Most cruise passengers land in Santorini the same way: tender to the Old Port, then straight into the cable car line up to Fira. On a day when two or three ships are anchored at once, that line is often the first hour of a very short day on the island.

There’s a way around it. A private boat can carry passengers from the Old Port across the caldera to Ammoudi Bay, the small harbor below Oia, before the road portion of a tour even starts. iGoHellas runs this route for cruise arrivals, which turns the crossing itself into part of the day rather than a wait before it begins.

Skip the Santorini cable car; here’s an alternative.

6-Hour Santorini Sightseeing Private Tour

See Santorini’s most photographed viewpoints with a private, English-speaking local guide, timed to skip the crowds even on a busy cruise day. Stop at the Three Bells of Fira in Firostefani, walk Oia’s caldera path, and take in the view from Profitis Ilias, the island’s highest point. The route continues to Art Space Winery for an optional tasting, then south to the traditional villages of Megalochori and Emporeio, finishing at Black Beach.

Stops include:
• Firostefani — Three Bells of Fira
• Oia
• Profitis Ilias
• Art Space Winery
• Megalochori
• Emporeio
• Black Beach

Private vehicle, flexible pace, and a guide who knows the route to each viewpoint without the backtracking. Ideal for cruise passengers with limited time ashore, couples, and small groups.

BOOK THIS TOUR

Why the Santorini Cable Car Backs Up

The Old Port sits at the base of Santorini’s cliffs, directly below Fira. No road reaches it. Every cruise passenger who tenders in has to get up to the caldera rim before a tour can continue by vehicle, and the cable car…

Read Full Article Source