Santorini: Private Highlights Tour, Flexible & Crowd-Free

Summary

Oia’s blue domes, caldera views, secret villages and volcanic beaches

You’ll wander Oia’s quiet corners, taste fresh figs from a local shopkeeper, ride along caldera cliffs with your own guide, and feel ancient history at Akrotiri—all without feeling rushed or crowded. Includes flexible stops, hotel or port pickup, and time for lunch by the sea. This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s Santorini at your own pace.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I thought Santorini would feel like a postcard—pretty but maybe a bit too perfect. But the day we spent winding around the island in that quiet van with our guide, Eleni, it felt more like being let in on someone’s secret. We started in Oia (the one with all those blue domes you see everywhere), and yeah, it was busy near the main square, but Eleni somehow found us these back alleys where the marble under my sandals was cool and there was this faint smell of coffee drifting out of a tiny café window. She waved at a shopkeeper who handed her a fig—she split it for us to try. Sweeter than I expected.

We didn’t do the whole Fira–Oia hike (I’m not that ambitious before noon), but we drove along the caldera cliffs and stopped at these wild viewpoints I never would’ve found alone. The light kept changing—one minute harsh white on the houses, then suddenly everything went soft gold. There was this silence up by Profitis Ilias Monastery that made me pause; just wind and distant church bells. Eleni told us how monks still live up there sometimes—I tried to imagine what their mornings must be like.

Lunch was at Perissa Beach—black sand that stuck to my feet for hours (no regrets). We ate grilled fish while watching kids run between sunbeds. Later we poked around Akrotiri (the “Pompeii of the Aegean” apparently) and even though I’m not usually into ruins, something about seeing those 3,500-year-old walls made me weirdly quiet. Maybe it’s knowing people lived here before all the cruise ships and Instagrammers.

If you want to skip crowds or just see Santorini without rushing, this private highlights tour is honestly worth it. It includes pickup from wherever you’re staying—or even from the cruise port if you’re coming in for the day—and you can tweak the plan as you go. Sometimes I still think about that view over Red Beach—the cliffs looked almost unreal against the water. Anyway… if you go, ask Eleni about her favorite bakery in Pyrgos. She’ll probably laugh and tell you she has too many favorites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini iconic sights and beaches

• Visit Oia village and explore
• See famous blue-domed churches
• Walk through Firostefani to Three Bells Church
• Drive along Fira to Oia trail
• Explore 17th-century cave house
• View Pyrgos village from outskirts
• Stop at Red Beach volcanic coast
• Relax at Perissa black-sand beach

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini private highlights tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels, cruise port cable car station, or airport.

Can I customize which sights we visit during the tour?

Yes, the itinerary is flexible—you can add or skip stops based on your interests.

Does this tour include Oia’s blue-domed churches?

Yes, you’ll visit Oia with time to see its famous blue-domed churches and explore side streets.

Are entrance fees to Akrotiri included?

No, Akrotiri admission (20€) is not included; visiting is optional.

Is lunch provided during this private Santorini tour?

No set lunch is included but there’s time for lunch at Perissa Beach or another spot of your choice.

What kind of vehicle will we travel in?

You’ll have a private air-conditioned car (1–3 people), minivan (4–6), or premium Sprinter for larger groups.

How long does it take to drive between main sights on Santorini?

The island is small; most drives are 10–25 minutes between major stops.

Can cruise ship passengers join this day trip from Santorini port?

Yes—timing is tender-friendly with guaranteed ship return.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with onboard WiFi; pickup and drop-off from your hotel, airport or cruise port; a dedicated local guide who’ll help shape your itinerary; plus plenty of flexibility to linger longer where you want—whether that’s at Oia’s blue domes or over lunch by Perissa Beach.