The Ugly Truth About Santorini 😭

The ugly truth about Santorini 😤

When you arrive at the old port, you have three options. Take the cable car up, walk up 600 steps, or ride a donkey up the steps. We know it looks like fun, but PLEASE don’t support the donkey rides. 👎🏼

These donkeys are going up and down all day long in the heat with no water in sight. Many of them have open wounds, spinal injuries from carrying too much, and exhaustion. In the hour we were there, we witnessed the donkeys get hit with ropes, jabbed with sticks, and pulled through their own feces. It’s also well known that as soon as these donkeys cant handle this “work” anymore, they are often abandoned and left to die. 😞

Many organizations have been exposing and fighting this since 2018 but honestly, not much has come from it. A law was passed to not allow donkeys to carry more than 220 pounds (the average donkey can handle around 80-180 pounds) but this law is not observed or enforced at all. Cruise lines have also vowed to inform travelers of this mistreatment but, if we’re keeping it 100% real, we felt that our cruise did not do this and instead encouraged the donkey rides. 🤨

We understand that donkey riding is a huge part of Santorini’s history. But, back when it began, it was a symbol of humility, selflessness, and peace. Now, it seems to symbolize money meaning more than caring for an innocent life.
We support making your own choices in life but please make sure that you do your research so you can make an informed decision when deciding whether or not to interact with animals on your travels. 🧐