Exploring Santorini with mobility issues can be challenging with the island’s steep terrain, narrow paths, and limited accessibility, but you should definitely not let that hold you back!
Just imagine the sun sinking into the sea, setting the sky ablaze with fiery colors, while the iconic white buildings and blue-domed roofs of Santorini’s Cycladic architecture gleam in the fading light. Isn’t that a picture worth seeing?
Make your dream destination visit stress-free by learning everything there is to know in advance. Get up to speed with our guide to accessible Santorini, which includes invaluable tips and insights from tours to local restaurants and transfers. Join us as we uncover the secrets of exploring the island with ease and ensure your trip is smooth and filled with unforgettable experiences!
How to get to Santorini with mobility issues
Before you go, ensure your airline has a policy regarding wheelchair assistance. If they don’t, consider booking with another airline that does. When it comes time to board the plane and get situated in your seat, be sure to let the flight crew know about any mobility issues so that they can accommodate you as well as possible.
(Learn more information about how to get to Santorini from particular destinations on our dedicated page)
In Santorini itself, there are no accessible taxis available. Also, public transportation is not accessible as well. So, you must organize a private transfer either through your accommodation or through us, SantoriniExperts!
These modes of transport will allow visitors with disabilities access throughout most areas of Santorini’s island landscape without needing your vehicle, saving money and time!
Accessible transfers on the island
As you plan your visit to this captivating island, it’s essential to consider the best ways of getting around Santorini with mobility issues. Santorini offers the following transportation options:
- Public buses: Unfortunately, buses are not fully accessible to those with mobility issues, as they do not have specific accommodations for passengers with disabilities, such as wheelchair ramps or lifts. The buses in Santorini, Greece, are typically small and compact, and accessing them may require navigating narrow steps and tight spaces, which can pose challenges for individuals with limited mobility.
- Taxis: Taxi drivers aren’t required to assist you with your luggage and may only be able to handle a carry-on bag. Moreover, you should keep in mind that there are no taxi stands at major ports, so you must flag one down alone or ask your hotel if they offer transportation services.
- Renting a car: The best way to get around Santorini is by renting a car. You can find rental companies at the port and at the airport but also in most of the villages, and many hotels will offer discounts if they know you plan to use their vehicles in town.
Accessible tours for uncovering Santorini with mobility issues
Santorini may be known for its steep cliffs and cobblestone streets, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the island’s wonders. Several tours cater specifically to individuals with mobility limitations, providing accessible transportation and routes that are wheelchair-friendly.
With our commitment to inclusivity, at Santorini Experts, we provide a variety of private and small-group tours designed to cater to travelers with mobility challenges. Moreover, we offer the option of tailor-made tours, through which we create the ideal itinerary based on your needs and preferences.
1. Santorini wheelchair accessible private tour
Santorini Experts provide a fantastic 4-hour relaxed tour that avoids stairs and steep pathways!
We transport visitors to the island’s most renowned attractions and perspectives without walking. The settlements of Firostefani and Oia, the black sand beach of Kamari, and the mountainous views of the island are all highlights.
Usually, clients transfer from the wheelchair to the vehicle and return. The wheelchair is folded in the back of the car for the trip. If this is not feasible, they may arrange to use a wheelchair-accessible minibus for an additional cost.
2. Santorini virtual tours
We also offer the opportunity to get to know the island through our virtual tours!
One example is our “Live Sunset Walk in Oia.”
What will you gain with this amazing tour?
- Get lost on Greece’s most spectacular volcanic island and join a virtual sightseeing tour with a small group of people from all around the globe
- Skip the queues, board the cruise, and experience Santorini live only using your laptop
- Let yourself wander into winding alleys, whitewashed houses, and blue-domed churches
- Engage in a live chat with other travelers, browse through audiovisual material, and truly experience Santorini live
3. Akrotiri
Akrotiri’s spectacular archaeological remains are one of Santorini’s most significant cultural sites and accessible tourist attractions. The excavations are climate-controlled and shaded, with broad wood-planked pathways and stairs.
Accessible Santorini beaches
A trip to Santorini would be incomplete without a visit to its magnificent beaches. From wheelchair-friendly boardwalks to accessible beach chairs, Santorini is working hard to ensure that everyone can enjoy its natural beauty and sparkling waters.
- In order to go from Fira and reach the beach, Kamari, you need to arrange a private transfer. It takes around 10 minutes.It’s a lengthy beach with black sand and stones, as well as plenty of loungers and umbrellas. Kamari beach is the ideal beach to visit with children or elders, and it is Santorini’s most family-friendly site. At several spots along Kamari beach, ramps were installed for wheelchair users to get into the ocean. This is quite convenient!
- Perivolos and Perissa are Santorini beaches that you may visit without having to climb any stairs. It contains sun loungers, umbrellas, day and night bars, and restaurants. The distance from the road to the sun beds is about 30 meters or 100 feet.
Which hotels are best in terms of accessibility
When choosing accommodation in Santorini with mobility issues, remember that it’s not just about the room. You’ll want to ensure you can get to the hotel, check-in and out easily, and enjoy all of its features with ease.
- Check for wheelchair access
Only a few hotels have some sort of accessible rooms, and they tend to be more expensive than standard rooms (though it’s still cheaper than renting an entire villa).
If you’re looking for something specific, like a pool or spa tub, ask whether these features are available in an accessible room and what kind are available in general.
Some hotels may only have one or two accessible rooms available while others might have many more options depending on their size or layout.
- Look for hotels with accessible rooms
If possible, but save time worrying about finding one. Do your research beforehand so that if something doesn’t work out exactly how you wanted, there will be no surprises when traveling!
Accessible restaurants in Santorini
The Pyrgos Restaurant in Pyrgos is an excellent choice for friends or family meals. The staff is very accommodating and will help you get to the table if needed and assist with ordering your food once you’re seated.
Spread across three levels, the restaurant provides plenty of space between tables, allowing everyone to move freely around the room without bumping into each other (or anyone else). Despite having stairs, ramps are available at the entrance and other essential points such as the restroom.
They serve traditional Greek cuisine dishes like chicken souvlaki, stuffed grape leaves, and roasted lamb chops-all delicious!
We recommend ordering one of their salads for an appetizer (they have many options) before moving on to a main course item like beefsteak tomatoes stuffed with cheese or veal shank stewed in red wine sauce served over rice noodles – both dishes were amazing!
You’ll want dessert, too. Go ahead and splurge on some baklava or kormo with ice cream!
Here is a short list of accessible restaurants you can find in Santorini:
- The Nets in Perivolos – you should go there if you are a lover of fresh fish and seafood meals
- Kokkalo Restaurant in Fira – for steak and meat lovers
- Estate Argyros in Kamari – taste award-winning wines paired with local bites
Always remember!
If you are planning a trip to Santorini, it is essential to book an accessible hotel and include transportation options in advance.
- Book an accessible hotel. You can contact us, and we will for sure assist you!
- Book accessible transportation from Athinios Port or Santorini Airport if needed. This will ensure no difficulty getting into town and checking into your hotel once there!
If you have any questions about accessibility or would like some advice on how best to navigate the island with a disability, please feel free to contact us today!
FAQ about visiting Santorini with mobility issues
Is Santorini wheelchair accessible?
Even though the island has steep terrain and uneven pathways that may present some challenges when navigating with a wheelchair, it has progressed in transforming its facilities to be wheelchair friendly. From accessible restaurants to hotels, beaches and tours, your stay in Santorini can be smooth and enjoyable with the proper preparation and the right professionals to help with your planning.
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