Santorini: Olive Oil & Honey Tasting Small Group Class

Summary

Discover Santorini’s volcanic cellars with olive oil & honey

You’ll descend beneath Fira’s lively square into volcanic cellars for an intimate olive oil & honey tasting led by a local guide. Sample three distinct Greek extra virgin olive oils, two unique honeys (including pine), plus snacks and raki in a relaxed small group setting—an experience you’ll remember every time you taste real olive oil again.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly walked right past the entrance — there’s this tiny sign next to a fish spa (which made me laugh for some reason), and then you’re suddenly below Fira’s main square, stepping into these old canavas carved out of volcanic ash. The air is cool and smells faintly earthy, like stone and something sweet I couldn’t place at first. Our host, Yannis, waved us in with that easy Greek warmth. He joked about the “secret basement” vibe — I guess it kind of is.

We sat around a long table with just a few others (maybe six total?), which felt comfortable — not one of those tours where you’re lost in the crowd. Yannis started pouring little glasses of raki and passing around plates: cherry tomatoes that actually tasted like sunshine, slices of cold cut I didn’t catch the name of (he tried to teach us but my pronunciation was hopeless), feta, breadsticks. Then came the main event: three kinds of extra virgin olive oil from different corners of Greece. Each one had its own thing going on — one was almost grassy, another peppery at the end. Dipping breadsticks in them was oddly satisfying.

The honey tasting surprised me more than I expected. Flower honey versus pine honey — I’d never even thought about pine trees making honey before? The pine one was darker and had this resin-y aftertaste that stuck around in my mouth (in a good way). Yannis explained how both are harvested and why Greek bees are so “hardworking” — he grinned when he said it, like he was proud of them personally.

I liked that it wasn’t rushed; we could ask anything, or just sit back listening to stories about harvests and family recipes. There was this moment when everyone went quiet tasting the last oil — maybe we were all thinking about where it came from or just enjoying being underground while Fira buzzed above us. I still think about that cool stone air sometimes when I open olive oil at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Olive Oil and Honey Tasting

• Reception and tasting session at STOA Bar Restaurant

Top questions

Where does the olive oil & honey tasting take place in Santorini?

The tasting is held underground in canavas beneath Fira’s main square, next to the fish spa.

How many types of olive oil are included in the tasting?

You’ll try three organic extra virgin olive oils from different parts of Greece.

What kinds of honey will we sample?

The tasting includes flower honey and pine honey.

Is food included during the class?

Yes, you’ll get cherry tomatoes, crackers or breadsticks, feta cheese, and traditional Greek cold cuts.

Is this a small group experience?

Yes, groups are limited to 8 people for a more personal atmosphere.

Is there alcohol served during the tasting?

Yes, you’ll be offered “raki,” a traditional Greek drink.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18 years.

How long does the olive oil & honey tasting last?

The class lasts about 90 minutes.

Are service animals permitted?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your experience includes guided tastings of three organic extra virgin olive oils and two honeys (flower and pine), plus cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, traditional Greek cold cuts, crackers or breadsticks, and a glass of raki—all enjoyed underground with your local guide in a small group setting beneath Fira’s main square.