Private Tailor-Made Santorini Tour: 3 to 8 Hours, Your Itinerary

Build your own day across Santorini's volcanic beaches, hilltop villages, and monastery views

A private tailor-made tour of Santorini with a local driver and air-conditioned car lets you set the route, the pace and the stops, from 3 to 8 hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. You choose whether to follow a suggested itinerary or ask the driver to organize one based on what interests you. The driver provides live commentary in English, French or Greek, and the car stays with you the whole time, so you move between sites without waiting for a group or catching a scheduled departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Akrotiri30m
2. Red Beach15m
3. Perissa Beach15m
4. Pyrgos45m
5. Monastery of Profitis Ilias15m

Explore Santorini's villages and beaches

• Walk through Megalochori village
• Explore ancient Akrotiri ruins
• Visit Red Beach in Akrotiri
• Stop at Venetian Lighthouse in Akrotiri
• Visit Black Beach in Perissa
• Tour traditional village of Pyrgos
• Visit Monastery of Profitis Ilias
• See blue domed church landmark
• Walk narrow streets of highest caldera town
• Enjoy sunset at Oia castle

The experience

You pick the length (3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 hours), and the driver meets you at your hotel or the nearest accessible point. The car is air-conditioned, stocked with bottled water and a portable charger, and WiFi works on board. If you arrive by cruise ship, pickup happens at the upper cable car station. The driver knows the island and can suggest stops, but the itinerary is yours to build: Akrotiri's Minoan ruins buried under volcanic ash nearly 4,000 years ago, the Red Beach where you can swim in clear water without a ticket, Pyrgos village with its narrow streets and traditional coffee shops, the Monastery of Profitis Ilias at the island's highest point, or the cliffside town of Oia for the famous sunset. You set how long to linger at each place.

The driver acts as your guide, offering insider commentary on what you're seeing: the history of Akrotiri's frescoed houses and drainage systems, the geology of the volcanic beaches, the views across the caldera from different angles. A licensed guide for the archaeological sites at Akrotiri is available for an extra fee if you want deeper detail. You can stop for lunch at one of the restaurants near the beaches or in the villages, though meals aren't included. Snorkeling, water sports like jet ski or SUP at Perissa Beach, or a drink at a beach bar are all options you arrange on the spot.

The route avoids the crowds that gather on fixed-schedule tours: because you're moving on your own timeline, you reach sites when it suits you, not when a group is scheduled to arrive. The driver handles all the driving, so you focus on what you want to see. Round-trip transportation from your hotel is included, along with maps, live commentary and all taxes and fees, though entrance fees to archaeological sites and any cable car tickets are optional add-ons you choose at checkout.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation with a local driver.
• hotel pickup and drop-off (or cable car station for cruise passengers).
• bottled water and portable charger on board.
• WiFi.
• maps and live commentary in English, French or Greek.
• all taxes and fees.

Options for this experience

12 options

3-hour best of Santorini islandUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Greek · 23 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 17:00Duration: 3 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Pickup is included.

3-hour Best of Santorini with vanUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 31 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 20:00Duration: 3 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Air-conditioned 8-9 seat van: this minivan can carry up to 8-9 passengers including the driver. Very spacious and recommended for your comfort. Pickup is included.

4-hour with sunset in Oia (Ia)Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 7 departure times: the first at 15:00, the last at 18:00Duration: 4 hours. Sunset in Oia: a 4-hour tour including sunset in Oia city. Car/van: up to 4 guests in a sedan, small SUV or similar with 5 seats including the driver. Up to 8 guests in a minivan with 8-9 seats including the driver. Pickup is included.

See 9 more options

4-hour Best of Santorini with vanUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 29 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 19:00Duration: 4 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Air-conditioned 8-9 seat van: this minivan can carry up to 8-9 passengers including the driver. Very spacious and recommended for your comfort. Pickup is included.

3-hour Best of Santorini with carUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 31 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 20:00Duration: 3 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Standard 5-seat car: air-conditioned sedan, small SUV or similar, with 5 seats including the driver. Pickup is included.

4-hour Best of Santorini with carUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 29 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 19:00Duration: 4 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Standard 5-seat car: air-conditioned sedan, small SUV or similar, with 5 seats including the driver. Pickup is included.

5-hour Best of Santorini with vanUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 27 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 18:00Duration: 5 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Air-conditioned 8-9 seat van: this air-conditioned minivan can carry up to 8-9 passengers including the driver. Very spacious and recommended for your comfort. Pickup is included.

5-hour Best of Santorini with carUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 27 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 18:00Duration: 5 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Standard 5-seat car: air-conditioned sedan, small SUV or similar, with 5 seats including the driver. Pickup is included.

6-hour Best of Santorini with vanUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 25 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 17:00Duration: 6 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Air-conditioned 8-9 seat van: this minivan can carry up to 8-9 passengers including the driver. Very spacious and recommended for your comfort. Pickup is included.

8-hour Best of Santorini with vanUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 18 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 15:00Duration: 8 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Air-conditioned 8-9 seat van: this minivan can carry up to 8-9 passengers including the driver. Very spacious and recommended for your comfort. Pickup is included.

6-hour Best of Santorini with carUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 25 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 17:00Duration: 6 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Standard 5-seat car: air-conditioned sedan, small SUV or similar, with 5 seats including the driver. Pickup is included.

8-hour Best of Santorini with carUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, French or Greek · 21 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 15:00Duration: 8 hours. Options available to the guest for this duration. Pickup is included. Standard 5-seat car: air-conditioned sedan, small SUV or similar, with 5 seats including the driver. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day31 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 20:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Senior (120 and older) · Youth (2 years) · Child (1 year) · Infant (under 1)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 210

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Santorinian Collection

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to move at your own pace without waiting for a group or following a fixed schedule. The private car and flexible itinerary work best when you have a clear idea of what you want to see, or when you'd rather ask the driver to suggest a route based on your interests and the time you have. If you're traveling with children, infants can use specialized seats or ride in a stroller, and the car is wheelchair accessible with all pickup points adapted for mobility needs.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (2 years); Child (1 year); Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I visit Akrotiri's ancient ruins on this tour?

Yes. Akrotiri is a Minoan settlement buried under volcanic ash around 1450 BC, and you can walk through the excavated houses, shops and streets to see the remnants of kitchens, drainage systems and frescoes. A licensed guide for the archaeological site is available for an extra charge if you want expert interpretation of the site's history and culture.

What are the Red Beach and Black Beach like?

Both are famous volcanic beaches where you can swim in clear water without needing a ticket. Red Beach in Akrotiri has restaurants nearby. Black Beach at Perissa offers beach bars, water sports like jet ski and SUP, and swimming. You choose which beaches to visit and how long to stay.

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

Cruise passengers are picked up at the upper cable car station. Hotel guests are collected at their hotel or the nearest accessible point. The driver meets you at the start time you choose, and the car returns you at the end of your tour.

Can I see the sunset in Oia on this tour?

Yes, if you book a sunset option. Oia sits on the cliff edge of the caldera with narrow streets, white houses, blue-domed churches and views across to the volcanoes. The sunset spot can get crowded during high season, but the town has some of the island's best restaurants with views of the caldera.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned car, hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, a portable charger, WiFi on board, maps and live commentary from your driver in English, French or Greek. Entrance fees to archaeological sites, cable car tickets and meals are optional and paid separately.

How long should I book for?

Tours run from 3 to 8 hours. A 3-hour tour covers the main highlights. Longer tours let you visit more villages, beaches and viewpoints, or spend more time at each stop. You choose the length that fits your schedule and interests.