Santorini reopens pathway to old port but cruise calls capped at 30pc

The Karavolades Stairs reopened in early August 2026 after closure since late July
A wall collapse caused a small landslide that blocked pedestrian and donkey passage
Suspended regulations during closure allowed more passengers to disembark at Athinios Port
The reinstated regulation capped daily arrivals at Athinios Port at 30pc
The measure was introduced after the seismic crisis in early 2025 for civil protection purposes

The stepped pathway linking the old port of Santorini with the town of Fira has been reopened in early August 2026, according to Atlantea, following its closure since late July. The Karavolades Stairs, serving as one of the main access points to the Greek island for cruise passengers, had been unavailable due to the collapse of a wall of a private building, with local authorities closing the 558-step staircase after a small landslide effectively blocked the passage of pedestrians and donkeys. Santorini’s old port served as the traditional gateway for cruise passengers visiting the island, acting as the starting point for most tours, with Fira located approximately 250 metres above the port and accessible via the Karavolades Stairs or a cable car system.

With the closure of the pathway, Santorini authorities suspended regulations that limited the number of cruise passengers arriving via Athinios Port, located on a different part of the island, with the pier offering better infrastructure and accessible via cars and buses. Cruise lines were temporarily authorised to disembark more passengers in Athinios, facilitating organised shore excursions to other parts of Santorini. The regulation had entered into effect earlier in 2025 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, with the measure aimed at keeping roads clear for potential emergencies.

With Karavolades reopening, the limitations were reinstated, capping the daily number of guests arriving at the new port at 30pc. Santorini remained one of the main destinations for cruise ships in Greece, welcoming vessels from a wide range of cruise lines throughout the summer season. The pathway’s reopening restored the traditional access route for passengers arriving at the old port, with the cable car system also continuing to operate as an alternative means of transport between the port and the town of Fira.

The Atlantea spokesperson shared the pathway has been fully restored and reopened to pedestrians and donkeys and the limitations on passenger numbers at Athinios Port have been reinstated in line with the civil protection measures introduced earlier this year.