British tourists have been warned that the stunning Greek island of Santorini has become 'one long toilet line' even at 7am, according to a recent visitor. The popular holiday destination, known for its iconic blue-domed churches and crystal-clear waters, is suffering from severe overcrowding.
Queue at 7am in Oia
Travel content creator Mambo Italiano posted footage on X showing scores of tourists queuing at a photo hotspot in Oia at 7am. The line snaked around multiple corners, with men, women, and children waiting for a chance to take a picture at a viewing platform overlooking the sea.
'Social media trends have turned the world's most beautiful places into endless bathroom lines at a concert, where everyone waits for hours just to take the same photo to show to people who couldn't care less,' she complained. 'Nothing captures the shallow decay of our time better than this.'
Tourist reactions
One X user commented: 'Oia is over touristed. One of the worst places I've been. Other parts of Santorini are lovely.' Another agreed: 'I have to agree - there are much better areas on the island. Oia is good for photos and that's about it.'
A third elaborated: 'People are no longer visiting places to see and enjoy. They want to visit and photograph themselves on those places, so then they can post them on social media for likes and attention.'
Over-tourism statistics
According to Greek Trip Planner, citing INSETE statistics and municipal records, Santorini receives around 3.4 million visitors annually via air travel, cruise ships, and ferries. This results in approximately 220 tourists per resident per year, or 107.8 tourists per 100 inhabitants during peak season. A 2018 European Commission study noted that this density places Santorini beyond the measurable limits of standard over-tourism indicators.
