Santorini Private Tour: Island Sightseeing Half-Day

See the caldera from five vantage points and walk the villages between them.

A private half-day tour of Santorini covers the island's north and south in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional English driver and local guide. The route moves through Firostefani and its Blue Dome Church, Imerovigli's clifftop views, the hilltop town of Oia, the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah at 565 meters, the traditional village of Megalochori, and either Red Beach or Perivolos Black Sand Beach depending on your choice. Hotel, port or airport pickup is included. You customize the stops and timing to suit your day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Red Beach30m
2. Perivolos Beach30m

Santorini highlights private tour

• Admire Blue Dome Church in Firostefani
• Enjoy views and churches in Imerovigli
• Explore Oia town and caldera views
• Visit Monastery of Prophet Elijah
• Discover traditional village Megalochori
• See Red Beach and volcanic landscape
• Relax at Perivolos Black Sand Beach
• Experience heart-shaped caldera hole and Saint Nikolaos church

The experience

The minivan picks you up from your hotel, port or airport and heads north first. Firostefani's Blue Dome Church (three bells and the island's emblem) sits at the edge of the caldera, and from there the route climbs to Imerovigli, known as the balcony of the Aegean. The view across the water is the one most postcards try to capture. The medieval fortress ruins of Skaros Rock sit on the rocks below, and the Cycladic churches scattered through the village: Ai-Stratis and the Monastery of St. Nikolas among them: are the architecture the island is built on.

Oia comes next, the famous town carved into the hillside with blue-domed churches, narrow pathways and the caldera dropping away on all sides. From there, the route climbs inland to the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah, the highest point on the island at 565 meters. The view from up there reaches across the whole island and the sea beyond it. The light changes fast at that altitude, and sunset from the monastery is the reason people time their tour to end there. Then it drops down to Megalochori, a working village where locals gather in the central square under the trees, and the taverns serve food that is not built for tourists.

The final stop is your choice: Red Beach, where the sand and the cliffs are both red and the volcanic rocks sit in the water like sculpture, or Perivolos, a organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas and lifeguards. The tour runs between three and six hours depending on which option you book. The driver and guide are with you the whole time, the minivan is air-conditioned, and the itinerary is flexible. You set the pace and the stops.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minivan with professional English driver and local guide.
• hotel, port or airport pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water and WiFi.
• umbrellas, sunbeds and towels for beach stops.

Options for this experience

5 options

Private One-Way TransferGuide in English · 21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Our company offers dependable and comfortable car transfers with modern, roomy vehicles and professional service. We prioritize safety, punctuality and a pleasant journey, so every trip runs smoothly and without stress. Air-conditioned vehicle. Single-trip transfer from your pickup point to your drop-off point. Return transportation is not included in this booking.

3-hour panoramic tourGuide in English · 25 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00City sightseeing tour lasting 3 hours, covering Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia and Kolumbos (black beach), in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is included.

4-hours private tourGuide in English · 25 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00Island day tour by minibus lasting 4 hours, in a Mercedes-Benz minibus. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

5-hours private tourGuide in English · 25 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00Island day tour by minibus lasting 5 hours, using a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Pickup is included.

6-hours private tourGuide in English · 25 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00Island day tour by minibus lasting 6 hours, in a Mercedes-Benz minibus. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day25 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (17 to 95 years) · Child (3 to 16 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by AA Santorini Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the 3-hour panoramic option if you want the main sights (Oia, Imerovigli and one beach) without the inland villages. The 5-hour or 6-hour tours let you add Megalochori and the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah, which means you can time the end of your day to catch the sunset from the island's highest point.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What is the Blue Dome Church in Firostefani?

The Blue Dome Church in Firostefani is Santorini's most recognizable landmark, with three bells and a blue dome that sits at the caldera's edge. It appears on postcards and is the first stop on the tour's northbound route.

Can I see the sunset from the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah?

Yes. The Monastery of the Prophet Elijah sits at 565 meters, the highest point on the island, and the sunset view from there reaches across the entire island and the surrounding sea. The tour can be timed to end there at sunset if you choose.

What's the difference between Red Beach and Perivolos Beach on this tour?

Red Beach in Akrotiri has red sand and steep red cliffs with volcanic rocks in the water, creating a wild landscape. Perivolos is a fully organized cosmopolitan beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, lifeguards and showers, and holds a Blue Flag award for cleanliness.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs between three and six hours depending on which option you book. The 3-hour option is panoramic. The 4-hour, 5-hour and 6-hour options allow more time at each stop and greater flexibility to customize your route.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel, port or airport is included in all private tour options. If you are arriving by cruise ship, cable car tickets can be added at checkout.

What does the tour include besides the minivan and guide?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver and local guide, bottled water, WiFi, and umbrellas, sunbeds and towels for beach stops. Food and drinks are not included.