karavolades stairs, santorini | a wide winding path guarded by donkeys
on my first day in santorini, I walked from where I’m staying to fira, along a footpath through the caldera of breathtaking views, down to karavolades stairs, which should be called - the wide winding path guarded by donkeys - to the old port of fira, which is mostly empty in november, except for one or two touristy restauraunts, and people lined up waiting to board boats along the harbor.
the walk down was - how do I say it - hard on the knees. and I have good knees. the walk up is good for the legs, but harder on the psyche, during the gentle november heat. the path is very wide, unshaded, and smells like donkey shit - it consists of the same twist and turns, with very minor variety. going up leaves you breathless. I didn’t track how long it took me, but I’d estimate: 20-30 minutes.
the donkey herders and their donkeys await at the entrance, and at the bottom - taking naps under the midday sun.
it was fun for a first day activity - and good exercise - but I would not do this again, not unless I was taking the boat somewhere and wanted an hour of cardio.
