Tourists have slammed the Greek island of Santorini as overcrowded, dirty, and overdeveloped, with many saying the experience no longer matches its stunning reputation. Despite having just 15,500 permanent residents, the island attracts around two million visitors annually.
On Reddit, a user nicknamed 'Whitejadefox' lamented: 'It was much dirtier, more crowded and overdeveloped in ugly ways than when I visited it twice ten years ago. Used to be stunning back in 2012.' Another tourist, 'biene8564', advised: 'Seriously, Google “sunset Santorini” and you’ve seen everything there is to see, minus unbearable hordes of tourists.'
Complaints also focus on the impact of cruise ships. According to cruisedig, five cruise ships will arrive on July 25, each carrying over 2,000 passengers. Locals have said these tourists cause congestion and spend little money on the island. In Mykonos, another top destination, a Twitter user complained that a cruise ship blocked the sunset across the entire bay.
For those seeking a quieter Greek island experience, travel experts suggest alternatives such as Andros, Syros, and Milos, which receive far fewer visitors. Mainland beach destinations are also less crowded options.
