Santorini

You sail into the immense crater of a volcano that remains active. The Santorini Boatmen Union operates the tenders (small boats) that bring cruise passengers ashore.

Those booked on the ship’s shore excursions are tendered to Athinios ferry port, from where their coach tours depart.

All other passengers tender to Skala port, beneath Fira, the island’s capital.

From Skala, reach Firá town by tackling a steep, uneven 600-step climb on mule-back (7 Euro), on foot, or by cable-car (10 Euro one way); the cliff-top cable-car station is farther from the centre than the top of the stairs. Walking or riding a mule down to rejoin your ship can be enjoyable if you feel able. Wear sturdy footwear if you do, as it can be very slippery. With more ships in port, return cable-car journeys can be extremely busy and involve long queues!

*NOTE* We have been told that the Fira steps have been closed since October 2025, so walking or using a mule to travel up and down is not an option. Take this into account when planning your visit.

The bus station is roughly a 9 minute walk from the cable station. Public buses serve all Santorini ports; journeys cost about 2 Euro and must be paid for in cash on board.

Alternatively, buy a 20 minute boat transfer from the tender dock to Ammoudi Port in Oia for 30 Euro. It includes a bus to Oia town, where you can spend a few hours, followed by an half an hour bus journey to Fira.

Before reaching the cliff-top town, facilities are limited to a few stalls and many mules.

Please note: if several ships are anchored offshore and yours is among the last to arrive, a cruise organized excursion may offer the best chance of reaching the island’s top (Fira).

A printable map to take with you.

The quintessential Santorini experience draws everyone to the narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses of the twin cliff-top towns of Thira and Oia, which look out across the caldera’s deep-blue waters.

Human presences on the island appear to date from the middle of the 3rd millennium B.C. Excavations at Akrotiri confirm that activity continued until the volcano erupted around 1500 B.C. and completely buried the island under very thick layers of pozzuolona; every trace of human activity then vanished until the end of the 13th century B.C.

One of Greece’s most magical islands, Santorini is barren and rocky, lying just opposite a volcano, with black and red beaches and towns perched on high cliffs with breathtaking views and fantastic sunsets.

Rather than the lush greenery of other islands, Santorini has a dramatic beauty. Its volcano is still active; the most recent eruption, in 1950, caused an earthquake that destroyed many villages on the island.

Beaches: water sports are available at Santorini’s main beaches. In general, the island is not ideal for children: beaches are stony and quite deep, currents are common and waves can become very high. Kamari and Perissa are popular for their attractive settings and black sand. For calmer beaches, choose Monolithos, Vlichada or Agios Georgios; visit Amoudi to snorkel.

As Santorini is a small island, it is straightforward to get about. Local buses reach most places, while cars and bikes can be hired and taxis are available. A steep, winding road connects the harbour used by ferryboats with Fira and the rest of the island; driving it in either direction can be terrifying for anyone with a fear of heights. You can also walk almost 600steps, take a somewhat cruel donkey ride the whole way, or travel directly to Fira by cable car.

Many tender-port operators offer (boat)excursions.

Oia (or Ia) Santorini: pronounced "ee-aa", Oia is Santorini’s best-known village. Famous worldwide for its quiet life and fantastic sunset, it is certainly the island’s most beautiful and picturesque village. Perched on an impressive cliff, it commands spectacular views of the volcanoes of Palia and Nea Kameni and of Thirassia. Oia is in the north of the island, 11 km from Fira. A taxi costs around 15 euros, although buses are another good option. Fira’s bus station is near the Cathedral, at the far end of the pedestrian way from the cliff…

Royal Beach Club Santorini is open both to local Greek residents and to Royal Caribbean Group® guests sailing with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises® and Silversea®.

A fast boat from Fira to Oia and back costs approx. € 25 per person. You stay down at the well-signposted old port rather than going up; Ammoudi Port in Oia is 20 minutes away. A bus from the port to Oia’s centre is included, giving you 1.5 hours there before returning to Fira by bus.

You can also catch a bus to Oia from Fira bus terminal. It takes about 30 minutes and costs just € 1.80 per person (one way), with tickets available on the bus. Oia’s final stop is within walking distance of the centre, and you park even closer to the city centre than cruise-line tour buses do.

Akrotiri is an ancient town buried by a volcanic eruption 3500 years ago. Archeologists are still excavating it, yet you can walk through its small street quarters and view buildings much as they were then. Their modernity is striking: homes had two or three stories and even running water...

The shops of Santorini, especially in Fira, are sure to tempt you as you walk its narrow, cobbled streets and pass the attention-grabbing shop windows. Jewellers are among the first sights along Ypapantis street, nicknamed "Gold Street". The name is not undue: the street is considered one of Greece’s largest gold markets, and its shops offer the most modern jewellery designed by famous jewellers from Greece as well as abroad.

The island’s rich, varied culinary culture is reflected in traditional dishes including tomato balls, Santorini salads, split peas in every variation, white aubergine, stuffed round courgette's, omelets, cooked capers and fresh cheese, plus local specialties such as apoxti (a type of cured ham), sausages, wild rabbit with a cheese and egg sauce, brantada, sweet melitinia and saffron bread rusks.

A well-stocked, very reasonably priced duty free shop is located at the tender dock.

Euro. US Dollars are often accepted, though the exchange rate is often not very good.

Language: Greek; English is widely spoken.

Open free wifi is available at the tender dock; in town, many cafes provide free internet with a purchase.

Web cams in Santorini