Social media photo craze sparks tourist invasion at picture-perfect vacation hot spot

Long lines of tourists are forming at some of Santorini's most famous photo spots as visitors seek out the island's iconic views.

Videos circulating online show crowds lining the narrow streets of Oia to pose in front of the Greek island's famous blue-domed churches — with some visitors lining up early in the morning for their turn.

Mandee Migliaccio, CEO of New Jersey-based Stepping Out Travel, told Fox News Digital that Santorini was a bucket-list destination long before social media, but she believes that today's platforms have amplified travelers' desire to capture the same iconic images.

ONCE-GLAMOROUS VACATION SPOT OVERRUN BY INFLUENCERS AND CROWDS: 'ALMOST UNBEARABLE' "People are wanting to go get those iconic pictures," Migliaccio said.

"It's been there, but yes, it has been amplified." The churches, with their brightly colored domes, are among the island's most photographed locations — along with sunsets, windmills and whitewashed staircases, she said.

Crowding can become particularly intense when cruise ships are in port.

"You have thousands upon thousands of people getting off the boats and wanting to take the same four pictures," Migliaccio said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER She encouraged travelers not to plan their entire experience around recreating photos they've seen online.

"Make your own story.

Make your own vacation," she said.

"Don't just go there and plan a trip around four photos you're gonna take [on the trip]." For those who still want the famous shots, she recommended going early and staying several days.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, there tend to be more cruise ships in port, while Sundays may be less crowded, she said.

The scenes have also sparked discussion online about whether social media has been changing the way people travel .

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "Traveling is so much fun if you're not doing it for social media," one TikTok user commented.