Best tours of Santorini

You can not miss the experience of touring the best of Santorini doing tours that will take you to know the most incredible places of this island. Here are some of them.

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

Best tours of Santorini

Fira, Santorini | Philippe BAUVILLAIN

Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands, known for its breathtaking landscapes and beautiful beaches. In the middle of a trip to Santorini, you can't miss the opportunity to enjoy the island tours, where you will get to know some of the best things to see and do in Santorini.

From catamaran excursions to explore the island's coves and cliffs, to tours of local wine cellars to taste the excellent wines produced in the region, you can find something for everyone. If you prefer adventure and getting in touch with nature, you can take some horseback riding tours to get to know the villages and landscapes of the island.

1. Complete tour of Santorini

Megalochori| ©Andrey Sulitskiy
Megalochori| ©Andrey Sulitskiy

This full Santorini island tour will take you to places like Pyrgos, Oia and Megalochori. During the trip you will also have the opportunity to taste some of the delicious local wines produced in the region, accompanied by an expert tour guide. In addition, you will enjoy a scenic drive to see the unique beauty of Santorini and its views of the Aegean Sea.

In addition to this, on this trip you will taste around three local wines at Santo Wines, a winery overlooking the caldera of Santorini. The last stop of the day will be in Oia to stroll through its winding streets. At the end of the experience you will have the privilege of watching the sunset over the beach, which is one of the must-do things to do on the island. After an amazing tour, your guides will take you back to your hotel or accommodation.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 60 euros per person.
  • Duration: The whole tour lasts approximately 5 hours.
  • Means of transportation: The tour is completed by minibus.
  • Advantages of this option: The transfer to and from the hotel or place of accommodation is included. The transportation will be by minibus. You will have an expert guide in Spanish. You will have the opportunity to taste three local wines of Santorini.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Additional costs are not included. Tips and personal expenses are not included.

Sign up for a Santorini Tour

2. Oia and Fira tour for cruisers

In Fira| ©Daniele Torreggiani
In Fira| ©Daniele Torreggiani

You will have to arrive on your own at the old port of Fira, where your tour guides will be waiting to take you to the port of Athinios, where you will board a boat to enjoy the colorful cliffs of the island, in the middle of one of the best Santorini cruise tours. Upon arrival at the new port, you will get off the boat to board a bus that will take you to the village of Oia.

Once you are in Oia you can enjoy an hour of free time to stroll around its streets and admire the typical white cave houses and small blue domed churches, which are one of the distinctive features of Santorini. From Oia, you will enjoy the best panoramic view of the island and Ammoudi beach. Afterwards, you will return to the bus to go to Fira, the capital of Santorini, and where you can tour the Catholic quarter of Firostefani.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 25 euros per person to enjoy this tour.
  • Duration: It will take you about 4 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole trip is completed by boat and bus.
  • Advantages of this option: Pick up at the passenger terminal of the cruise port of Fira is included. Bus transportation is also included. You will be accompanied by an expert guide throughout the trip.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transfer back to the cruise port of Fira is not included. The funicular ride is not included. Personal expenses are not included.

Take a Santorini cruise

3. Blue shaded panoramic tour of Santorini

Finikia| ©Tjeerd Wiersma
Finikia| ©Tjeerd Wiersma

This semi-private shore excursion will take you to see some of the best features of Santorini, because during the trip you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most charming villages of the island, such as Oia, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Finikia. In addition, your tour guide will take you to meet and enjoy the breathtaking views of the caldera offshore.

While you see the whole panorama, you will also be told a bit about the culture and history of Santorini, so not only will you visit this paradisiacal site, but you will also learn as much as you want about this island and its history, while enjoying it on land.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 70 euros per person to enjoy this experience.
  • Duration: It will take you about 3 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transportation: You will be able to travel in comfort in an air-conditioned minibus.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be transported in an air-conditioned minibus. They offer you bottled water and soft drinks on board. Pick-up and drop-off service from the top of the cable car is included. A driver and guide will accompany you throughout the trip.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not included. Food and beverages are also not included. Entrance fees to museums or archeological sites are not included. Cable car fares are not included.

