Travelers Are Heartbroken Over This Gross Abuse Of Animal-Based Tourism In Greece

If you're planning to see the best sunset views on the Greek island of Santorini this year, you may be faced with a more harrowing sight. Beneath the picture-perfect whitewashed houses and cobalt-blue domed roofs, visitors are being reduced to tears by the ordeal the island's donkeys endure. Up to 17,000 visitors arrived on Santorini each day during summer, until the mayor capped that number at 8,000 in 2025. One of the most popular sights is the old port of Fira, the island's capital, and the 500-plus steps leading up to the village at the top. To reach the cliff-top views and iconic architecture, many tourists choose not to walk these steps and instead use donkeys to carry them.

This back-breaking journey in the scorching heat, from morning until night, cannot be described as anything other than severe cruelty. As reported by DW, the donkeys walk up and down the steps continuously, with no water, food, or breaks. Their appalling ordeal doesn't stop there as they suffer from sores and wounds from ill-fitting equipment and handler abuse, along with injury and spinal strain from carrying overweight tourists too blind to see the pain they're causing.

Reddit user u/Accomplished_Bat7798 saw this barbaric behavior firsthand. "It was incredibly heartbreaking to see as the donkeys were being whipped in the face despite their utter exhaustion," they said. "Witnessing this treatment ruined our honeymoon as it was unbearable to put on a smile and pretend that I did not see what I did." Network for Animals (NFA), one of the organizations campaigning for the end of this practice, reports that many of the donkeys aren't even allowed to rest at night and are forced to carry trash and goods around the island. It claims the donkey owners work the poor donkeys to death.

After years of complaints from animal welfare groups, local advocates, and veterinarians, and a petition with thousands of signatures, Greek officials issued guidance on the treatment of donkeys and other equines in 2018, including introducing a weight limit. But animal welfare organization PETA claims little has changed and has released videos alleging that the abuse of these brave and gentle animals continues.

Campaigners argue that the only way to end this cruelty is for Greece to ban donkey rides in the city. In the meantime, they're asking visitors simply to stop using the donkeys as taxis. At the old port, the cable car is a quicker, easier alternative, and eliminates the need for the donkey rides altogether. Or you can explore the island on foot, and follow the Donkey Sanctuary's campaign message to put yourself "in their hooves." You still get Santorini's stunning views without contributing to any suffering. Travelers can also raise awareness of the animals' plight, whether in Santorini or in other controversial tourist traps around the world, and sign petitions calling for stricter enforcement or abolishment. 

If you do witness any acts of cruelty during your visit to the island, report it immediately to animal welfare organizations. Santorini Animal Welfare Association is a non-profit dedicated to the protection of the island's animals, including dogs, cats, and goats, as well as the donkeys and mules. In addition to offering a second chance, they are constantly advocating to improve their working conditions. To take further action, you can sign petitions from PETA, follow the latest updates from Animal Action Greece, or make a donation to Santorini Animal Welfare Association.