Μake us preferred on Google A popular footpath connecting Santorini’s Old Port with Fira has been closed after a landslide, affecting thousands of visitors who use it for its spectacular caldera views.
The trail, known as the Karavolades Stairs, is one of the island’s most recognizable access routes, with hundreds of travelers walking it daily to reach Fira, Santorini’s capital and one of Greece’s most visited destinations.
The path begins at the Old Port, where many cruise ships arrive for shore excursions, and climbs up to Fira along the steep cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. Island authorities closed the trail following a rockfall and ordered cruise excursion arrivals and departures to be redirected through Athinios Port, Santorini’s main commercial harbor.
The closure primarily affected cruise passengers, who were required to either disembark at Athinios, and continue to Fira by bus, or use the cable car from the Old Port. This led to long queues at the cable car station, a common occurrence during the busy summer season.
The Municipal Port Fund of Thera issued the closure order on Wednesday, July 28, banning pedestrian traffic along the route between the old port and Fira until further notice. Authorities also suspended a previous cap on the number of visitors passing through Athinios Port to help accommodate the redirected traffic.
Santorini’s Old Port known as Skala traditionally offers visitors three ways to reach Fira: the historic stairway, mule rides, or the cable car. The Karavolades Stairs remain a popular attraction due to their views and historic character, but safety concerns prompted the temporary closure following the landslide.