4. Half day gastronomic eating and walking tour of Santorini in small groups.

Typical Food| ©Rooey202
Typical Food| ©Rooey202

If you are a food lover and want to experience the most delicious and traditional dishes of Santorini, I recommend you to sign up for this half-day gastronomic tour for small groups. This is an experience that will start with a walking tour of Firorinitefani village, where you can meet the locals and learn about the fascinating culture of the place while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views. It is certainly a good activity to include in your Santorini itinerary in 3 days.

In the middle of this tour you will have the opportunity to taste the flavors of Santorini, including Greek coffee, cake, olive oil, souvlaki, loukoumades and cold beer. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn about the local gastronomy as you delve into this Greek village and learn more about its culture, history and tradition.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around 135 euros per person to enjoy this activity.
  • Duration: It will take you about 4 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transportation: The whole tour is completed on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: All food and drink tastings are included. You will be offered a bottle of water and a map of the island at the beginning of the tour. You will be offered a farewell gift. Drinks such as coffee and tea are included, as well as alcoholic beverages.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Transfer to and from the hotel or lodging site is not included.

5. Personalized 4-hour private tour of Santorini

Hiking in Santorini| ©Steve Jurvetson
Hiking in Santorini| ©Steve Jurvetson

This tour is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Santorini on a private tour. It is a half-day tour that starts in the village of Oia, where you will learn about the iconic blue-domed churches. Right after that you will go to Skaros Rock to admire the views of the Caldera.

Next, you will go to visit the Three Bells of Fira where you can take multiple photos of your trip before continuing to the Santo Winery to enjoy the local wines. Half a day will be the perfect time to explore Santorini in a unique and authentic way, not only to enjoy the iconic places the island has to offer, but also to taste its gastronomy and learn a bit about its history and culture.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay around €175 per person to enjoy this tour.
  • Duration: The tour lasts between 4 and 5 hours approximately.
  • Means of transportation: The whole trip is completed in air-conditioned luxury vehicles.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be offered bottled water during the trip. You will have access to child car seat if necessary.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Entrance fees to museums are not included. Personal expenses are also not included. Tips are not included.

Take a private tour of Santorini

6. Private Instagram tour of Santorini

Red Beach| ©cb1973
Red Beach| ©cb1973

This is certainly a good tour to do in Santorini in winter, because it offers you the opportunity to discover the most Instagram-worthy places in Santorini. This is a private and personalized half-day tour where you can go and see the most photogenic places on the island.

Among the sites you will love to see are the iconic village of Oia, the famous blue-domed church in Firostefani, Megalochori, the Akrotiri lighthouse and the also well-known Red Beach. These without a doubt are places that look much better live, than they can be seen in Instagram photos. It's a tour you definitely have to do if what you want is to collect stunning photos of Santorini.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will pay about 180 euros per person to enjoy this tour.
  • Duration: It will take you about 4 to 5 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: You will travel in a private vehicle with Wi-Fi on board.
  • Advantages of this option: The transportation is private and air-conditioned. You will have Wi-Fi connection on board. You will be offered bottled water. You will be provided with a map of the island.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Alcoholic beverages are not included. Tips are not included. The cable car ticket is not included if you arrive by cruise ship. Personal expenses are not included.

7. Tailor-made private tour to explore Santorini in style

Three Bells of Fira| ©Jan Smets
Three Bells of Fira| ©Jan Smets

If you have little time in Santorini and want to make the most of it, I recommend you take a customizable half-day private tour to the most interesting places on the island. Your personal guide will help you create a half-day plan that suits your tastes and preferences, so you won't waste time visiting places you may not have been interested in seeing.

Another option is to simply let yourself be guided by the recommendations of your driver at the time of the trip. Among the most famous places you can visit in Santorini are Oia and the Three Bells of Fira. You can also explore places that are not on the typical tourist routes.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will pay around 205 euros per person.
  • Duration: It will take you between 4 and 6 hours to complete the trip.
  • Means of transportation: The entire tour is completed in a Mercedes V-Class van.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be accompanied by an expert guide. The tour is private. You will travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Round trip transportation is offered from the designated meeting points. You will be offered bottled water. You will have wifi connection on board.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Gratuities are not included. Entrance fees to Akrotiri are not included. Entrance fees to the winery are not included.

