kiramoli

Hi, we will be in Santorini for one day at the end of August, with the cruire ship (sorry for contributing to the cruise ship crowd). We would like to spend some time sightseeing and some time on the beach. We are getting a local tour guide who suggested the following (sorry for spelling)
- Fira
- Monastery in the mountains
- Pirgos
- Wine museum
- Oia

Do yu think it's too much for one day, especially if we want to spend some time on the beach?
Can someone recommend a must-see for half day?
Thanks in advance

HappyTrvlr

Santorini is not known for it's beaches so save that for an island with better beaches such as Mykonos, Surprised you don't have Akrotiri on your list. It was a major reason we went to Santorini.
You should include Oia , Amoudi Harbor below Oia and a winery for sure.Pyrgos. I got out of Fira quickly, tourist central. I have been to Santorini twice, stayed in Oia but didn't do a lot on your list.
Also, you need to allow time to stand on line for funicular back down to where the cruise ship tenders pick you up. Your ship won't be the only one there either so be prepared for a long wait. Or wlak down the steps. Don't ride the donkeys.

kiramoli

Thank you HAppy Trvlr. That's exactly what I needed - to get a feel of what's must to do and what can be skipped.
Akrotiri - we've been to several arceological sites before on various islands and mainland - Cyprus, Sycily, Efes, etc.
Is Akrotiri a 'must see'?

Odin

You can swim at Amoudi Harbour, you just need to walk on the path past the tavernas then there is a place you can enter the water. It's a very nice spot to swim, with a view of the caldera.
The beach at Kamari is nice too, black volcanic pebbles with clear water. The Red Sand beach is quite beautiful but requires effort to get to in terms of a hike but it is close to Akrotiri. It is similar to red sand beaches that you get in Maui. Vlychada Beach is also a good bathing beach.

HappyTrvlr

AKrotiri is from tne Bronze Age, much older than Ephesus. If you don't get to see it, many of the frescoes rescued from Akrotiri are in tne Narional Archeological Museum in Athens. Don't miss this museum when in Athens.

wug

How long will you have on Santorini? It can take quite awhile to get off the ship and into town. I've never done Santorini by cruise but, those from those i have spoken with, it sounds like your list would be too much for the time you'll have. Do you plan to rent car? Take public transportation? Hire a driver?

Is Akrotiri a must see? It depends on what your interests are. If you enjoy ancient sites and civilizations, then it's pretty fascinating but, I wouldn't say it's a must see for someone who is only on Santorini for a day.

I've been to Santorini more times than I can count and my idea would be to get to Oia, swim at Amoudi. You can visit a winery along the way. Or, head over to Exo Genia and visit some of the wineries around there. Stop at Kamari beach and then go to Oia.

There can be upwards to 10 cruise ships at Santorini during the high season so you might have to take a few hours out of your slotted time for getting on and off the ship. Walking can be much faster than the cable car if there are a lot of cruise ships in port that day.

BarbAnn

Last time hubby and I were in Santorini via a cruise ship, we rented a car. We were on the first tender from our ship. The car was waiting at the top of the funicular. We visited Oia before all the groups arrived. Then on to Akrotiri. We have visited many other archaeological sites. Akrotiri was not too crowded and we enjoyed walking through it (it is covered by a building). After, we visited three wineries including the wine museum and Santos Winery. One winery even gave us a private tour. We had a wonderful day driving around Santorini, getting off the beaten path. We also visited Kamari Beach (just to walk along the beach). Returned the car in Fira, walked a bit there and then took the funicular back to the tender docks. Spectacular day!

travelerjan

BarbAnn -- Alas, on many cruise ships the system is Rigged in favor of ONLY those who sign up for the ship's pricey tours... all others must wait until all those have gotten ashore, only then can the underlings get aboard a tender ... thus sometimes on 5 hours stop, people get on land w. only 4 hours remaining, and then have to stand in line for an hour to get cable car to re-board. Bottom line: cruise lines "sell you a line" if they say you can see much of Santorini, when the stop is listed at anything less than 8 hours.

BarbAnn

travelerjan: You are correct, but there are was around that situation. It depends on which cabin category you are in, your loyalty status, how early you are willing to get in line for tender tickets and even "who you know".

travelerjan

In that case BarbAnn, your posting is useful only if you include that PS -- so the original poster will be aware that certain strings need to be pulled, certain hands may need to be greased ... and that if you're not i a luxe cabin category or top "loyalty status" you will have a harder time. Not nice to hear, but better to be prepared than disappointed.

The same same added info is required when posters rave about a wonderful guide who drove them for 3 days to all these different places, and say its the only way to go ... but then do not reveal the actual cost for such an experience. No point building up hopes for someone with no connections and a more limited budget.

kiramoli

Thank you all for providing the input and information. I am getting a better feel for it now. We are hiring a driver who will be waiting for us on top of funicular. We will try to combine the suggestions provided here and will see how much we could visit. Afterall, it'a our vacaiton not a race and if something doesn't fit it would have to be cut. But at least now I understand and can make our priority list.
Thanks again!