Best tours of Santorini

Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands, known for its stunning scenery and beautiful beaches. In the middle of a trip to Santorini, you can't miss the opportunity to enjoy island tours, where you'll get to see 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 sample the excellent wines produced in the region, you'll find something for everyone. If you prefer adventure and getting in touch with nature, you can take a horseback riding tour to explore the island's villages and landscapes.

This full island tour of Santorini will take you to places such as 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 be able to 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 for a 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.

Interesting details

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

You'll arrive on your own at the old harbour of Fira, where your tour guides will be waiting to take you to Athinios harbour, where you 'll board a boat to enjoy the island's colourful cliffs on one of the best Santorini cruise tours. Upon arrival at the new harbour, you will get off the boat and board a bus that will take you to the village of Oia.

Once in Oia you will have an hour of free time to stroll around the 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, where you can visit the Catholic quarter of Firostefani.

Interesting details

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

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 see and enjoy the breathtaking views of the caldera offshore.

While you see all the sights, they will also tell you a bit about the culture and history of Santorini, so not only will you get to visit this paradisiacal place, but you can 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 around 3 hours to complete the tour.
• Means of transport: You can travel in comfort in an air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantages of this option: You will be transferred in an air-conditioned minibus. You are offered 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 archaeological sites are not included. Cable car fares are not included.

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. The experience starts with a walking tour of Firorinitefani village, where you can meet the locals and learn about the fascinating culture while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views. It's definitely a good activity to include in your Santorini 3-day itinerary.

In the middle of this tour you will have the opportunity to taste the flavours of Santorini, including Greek coffee, cake, olive oil, souvlaki, loukoumades and cold beer. You will also 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.

Interesting details

• Price: You will have to pay around 135 euros per person to enjoy this activity.
• Duration: It will take you around 4 hours to complete the tour.
• Means of transport: 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 start 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 accommodation is not included.

This tour is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Santorini on a private tour. It is a half-day tour starting in the village of Oia, where you will learn about the iconic blue-domed churches. Right after 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 sights the island has to offer, but also to taste its gastronomy and learn a little 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 transport: The whole trip is completed in luxury air-conditioned vehicles.
• Advantages of this option: You will be offered bottled water during the trip. You will have access to a child car seat if required.
• Disadvantages of this option: Entrance fees to museums are not included. Personal expenses are also not included. Tips are not included.

This is definitely a good tour to do in Santorini in winter, because it gives you the opportunity to discover the most Instagram-worthy places in Santorini. It's a private and personalised half-day tour where you 'll get to see the most photogenic spots on the island.

Among the sites you'll love to see are the iconic village of Oia, the famous blue-domed church at Firostefani, Megalochori, the Akrotiri lighthouse and the well-known Red Beach. These are definitely places that look much better live than they do in Instagram photos. It's a tour you definitely have to do if you want to collect stunning photos of Santorini.

Interesting details

• Price: You will pay around 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 transport 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 drinks are not included. Tips are not included. Cable car ticket is not included if you arrive by cruise ship. Personal expenses are also not included.

If you are short on time in Santorini and want to make the most of it, I recommend you take a customisable 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 follow your driver's recommendations at the time of the trip. Among the most famous places to visit in Santorini are Oia and the Three Bells of Fira. You can also explore places that are off the beaten tourist track.

Interesting details

• 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 transport: The whole 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. You will be transferred to and 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. Cellar entrance fees are not included.

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 as you exercise and cycle along the coast. On the route you will pass windmills and pass through old villages to experience traditional island life.

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

Interesting details

• 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 drop-off at your hotel or accommodation. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide. You will be given a safety briefing. The use of the electric bike, helmet and gloves is included. You will be offered bottled water, coffee, tea or wine.
• Disadvantages of this option: Alcoholic drinks are not included. Tips are also not included.

This unique experience in Santorini will take you to the traditional village of Megalochori, where the stable is located and from where you and your horse will set off directly to enjoy the views of the blue domed buildings of most of the island. This type of trip is definitely 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 can also ride through the narrow cobbled streets on horseback. You' ll also get the chance to see the nearby vineyards and climb a cliff to enjoy views of the famous caldera crater, where you can take some exceptional photos before heading back to the stables.

Details of interest

• Price: You'll pay around 135 euros per person.
• Duration: The tour takes approximately one hour to complete.
• Means of transport: The whole trip is done on horseback.
• Advantages of this option: Includes riding equipment. Also includes a photo session.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not suitable for wheelchair users. This experience is not recommended for pregnant women.

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 for 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-coloured cliffs, the coastline of the 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 euros per person.
• Duration: The tour takes around 4 to 5 hours to complete.
• 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. Bottled water is provided. You are guaranteed a transfer service at the designated meeting points. Alcoholic beverages are included.
• Disadvantages of this option: Gratuities are not included.

You'll love Santorini tours because you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the rust-coloured cliffs, the medieval Pyrgos, the villages of Oia and Megalochori, the town of Fira, among other wonders of the island. You can also see spectacular sunset views from a secret spot near a secluded chapel.

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