Santorini / Fira in February - Advice Please

[katmu]

Hello-  I will be visiting Santorini on my Princess cruise in February.  As I’m going to be 6 months out from knee surgery, I’ve booked the Fira on your Own excursion to cut down on some of the steps.  I’ve watched enough videos of Fira, and Santorini to know that there are still going to be many steps in town.  I know that many of the hotels and tourist restaurants will be closed but it sounds like some places that are geared more towards residents should still be open.  I’m wondering if anyone has visited in the offseason and can give me some advice on what sights might be open.  I’m mostly hoping to grab a bite to eat, wander around Fira and enjoy the views.  I know that it can be quite windy in February and temperatures might only be around 50 F.

 

This is the description of the excursion I’ve booked:

 

Explore the charming town of Fira at your own pace on this delightful four-hour adventure made easy now that you have the option to avoid the lines of the Fira cable car and ride in comfort to this hilltop enclave. At a specific time, a strict minimum number of guests will meet the motorcoach transportation at the pier and be shuttled directly to a drop-off spot near the entrance to the pedestrian streets of Fira. Once in Fira, you are free to enjoy its splendors at your leisure. The island's capital boasts a stunning combination of Cycladic and Venetian architecture and outstanding views of the submerged volcano. Explore a number of galleries, museums and cultural attractions as well as a large shopping center and a variety of dining venues, which line the cobbled streets that ribbon their way through town. At the designated time, meet the shuttle and return to the ship.

[mapleleaves]

How long is this tour?  Just wondering if you could squeeze in a visit to Oia.

I was so disappointed that we didn't get to Oia during our stop in Santorini.  The photo opps in Fira were good, but it seemed that there were many more opportunities in Oia. 

Other than at the cable cars, I don't recall many steps as we walked around Fira. Perhaps a location or 2 that required 3-4 steps, but nothing major.  

[katmu]

It’s 4 hours.  Which seems a bit odd to me as the ship is scheduled to be in Santorini from 7 am to 6 pm.  I was nervous to try the cable car especially as it’s the day after Kusadasi.  I would love to see Oia but I didn’t know how long it would take to get there.

 

Thank you for the information on the steps.

[marazul]

is there a similar Oia on your own excursion?

[mapleleaves]

Well, the good news is.... you're the only ship in port !  (at this point anyway)

I'd suggest looking at tripadvisor to see if any locals are on the Santorini forum. (not too many cruisecritic people will have visited during the winter so tripadvisor might have more info)

I looked at it briefly; not too much activity when I did a search for "february".  The indication is that 95% of shops and restaurants are closed, and the bus schedule is very poor.  But this video is quite informative re: winter in Santorini. 

Santorini in the WINTER (November to March) : worth going ? - YouTube

 

Not to be nosey, but are you having knee replacement surgery?   I had mine done 2 months before a Med cruise; walked around Rome and Florence with the best of them! Hopefully your surgery will go as smoothly as mine.

 

[katmu]

There is another on your own tour for both Fira and Oia, also for 4 hours.  I’ve posted the description down below. 

 

@mapleleaves  That winter video was one of the ones I watched.  I still think it looks interesting, and I’m ok with grabbing a bite at a local eatery or heading into a grocery if I need to. 

 

This knee surgery is my 7th on this knee since 2018 when I had a bad accident.  This surgery will be 2 different arthroscopic procedures.  Surgery #8 is going to be the TKR, most likely done at Mayo due to the ongoing issues.

 

Oia and Fira on your own: Enjoy both Oia and Fira independently on this convenient tour that offers tender service to Oia, at the northern tip of Santorini. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, then hop aboard a 20-minute boat transfer directly from the ship, avoiding queuing at the cable car and having to take a bus across the island. Once at the picturesque port of Ammoudi, take a very quick shuttle ride to the lovely village of Oia. Here, you can stroll the narrow, cobblestone lanes and view the brilliantly whitewashed buildings, shops, sun-bathed cafés and blue-domed churches. Then, meet the coaches that will take you on to Fira. Perched on the edge of a dramatic cliff, the island's capital is brimming with galleries, museums and cultural attractions as well as a shopping center and a variety of dining venues. Cable car tickets will be provided for guests to descend at their leisure at the conclusion of this wonderful day.

[mapleleaves]

Sorry to hear about the condition of your knee. Ouch. That's a lot of surgeries.

 

I'd be very tempted to go for the Oia and Fira combo, but, I understand that you'll have to deal with the steps to the cable car on the return trip, and you're worried about your knee.  That's a tough one.  Is it refundable if you book now but cancel a few weeks beforehand if your knee isn't up to it?

The benefit of going in Feb is that you won't be dealing with the crush of people on the stairs;  you can easily take your time and hold onto the railing for support.   

 

[katmu]

I asked my surgeon if the hospital offered a volume discount, you know “buy 6 surgeries and your 7th is free”.  Somehow, he didn’t get my humor.😂.   Seriously though, the surgeon doing my surgery this week is a specialist so I’m hopeful for a good outcome.

 

Yes the excursions are refundable, so I could book the Oia and Fira excursion and cancel a few weeks before if my knee isn’t up to it.

 

 

[marazul]

The Oia and Fira would be the best choice. Ask your cruise line or your TA if they offer a similar option for handicapped passengers or if special arrangements can be made for you to taxi to Athinios from Fira and get on a return tender there. I think 7 operations deserve some special consideration. 

Edited July 16, 2023 by marazul