Santorini is limiting visitor arrivals.

Page Updated 29. September 2023.

Paradise or tourist trap?

With more than 2.5 million visitors in a year this little island is overcrowded by tourists. In the high season roads are filled by buses with passengers from cruise ships. On our last visit at the sunset destination of Oia it was nearly impossible to park the car. All roads and parking lots were fully loaded with tourist buses.

From 2019 authorities limits daily cruise visitors.

Local buses are always full, and they drive in a line behind rented 4-wheel bikes. But in the evening after cruise ships have departed and around sunrise you will still be able to experience a spectacular sunset.

Imerovigli 2010. Nikon D700 ISO 6400.

Visit Santorini outside the busy season and stay in a hotel on the edge of the caldera. Contact hotels direct and ask for a nice rate if you stay more than a few days.

“It is a reality now, Santorini is an all year round tourism destination,” Mayor Nikos Zorzos says.

https://news.gtp.gr/2018/10/29/thira-mayor-santorini-365-day-tourism-destination/

What happened on Santorini when the tourism ‘machine’ stopped

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/santorini-tourism-coronavirus/index.html