What can you do to make the most of your day in Santorini? In this post, we’re sharing our top tips for visiting Santorini on a cruise.
If you follow our tips and advice, you can make the most of your day on this beautiful Greek island.
Tip 1: Wake up early to enjoy the sail past Oia
Cruise ships must enter the caldera (large volcanic crater) from a certain direction and this means you will likely pass Oia on your approach.
Oia is the second largest village in Santorini and is known for it’s white-washed houses and blue dome churches.
It’s perched on top of the cliffs and as the sun rises, it casts a beautiful glow around the island.
We recommend ordering a room service breakfast to enjoy the early morning views of Santorini from your cabin.
This is a perfect way to start your day visiting Santorini on a cruise.
Tip 2: Get your tender tickets as soon as possible
Cruise ships don’t dock in Santorini so passengers are taken to shore on tender boats.
Passengers who have booked a cruise excursion for Santorini don’t need a tender ticket and are usually given priority.
If you plan to see Santorini on your own, you will need to queue for a tender ticket that allows you to board the tender at an allocated time. The earlier you collect your tender tickets, the earlier you can get off the cruise ship.
One of our best tips for visiting Santorini on a cruise is to start your day early to avoid the largest crowds that peak midday.
Tender boats usually drop passengers at Santorini Old Harbour.
Tip 3: Choose your mode of transport wisely in Santorini
When you arrive in Santorini Old Harbour you will need to decide how to reach the main town of Fira. Fira is directly above the harbour on the cliffs.
To get to Fira (and beyond) you have the following options:
- Santorini cable car
- Boat ferry to Oia
- Walk up 600 steps
- Ride a donkey up 600 steps
Santorini cable car – the best way of visiting Santorini on a cruise
We would highly recommend this option, particularly if you plan to visit Santorini in the morning. Beware that the queue for the cable car increases throughout the day.
Passengers have been known to wait up to 90 minutes for the cable car in the summer months.
Note: ticket prices increased in 2025. Only single (one-way) tickets can be purchased from the ticket office in cash.
| Adult | €10 |
| Child | €5 |
Contrary to what Trip Advisor says, you can’t book tickets in advance. Whatever time of day you arrive, you have to queue up and buy a ticket from the kiosk before you can board.
By getting off the ship early, you can reduce your waiting time for the cable car. This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Fira from the harbour.
When you get off your tender boat, take a left and head to the far end to find the entrance to the cable car.
If you’re lucky enough to arrive early in the morning like us, the queue won’t be long. We were on the first tender from our cruise ship and it took us no more than 10 minutes to board the cable car.
Each car holds four to six people and there are six cars per journey.
Once you’re onboard, you can sit back and enjoy the ride!
Boat ferry to Oia
This is a good choice of transport if you’re arriving in Santorini on a cruise ship after 9.30am. Boat trips don’t start until 9.30am.
Once you get off the tender boat, you will find a few boat trip options around the harbour.
Boat trips to Oia usually include a return bus to Fira in the price but always check with the boat company before you buy a ticket.
Walking up (and down) 600 steps
The winding staircase from the harbour to Fira is not for the faint hearted.
We wouldn’t recommend this option, unless you are physically fit and are careful to avoid the donkeys and the donkey dung!
Donkeys in Santorini
The donkeys in Santorini are a controversial part of Santorini’s history and tourism.
The animals have been historically used to transport people and goods up the steep, narrow streets and cliffs. It is part of their culture.
Concerns over animal welfare and over-tourism have led to the Cruise Lines International Association, PETA and the Donkey Sanctuary urging cruise passengers to avoid riding the donkeys.
Sadly, the donkeys have been found to be suffering from spinal injuries, saddle sores and exhaustion.
Tip 4: Where to enjoy in the gorgeous views of the Caldera
During your visit to Santorini, you cannot miss the breathtaking views of the Caldera from Fira.
When you get off the cable car in Fira, take an immediate right turn. You’ll get a great view of the Caldera and your cruise ship. It’s here where you’ll also find the top of the 600 steps that the donkeys and people use.
Tip 5: Wander the tiny streets of Fira in the morning when visiting Santorini on a cruise
The morning is the best time to explore the streets of Santorini. There are small cafes, bars, shops and churches in Fira.
By the afternoon, the streets are crowded but you can still get some great views of the caldera and grab a gelato as you stroll through the pretty streets.
Tip 6: Take the public bus to Oia
Despite Santorini being one of the most expensive Greek islands to visit, the public transport is cheap!
Our advice is to ignore the bus trips being advertised from Fira to Oia for 30 euros+ and instead head to the bus station.
Buses from Fira to Oia regularly leave every 30 minutes. You simply pay for a single ticket (¢2) when boarding the bus. Only cash is accepted.
When you arrive in Oia, make a note of where the bus dropped you as this is where you’ll return to get the bus back. You can then head up the gradual hill to the main streets.
Tip 7: Don’t miss Oia when visiting Santorini on a cruise
If you are trying to decide whether to visit Fira or Oia during your day in Santorini, you really don’t need to. Both are doable during your visit.
We think Oia is much prettier and is more like the photos you’ve seen of Santorini. There are little houses and hotels in the cliffs and the streets appear cleaner.
Oia is easy to reach by public bus (see tip 6) or a boat trip from the harbour (see tip 3).
There are two sides to Oia: one with narrow streets and the other side where the walkways are wider. You will know very quickly which side you’re on whilst walking around the streets!
The first landmark you’re likely to come across in Oia is the Orthodox Church. From this point, you can turn left or right.
Tip 8: Find a blue dome church in Santorini
Despite Santorini being famous for its blue dome churches, there are actually very few!
There are none in Fira but there are a few in Oia. If that is on your list of things to do in Santorini, don’t skip Oia.
There is a well-know Instagram spot in Santorini that enables you to capture a photo of three blue dome churches. Here is the link to it on Google Maps. Just be prepared to queue to get the same photo as everyone else!
Tip 9: Bring cash AND card when visiting Santorini on a cruise
The chances are you’re going to spend money in Santorini so it’s worth being aware that not all places accept card payments.
Bring cash (Euros) for the cable car and public bus.
Card payments are widely accepted in shops, cafes and bars but always check before ordering.
Tip 10: Beware of pickpockets in Santorini
Like many tourist hotspots, Santorini does have pickpockets that take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the busy streets.
It’s not as common as other Mediterranean ports like Barcelona or Marseille because Santorini is an island and can be expensive for thieves to visit.
Our tip for visiting Santorini on a cruise is to only take your essentials with you and leave your most precious valuables on the cruise ship. Keep valuables safe in a cross body bag worn on your front or in your front pockets.
Check out our cruise essentials in our gift guide.
Tip 11: You don’t need to buy a shore excursion for Santorini
Cruise lines offer shore excursions for Santorini but if you follow our top tips, you can easily enjoy your day for far less money.
Visiting Santorini on your own allows you to stay for as long as you wish. The reality is that the cruise lines will be using the same modes of transport to get you around the island as if you were to do it independently.
Final thoughts on visiting Santorini on a cruise
If you are plan on visiting Santorini on a cruise, be prepared for lots of tourists.
From 2025, Greek authorities are limiting cruise ship passengers to 8,000 per day. Even with these restrictions the island’s infrastructure is not designed for this influx of people.
If you’re going to take one piece of advice from this post, it should be to get off the cruise ship as early as possible. This way you have a chance of visiting Santorini during the quietest part of the day.
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Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food.
Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados
Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!
Find me on: Twitter/X
Having experienced Santorini and its crowds this is excellent advice
Author
Thank you, we think Santorini would be much better if less cruise ships!