If ecotourism in Santorini sounds like a paradox, keep reading to find out how to enjoy Santorini in a way that’s meaningful and immersive for visitors, but also beneficial for locals.
One of the most saturated destinations in Europe, Santorini is suffering from the weight of over-tourism. Yet, not going to Santorini at all is neither a solution nor should it be an option as Santorini is well worth a visit for its rich history, natural beauty, and stunning architecture.
The answer to Santorini’s over-tourism problem lies in adopting a new more sustainable approach to traveling to Santorini. And this is how ecotourism in Santorini can help.
Related read: A Guide to Island-Hopping in Greece
Here’s an overview:
What Is Ecotourism?
But before we go into detail about what ecotourism in Santorini means and how it could work, it’s important to understand what ecotourism is all about by giving it a definition and going through its main principles.
According to The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”
The main principle of ecotourism is the conservation of the natural environment, which can be achieved—among other things —by the tourism industry having minimal to no impact on the landscape and natural resources of any given destination.
Although focused on the environmental aspect of sustainable travel, ecotourism is also involved with the well-being of local communities and economies, cultural preservation, and respect towards wildlife.
Is Ecotourism in Santorini Even Possible?
Not only Santorini, but the whole of Greece needs a more sustainable approach to tourism. With tourism being one of the pillars of the country’s main industry, Greece couldn’t remain untouched by the catastrophic events of mass tourism. This is more evident in the most popular Greek destinations, such as Santorini.
With gigantic resorts built atop its fragile cliffs and countless cruise ships polluting its waters, Santorini is heavily impacted by the negative effects of over-tourism. Not to mention a series of other ethical issues that come from it, such as animal abuse and the lack of respect for the well-being of locals and permanent residents.
All this sounds too serious to be redeemed and makes one wonder: Is ecotourism in Santorini even possible? The short answer is, yes, ecotourism and sustainable travel can be materialized in Santorini. In fact, it’s practices like these that can eventually save Santorini from a fate that includes a ruined environment and centuries-old traditions sentenced to oblivion.
How To Travel Responsibly To Santorini: 7 Easy Tips
There are quite a few things we, as travelers, can do to help Santorini survive the cataclysmic consequences of mass tourism.
By keeping these easy things in mind instead of going with the flow and doing what everyone else seems to be doing during their Santorini vacation, without any extra effort on your part, you’ll contribute to the protection of Santorini’s natural environment, the improvement of the local population’s everyday life, and the welfare of the island’s animals.
Here’s our guide to ecotourism in Santorini, a list of 7 easy ways to make sure your vacation in Santorini has minimal impact on the island’s environment and the locals’ welfare.
1. Don’t Travel To Santorini on a Cruise
Large cruise ships have the most detrimental effects on Santorini’s natural environment. More than once, studies have shown that cruise ships pollute Santorini’s waters and air to the point that they pose a serious risk to the health of locals and visitors alike.
The more cruise ships that approach Santorini, the worse the situation gets. Yet, there’s no limit to the number of cruise ships that can call on Santorini per day. At least, not yet.
Apart from the environmental damage, cruise ships also harm the local community’s well-being.
When a cruise ship arrives in Santorini, the island’s narrow streets are suddenly flooded with thousands of people jostling for that perfect Instagram shot, oblivious of the fact that this isn’t a playground or wonderland of sorts but, a real, living and breathing place where people need their space to continue going about their daily routines.
In Santorini, people need to go to work and children have to run to school, like everywhere else in the world. Yet, even these mundane occurrences become a nightmare for locals who often find it hard to even leave their doorstep due to the high numbers of cruise ship passengers that go on shore at the same time.
Therefore, one of the easiest ways to achieve ecotourism in Santorini is to avoid visiting the island on a cruise. With plenty of international flights to Santorini, you can reach the island fast and comfortably by air instead.
If you’re already in Athens or another Greek Island, you can also travel to Santorini by ferry, by far the most environmentally friendly way to reach the island.
2. Avoid All-Inclusive Resorts & International Hotel Chains
During the last few decades, several massive resorts have been built along Santorini’s caldera-facing cliffs to offer guests breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and the famous Santorini sunsets. Yet, these enormous constructions are a great risk to the island’s natural environment.
