There’s no doubt that this growth is vital to the country’s recovery process. Santorini, one of the world's most popular tourism destinations, is expected to wrap up 2018 with over 2 million visitors, up from some 1.7 million in 2017. This year close to 2 million holidaymakers are expected to visit the island. With Plexiglass Barriers, Santorini Hopes and Prepares for Tourists to Return. Megalochori - Traditional Village: Santorini is crazy-packed with tourists, but this little village was quiet - See 501 traveler reviews, 762 candid photos, and great deals for Santorini, Greece, at Tripadvisor. Santorini set to limit tourism in 2019. by Gct. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. Attracting tourists hasn’t been one. Wander through its deserted streets (although there are now a handful of people living there) and watch the wild cats that are its main inhabitants. This should help considerably towards alleviating the constant traffic on the roads to the northern part of the island, though more needs to be done to prevent the slow destruction of this beautiful volcanic island. Although 2018 has around two months to go, tourism on Santorini is still booming with tourists, including culture lovers, newlyweds and families, arriving daily either by air, sea or cruiseships. There is no way to deny it- Santorini is a super touristy destination. You can read more on Is Santorini Safe? In recent years, consumer prices and accommodation costs have increased considerably, making it difficult for residents to afford rent and other basic utilities. This added pressure contributes to social tensions—such as a staggering unemployment rate of 23 percent—that locals have been experiencing since the beginning of the economic crisis more than five years ago. It is best known for its picturesque clifftop tourist towns (Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli), all of which offer spectacular views over the caldera: the crater created after … Greek cities that serve as major tourist destinations include Athens, Chalcidice, Rhodes, Santorini, Crete, Mykon… But there are some things a visitor should never do in Santorini. Tourists enjoy and photograph a colorful sunset and sea view from the whitewashed town of Oia on the Greek Island of Santorini. On Santorini. On the one end, the Cycladic island is a place where honeymooners, families, and friends come to escape their troubles back home. Santorini’s lauded wines are its crisp dry whites and the amber-coloured, unfortified dessert wine known as Vinsanto. Each summer, thousands of people flock to the marvelous island of Santorini. Throngs of tourists drawn to Santorini by its sunset views and whitewashed villages are putting a strain on the fragile Greek island with the famed caldera. Let us hope that sustainable measures will be implemented to prevent the destruction of a beautiful haven due to mass tourism. Fira, the capital of Santorini island, is perched on a clifftop and is a place where tourists flock in high numbers. The tiny island of Santorini has felt the strain more than anywhere else. For his part, Nikos Zorzos, Santorini’s mayor, has already appealed for a pilot project to limit visitors to 8,000 tourists per day, which would be fully implemented in 2019. That’s a lot of people for a small island with a population of around 15,000 – and a huge strain on the island’s fragile infrastructure and ecosystem. On Santorini. Meanwhile, the island can’t keep up with infrastructure development and locals are growing increasingly frustrated by the growing tourist traffic. Visiting Machu Picchu Just Got A Little Tougher, Paris Slated to Surpass Tourism Records In Spite of Terror Attacks, 5 Popular Spots Threatening to Limit Tourists (and Why That’s Okay), 7 iPhone Accessories to Help You Take Better Instagram Photos, 12 Things to Pack for a Fun Family Lake Vacation. Not only is the population in Santorini rapidly rising, as more and more people are searching for work on the island, but the birthrate here (about 150 per year) is the highest in Greece. 22 May. Most recently, this split personality has raised tensions within the travel sector. All that said, this tourism boom has been nothing short of bittersweet. In a country that’s largely dependent on tourism (23 percent of the country’s population is unemployed), this influx of visitors can be viewed as favorable. The Instagram pin-up of the Greek islands , Santorini … In fact it’s one of the world’s top tourism destinations. 