Santorini island tour: Oia, volcanic beaches & monastery

The highest point on the island holds a monastery built in the 18th century and views across the entire Aegean.

A five-hour guided tour of Santorini with a local driver covers the island's most photographed spots (Oia's blue-domed churches, the Monastery of Profitis Ilias at the island's peak, red and black volcanic beaches) plus a quieter traditional village in the wine-growing south. You choose between swimming time and lunch at Perivolos Beach or a visit to either Akrotiri's archaeological site or a local wine farm. Pickup is included, and the itinerary can be customized to your pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Oia1h
2. Monastery of Profitis Ilias30m
3. Red Beach20m
4. Perivolos Beach2h

Explore Santorini's highlights and beaches

• Meet local guide and start tour
• Visit Oia village and blue domes
• Stroll through southern wine village
• See Monastery of Profitis Ilias viewpoint
• Hike and swim at Red Beach
• Relax and swim at Perivolos Beach
• Optional visit to Akrotiri excavation or wine farm

The experience

Your guide picks you up and drives you north first, to Oia. You walk through the village to the famous viewpoint where the blue-domed churches sit against the caldera, and you get time to photograph them without rushing. The narrow streets themselves are lined with traditional cave houses carved into the cliffs and a Venetian castle, so there is plenty to see beyond the postcard angle.

From there the route heads inland and up. The Monastery of Profitis Ilias stands at about 600 meters, the highest point on the island, and the view from the top stretches across the whole of Santorini and out to the Aegean. The monastery dates to the 18th century and holds a collection of religious icons and artifacts. On the way down, you stop in a small traditional village in the southern wine region, where you can walk the narrow alleys, see old houses and churches, and sit in the main square with a coffee before moving on.

The afternoon splits between two choices. You can spend time at either the Red Beach or Perivolos Beach: both volcanic and ideal for swimming. If you pick Perivolos, you can eat at a seaside restaurant of your choice and then swim in the clear water. At that same stop, you have the option to visit Akrotiri instead, a prehistoric settlement buried by volcanic material in the 17th century BC, or to tour a local wine farm where you can taste handmade organic products and wine. The tour includes bottled water, maps, an air-conditioned vehicle and wet wipes. Lunch is on you if you choose to eat.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• maps.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• wet wipes.
• local guide in English.
• hotel or accommodation pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Santorini Premium Tours

Is this one for you?The flexible itinerary means you steer the afternoon toward what interests you (a swim and meal at the beach, an archaeological dig, or a wine tasting), so the tour fits your pace instead of a fixed schedule rushing you through each stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 are the blue domes in Oia that everyone photographs?

The blue-domed churches in Oia sit on the cliffs overlooking the caldera, and they are the most recognizable landmark in Santorini. Your guide takes you to the famous viewpoint where you can photograph them and walk through the village's traditional cave houses and Venetian castle.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes. You have spare time at either the Red Beach or Perivolos Beach to swim in the Aegean. The Red Beach is known for its volcanic red sand and is ideal for hiking as well. Perivolos is at the southern tip where you can also choose to eat at a seaside restaurant.

What is at the Monastery of Profitis Ilias?

The Monastery of Profitis Ilias sits at the highest point on the island, about 600 meters up, and was built in the 18th century. It holds a collection of Greek Orthodox icons and religious artifacts, and the view from the top covers the entire island and the Aegean Sea.

Do I have to choose between the beach and the archaeological site?

At Perivolos Beach at the end of the tour, you can either spend time swimming and eating, or you can visit Akrotiri's excavation site (a prehistoric settlement buried by volcanic material in the 17th century BC), or tour a local wine farm instead. Your guide can help you decide based on your interests.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, but if you choose to spend your beach time at Perivolos, you can eat at a seaside restaurant of your choice before swimming. The tour includes bottled water and takes about five hours.