Larry the tenders take you right to the bottom of the cliff where the cable car is also the mules. When you get to the top the little town is called Fira. Strongly recommend you grab a cab and go to Oia - not very far I forget maybe 10 mins by cab and not expensive (a bus runs there as well) Oia is far more scenic as that is where the blue and white buildings you see in the Santorini ads and post cards etc. Great little restaurants with gorgeous views to sit and have a local beer and snack.

Check this website to get an idea of the area

http://www.united-hellas.com/tourism/santorini/villages-santorini.html

Very cool T69. Thank you. Going to Oia seems like a good idea.

Jacket, T69's advice is just right. Fira is pretty much very touristy with lots of shops. Don't know how much time you will have, but we joined another couple and paid about $40.00 to have a taxi drive us to Oia, wait for us to take a nice walk, then take us to other places on the island, including a beach. He was super nice and talked about plants, the landscape, the economy, etc. It took about an hour and a half.

We did a self-guided historical walking tour of Fira, with stops at museums, churches, etc. I compiled it from guidebooks and web surfing. We didn't shop.

Thanks again. These are all good ideas. As you know Sass the last cruise involved a TON of walking, though all well worth it. This time we're gonna stop and smell the flowers.

Larry, If your ship tender you off at Fira and then back from Fira, you are good to go. But we were tendered off on Port Athinios and tendered back at Fira.

At Port Athinios, there is absolutely nothing there. The bus took us to the top on a winding road up the side of the cliff (Sue is going to have to close her eyes) and on to Pirgos. From there, the bus took us through several towns throughout the island (including Oia)and we finished at Fira where we had the the option to walk, ride the donkey or take the cable car down and tender back to the ship.

Thanks E. I would hope we tender at Fira but you never know. I do know we are one of two ships due in port that day if that means anything. Do ships ever dock in Santorini?

Usually the only time you disembark other than the cable car area is when you are on a private tour. The buses can get there to pick the passengers up. All of the ships have to tender in (actually they use the port tenders - the ships aren't allowed to use their own - income for the locals I guess) If there are only two ships in that day you are in luck because the line can be very long for the cable car. Be sure you have plenty of time to get back to the ship just in case. Here is another website for you http://www.europeportreviews.com/Santorini.htm It is very informative.

Larry, They don't dock there. Only tender. After they unload everyone at Port Athinios, the ship goes to the bay near Fira and anchor for tender oepration.

Fira is on top of the cliff and there is a small clearing below accessible by donkey, walking (stairs) or cable cars only.

The "landing" has no road acess so anyone going on a ship's excursion will be tender ashore at Port Athinios and take the tour buses there. I am not sure how private tour would work but I would assume they will pick you up there as T69 suggest or you can get up to Fira and meet them there.

From the tender boat it's just a few yards to the cable car.

Got it! Thanks. We port at 1400 and as we have early seating we just may have dinner up in town. I gather that the views are amazing.

You are lucky arriving at that time. Most of the ships get there earlier so you will miss the long lines for the cable car. You will find better restaurants for the view in Oia. The seating is mainly outdoors and views spectacular.

We are also lucky on that ours is one of only two ships in that day.

There are also excellent restaurants right in Fira. I particularly like Selene, but it is expensive.

We walked up the stairs to Fira and had to dodge all those mules, was funny for about a nano second. Then we walked from Fira to Oia along the path. It was the best thing we ever did on a trip and was free

Once we got to oia, we took the steps down to to the water front and had the best meal at a shore restaurant. Can't remember the name, but it's the only one down there. I recommend the fresh seafood.

We took a cab back to Fira (40 Euro)...was totally ripped off, but too tired to fight with him anymore. And, of course, took the steps down to the tender.

Even if you just walk a little ways from Fira to Oia until you get tired, it is worth the incredible views and then you can always head 'inland' to hail a cab or bus.

Have fun..it is beautiful!

Thanks for the tips and the restaurant suggestion Doug. I think we'll play in by ear though eating in Oia just for the views seems to be a good idea. I was thinking to making a reservation at the Tuscan Grille for that evening but hey when will ever get a chance to eat in Santorini again? This seems like option #1. Maybe we can do the Tuscan on a sea day.

Selene has a magnificent view as well, but if you don't make a reservation you won't be eating there, so playing it by ear will leave you with only the tourist standbys ... and I'd mention that's true in Oia as well. You will just not get into any any of the top restaurants on the island without a reservation (and by now there are probably more good choices than when I was there).

I really like Oia, but I have to confess that I was underwhelmed. I found it uber-touristy, packed to the gills with sunset-watchers (though strangely dead during the day), and really expensive. However, I did have one of the best meals I ate in Greece there at the restaurant 1800, though that particular restaurant has no view. So I'm curious if anyone ever shares that impression.

The praise for Oia on these boards is almost uniform. I did like it but didn't love it. The town is picturesque, but I find the views from Imerovigli even better (it's about halfway between Fira and Oia and easily walkable ... you have to go uphill to get to Oia). The walk there, however, is really amazing if quite strenuous.

Doug, I echo your view of teh walk between Oia and Fira, except we walked form Oia to Fira. As Fira was the final destiantion, it just made sense to walk from Oia to Fira.

There is no mistaking that they make their money from Tourists. I don't believe you see many local dining in those places.

Expensive is relative, as is value. WHen you go to a restaurnt, do you pay for the enjoyment of the food, the decor, the scenery or what?

At home, I go to restaurbnt for good food and not the decor.
When wetravel, we aim for authenticity, and soemtimes, teh view. There is no subsitution for sitting at a local market square sipping local coffee and people watching.

So how about a decent restaurant though it may not be a top one? I would hope we could get something good somewhere. How far/long is the walk from Fira to Oia?

The walk from Fira to Oia took us about 2 hours and 20 minutes at a 'normal' walking pace. We didn't rush, but we didnt doddle either. Some short stops for pictures and water. It's not strenious, but parts of it can be 'slippery' with loose gravel for short periods of time. I'm not the fittest person in the world and had no problem.

If you aren't a serious hiker, I'd limit my walking to the path between Fira and Imerovigli, which is not terribly strenuous, gives you the great views, and won't tire you out too much if it's monstrously hot (there's a bit of shade here and there along the way, though not that much, so wear a hat). The rest of the walk between Imerovigli and Oia is tough and strenuous, almost all uphill on the way to Oia.

If you are going to do only part of the walk, I second the idea of taking a taxi or bus to Oia and walking back. Or taking a taxi or bus to Imerovigli from Oia and then walking back to Fira from there. I would not do the whole trip unless you do it downhill. It's really tough.

OK so as we are planning on taking the easy road ( Sue will kill me if I plan lots of walking like our Holyland cruise. ) I think it will the path of least resistance. Thanks for all the help.

re: docks. The Greek ferries use the docks. Taxis meet the passengers.
Cruise ships have to do the cable car.
Santorini is beautiful to look at but over touristed.

We took the cable car up to Fira. Long line, but it moves fast. Same on the way back. Planty to see in Fira and you don't need to walk too far. Views great. Had lunch in a place overlooking the caldera - just had Greek salads, but very tasty. We don't spend too much effort on looking for the very best. Lots of acceptable places.

That sounds like our speed

Don't miss the sign "Santorini taxi" to take a photo! It's where the donkeys are - by the steps.