Santorini Karavolades Stairs Closed, Cruise Passengers Sent to Athinios

A sudden clifftop landslide on Santorini caused the partial collapse of a private retaining wall and forced the emergency shutdown of the historic Karavolades Stairs, the 588‑step pathway that links the island’s old port to the town of Fira. The Municipal Port Fund of Thera ordered an immediate ban on all foot traffic and donkey transit, and no reopening date has been set; officials say the stairs may remain closed through at least August 2026 while legal and funding disputes are resolved.

With the staircase unusable, authorities have rerouted all cruise‑ship shore excursions to the newer Athinios port. The previous 30 % daily passenger cap at Athinios has been temporarily lifted to accommodate the sudden influx of visitors, but the reliance on the cable car from the old port has created long queues in the summer heat. More than 25 cruise ships are scheduled to visit Santorini in August, and cruise lines are advising passengers to check with their operators for updated disembarkation instructions.