Santorini day trip from Rethymno: clifftop villages by boat

Twelve hours on Santorini: from the caldera rim to the island's quieter streets

A full-day guided tour from Rethymno to Santorini by luxury catamaran, with a professional guide leading visits to Oia and Fira. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle on the island, see the blue and white architecture from the clifftop villages, and have free time to explore each stop at your own pace. The boat departs and returns from Rethymno port; pickup from nearby hotels in the Rethymno area is available for an extra fee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Santorini island boat trip

• Transfer from Rethymno port
• Board luxury speed catamaran
• Travel to Santorini island
• Guided tour of Santorini island
• Visit village of Oia
• Free time in Fira capital
• Return boat trip to Rethymno

The Experience

The boat leaves Rethymno port in the morning and crosses to Santorini's port at Athinios. Once you arrive, a guide meets the group and leads a tour by air-conditioned vehicle through the island's countryside toward Oia, the village perched on the volcanic caldera's edge. The guide speaks English, French, German, or Russian (depending on the day) and explains the island's history and geology as you pass the blue and white buildings that line the hillside. Oia sits at the northernmost tip, built directly on the caldera rim, so the views of the volcano and the Aegean stretch across the horizon.

After Oia, the tour moves to Fira, Santorini's capital, where you get substantial free time to walk the narrow alleys, browse the shops, or sit at a bar overlooking the caldera cliffs. The architecture here is the same whitewashed and blue-domed style, but Fira is busier and more built out than Oia—the contrast between the two stops is part of what the day shows. You're not rushed through either place; the schedule builds in time to actually stand still and take it in.

The return journey leaves Santorini in the evening, and the boat arrives back at Rethymno port after dark. If you're staying in the Rethymno area—Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros, or Georgioupoli—pickup from a central meeting point near your hotel can be arranged for an additional cost, with the driver arriving up to an hour before the tour starts. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the port if you're not using the pickup option; arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

What’s included

• Luxury catamaran boat tickets between Rethymno and Santorini.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport on the island.
• professional guide in English, French, German, or Russian.
• guided tour of Oia and Fira with commentary on the island's history and architecture.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by PLATANOS TOURS

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see both Oia and Fira in a single day without renting a car or navigating the island on your own—the guide handles the route and the timing, so you spend your energy on the villages themselves, not on planning how to get between them. The 12-hour span means you leave early and return after sunset, which suits travelers based in Rethymno who want a full immersion in Santorini without an overnight stay.

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Top questions

What's the difference between Oia and Fira on this tour?

Oia sits on the northernmost tip of the volcanic caldera with views of the rim and the Aegean, built on a steep hillside with blue and white houses studded along the slope. Fira is the island's capital, busier and more developed, with shops and bars lining the alleys and the same caldera views but from a different vantage. You visit both in the same day, so you see how the island changes between its most famous village and its main town.

How much free time do I get to explore on my own?

The tour includes substantial free time in both Oia and Fira to walk around, shop, eat, or sit at a viewpoint. The guide leads the initial tour of the island by vehicle, but once you reach each village, you're free to spend the time as you choose.

Is the boat ride included, or do I pay separately for the ferry?

Boat tickets from Rethymno to Santorini and back are included in the tour price. You travel on a luxury speed catamaran, and the crossing is part of the full-day itinerary.

Do I need to get myself to Rethymno port, or is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup from your hotel is not included in the standard tour price, but it's available as an add-on for an extra fee if you're staying in the Rethymno area (Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros, or Georgioupoli). Otherwise, you arrange your own transport to the port and arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

What language will the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, French, German, or Russian depending on the day of the tour. Confirm the language when you book to make sure it matches your preference.

How long is the boat ride from Rethymno to Santorini?

The tour lasts 12 hours total from start to finish, including the boat crossings, the guided vehicle tour on the island, and free time in Oia and Fira. The catamaran is a speed boat, so the crossing itself is faster than a standard ferry, but the exact duration depends on sea conditions and the schedule of stops.