The path to Santorini's Old Port has reopened

The walking trail to the Old Port reopened in Santorini

The stepped path connecting the Old Port of Santorini with the town of Fira was reopened at the beginning of August, according to the publication Atlantea.

Karavolades Stairs, which are one of the main access routes to the Greek island for cruise passengers, had been unavailable since late July. As reported at the time by Cruise Industry News, local authorities closed the route, which features 558 steps, due to a wall collapse on a private building. Atlantea notes that the incident caused a minor landslide that effectively blocked passage for pedestrians and donkeys.

Old Port of Santorini is the traditional "gateway" for cruise tourists visiting the island, as well as the starting point for most excursions. Fira, the island's largest and most developed settlement, stands approximately 250 meters above the port. It can be reached via the Karavolades Stairs or by cable car.

       
Consultation on any questions

Due to the closure of the walking trail, the authorities of Santorini temporarily suspended the rules restricting the number of cruise passengers arriving through Athinios Port. This pier, located in another part of the island, has better infrastructure — it can be reached by cars and buses. Cruise lines were temporarily permitted to disembark more passengers at Athinios, which simplified the organization of shore excursions to other parts of Santorini.

With the reopening of traffic on the Karavolades Stairs, the restrictions were reinstated: the daily share of guests arriving at the new port was capped at 30 percent again.

This rule came into effect earlier this year as part of civil protection measures, as noted by the Municipal Port Fund of Thira. Introduced following the seismic crisis that shook the island in early 2025, it aims to ensure clear roads in case of emergency situations.

       
Consultation on any questions

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