Natural conditions in Santorini are not favourable for constructing and operating harbour facilities. To the west of the island, where a volcano collapsed into the sea following a tremendous eruption around 1500 BC (during the Minoan era), the island’s coastline is sheer and virtually inaccessible.

To the north and east, the coast suffers the full force of north and northwest winds. Further drawbacks include the lack of a natural protective harbour and the abundant alleviation, due to silting, which makes port construction difficult everywhere on the island. In bad weather conditions, boat owners on the island have had to haul their boats onto land and in winter they have had to shelter them on neighbouring islands.

The fishing port of Vlychada was built to offset unfavourable natural conditions. It is located in the Thera district on the south coast, which was deemed to be the most appropriate site on the island.

The project, which received European aid, involved:

The new port went into service in 1998. With a capacity for more than 200 boats, it has considerably boosted the local fishing sector, which is very important to the island’s economy.

The project has greatly benefited the island’s 10,000 inhabitants and also the many visitors who succumb to its charms during the tourist season.

Technical services of the Cyclades prefecture
Mr Ioannis Alvertis, tel. +30 22810 82410

01/01/1998

case

Urban Policy > Transport and infrastructure

Water transport