No, this is not a joke, this is the oldest existing business in the island. To go from Fira to the port, there is a path with 580 steps, and the locals have set up the business of transport with donkeys, for a small fee of 5 €.
Donkey to the port, Santorini
In reality, donkeys are still used as a transport or cargo. The distance from the port of Oia or Fira to its inner city is crossed on the backs of these animals. What we strongly recommend is to take the donkey to go from Fira to the port, since the sights along the way down are quite spectacular.