First of all, these large buildings heavily impact Santorini’s volcanic soil, which is, by nature, extremely fragile. Moreover, the construction of such colossal hotel units increases the number of visitors the island can sleep at the same time, putting a strain on Santorini’s already limited resources, such as its running water supply.
Furthermore, all-inclusive resorts harm the island’s small businesses as guests don’t spend money eating or drinking out. The same goes for international hotel chains that rarely employ locals.
Therefore, one of the best ways to support ecotourism in Santorini is to stay at small boutique hotels, run by locals or expats who call Santorini home. More often than not, these are housed in traditional buildings, which means that you’re in for a unique experience that no gigantic ultra-modern hotel could possibly give you.
3. Go To Santorini in The Low Season
The high season in Santorini runs roughly from May to the end of September. During these months, Santorini is packed with people. For a more worthwhile experience, opt for the low season instead.
By visiting Santorini in its shoulder season (April or October), you get the best of both worlds: exceptional weather with smaller crowds, the ideal conditions to make the most of your time in this gorgeous setting.
Furthermore, if you choose to visit Santorini outside the high season, you contribute to the preservation of the island’s natural resources and the support of the local economy when it needs you the most.
4. Refrain From Riding Santorini’s Donkeys
Images of Santorini’s mistreated donkeys have been going around the internet for decades now, yet, nothing is done to protect these poor animals from being abused in the name of profit.
But let’s take it from the top. Back in the day, due to the island’s special morphology, donkeys used to be the only way to transport people or goods. Fast forward to today, this need is non-existent. However, riding a donkey is still presented as a traditional thing to do in Santorini, an unmissable experience that adds to your authentic experience.
The truth is far from that. Santorini’s donkeys are one of the worst examples of animal abuse. The donkeys are forced to lift heavy burdens under the excruciating sun, going up and down countless steps in the excessive heat.
When in Santorini, refrain from riding Santorini’s donkeys. If nobody wants to ride the donkeys, their owners will eventually understand that this practice is no longer acceptable and, hopefully, stop the abuse. The change won’t come overnight, but, we, as travelers, can light the spark.
5. Respect The Locals’ Private Space
Without a doubt, you must have seen thousands of perfect shots of people posing against a dazzling all-white background interrupted by the occasional iconic blue church dome. Sadly, for most of these shots, either the model or the photographer – or both – trespassed on private property. Sometimes unknowingly, to be fair.
While walking around the picturesque towns of Santorini, such as Oia, Fira, or Imerovigli, you’ll stumble upon several picture-perfect spots. However, most of the time, what you think is a cute little public terrace is actually someone’s private terrace or even the roof of a tiny church or private residence.
Therefore, when you think you’ve found the ideal spot for a photo, double-check that you’re not stepping over someone’s property. You can always snap beautiful photos from the streets or other public spaces, such as squares or viewpoints.
6. Choose Locally Owned Businesses
Due to the great influx of tourists from all over the globe, many international tour operators have branches in Santorini. But if you want to support Santorini and its local economy, you should always opt for locally-owned tour companies and providers. A quick internet search can help you identify businesses run by locals.
Similarly, when dining out, choose family-run restaurants and cafés to boost the local economy, but also sample the most delicious dishes, based on old recipes that have been passed on from generation to generation.
7. Buy Locally Made Souvenirs
Last but not least, when buying souvenirs for your loved ones back home, avoid the tasteless fridge magnets, lighters, and beach towels that are manufactured many miles away from Santorini—or Greece, for that matter—and shop for top-quality locally made items instead.
Better still, you can bring some of Santorini’s flavors back home with you, such as wine, capers, or canned tomatoes—the best in Greece. This way, you will not only be able to recreate Santorini’s unique tastes but also help local producers continue doing what they know best.
We hope that this guide to ecotourism in Santorini helps you adopt a sustainable travel mindset for saturated destinations, like Santorini. This way, not only will you enjoy a more immersive and authentic experience at one of the world’s most beautiful islands, but you’ll also be helping the island’s environment, wildlife, and economy in the most meaningful way.