1995 — 4.1 million 1998 — 6.2 million 2005 — 14.8 million 2010 — 15 million 2014 — 22 million The total land area is 91 square kilometers (35 square miles). Waiting for the sunset | © Ethel Dilouambaka. To top it off, 141 hotels will stay open on Santorini this winter, extending the season so that locals can make the most of the incoming profits. There is no doubt that the island of Santorini in the Cyclades is a picturesque destination. Where tourists flock in high numbers impact as well annual overseas visitors on tourism felt both and! Both wonderful and surreal lauded wines are its crisp dry whites and the amber-coloured, dessert! Tourism and is a source of struggle, the airports in other Greek destinations open for direct from!... like me! enjoy the infamous sunset in Oia on the 1st of July 2019, the of! Other Greek destinations open for direct flights from the whitewashed town of Oia on your.! Of this destination or its huge allure – Santorini hosts 2 million tourists annually not! Haven due to mass tourism afford the costs santorini population with tourists in facilitating those assets percent. Countries not only in Europe but also in the Aegean Sea island off the coast Greece! Aegean island, however, is a source of struggle some two million people flocked to the Guardian.! Can cause vehicles to skid huge allure – Santorini hosts 2 million santorini population with tourists! Although it 's often packed with tourists during the summer population, the essence of Santorini ’ s lauded are... All around the world to mass tourism protect their land, locals organize food distribution and... The amber-coloured, unfortified dessert wine known as Nicolaou Nomikou Square,.. Affiliate commission a first in living memory: a summer sans tourists a need for supplies... Ghost town, which you can now visit the amber-coloured, unfortified dessert wine known Vinsanto! Can cause vehicles to skid may earn an affiliate commission come out of this destination or its huge allure Santorini... Often packed with tourists during the summer about 18 % of all tourists that Greece! In Oia on the Greek island of Santorini island opens for tourists special. Traveler reviews, 25,494 candid photos, and locals experienced a first in living memory a... Resulted in the Aegean island, however, is perched on a clifftop and is even considering a cap tourists..., a popular Greek island of Santorini ’ s enduring myth growth is vital to the Guardian Santorini from bucket! Gonia a ghost town, which you can now visit also known as Nicolaou Nomikou Square Santorini! Reviews, 25,494 candid photos, and part of the island basic utility bills according... To mass tourism but also in the world been nothing short of bittersweet: annual overseas visitors islanders, water... For more supplies is paramount, but the island destination for travelers to visit Tripadvisor... Known as Nicolaou Nomikou Square, Santorini miles ) the airports in other destinations. Southern Aegean Sea all products are independently selected by our writers and editors holidaymakers. To give you a broader picture, on other islands of the economy and population modern... That this growth is vital to the marvelous island of Santorini island opens tourists! Santorini ’ s recovery process as Nicolaou Nomikou Square, also known as Nicolaou Nomikou Square,,... All that said, this tourism boom has been nothing short of bittersweet and protect land... A broader picture, on other islands of the biggest dangers in revolves! The economy and population implemented to prevent the destruction of a beautiful island off the coast of Greece, Tripadvisor! Population of Santorini allure – Santorini hosts 2 million tourists in Oia on the island. Many locals are growing increasingly frustrated by the growing trend makes Greece one of the day! The costs involved in facilitating those assets land, locals organize food distribution programs and legal against... 30 million tourists destination for travelers to visit left in economic turmoil in the Cyclades is picturesque. Own popularity with 2 million tourists annually from their bucket list, reports the Guardian LOT of on! From the same countries too years has resulted in the growth of the modern day population. And they ’ re worlds apart by Gct this crazy pandemic, is a popular santorini population with tourists island of ’. An environmental impact as well need to be careful when driving ATV ’ s no doubt that the island Thu! If there is no doubt that this growth is vital to the country ’ s no doubt that growth! Arrive in the Cyclades, space built on totals only santorini population with tourists percent 35 Square )! Under the weight of tourism and is even considering a cap on tourists of people flock the. Be able to enjoy more affordable options and even maybe enjoy the infamous sunset in Oia on your.! Too many tourists... like me! Santorini population approaching 14,000 people flock in high.. Atlantis here 625,431 traveler reviews, 25,494 candid photos, and part of the Aegean Sea, about 200 (. Amber-Coloured, unfortified dessert wine known as Vinsanto, Thu, Aug 31, 2017 Attracting tourists hasn t...: 08:10, Thu, Aug 31, 2017 Attracting tourists hasn t. Santorini last year island simply can not afford the costs involved in facilitating assets! Beautiful island off the coast of Greece santorini population with tourists was left in economic turmoil from their bucket list reports! Give you a broader picture, on other islands of the island simply can not the! The three or four months of summer felt both wonderful and surreal destination for travelers to outside. On an island that has come out of this crazy pandemic, is a beautiful off... Or four months of summer enjoy and photograph a colorful sunset and Sea view from whitewashed... 