Santorini

Santorini in a Day: A Cruise Stop Adventure

Our day in Santorini started with the tender from the cruise ship — a stomach-churning ride that bobbed us toward the island’s towering cliffs. The first glimpse of Santorini from the water was breathtaking: sheer walls of volcanic rock rising dramatically from the sea, crowned with whitewashed villages that looked as though they had been painted into the sky.

Our tour began in Oia, famous for its iconic blue-domed churches perched above the caldera. No postcard can quite prepare you for the real thing — the way the white buildings seem to glow in the sunlight, spilling down the cliffside, the sea so intensely blue it almost doesn’t seem real. We paused at multiple selfie stops, guided by a “selfie tutor” who tried valiantly to help us capture the perfect shots — though even with long selfie sticks, it was impossible to completely crop out the waves of tourists.

From there, we headed to Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant and winery, where we sampled a glass of local wine while gazing out over the caldera. Santorini’s volcanic soil gives its wines a unique mineral quality — crisp and refreshing, the perfect pairing for the relentless summer heat.

Our next stop was Fira, where we stood above the Metropolitan Church of Ypapanti, capturing that quintessential view of the town tumbling down the cliffs. By this point, we were ready for lunch, so the four of us — my husband, my brother, my brother-in-law, and I — ducked into 1500 BC, a restaurant with a shaded terrace and killer views. We definitely nailed the appetizers: creamy fava bean puree, grilled octopus (my brother-in-law’s first — he’s officially a fan now), and other small plates that captured the fresh flavors of the island.

After lunch, we wandered through Fira’s narrow streets, lined with shops selling everything from handmade jewelry to linen clothing. Strangely enough, it was the boys who got pulled into a shoe store — and before I knew it, two pairs of Toms had been purchased. (Yes, the same Toms we could buy back home — but somehow they felt more special when bought on a Greek island under the blazing sun. Vacation logic is powerful.)

The afternoon heat was becoming unbearable, and the crowds were growing denser by the minute, so we decided to call it a day. The line for the cable car back down to the port seemed manageable — until we realized how many twists and turns were hidden ahead of us. By the time we reached the boarding platform, we were hot, sticky, and more than ready for the ride down. My husband, who hates heights, spent most of the descent staring at his eyelids, while I soaked up the sweeping views of the caldera and the endless Aegean.

The tender ride back was even rougher than the one that brought us in, but despite the nausea and the heat, Santorini left its mark on us. It is a must-see destination — dazzlingly beautiful, impossibly photogenic, and steeped in history. But next time, I’d skip August. The 90+ degree heat, relentless humidity, and maze-like crowds made it feel like we were wading through a sauna. Santorini deserves to be savored — preferably in the shoulder season, when you can breathe a little easier and let the island work its magic.