Santorini Private Tour: Oia, Fira & Volcanic Beaches

Six hours, five villages, two beaches, and the highest point on the island: all without a schedule that isn't yours.

A six-hour private tour of Santorini with a local guide in English, Spanish or Turkish, traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel or port pickup included. You move through Oia's blue-domed churches and windmills, stop at the Prophet Elijah Monastery at the island's highest point, walk the traditional square in Megalochori, see the Red Beach lighthouse, and finish at Perissa Beach where you can swim or eat. The itinerary is flexible and tailored to your pace and interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Pyrgos1h
2. Red Beach1h · entry included
3. Perissa Beach30m · entry included

Santorini highlights and sightseeing

• Visit Oia village and landmarks
• Stop at Firostefani viewpoint
• Explore Prophet Elijah Monastery
• Walk in Megalochori village
• Visit Akrotiri excavations and lighthouse
• Relax at Black Beach with lunch

The experience

How do you see Santorini without renting a car or joining a bus full of strangers? This private tour picks you up from your hotel, port, or cable car station and moves through the island on your schedule. You travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who knows the villages, the history, and where the light hits best for photos. The day unfolds across six stops: Oia first, where the blue-domed churches and windmills are the reason people come to Santorini; then Firostefani for views of the Scaros rock and the famous Blue Dome; then the Prophet Elijah Monastery, the highest point on the island, where a guide explains the Byzantine Orthodox Church and why this place matters to the people who live here.

The second half moves through smaller villages and the volcanic coastline. Megalochori is a charming, quiet settlement where you spend twenty minutes walking the traditional paths and sitting in the main square. Akrotiri holds the excavations of a prehistoric city buried by volcanic ash: one of the most interesting archaeological sites on Earth. On the way, you stop for ten minutes at the Red Beach lighthouse to photograph the volcanic cliffs and the water. The day ends at Perissa Beach, the black sand beach where you can swim, have lunch, or sit at a beachside bar and drink something cold. The guide is there to answer questions and suggest where to go, but the pace is yours.

Pickup is included from your hotel, your cruise port, or the cable car station, depending on where you're staying. The vehicle is private, so it's just you and your group: no waiting for other travelers, no stops that don't interest you. The guide speaks English, Spanish, or Turkish depending on which option you book. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle.
• local guide in English, Spanish, or Turkish.
• hotel, port, or cable car station pickup.
• stops at Oia's blue-domed churches and windmills, Firostefani viewpoint, Prophet Elijah Monastery, Megalochori village, Red Beach lighthouse, and Perissa Beach.
• specialized infant seats available upon request.

Options for this experience

4 options

Cruise passengersUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Turkish · No fixed timeShort excursions: a brief outing for those who want to experience the island's authentic atmosphere with locals. Duration: 5 hours. Renault Kadjar SUV for up to 4 passengers; minivan for up to 8 passengers; minibus for up to 16 passengers. Includes pickup.

Private Santorini tour covering the classic highlights and sightseeingUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Turkish · No fixed timeSpanish-language tour, pickup is included

EspanolUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Turkish · No fixed timeSpanish-speaking guide, includes pickup

TurkishUp to 4 per booking · No fixed timeIncludes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Justelene project

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move through Santorini without driving yourself or keeping pace with a group schedule. The private vehicle and flexible itinerary let you linger in villages that interest you, skip the ones that don't, and spend as much time as you want at each beach. Something a shared tour or self-drive rental can't offer.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Turkish.

What are the blue-domed churches in Oia that everyone photographs?

The Three Blue Domes are the most famous. They're the white-washed churches with blue roofs that sit on the cliffside in Oia and appear in almost every Santorini photograph. Your guide will take you to them and to other scenic spots in the village, including the windmills and the Castelli area, and explain the history of the settlement.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes. The tour ends at Perissa Beach, the black sand beach on the eastern side of the island, where you have time to swim, have lunch at one of the beachside restaurants, or simply relax. The earlier stop at Red Beach is a ten-minute photo stop at the lighthouse, not a swimming stop.

What's at the Prophet Elijah Monastery?

The Prophet Elijah Monastery sits at the highest point on Santorini and is a working Byzantine Orthodox Church. Your guide will walk you through the site and explain the religious and historical significance of the monastery and the views across the island from the top.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included, but the tour ends at Perissa Beach where you can order food and drinks at beachside bar-restaurants of your choice. Alcoholic beverages and dinner are also not included.

What if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Pickup from the cruise port is available as part of the tour, and the itinerary is timed so you return in time for your ship's departure. You can book the "Cruise passengers" option at checkout.

How much walking is involved?

The tour involves moderate walking. You'll walk through Oia and the traditional square in Megalochori, explore the Prophet Elijah Monastery, and visit the Akrotiri archaeological site. The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Most stops allow you to move at your own pace, and your guide can adjust the itinerary if you need breaks.