Santorini: Oia Blue Domes, Profitis Ilias & Black Beach Tour

Summary

Oia’s blue domes, black sand beaches and secret village streets with local stories

You’ll wander Santorini’s postcard-famous Oia for those blue dome views, climb to Profitis Ilias Monastery above Pyrgos for island-wide panoramas, slip into quiet Megalochori village where locals still greet you in Greek, then finish with your feet in Perissa’s black volcanic sand before heading back—each stop feels different but somehow fits together.

What’s the experience like?

We were already winding through Santorini’s narrow lanes when our driver, Giorgos, pulled over and pointed up — “That’s Oia. Everyone wants that photo.” He grinned like he’d seen this a thousand times, but honestly? Seeing those blue domes against the white walls in person is different. The air smelled faintly of coffee from a nearby café and sunscreen too (someone had gone heavy on it). We all fumbled for our cameras. I tried to get the angle right but ended up just watching people pose — some serious, some laughing. It felt like the whole world had gathered on this one cliffside.

After that rush in Oia, we climbed higher toward the Monastery of Profitis Ilias. Giorgos told us monks still live up there — you can almost feel it in the quiet. The wind was stronger at the top, carrying a salty tang from the sea below. Pyrgos village looked tiny from up there; I could see patchwork fields and little white houses scattered down the slope. We didn’t talk much at that stop — something about the view made everyone pause. My shoes crunched on gravel as we walked back to the van; someone asked if monks ever get tired of this view.

Megalochori was next — not as famous, but honestly my favorite part. No crowds here, just old stone houses and grapevines curling over doorways. A woman sweeping her stoop nodded as we passed (I tried to say “kalimera” but probably mangled it). It smelled like warm bread and dust. We ducked into a tiny church for a minute because Giorgos said his grandmother used to pray there — he laughed when he realized he’d never actually been inside himself.

Last stop: Perissa Beach, all black sand and heat underfoot. The water looked almost metallic blue against it. We kicked off our shoes and stood ankle-deep while a couple from our group debated whether volcanic sand gets hotter than regular sand (it does). There was time for cold water and one last look back at the cliffs before heading out. I still think about that light on the water sometimes — kind of hard to explain unless you’ve seen it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini villages and scenic views

• Start tour from your hotel
• Visit Oia village and blue domes
• Photo stop at Firostefani blue dome church
• Enjoy views at Mt. Prophet Ilias
• Walk in Megalochori village
• Relax at Perissa black sand beach

Top questions

How long is the Santorini sightseeing tour?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is included for most accommodations in Santorini.

What are the main stops on this Santorini tour?

The main stops are Oia village (blue domes), Profitis Ilias Monastery, Megalochori village, and Perissa Beach.

Is lunch included on this sightseeing tour?

No lunch is included; bottled water is provided during the tour.

How many people are in each group?

This is a small group tour with up to 8 people per group.

Can cruise ship passengers join this Santorini day trip?

Yes, cruise passengers can join; pickup is near Fira cable car station at the port's top.

Are entry fees or taxes included?

All taxes, fees and handling charges are included in your booking price.

Is this tour suitable for families or older travelers?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or cruise port pickup by your driver-guide (who also shares local stories), bottled water throughout the journey, all taxes and handling fees covered—so you can just focus on soaking up those views from Oia to Perissa Beach without worrying about logistics or extra costs along the way.