Key Aspects:
- The Port of Fira in Santorini has resumed normal operations after a temporary closure.
- A wall bordering the famous Karavolades Stairs collapsed, making the pathway from the port to the city of Fira inaccessible.
- Cruise operations were relocated to the ferry port of Athinios while the stepped path was closed.
Things are getting back to normal for cruise guests visiting Santorini, Greece.
Cruise Hive reported that a private wall bordering the famous Karavolades Stairs collapsed on Monday, July 27, 2026, making the path from the old port on the Bay of Fira to the capital of Fira inaccessible.
But thankfully, the closure was short-lived. The Mayor of Thira, Anastasios Nikolaos Zorzos, reopened the pathway on August 3, 2026.
“We decide the revocation of decision no. 274/2026 of the Mayor of Thira and the lifting of the blocking of access and of the prohibition of passage on the section of the stepped road from the settlement of Fira (equid stop) up to and including the Bay of Fira (old port). The present decision is in force from its posting,” the official order from the mayor stated.
The damage caused by the collapsed wall has been addressed and there is no lingering danger to pedestrians who traverse the path.
“The fact that the reason for which the above blocking and the prohibition of passage had been imposed has ceased to exist,” the mayor’s order confirmed.
Cruise visitors were significantly impacted by the sudden loss of access, as they were no longer able to travel the stepped path between the tender docks and the capital city of Fira by foot or by hoof (aka via riding a donkey or mule).
The only remaining option was the popular Santorini Cable Car, which could not feasibly accommodate an influx of cruise guests along with other tourists.
Impact on Cruise Tourism
On July 28, one day after the closure, Greek authorities made the decision to temporarily relocate cruise operations from Fira to Athinios, which is the main ferry port in Santorini. Fira is the traditional gateway to enjoying the island for cruise guests.
Athinios is approximately seven miles away from the Port of Fira. Public buses and taxis already run between the two ports, with the drive taking around 25 minutes.
During the closure, all shore excursions were based out of Athinios for both local tours and tours on other parts of the island. This was seen as the best option for managing crowds and ensuring guests could still reach the experiences they paid for.
There were no public reports of cancelled port calls as a result of this situation.
Just two months earlier, Cruise Hive reported that the Municipal Port Fund changed its policies so that up to 70% of cruise guests had to disembark at the old port at Fira, with no more than 30% arriving through Athinios.
These limitations were disregarded during the closure, but are once again being enforced now that the stairs have reopened.
Which Cruise Lines Sail to Santorini?
Santorini is a popular destination on cruises to the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles, with more than 1.2 million cruise guests visiting the island annually.
It’s currently the peak season for cruising in Santorini, which runs from June through mid-September. In the past, Santorini has seen upwards of 10,000 passengers visit in one day during its busy season (though now there is a daily cap of 8,000 passengers).
60 ship calls are still scheduled for the rest of August 2026 alone, with major brands like MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and more coming to Santorini.
