Greece's Santorini bursts with tourists as locals call for a cap

Tourists view Santorini’s famed sunset, on Santorini, Greece, July 25, 2024. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis Tourists view Santorini’s famed sunset, on Santorini, Greece, July 25, 2024. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis Tourists take pictures of donkeys being guided by a local man, in the village of Oia, on Santorini, Greece, July 25, 2024.

REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis Tourists walk among shops in the village of Oia, on Santorini, Greece, July 25, 2024. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis Tourists view Santorini’s famed sunset from the Castle of Oia, on Santorini, Greece, July 25, 2024. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis SANTORINI, Greece - Armed with selfie sticks and phones, the tourists flood into Santorini from everywhere - on dinghies from giant ocean liners, on coaches that zigzag up the steep hillsides, atop donkeys that clip-clop along the narrow cobbled streets.

Some brave the afternoon heat to find a good spot among the white-washed houses and blue-domed churches where they then wait hours to watch the Greek island's famed sunset. As the sun dips, many more join them, squeezing along the cliffside or onto balconies, cameras at the ready. "This has been my dream since high school," said American tourist Maria Tavarez, 40.

But for many of Santorini's 20,000 permanent residents, the once idyllic island of quaint villages and pristine beaches has been ruined by mass tourism. As protests against excessive tourism erupt in other popular holiday destinations, including Venice and Barcelo.