It may be one of the most beautiful islands in Europe but it is a rotten place to go on holiday, says one man who was put off by the large crowds, inflated prices and tacky souvenirs
A holidaymaker has blasted a favourite tourist hotspot in Europe as “dreadful” and far from the paradise it is made out to be.
As picture-perfect as the Greek island‘s famous whitewashed walls may be and despite the awe-inspiring sunsets, the harsh reality is that its beauty doesn’t justify the exorbitant costs, tells James Walker.
“I recently had the displeasure to be among the two million tourists who flock to the island yearly, spending a regrettable 36 hours as part of a superb nine-day Greek tour. Although Athens and Naxos proved to be excellent, Santorini was a let down from the start,” he said. “Despite forewarnings about hordes of tourists, inflated prices, pandemonium, and potential scams, the question still stood could Europe’s top-rated destination really be that dreadful? The answer, it appears, was a resounding ‘yes’.”
And his advice is to head for Naxos even if you have booked your trip to Santorini. “Within our first 10 minutes on the island, there were tell-tale signs of over-tourism: an out-of-place Indian restaurant, dubious dispensaries selling “100% legal cannabis”, and sleazy sex shops. This was well before we even reached the main town,” said Express journalist James.
“The scene in Fira was just as chaotic as Leicester Square, if not worse, teeming with gawking American tourists, pushy vendors seller their tacky wares, and relentless influencers aiming for the perfect shot. After battling through the crowds of tourists and knock-off sellers, we finally made it to our hotel. A quick break and a cold shower later, we were back out exploring.
“For a moment, things seemed to be looking up – the views were as stunning as promised and the weather was bearable. However, just an hour and two drinks later, I found myself pinned against a wall by a herd of rampaging donkeys, frantically opening the EasyJet app to see when I could escape this nightmare. Sadly, not soon enough.
“I’ll admit, I’m not the most resilient of people. But having spoken to other Santorini veterans – those of a tougher disposition – the consensus is clear: your hard-earned cash is better spent elsewhere. Sure, you can enjoy a romantic meal and a breathtaking sunset. And if you’re flush with cash, a day by the infinity pool might be pleasant.
“But you’ll be missing out on so much more: the fun, the food, the beaches, the history and culture that are abundant on almost every other Greek island. So, my advice? Tear up your plans for Santorini. Accept the cancellation fees. Rebook your flights. Then use whatever money you have left for a trip to Naxos. You can thank me later.”