I recommend taking an earlier tender so you have as much time as possible to spend on the island. When you arrive in Fira, I recommend taking a taxi to Oia instead of the bus, as the bus can be unreliable and disorganized. However, it is a significantly cheaper option if you are on a tight budget, but it comes with the risk of delays.
Different taxi services on Santorini include Golden Tours, Santorini Transfer, and My Santorini Transfer. Taxis from Fira to Oia can be expensive, often a flat rate, so confirm the price before getting in. I also recommend that you coordinate with your taxi driver for a pickup time later in the day to avoid waiting!
Afternoon
In the afternoon, spend time exploring Oia’s famous streets! Have lunch and take pictures of the blue domes. Blue domes in Oia are near the Anastasi Church and the famous Byzantine Castle Ruin. Also, make sure to take photos of the rest of the island and the caldera. For lunch, I recommend going to a cafe with a caldera view for an unforgettable dining experience!
Mid-Afternoon
Start heading back to Fira well before the crowds. Take a taxi back and immediately get in line for the cable car to return to your tender boat. I would recommend giving yourself 2 hours to get from Oia back to your ship’s tender (this includes waiting in line for the cable car). If you have a bit of extra time, you can do a quick walk-through of Fira’s main streets, but keep an eye on the time and stay near the cable car line to avoid any last-minute panic.
Option 2: Visit a Black Sand Beach
For a truly unique experience, visit one of Santorini’s black sand beaches. The island’s volcanic landscape has created several of these rare wonders, including Kamari Beach and Perissa Beach.
Morning
Take the tender to the old port and get up to Fira. Again, I recommend taking a taxi instead of the bus directly to a black sand beach like Perissa or Kamari. Both of these beaches are around a 20-minute drive from Fira. Like I said before, I recommend that you coordinate with your taxi driver for a pickup time later in the day to avoid waiting!
Kamari is a bit more developed and resort-like, with a long promenade of restaurants and shops right on the beach. Perissa is often considered more of a laid-back beach, with a more traditional village feel, and is quieter. It’s known for the towering Mesa Vouno mountain that separates it from Kamari. During my visit to Santorini on a cruise, I explored Perívolos beach, the southern half of Santorini’s famous black sand coastline that also includes Perissa. Perissa is seen as the more lively, family-friendly end of the beach, while Perívolos is a bit more “fashionable” and a bit quieter.
Afternoon
Spend your time relaxing on the beach, swimming in the sea, and enjoying a seaside lunch. Most restaurants and bars offer sun loungers and umbrellas, often for free, as long as you order food or drinks. Just remember that the black volcanic sand gets extremely hot under the sun, so wear sandals or water shoes to protect your feet. For lunch, find a taverna right on the beach and enjoy fresh seafood or traditional Greek dishes like gyros. It’s a unique experience to dine with your feet almost in the sand! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a kayak, go jet skiing, or try other water sports available at the beach.
Mid-Afternoon
Don’t underestimate the time it takes to get back to the ship. On a busy day, the cable car line can be very long. Remember to check what time you have to be back on your ship to give yourself a cushion of at least 1.5 to 2 hours to get from Fira back to the tender boat. Take a taxi back to Fira. Once you arrive, head straight to the cable car to begin your journey back down to the tender boats. If time allows before the cable car line gets too long, you can take a quick stroll through Fira’s streets for some last-minute souvenir shopping or a final glimpse of the caldera view.
What About Taking the Hike from Fira to Oia?
The most important takeaway for a cruise passenger on Santorini is to prioritize the return to the port. The long queues and unpredictable traffic can easily make you miss your ship. Trying to squeeze in a 3-5 hour hike in the middle of a full day is not a risk worth taking.
Differences Between My Visit and These Itineraries
In my previous post about Santorini for a day on a cruise, I mentioned how I visited Oia and a black sand beach. However, I do not recommend doing what I did and instead doing one or the other. While I don’t regret visiting both places, it cost me a lot more money to take taxis throughout the day, and I did not have as much time to explore each place as I would have liked.
Also, the travel time and waiting for my taxi to come ate up a large portion of my time on the island. Moreover, because I was going from one to the other, I didn’t have enough time to explore all the charming side streets. The two separate itineraries I have written both reduce the stress of rushing and allow you to truly immerse yourself in the culture and atmosphere of either Oia or the beach, so you can have a more relaxed and enjoyable day in Santorini.
Conclusions
Visiting Santorini is on many travelers’ bucket lists, and visiting on a cruise is a cost-efficient way to do so. However, the limited time cruise passengers have on the island requires thoughtful planning and consideration of the time constraints, including tendering to and from the island as well as using the cable car. These two itineraries will help you maximize your one-day visit to this Greek island and ensure it’s a memorable and stress-free experience!