Santorini bans tourists over 220 lbs

Greece did not newly announce a ban on heavier tourists riding Santorini’s donkeys this week. The rule most often cited in viral posts dates to August 2, 2018, when the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food issued a circular on welfare standards for horses, donkeys and mules, according to Animal Action Greece, which published the translated text and said the circular was sent to police authorities. The Santorini-specific part of the story is the island’s steep route between the Old Port and Fira, where donkeys and mules have long carried some visitors up the cliff. A Santorini donkey-ride operator says the climb is 588 steps, while the island’s cable car operator says the cable car links the Old Port and Fira in about three minutes. The rule drew renewed attention online because it is easy to summarize as “tourists over 220 pounds are banned.” The underlying policy, though, was part of a broader animal-welfare directive and was not presented in the sources reviewed as a fresh 2026 decision by Santorini authorities. (animalactiongreece.org) ### Where did the 220-pound figure come from? The 100-kilogram threshold came from the 2018 Greek directive cited in travel and animal-welfare coverage. (santorini-donkey.gr) GTP Headlines, a Greek tourism news outlet, reported on October 10, 2018, that the agriculture ministry had acted so that people weighing more than 100 kilograms would no longer be transported up Santorini’s cliff by donkey ride. (animalactiongreece.org) USA Today and other outlets at the time converted that figure to about 220 pounds. The same reports tied the limit to a broader standard that working animals should not carry more than one-fifth of their body weight. ### Was this a Santorini-only order or a wider welfare rule? (news.gtp.gr) Animal Action Greece said the August 2, 2018 circular clarified a national “code of practice” for the welfare of horses, donkeys and mules. The group said it had campaigned for the measure and described the circular as guidance for enforcement against abuse. GTP reported that the measures went beyond rider weight. (usatoday.com) Its account said owners were required to provide regular veterinary support, rest periods, shade, water and food, and that inspections would be carried out to check compliance. ### Why is Santorini the focus of the story? Santorini became the focal point because of the route from the Old Port to Fira and the visibility of donkey rides to cruise visitors. (animalactiongreece.org) GTP said the directive responded to concerns about animals used to carry tourists up the island’s steep incline, while travel coverage described the issue as part of a wider debate over heat, overwork and injuries. (news.gtp.gr) The route itself is physically demanding. A Santorini donkey-ride site says the climb involves 588 steps, and the cable car operator markets its service as an alternative to the “long, winding staircases or traditional donkey rides.” ### Did officials set other enforcement measures? GTP reported that the 2018 measures also required microchipping animals and contemplated penalties for violations. (news.gtp.gr) The outlet said violators could face at least one year in prison and fines of up to 15,000 euros under the law it cited. Animal Action Greece, in a separate account, said the circular was meant to help police and others enforce existing welfare standards. (santorini-donkey.gr) That description suggests the 2018 move was as much about implementation as about announcing a new public-facing tourism rule. ### What should travelers understand now? The clearest verified point is that the widely shared “220-pound ban” refers to a rule that has been on the books since 2018, not a newly documented order issued on May 17, 2026. (news.gtp.gr) The figure came from Greek animal-welfare guidance and reporting on its Santorini application. Santorini visitors still have alternatives to riding working animals. (animalactiongreece.org) The Santorini Cable Car says it operates between the Old Port and Fira, and local ride information says travelers can also walk the 588-step route. (santorinicablecar.gr)