8. Santorini electric bike tour

Windmill| ©deepfoto
Windmill| ©deepfoto

This electric bike tour of Santorini is one of the most active and energetic ways to tour the island. During the trip you will get a new perspective of the island and enjoy the fresh Mediterranean air while exercising and pedaling along the coast. Along the way you will pass windmills and pass through old villages to experience the traditional life of the island.

You will also be able to visit volcanic vineyards and taste the best wines in a historic winery. You will even have the opportunity to enjoy a Greek coffee at one of the island's most famous local cafes. The best thing about the electric bikes is that you can easily climb the hills and cover quite a long distance without breaking a sweat. While pedaling you will also have a chance to visit Castelli, a traditional village on the island.

Details of interest

  • Price: You will have to pay about 135 euros per person.
  • Duration: It will take you about 3 hours to complete the tour.
  • Means of transport: The whole trip is done by electric bike.
  • Advantages of this option: Includes pick up and return to the hotel or accommodation. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide. You will be given a safety briefing. The use of the electric bicycle, helmet and gloves is included. You will be offered bottled water, coffee, tea or wine.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Alcoholic beverages are not included. Tips are not included.

9. Horseback riding tour through the traditional Greek village and the Caldera cliff

Caldera Cliff| ©Wilson von Zeidler
Caldera Cliff| ©Wilson von Zeidler

This unique experience in Santorini you will live in the traditional village of Megalochori, place where the stable is located from where you will leave with your horse to go directly to enjoy the views of the buildings with blue domes that gives almost the entire island. This type of trip is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Santorini in May, which is a summer month.

The most incredible thing about this tour is that you will also be able to ride through the narrow cobblestone streets on horseback. In addition, you will have the opportunity to see the nearby vineyards and climb a cliff to enjoy the views of the famous caldera crater, a place where you can take exceptional photos before returning to the stables.

Details of interest

  • Price: You are going to pay around 135 euros per person.
  • Duration: The tour is completed in about one hour.
  • Means of transport: The whole trip is done on horseback.
  • Advantages of this option: Includes riding equipment. It also includes a photo session.
  • Disadvantages of this option: It is not an adapted trip for people in wheelchairs. This experience is not recommended for pregnant women.

10. Private tour and wine tasting experience

Wine Tasting| ©George Spanoudakiss
Wine Tasting| ©George Spanoudakiss

I recommend signing up for this tour to explore the cliff-top villages for half a day, which is ideal if you plan to stay only a short time on the island. With this tour you can travel to the villages of Oia and Megalochori, as well as medieval Pyrgos. During the tour you will also have the opportunity to taste the local wines, which are famous all over the world.

Of course, in the middle of this experience you will also enjoy breathtaking views of the rust-colored cliffs, the coast of Red Beach and at the end of the tour you will admire the sunset from a secret spot near a secluded chapel. Best of all, you can enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle while taking the perfect sunset photo. An experience not to be missed.

Details of interest

  • Price: You'll have to pay just under €240 per person.
  • Duration: The tour is completed in about 4 to 5 hours.
  • Means of transport: The whole trip is completed in an elegant minivan.
  • Advantages of this option: You will be accompanied by an expert local guide. They offer you bottled water. You are guaranteed a transfer service at the designated meeting points. Alcoholic beverages are included.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not included.

What will I see on this type of Santorini tour?

Palea Kameni island| ©Gaz n Nic
Palea Kameni island| ©Gaz n Nic

You will love Santorini tours because you will enjoy breathtaking views of the rust-colored cliffs, the medieval Pyrgos, the villages of Oia and Megalochori, the town of Fira, among other wonders the island has to offer. You can also see spectacular sunset views from a secret location near a secluded chapel.

Some of these tours include boat trips that allow you to explore the volcanic islands and the hot springs of Palea Kamini. You can even take a horseback ride through the narrow cobblestone streets and explore the area's vineyards with a tour guide. The truth is that Santorini tours offer you much more than you expect from an island tour.