Santorini Day Tour: Akrotiri, Villages, Wine and Sunset

See Santorini's archaeology, villages and sunset without arranging the stops yourself

A full-day guided tour of Santorini by air-conditioned bus covers the Akrotiri Archaeological Site with a licensed archaeologist, the medieval villages of Pyrgos and Emporio, a local winery with three wine tastings, and free time in Oia for the sunset. The tour runs 10 hours with pickup and drop-off from selected meeting points across the island. Entrance to Akrotiri is included, though the site closes November through March. Live guides speak English, Spanish, French or German depending on the option you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Akrotiri1h 10m
2. Pyrgospassing by
3. Oia30m

Explore Santorini's highlights and sunset

• Drive through narrow village streets
• Guided tour at Akrotiri excavation site
• Walking tour in Emporio village
• Free time for lunch and swim
• Drive around Pyrgos village
• Visit local winery for wine tasting
• Transfer to Oia village
• Free time exploring Oia
• Enjoy Oia sunset

The experience

The bus picks you up from your meeting point and heads to Oia first, driving through its narrow streets so you see the village layout before the crowds arrive. From there you move to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, where a licensed archaeologist leads a guided tour through the Minoan ruins. This is the only stop with formal instruction, and it anchors the morning. After Akrotiri comes a walking tour of Emporio, the medieval village inland from the coast, then free time to swim, eat lunch or rest at the black sand beach before the afternoon resumes.

The route then takes you to Pyrgos, another hilltop village where you drive around to see its architecture and history without a separate walking section. A visit to a local winery follows, where you taste three Santorini wines in a private area. This is the only structured tasting on the tour. The final stop is Oia itself, where you have free time to explore the village and watch the sunset, then the bus returns you to your starting point. The whole day runs about 10 hours from pickup to drop-off.

An air-conditioned bus and a driver-guide handle the logistics, so you move between stops without navigating or parking. The archaeologist joins only at Akrotiri. The driver-guide handles the rest of the commentary. Note that Akrotiri closes from November through March, so winter dates visit different sites instead. If you're arriving by cruise ship at the old port in Fira, you'll need to take the cable car up to Fira town and walk to the departure point yourself: that cable car costs about 10 euros each way.

What’s included

• Driver-guide and air-conditioned bus for all 10 hours.
• licensed archaeologist for the Akrotiri guided tour.
• entrance fee to Akrotiri Archaeological Site (except November–March).
• wine tasting of three local Santorini varieties at a private winery area.
• pickup and drop-off from selected meeting points across the island.

Options for this experience

4 options

Sunset tour, conducted in English10:30Duration: 10 hours. English tour, pickup is included

Sunset tour, conducted in SpanishAvailable from 2 May 2027Duration: 10 hours. Spanish tour: full-day tour in English and Spanish, pickup is included

Sunset tour, conducted in FrenchAvailable from 7 May 2027Duration: 10 hours. French tour: full-day tour in English and French, pickup is included

Sunset tour, conducted in GermanGuide in English · Available from 3 May 2027Duration: 10 hours. German tour: tour in English and German, includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by NST Santorini Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the main sights and the Akrotiri archaeology in one day without driving or navigating between stops yourself: the fixed route and included transport mean the day holds together. If you're arriving by cruise ship, factor in the cable car ride from the old port to Fira town before the tour begins.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, at 10:30. In Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and what will I see there?

Akrotiri is a Minoan settlement buried by volcanic ash around 1600 BCE and excavated to reveal ancient streets, buildings and artifacts. A licensed archaeologist guides you through the ruins and explains the history and daily life of the people who lived there, though the site is closed November through March.

How much walking is involved on this Santorini tour?

The tour includes a walking tour of Emporio village and walking around Pyrgos, plus walking through the Akrotiri excavation site itself. You'll also have free time to explore Oia on foot. The operator notes this tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness because of stairs and inclines at some sites.

What does the wine tasting include?

The tour visits a local winery where you taste three Santorini wines in a private area. The tasting is included in the tour price, though meals and drinks beyond the three wines are not.

Is there time to see the Oia sunset, or do we leave before it happens?

Yes, the tour ends in Oia with free time to explore the village and watch the sunset before the bus returns you to your meeting point. How long you stay depends on the sunset time that day and your pickup location, but the tour is built around ending there.