Santorini Old Port Pathway Reopens
The stepped pathway that links the old port of Santorini with the town of Fira reopened in early August, according to Atlantea.
Serving as one of the main access pointsto the Greek island for cruise passengers, the Karavolades Stairs had been unavailable since late July.
As reported by Cruise Industry News at the time, local authorities closed the 558-step staircase due to the collapse of a wall of a private building.
Atlantea said that the incident caused a small landslide, which effectively blocked the passage of pedestrians and donkeys.
Santorini’s old port is the traditional gateway for cruise passengers visiting the island, serving as a starting point for most tours.
As the largest and most developed settlement on the island, Fira is located approximately 250 meters above the port and can be accessed via the Karavolades Stairs or a cable car system.
With the closure of the pathway, Santorini authorities suspended regulations that limit the number of cruise passengers arriving via Athinios Port.
Located on a different part of the island, the pier offers better infrastructure and can also be accessed via cars and buses.
Cruise lines were temporarily authorized to disembark more passengers in Athinios, facilitating organized shore excursions to other parts of Santorini.
With Karavolades reopening, the limitations were reinstated, capping the daily number of guests arriving at the new port at 30 percent.
The regulation entered into effect earlier this year due to what the Municipal Port Fund of Fira called civil protection measures.
Introduced after a seismic crisis that affected the island in early 2025, the measure is said to be aimed at keeping roads clear for potential emergencies.
Santorini is one of the main destinations for cruise ships in Greece, welcoming vessels from a wide range of cruise lines.
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