The Greek island experienced constant tremors over a month-long period.
The Greek island of Santorini experienced thousands of earthquakes between January 26 and February 22. Most locals fled the towns on the island as a state of emergency was declared, prompting evacuations. However, seismic activity has since subsided, and the island welcomed its first cruise ship after the earthquakes on March 23. Officials have declared Santorini safe and ready for travelers.
Celestyal Cruises’ Discovery arrived off the island with around 1,700 tourists—mostly Americans—on Sunday, and passengers expressed excitement about the visit. Earlier this month, the cruise liner had removed Santorini from its itinerary, Reuters reported. Greece is a popular summer destination, and Santorini hosts 2.5 million tourists annually. Its economy is heavily dependent on tourism, so the arrival of the first cruise ship is a sign of recovery.
Related: 7,700 Earthquakes in 10 Days: Should You Cancel Your Santorini Trip?
Since the earthquakes unexpectedly rattled the island, towns that are usually bustling with tourists emptied out. More than 20,000 earthquakes were recorded in a month. While most were minor, one reached a magnitude of 5.3. Families, seasonal workers, and tourists left the island during the worst of the tremors, while first responders and medics remained on standby for emergencies. Three other nearby islands—Ios, Anafi, and Amorgos—also felt the tremors.
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In March, the state of emergency was lifted. Thousands returned to the island, and schools reopened. Business owner Filaretos Dimoglou told CNN he believes it is safe to be on the island now. “You realize everything is fine if the schools are open. If something goes wrong somewhere, the first thing the state does is close schools, for instance, in heavy snow or fires.”
Now, the island is hoping for visitors to return in full force after the slump earlier this year. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni reassured travelers that there is a plan to ensure the safety of both visitors and permanent residents. Scientists are closely monitoring the situation, and Santorini is safe and ready to welcome tourists. She told CNN, “Infrastructure has been reinforced, civil protection plans have been updated, and targeted action to support the tourism sector is being implemented.”
There was no major damage reported due to the earthquakes, Mayor Nikos Zorzis said, but the island is taking preventive measures to mitigate landslides. According to him, 2025 will be a good year for tourists, and they’ll be able to get around more easily.
The tremors this year served as a reminder that Santorini hides an active volcano beneath its surface. The island was formed after an eruption 3,600 years ago and is home to the world’s only sunken caldera. Despite this, Santorini remains famous for its magnificent sunsets. However, it also faces the challenge of overtourism, with more than 17,000 people exploring the town of Fira daily. Last year, overnight stays were significantly lower as day-trippers and cruise passengers came to photograph its stunning clifftops but left by evening.
Related: Everyone Takes Photos of Santorini. Take the Island Home With You Instead
