Coin variations

Santorini donkey

Donkeys and mules in Santorini are part of the native charm of the island. During the summer the main business of the day is carting the tourists up and down the endless steep steps which connect the town of Fira on top of the caldera to the small port of Ormos at the bottom. The animals are extremely adept at negotiating the steps, but be aware that they do have a tendency to go faster than one might expect, taking bends in real racing style.

Thanks to the unceasing devotion of animal welfare pressure groups, the condition of the mules and donkeys has improved considerably over the years. The donkeys in Santorini are well cared for, registered with the local government and they are not forced to work under harsh labour conditions.

In Fira, for instance, the donkeys are divided into groups in order to work in equally divided shifts. Each group takes passengers up the hill, then rests while another group goes down without carrying anything on their back. A third group then goes up with passengers, after which the first group goes down by themselves and then rests again. The schedule goes on that way so there is only one group working while two groups rest.