Santorini with Costa croisière, an island sculpted by light

Santorini is undoubtedly the most photogenic stopover on a Mediterranean cruise. The crescent-shaped Greek island rises from the waves like a volcanic mirage. As soon as you moor your boat, you’ll understand why it’s so fascinating. Everything here is in contrast: between the black rock, the white lime, the deep blue of the sea and the bright light.

With Costa, there are several excursion options to suit your desires, your energy… and your curiosity. Here are the three main routes we tested or observed on site.

The climb to Firá: cable car or sporting challenge?

To reach the village of Firá, suspended on a cliffside more than 260 metres above the harbour, there are two options: modernity or courage.

The simplest – and most widely used – is the cable car, an ultra-steep cable that climbs in just three minutes. The glass cabins offer a breathtaking view of the caldera, the bay created by the volcano’s collapse, and the steep slopes of the island. It’s fast, smooth and the perfect way to get off to an effortless start.

But some prefer the traditional 600 steps winding along the cliff face. Picturesque? Yes. Unforgettable? Without a doubt. Provided you’re well-shod, not afraid of heights… and have a bit of breath. Occasionally, we come across a few donkeys, loaded with walkers or simply with souvenirs. The image makes you smile, but the path is slippery and steep, and the steps uneven and polished by time. Those with vertigo or weak knees would do well to refrain.

Firá: between suspended beauty and dazzling alleyways

Once at the top, Firá (or Thira) reveals all its charm: narrow streets, cascading terraces, flower-filled balconies and, above all, blinding light that makes every whitewashed facade vibrate. The architecture follows the slope of the cliff, each building seeming to interlock with the next, like a balancing act above the void.

Firá is a photographer’s paradise and an influencer’s playground: at every corner, a panorama, a blue dome, an alley paved with pale marble. All bathed in a light unlike any other: white at midday, golden at the end of the day, pink at dusk.

In the stores, you’ll find everything from local crafts to luxury brands. And everywhere, panoramic cafés where you can stop and admire the view. The view of the Aegean Sea and the emerging volcano of Nea Kameni is hypnotic.

Oia: a living postcard

For those who want to go further afield, Oia (pronounced “Ia”) is the island’s other pearl. Accessible by bus or via a Costa excursion, this is where most of Santorini’s iconic photos are taken.

The houses are smaller, the streets quieter and the atmosphere more romantic. It’s the perfect spot for sunsets, but also one of the busiest. Blue roofs and whitewashed walls stand out against the horizon, and visitors crowd the balconies to catch the last light of day.

Despite its fame, the village has retained a certain authenticity. If you stray off the beaten track, you’ll still find craftsmen’s workshops, little churches and empty terraces where silence settles in.

A catamaran cruise: the island seen from the sea

Among the options offered by Costa, the catamaran cruise around Santorini is well worth considering. Far from the hustle and bustle of perched villages, you can discover the island from the sea, in a raw, mineral, almost lunar setting.

The catamaran skirts the cliffs of the caldera, passes off Firá and Oia, then approaches the south coast, where you can see beaches of black sand, red pebbles and volcanic rocks. These landscapes are the result of the powerful eruptions that have shaped Santorini over the centuries. The contrast between the black stone, the cobalt-blue sea and the ochre cliffs is fascinating.

Some tours include bathing stops in secluded coves or near natural hot springs, near the still-active volcanic island of Nea Kameni. Here, it’s clear that Santorini isn’t just a postcard: it’ s a living island, born of fire, with a telluric energy that’s still palpable.

Santorini is an island that impresses, dazzles, sometimes tires, but rarely leaves you indifferent. Between its volcanic landscapes, its suspended villages and its unique light, it offers a stopover where reality sometimes seems unreal.

You’ll also find articles on Costa’s other ports of call: Mykonos, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete ) and Istanbul, where you can continue your exploration of the Mediterranean with just as much wonder.