Santorini: Private Custom Tour with Pickup & Flexible Stops

Summary

Flexible Santorini tour with local driver from Oia to black sand beaches

You’ll shape your own Santorini story with a private local guide—maybe wandering Oia’s alleys at your pace, tasting wine in ancient cellars, or feeling black sand between your toes at Perissa Beach. Includes flexible pickup and drop-off so you can relax into island time and follow whatever catches your eye.

What’s the experience like?

How do you even decide where to start in Santorini? I remember stepping out of the car near Oia — white houses stacked like sugar cubes, the sea below just kind of humming. Our guide (Nikos — he’s lived here forever) asked what we wanted to see most. I blurted out “wine and beaches,” and my friend wanted “those blue domes.” Nikos just grinned and said, “We’ll do both. Maybe more.” It felt like someone handed us the keys to the island for a few hours.

The roads twisted through Pyrgos and up to Profitis Ilias Monastery — highest point on the island, wind tugging at my shirt. There was this faint smell of thyme in the air (or maybe oregano? I always mix them up), and a monk waved as we peeked into their shop full of jars and bottles I couldn’t pronounce. The view made me quiet for a second — volcano in the distance, vineyards below. We stopped for coffee in a little square where old men were playing backgammon. One of them tried to teach me how to say “Santorini” properly in Greek. I failed.

We made it down to Perissa Beach after that — hot black sand underfoot, cold beer in hand. Nikos told us about how his grandfather used to fish nearby before tourists ever showed up. Lunch was grilled octopus at a taverna right by the water; honestly, I didn’t expect much but it tasted smoky and sweet at once. We could’ve gone on longer (Red Beach? Akrotiri ruins?), but just sitting there listening to waves felt right. That’s what stuck with me later — not rushing anywhere, just letting Santorini happen around us.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Customizable private Santorini tour

• Visit Oia for cliff views
• See Skaros rock volcano photos
• Explore white painted houses
• Walk on Perissa black sand beach
• Take panoramic pictures at lighthouse
• Visit Red Beach volcanic landscape
• See Monastery of Profitis Ilias
• Explore Pyrgos village and castle
• Visit medieval Emporio village
• Walk ancient walls at Akrotiri
• Discover Windmills of Emporio
• Tour Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum
• Visit Art Space Winery in Exo Gonia
• Enjoy tastings at Ftelos Brewery

Top questions

How long is the private Santorini tour?

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

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini day trip?

Yes, hotel, port, or airport pickup and drop-off are included.

Can cruise passengers book this private Santorini tour?

Yes, it’s ideal for cruise passengers with flexible timing and pickup.

What are some places we can visit on this custom tour?

You can visit Oia, Pyrgos village, Profitis Ilias Monastery, Red Beach, Perissa Beach, Akrotiri ruins, wineries, breweries, and more.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No set lunch is included but your guide can recommend local tavernas along the way.

Are entrance fees covered?

No entrance fees are not included; you pay those directly if you choose certain sites.

Is this tour suitable for families or groups?

Yes, it’s suitable for couples, families or groups of friends—fully private and customizable.

Are there options for wine tasting on this tour?

Yes, you can include stops at Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum or Art Space Winery if you wish.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver-guide who picks you up from your hotel, port or airport; live commentary throughout; flexible itinerary planning based on your interests; plus drop-off wherever you need at the end of your custom Santorini adventure.