Santorini Highlights Private Tour: Oia, Beaches & Wine

Five island stops: Oia Cycladic houses, Profit Elias Monastery, Red & Black beaches, local wine tasting

A private 5-hour tour of Santorini's highlights with an expert local guide, air-conditioned minivan transport and hotel pickup. You visit Oia, Firostefani with its blue dome church, the Monastery of Profit Elias, the 17th-century village of Megalochori, both Red and Black beaches, and taste wine at Venetsanos Winery while taking in Caldera views. The itinerary is customized to your preferences, and bottled water is included throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Santorini highlights private tour

• Visit Oia village
• Explore Firostefani and blue dome church
• Visit Monastery of Profit Elias
• Discover Megalochori village
• Relax at Black Beach
• See Red Beach volcanic rock
• Taste local wine at Venetsanos Winery

The Experience

The tour starts with a drive to Oia, the most photographed village on the island, built into the Caldera slope with traditional Cycladic houses lining narrow footpaths and views of the sea that stretch to the horizon. From there you move to Firostefani, elevated enough to earn its name "crown of Fira," where the Blue Domed Church sits as one of Santorini's most recognizable landmarks. The guide shares the island's history and culture as you travel between stops in a climate-controlled minivan.

The Monastery of Profit Elias sits at the summit of the island's highest mountain, 600 meters above sea level, and has stood since 1711 — the views from this vantage point frame the entire Caldera. Megalochori, a 17th-century settlement, reveals historical mansions with inner courtyards and the traditional architecture that defines the old island. Then comes the contrast: Perissa Beach (also called Black Beach), the busiest and most famous stretch of sand on Santorini, where black volcanic grains meet clear water and seaside restaurants line the shore.

Red Beach delivers its own visual shock — red volcanic rock formations rise dramatically from the water in a formation you won't find elsewhere on the island. The final stop is Venetsanos Winery, where you taste the local varieties Santorini is known for while the Caldera views continue in the background. The whole day is built around your preferences: the guide adjusts the route and timing to match what matters most to you, and the five-hour window leaves the rest of your day open.

What’s included

All local taxes, bottled water throughout the day, experienced local guide in English, Spanish or French, transport by air-conditioned minivan, and hotel pickup are included; the itinerary is flexible and customized to your preferences.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by santorinitours.org

Is this one for you?At five hours, this tour fits a half-day slot and leaves your morning or afternoon free — the private minivan and customized route mean you're not waiting for other groups or following a fixed schedule that doesn't match your ship departure or other plans.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

101 verified traveler reviews

5 ★99

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the Monastery of Profit Elias and why is it on this tour?

The Monastery of Profit Elias sits at 600 meters above sea level on the island's highest mountain and dates back to 1711, making it a place of historical significance with views across the entire Caldera — it's a required stop for understanding Santorini's heritage and geography.

Can I visit both the Red Beach and Black Beach on the same tour?

Yes, both beaches are included on this tour. Perissa Beach (Black Beach) is the busiest and most famous, with clear waters and black sand where you can stop at seaside restaurants; Red Beach features distinctive red volcanic rock formations that contrast sharply with the blue sea.

Does the tour include wine tasting, and what will I try?

Wine tasting at Venetsanos Winery is included, where you sample the local varieties Santorini is famous for — the cost of the tasting itself is not covered separately, so it's part of your tour experience.

How does hotel pickup work, and what if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price; if you're a cruise ship passenger, you'll need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at booking so the guide can time the tour to get you back to the port.

Is the minivan air-conditioned, and what's included to drink?

The minivan is air-conditioned and equipped for comfort during the five-hour route; bottled water is provided throughout the day.

Can I choose which villages and beaches to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

The itinerary is customized to suit your preferences — you work with the guide to adjust the route and timing based on what interests you most, so no two tours are identical.