Santorini Old Harbor, Santorini

Santorini’s Old Harbor owes its existence to the island’s volcanic formation, shaped primarily by the great Bronze Age eruption around the 16th century BCE. For centuries, it functioned as the island’s main maritime access point, serving small cargo vessels and passenger boats until modern port facilities were developed elsewhere. Today, it no longer handles large-scale traffic but remains active as a tender harbor for cruise ships.

Because the caldera drops steeply into deep water, cruise ships cannot dock directly. Instead, passengers are transferred to the Old Harbor by tender boats, which ferry them ashore from anchored ships. Historically, access between the harbor and Fira was possible only via a steep zigzagging path of approximately 580 steps, carved into the cliff face and still visible today.

Modern visitors can reach the upper town by cable car, introduced in the late 20th century. The ride takes about five minutes and offers wide views over the caldera and harbor below. Donkeys, once an essential means of transport, are still present, though their use today is increasingly discouraged. For those on foot, the climb remains demanding, especially in summer heat.

The Old Harbor waterfront features a small cluster of cafes, taverns, and souvenir shops catering mainly to cruise passengers. From here, boat excursions depart to the Nea Kameni volcano and nearby hot springs, particularly during the warmer months. While the harbor can become crowded during peak cruise days, overall visitor numbers fluctuate depending on ship schedules rather than constant daily traffic.