Athens because it's where the highlights are. Santorini is spectacular but if you're just there for a day it's a beach port. If you have longer it's fun to drive around and explore, and enjoy the sunsets.

Anonymous wrote:Santorini
i spent 5 glorious days and nights there, back in the day

Very different now... extremely crowded, high-priced, etc. If you could go off-season and stay that would be different.

One day as a cruise port - no, go to Athens.

Anonymous wrote:Santorini. Rent a moped to buzz around the island.

Very dangerous with the crowds now.

Another vote for Athens.

DH and I did a Med cruise and stopped at both Athens and Santorini. Athens had tons to do, esp. for teens. Yes, the city was gritty but you are in and out. We had time to enjoy a late lunch before we had to get back onboard.

Santorini was beautiful and crowded. Like others said, there is not a ton to do. We actually went on a half-day catamaran tour which was fun and got us away from crowds. But that could be done at other ports.

I would do Athens, esp since you are doing Mykonos and Chania.

As others said, Athens has some world class historical sites and Santorini is shuffling around looking at a charming place with thousands of other cruise ship passengers.

Santorini
i spent 5 glorious days and nights there, back in the day

+1 for Athens Unless you want to spend the day at the beach.

Santorini is volcanic and rocky. You go up there in heat to see the crater / lava rocks. There is the famous Oia village where all tourists gather to watch sunset (like 100 people on a square meter) cause it looks west so you see sun setting into sea, and the beautiful white village / rocks.



You’re doing a few cities on your cruise, but they are different from each other, Athens is not like Rome / Florence. So both options are ok, it really depends whether you have other opportunities to just enjoy the beach. Don’t go for the views / volcano, etc to Santorini, only if you want to spend the day at the beach with the Santorini backdrop.

Anonymous wrote:Athens with kids (and I say this as someone who preferred Santorini myself).

Same. In Santorini, the best thing to do is sit on your balcony (or in your hot tub or pool) and enjoy the view (and avoid the hoards of people who just got off a cruise ship, sorry to say). Its hard to get anywhere in Santorini, the cabs are limited and busses infrequent. So you will just be wandering around and taking pictures.

Athens is really cool, and has stuff to do. I would go there if I only had one day.

Athens with kids (and I say this as someone who preferred Santorini myself).

Santorini. Rent a moped to buzz around the island.

depends on what you want to do that day. Santorini is very similar to Mykonos. Athens is a historical ancient city with ruins and museums (and a changing of the guard that's not to be missed if you go), more similar to Rome.

Anonymous wrote:Your kids will get more out of Athens - especially if you can tour the Acropolis and the museums. I think of Santorini as more of an adult destination. Once you get past the view - which is spectacular - there's not much to do besides shopping and finding a decent restaurant to eat at where you again can enjoy the view.

+1. I went to both ports via a cruise around the age of 17.

Athens is Grade A history, especially for kids who like mythology, Percy Jackson books, and history/political science. I found it moving to visit. I also liked seeing the many, many freighters anchored offshore from Piraeus.

Santorini is a donkey ride opportunity (if they haven't stopped doing that), an interesting geological setting if someone explains the volcanic history, and a pretty view of a whitewashed village. I think I recall the streets near the edge of the hill being fun to look down (so nice walk). That's it. Yes, it might be a nice honeymoon spot...but I was a teen with my family.

Your kids will get more out of Athens - especially if you can tour the Acropolis and the museums. I think of Santorini as more of an adult destination. Once you get past the view - which is spectacular - there's not much to do besides shopping and finding a decent restaurant to eat at where you again can enjoy the view.

Santorini is spectacular and very unique and unforgettable.

Athens if you want to see Parthenon but it will be very hot. I was there a long time ago so it may have changed, but it was not a nice city. Islands much nicer.

Planning a cruise this summer (that part's not debatable) and need help deciding between the itinerary that stops in Santorini or Athens. The other ports of call include Rome, Naples, Mykonos and Chania. We'll be doing a few days in Rome and Florence after the cruise.

Based on these parameters, would you choose the itinerary that includes Santorini or Athens? Traveling with kids ages 10-17. And yes, I realize that there are better ways to do Greece/Italy, but it is what it is.