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Is Santorini difficult to navigate for seniors?

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knicks_fan87

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My mom really wants to visit Santorini but she has difficulty getting around. Will Santorini be to exhausting for her? If so, are there any places that you can recommend in Greece that are friendly to seniors or people with mobility issues? Thanks :)
 
I would say it really depends what activities you do on Santorini. If walking is the hardest thing, it might be tough if you are staying in a hotel or airbnb that has many stairs. If I had major issues that prevented me from walking properly, I might consider going to another Greek island. Hope this helps!!
 
I sent my parents there last year, rented a beautiful Airbnb with “minima” stairs. I got a cal within their first 5 minutes there complaining about all the stairs.

a lot of the sites and places to see require stairs. There are beautiful areas to stay with minimal stairs but they will miss out on a lot.

I would recommend a different island
 
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TatianaS said:
I sent my parents there last year, rented a beautiful Airbnb with “minima” stairs. I got a cal within their first 5 minutes there complaining about all the stairs.

a lot of the sites and places to see require stairs. There are beautiful areas to stay with minimal stairs but they will miss out on a lot.

I would recommend a different island
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I've had the same experience with my family members. Traveling abroad with my parents is super difficult, and you can't really predict where will be accessible. What island do you recommend?
 
Krete, Paros, Skiathos, corfu there are so many options. For me Santorini is the toughest.
 
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TatianaS said:
Krete, Paros, Skiathos, corfu there are so many options. For me Santorini is the toughest.
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Santorini is definitely a no go. Way too many stairs and crowded and small spaces to squeeze through
 
knicks_fan87 said:
My mom really wants to visit Santorini but she has difficulty getting around. Will Santorini be to exhausting for her? If so, are there any places that you can recommend in Greece that are friendly to seniors or people with mobility issues? Thanks :)
Click to expand...
The island can be tough to navigate if you have issues walking or need a wheel chair. There are some hills, getting to the top can be a challenge if you take a ferry, and it all depends on where you stay. Some of the resorts/hotels that overlook the caldera might be a better fit than an airbnb not on the caldera, but it all depends on what you are looking for.
 
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I’ve only ever been to Santorini in May, and I absolutely loved it, the weather was perfect, and it felt busy but still manageable. Now I’m considering a trip to Greece this summer, and someone in my group is really pushing for Santorini again.

I’m a little hesitant, though. I’ve heard that in peak summer months the crowds can get pretty intense, especially in places like Oia and Fira. Part of what I loved last time was being able to actually enjoy the views without feeling packed in.

For those who have been in July or August, is it still worth it? Or does the crowd level take away from the experience? Are there ways to do Santorini in summer that still feel enjoyable, or would you recommend choosing a different island instead?

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Do you prefer the black sand beaches, the more dramatic scenery around Red Beach, or some lesser-known location that visitors often miss? I'm also interested in places with particularly clear water, good snorkeling, or a relaxing atmosphere where you can spend several hours.

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