Santorini Private Full-Day Tour: Oia, Akrotiri & Wine Tasting

A 4000-year-old Bronze Age town sits buried under volcanic ash, preserved almost intact, waiting to be walked through.

A private full-day tour of Santorini with hotel, airport or cruise port pickup, visiting Oia, the ancient archaeological site of Akrotiri, Red Beach and Pyrgos village. Your English or Greek-speaking driver customizes the route and timing to your preferences, and the itinerary can include optional wine tasting at a clifftop winery overlooking the caldera. Cruise passengers get guaranteed on-time return to the ship. All travelers receive bottled water and live commentary throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Oia1h 15m
2. Akrotiri1h
3. Red Beach30m
4. Pyrgos30m

Santorini island highlights tour

• Pick up by private vehicle
• Visit Oia village and explore
• Optional visit to Akrotiri site
• Photo stop at Red Beach
• Stroll through Pyrgos village
• Optional wine tasting at cliff winery

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel, airport or cruise port at a time you choose, then head north to Oia. The village sits on top of a cliff overlooking the volcano and the Aegean, built in tight circles of narrow alleys and cave houses with blue domed churches scattered through it. You'll have time to walk the scenic pathways, explore the Maritime museum or the traces of a Venetian fortress, browse the shops, and sit in one of the open-air cafes. If you book an afternoon departure, you can stay for the sunset: one of the most photographed moments in Greece.

From there the day branches into what you want. Akrotiri is an optional stop: a Bronze Age settlement from 4000 years ago that was buried in volcanic ash when the island erupted, which ironically preserved the buildings, frescoes and drainage systems almost intact. You walk through the ancient walls and see a Minoan town that survived millennia underground. Your driver cannot guide you inside the excavations, the site requires a licensed archaeologist, but you can hire one on-site if you want the full history. Red Beach comes next, a volcanic landscape where red and black rock dominates and the steep hills create a wild backdrop for photographs. A traditional seaside tavern nearby serves local recipes if you want to eat. Pyrgos, the old capital, sits on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards, with a 16th century Venetian castle and narrow pebbled paths winding between charming houses.

Wine tasting at a clifftop winery is optional and can be added to your day. You sample local varieties (the volcanic soil and unique climate give the grapes a special flavor), while looking out over the caldera. The whole tour runs about seven hours in a private air-conditioned van with your experienced local driver, who shares knowledge of Santorini's culture and traditions. Bottled water is included. If you're a cruise passenger, the operator guarantees you'll get back to the port on time, and you provide your ship name and boarding times when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel, airport or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned van with an experienced English or Greek-speaking driver.
• bottled water.
• live commentary on Santorini's culture and traditions.
• guaranteed on-time return to port for cruise passengers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 30

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Santorini Road Trips

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving without a car or staying away from the main towns: pickup from your hotel, airport or cruise port means you don't arrange transport, and the private van lets you move at your own pace instead of waiting for a group to gather.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is Akrotiri and why is it worth visiting?

Akrotiri is a Bronze Age settlement from 4000 years ago that was buried in volcanic ash during an eruption. The ash preserved the 3-story buildings, frescoes, drainage systems and streets almost intact, so you walk through an ancient Minoan town that survived underground for millennia. Your driver cannot guide you inside (you'll need to hire a licensed archaeologist on-site if you want detailed interpretation), but the ruins themselves are on display and walkable.

Can I customize the tour to skip some stops or spend more time at one place?

Yes. The itinerary is customizable to suit your preferences. You work with your driver to decide which stops matter most to you and how long to spend at each one. Akrotiri, the wine tasting and the meal at Red Beach are all optional, so you can build the day around what interests you.

Is wine tasting included, or do I pay extra for it?

Wine tasting at a clifftop winery is an optional add-on. You choose whether to include it when you book. If you do, you sample local wine varieties while looking out over the caldera, and the cost is separate from the tour price.

How does this work if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

The operator guarantees on-time return to your ship. When you book, you provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time. Your driver picks you up at the port and plans the route so you're back with time to spare before departure. Cable car tickets to get down from the port are optional and can be added at checkout.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel, airport or port pickup and drop-off; private air-conditioned van; your English or Greek-speaking driver; bottled water; and live commentary throughout the day. Meals, wine tasting, archaeological site entry fees and cable car tickets are separate unless you add them as options.

How long does the tour actually take?

The tour runs about seven hours from pickup to drop-off. The exact timing depends on which stops you choose and how long you spend at each one, since the itinerary is flexible.