Is the Akrotiri evacuation site still closed? In July? If yes, is there any way a small group (4) could walk around the outside of it and see anything? In what museum on the island are most of the artifacts from Akrotiri available to be seen? Please comment on the donkey ride up to Fira? We have one in our group who wants to do that! Thank you.

Yes, it's still closed with no projected reopening date. Unfortunately there's really nothing visible from the outside. There's a small archaeological museum in Fira where you can see some artifacts, but most of them are in Athens in the National Archaeological Museum and the Cylcadic Museum.

PLEASE DO NOT RIDE THE DONKEYS. I know they're cute and some people want to take photos riding them and experience the ride up or down the steps in Fira and Oia, but believe me, these poor animals are abused on a regular basis without rest or water breaks. The donkey men use sticks with nails to prod or whip them into moving along their way. I've seen this myself many times over 22 years. I once witnessed a donkey that had collapese being beaten to force it back on its feet until the abuser was restrained. The donkey died. It's no wonder they try to wipe their passengers off their backs by rubbing up against the sides of the steps. I've seen some pretty badly scraped legs from people who weren't able to avoid that circumstance. There was a time when the donkeys were essential to the survival of Santorini's native population, but no more. Now they're just a curiosity and another tempting attraction being exploited for money and photo ops for the tourists. PLEASE DON'T RIDE THE DONKEYS.

I completely agree about the donkey rides... we went there on our honeymoon 3 years ago and loved Santorini, one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. The sight of the donkeys making their way up the steep stair carrying perfectly capable young people on their backs is truly uncomfortable to watch..

Miss the donkeys, But not the sunset viewed from Oia.

I have to speak up about this legend of "Sunset from Oia." Sunsets in santorini are great all along the western side on the caldera!

The danger in Oia is that people PACK the busses to go up there for sundown, having believed the hype... and then you find the pathways 6 deep in people with cameras! No place to stand or lean...just take pictures of people taking pictures! I had a travel companion who dragged us to Oia because "it was on the Travel Channel" (!). The crowd was so thick we lost her in the throng... and this was off-season!

Of course, if you've paid a hefty price for Oia lodging with a caldera-view balcony, you have your own place. But otherwise... why not just go to a high-perched cafe in Thira, Thirastephani, Imervogli etc. buy a glass of vino for 4E and enjoy?