ATV Riding in Santorini: Hidden Trails & Black Sand Beaches

Ride off-road to Perissa Beach's black sand and a heart-shaped caldera opening at golden hour.

ATV riding in Santorini takes you off the main roads on a 450cc or 550cc quad through volcanic trails, vineyards and the whitewashed lanes of Megalochori village. Pickup happens at Fira near the cruise terminal, and the tour runs 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Timed so cruise passengers get back to their ship. You ride your own machine (or share one with a co-driver), get a safety briefing and professional guide in English or Greek, and stop for lunch and a local drink partway through. The route reaches Perissa Beach's dramatic black sand, a hidden heart-shaped opening in the caldera, windmills and Emporio Castle, and vineyard stretches where the guide explains Santorini's volcanic-soil viticulture. Helmet, fuel, water and third-party insurance are included. You need a valid driver's license to operate the ATV and must be at least 21 years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santorini ATV tour and sightseeing

• Pickup near Fira Cable Car
• Ride through Perissa Beach
• Explore hidden caldera trail
• Visit Megalochori village
• Tour lush vineyards
• Stop at windmills and Emporio Castle
• Enjoy local drink break
• Return to cruise terminal

The experience

The day starts with pickup from Fira and a safety briefing before you mount a brand-new ATV. The guide runs through the machine's controls and the route ahead, then leads you out of the town onto trails that standard tour buses never reach. From there the riding opens up. You're steering through volcanic rock and packed earth, not following a paved loop, so the machine responds differently than on asphalt and the landscape around you shifts from built-up to raw.

Perissa Beach comes early in the ride. The black sand is striking, and the water clarity makes it worth stopping to shoot photos and let the machines cool. From there you climb toward the caldera rim, where a hidden trail leads to a heart-shaped opening in the cliff face: a vantage point that frames the sea and the islands beyond it. The timing matters: the guide knows when golden hour hits this spot, so the light is working when you arrive. Megalochori sits next on the route, a traditional village where narrow lanes wind between whitewashed homes and you slow down to take in the architecture and the quiet. The vineyards come after, and the guide explains how Santorini's volcanic soil shapes the grapes and the wine. You're riding through the reason the island's viticulture is famous. The windmills and Emporio Castle close out the stops, both perched high enough to see across the cliffs and the surrounding terrain.

Lunch and a drink break happen partway through. You get a full meal and either a soft drink or a wine tasting, depending on what you choose. The guide can adapt the menu if you have allergies. The break gives the machines a rest and lets you ask questions about what you've seen. By 4:00 PM you're back in Fira, with enough time to shower and get to the ship if you're a cruise passenger, or back to your hotel if you're staying on the island.

What’s included

• Full lunch and a choice of soft drink or wine tasting.
• fuel cost.
• bottled mineral water.
• helmet and brand-new 450cc or 550cc ATV.
• safety briefing and third-party insurance.
• professional guide with training and instructions in English or Greek.
• pickup from Fira near the cruise terminal.

Options for this experience

2 options

Two drivers sharing one ATVGuide in English or Greek · 13:00The two-drivers-per-ATV option is only available for an even number of people, and never for a single person.

One driver per ATVGuide in English or Greek · 13:00Explore Santorini's most beautiful landscapes, stretching between the sea and the mountains. Let local guides share their passion for the island

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 timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (21 to 65 years) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ATV/QUAD Santorini Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving on a cruise ship with a fixed departure time: the 12:30 PM start and 4:00 PM return match ship schedules. If you're staying on the island, choose this for off-road trails through vineyards and to hidden caldera viewpoints that paved-loop tours skip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

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.

Can I ride an ATV in Santorini if I don't have a driver's license?

No, you need a valid driver's license (physical or digital) to operate the ATV. If you don't have one, you can ride as a passenger on a shared machine with a co-driver instead.

What is Perissa Beach like, and why is it on this route?

Perissa Beach is a volcanic beach with dramatic black sand and clear water, located on the eastern side of Santorini. It's included because the black sand and the contrast with the water make it a striking photo stop and a natural point to rest the machines during the ride.

How does the 12:30 PM start time work for cruise passengers?

The tour departs at 12:30 PM and returns by 4:00 PM, which gives cruise passengers time to get off the ship, reach Fira, complete the ride, and return to the terminal before the ship departs. Pickup is near the Fira Cable Car at the cruise terminal.

What's included in the lunch break?

You get a full meal and a choice of either a soft drink or a wine tasting. If you have food allergies, tell the guide at the start and they'll adapt the menu to accommodate you.

Is this tour suitable if I've never ridden an ATV before?

Yes. The guide gives a safety briefing and training before the ride starts, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You do need to be at least 21 years old to operate the machine, and the guide reserves the right to assess your abilities before departure.

What happens if I want to ride with someone else on the same ATV?

You can book the two-drivers option, which lets two people share one machine: one person operates it while the other rides as a passenger, and you can switch roles during the tour if you want.