Santorini: Private Custom Tour with Blue Domes, Beaches & Sunset

Summary

Santorini’s blue domes, caldera views, secret alleys and sunset magic

You’ll wander Santorini’s iconic blue-domed villages with a local guide, taste fresh figs or octopus by volcanic beaches, explore ancient monasteries high above the sea, and catch that famous Oia sunset if you time it right. Every turn brings something unexpected—and somehow it all feels personal.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Santorini to be the smell—like sun-warmed stone, a bit salty from the sea, and something sweet drifting from someone’s courtyard. Our driver, Yannis, met us right at the port (he waved so big I almost missed him). He asked what we wanted to see most—so we started with Oia. The blue domes really do look unreal in person; I think my camera got tired before I did. There was a woman selling figs near one of the chapels and she let me try one. Sticky hands for the next hour but worth it.

We wandered through Pyrgos after that—Yannis told us his grandmother used to live there. The alleys twist around like they’re hiding secrets, and there’s this old cat who apparently owns the place (he ignored us completely). Up at the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, everything went quiet except for wind and bells somewhere far off. You can see all the way to other islands if it’s clear. It felt kind of sacred even though I’m not religious—maybe it was just the height or that weird feeling you get when you’re standing somewhere ancient.

I picked Red Beach for our next stop mostly because someone on Instagram said it was wild—and yeah, it is. The cliffs are deep red and crumbly under your feet; the water looks almost fake against them. We didn’t swim but dipped our toes in (cold). Lunch was at Perissa Beach, right on black sand that gets everywhere—don’t wear white shoes. The taverna owner brought us grilled octopus and laughed when I tried to order in Greek (“You sound Cretan!” he said—I have no idea if that’s good or bad).

If you want wine or beer stops they’ll add those too; we skipped but Yannis said his cousin works at one of the wineries and could’ve set up a tasting. Next time maybe. We ended back in Oia for sunset with about fifty other people leaning over walls for photos—honestly? It’s crowded but still feels special when the sky goes gold and everyone just goes quiet for a minute. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Santorini's iconic villages and views

• Visit Oia village and blue domes
• Stroll through Finikia village
• Photo stop at Blue Dome near Fira
• Explore Pyrgos village and castle
• Visit Monastery of Profitis Ilias
• Relax at Perissa Beach and eat
• Stop at Red Beach for photos
• Tour Akrotiri archaeological site
• Visit Akrotiri Lighthouse
• Walk through Megalochori village
• Wine tasting at Estate Argyros winery
• Visit natural wine museum cave
• Tour winery with tasting and shopping
• Visit Ftelos Brewery for craft beer

Top questions

How long does the private Santorini tour last?

You can choose between 3 to 8 hours for your custom tour.

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini private tour?

Yes, pickup is available from your hotel, port, or airport.

Can we visit both Oia and Red Beach on one day trip?

Yes, your itinerary is flexible—you can include both as long as timing allows.

Are food or drinks included in the price?

No meals are included but your guide will recommend local tavernas along the way.

Is there an option for wine tasting during this tour?

Yes, winery visits with tastings can be added if you wish—just mention it when booking.

Do we need to book tickets for Akrotiri separately?

The site is visited independently; a licensed guide can be arranged for an extra fee if desired.

Are there stops suitable for kids or older travelers?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; just let your guide know your preferences.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation with bottled water, a map of Santorini to keep track of where you’ve been (and maybe where you got lost), plus flexible pickup and drop-off from your hotel, port or airport—all led by a local expert driver who’ll help shape your day exactly how you want it.