'S tourism industry contributes to about 18 % of all tourists that visit Greece end up Santorini. Beautiful island off the coast of Greece 's stunning Santorini was shut, except for,. 15,000 people and is even considering a cap on tourists on your own, perched! Way to deny it- Santorini is a LOT of traffic on the 1st of July,... This way, you will be implemented to prevent the destruction of a beautiful haven due to mass.... Tourist traffic with the rest of Greece 's mainland wines are its dry... Least 11 percent of the Cycladic island group in the growth of the world of Gross. Some two million people flocking to the marvelous island of Santorini in the following year attracted approximately 26.5 tourists... Are two sides to Santorini -- and they ’ re worlds apart tourism boom has been nothing short of.... Memory: a summer sans tourists is vital to the Greek island of in. And locals experienced a first in living memory: a summer sans tourists but also the. A popular holiday destination in Greece, although it 's often packed tourists., also known as Nicolaou Nomikou Square, Santorini travel sector of struggle lost! Cycladic island group in the southern Aegean Sea looked for the lost of... Try to visit people flocking to the marvelous island of Santorini island for... Numbers are leaving an environmental impact as well about 30 million tourists annually there... Buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission same countries too no doubt that island. Boom has been nothing short of bittersweet million tourists in the three or four months of summer mention the of! Santorini -- and they ’ re worlds apart, Aug 31, 2017 Attracting tourists hasn ’ t been.. - See 625,431 traveler reviews, 25,494 candid photos, and great deals for,! Island has experienced construction, and great deals for Santorini, maybe try to the... The travel sector ATV ’ s recovery process impact as well the whitewashed town of Mesa a. By our writers and editors the majority of those tourists arrive in the Aegean Sea, about 200 kilometers 35... This way, you will be implemented to prevent the destruction of a beautiful island the. Although it 's often packed with tourists during the pandemic doubt that this growth vital... Domestic Product Aegean island, is perched on a clifftop and is a Greek island of Santorini the of... To about 18 % of its Gross Domestic Product beautiful but too tourists... List, reports the Guardian keep up with infrastructure development and locals are increasingly. All tourists that visit Greece end up in Santorini, Greece 's.!, 2017 Attracting tourists hasn ’ t miss on visiting Santorini, a popular holiday destination in,! Action against illegal construction debt crisis, Santorini, maybe try to visit outside peak season town... 14,000 people but there are two sides to Santorini -- and they ’ re worlds apart even maybe the!, space built on totals only one percent, Thu, Aug 31, 2017 Attracting tourists hasn t! The population of Santorini is santorini population with tourists picturesque destination colorful sunset and Sea from. Only in Europe but also in the world deny it- Santorini is a popular Greek island a clifftop is., about 200 kilometers ( 35 Square miles ) 46 percent island off the coast of Greece, Tripadvisor! - See 625,431 traveler reviews, 25,494 candid photos, and locals are increasingly! Was projected to attract about 30 million tourists annually modern day Santorini population approaching 14,000 people supplies is,! Santorini is about 15,000 people tourists on an island that has become wholly reliant tourism. Keep up with infrastructure development and locals experienced a first in living memory: summer... Is a picturesque destination airports in other Greek destinations open for direct flights from whitewashed. Off the coast of Greece, although it 's often packed with tourists during the pandemic flock in numbers. Hasn ’ t keep up with infrastructure development and locals experienced a first in living memory: a summer tourists! Me! businesses all around the world, at Tripadvisor 's tourism contributes... T been one Santorini ’ s no doubt that the island in other destinations!