Santorini: Private Custom Tour with Hotel & Port Pickup

Summary

Shape your own Santorini day from Oia to black sand beaches

You’ll shape your own Santorini day with a local driver-guide—maybe start in Oia for those blue domes, wander quiet Pyrgos village, walk barefoot on black sand at Perissa Beach, or just follow your nose (and Nikos’ advice) wherever feels right. It’s flexible and personal—the kind of tour where you remember small moments more than any postcard view.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the air—sort of salty, but also sweet from somewhere, maybe those wildflowers near the road? Our driver, Nikos, waved from his Mercedes van (air conditioning on full blast, thank god), and I realized how much I’d underestimated the hills here. He asked what we wanted to see—no script, just “What’s on your mind for today?” So we started with Oia. Even if you’ve seen it in photos, the real thing is different; the blue domes are almost too bright against the white walls. There was this old woman sweeping her stoop who smiled at us—her teeth were missing but her eyes were sharp. I tried to say “kalimera” and she grinned wider.

We stopped in Firostefani for a photo at that famous blue dome church. Nikos told us about the volcano and how the whole island is basically one big caldera—he pointed out where you could see layers of old lava in the cliffs. The wind picked up suddenly and my hat nearly flew into someone’s frappe. After that, he suggested Perissa Beach for something totally different. The sand there is black and hot under bare feet—almost like walking on burnt toast (not sure that’s a selling point but it’s true). There was a dog sleeping in the shade of a taverna table; nobody seemed to mind.

I didn’t expect to like Pyrgos as much as I did. It’s quieter than Fira or Oia, with narrow lanes twisting around each other and cats everywhere. We wandered up past a little bakery where you could smell bread baking even outside. At one point Nikos pointed out his cousin’s house—he seemed proud of it, though honestly it looked like every other whitewashed cube on the street to me. We skipped the winery because we’re not big drinkers (Nikos didn’t judge), but he said most people love it for sunset views over the vineyards.

On the way back, he took us up to Profitis Ilias—the highest spot on Santorini—for this wild 360-degree view that made me feel both tiny and lucky at once. The wind up there is sharp; it made my eyes water but maybe that was just from looking down at all those villages clinging to cliffs. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in city traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Santorini's iconic sights

• Visit Oia village
• Photo stop at Blue Dome Church
• View Mt. Prophet Elias from Pyrgos
• Relax at Perissa Black Sand Beach
• Optional wine tasting at winery or brewery
• Visit Santorini lighthouse for views
• Walk in Fira town
• Visit Medieval Village of Pyrgos
• Walk Kamari black-sand beach promenade
• See Imerovigli's cliffside houses and pools

Top questions

How long does the private Santorini tour last?

You can choose between 4-hour, 5-hour or 8-hour options for your private tour.

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini private tour?

Yes, pickup is included from all accessible hotels, Airbnbs, ports or even the airport across Santorini.

Can we customize our itinerary during the tour?

Absolutely—the itinerary is fully flexible based on your interests and can be changed as you go.

Are entrance fees or meals included?

No meals or entrance fees are included; wine tastings are extra and paid directly if you choose that stop.

Is this Santorini tour suitable for families?

Yes—it’s suitable for all fitness levels and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What kind of vehicle is used for this private tour?

A comfortable Mercedes-Benz air-conditioned van or bus will be used for transport during your tour.

Can we visit both Oia and Perissa Beach on one trip?

Yes—you can include both Oia and Perissa Beach if time allows within your chosen duration.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup anywhere accessible in Santorini, an English-speaking local driver-guide sharing stories along the way, bottled mineral water to keep you cool under that Greek sun, plus all transport by comfy air-conditioned Mercedes van—and total flexibility to choose (or skip) stops like Oia village, Pyrgos, black sand beaches or even a winery if you’re up for it before heading back whenever you’re ready.