Santorini Private Shore Excursion: Customize Your Island Day

Build Your Own Santorini Day With a Local Driver

A private guided tour of Santorini with a local driver-guide, hotel or cruise port pickup, and a fully customizable itinerary. You pick which attractions to visit—Oia, Akrotiri, Red Beach, Perissa Black Beach, Profitis Ilias monastery, or the island's wine museums—and how much time to spend at each. The driver handles navigation and shares local knowledge while you decide the pace and the stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santorini's highlights with guide

• Visit Oia village and caldera views
• Stop at Firostefani and Blue Dome Church
• See panoramic views from Imerovigli
• Explore Red Beach and viewpoint
• Relax at Perissa–Perivolos Black Beach
• Visit Profitis Ilias hill and chapel
• Discover traditional village with cave houses
• Tour Pyrgos village and Venetian castle
• Explore ancient ruins of Akrotiri
• View windmills above Emporio village
• Visit Akrotiri Lighthouse
• Enjoy wine tasting at Santo Wines Winery
• Visit Art Space Winery and art exhibits
• Tour Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos

The Experience

You arrive at your hotel or the cruise port and your driver meets you there. From that point, the day is yours to shape. The tour runs between four and eight hours depending on which option you book, but the stops themselves are your call. Want to spend the morning in Oia watching the light change across the caldera, then skip the beaches? Done. Prefer the black sand of Perissa and the ancient ruins at Akrotiri, skipping the villages? Your driver takes you straight there. The itinerary is a suggestion, not a script—you can rearrange it, add stops, or cut ones that don't appeal to you.

The driver is a local who knows the island's layout, its history, and which spots work best depending on the time of day and the crowds. You get a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and transport to wherever you want to go next. If you want to explore Akrotiri's Bronze Age ruins, the driver drops you at the entrance; official archaeologists guide the site itself, so you walk through the frescoes and preserved buildings at your own pace. If you choose the Monastery of Profitis Ilias at 567 meters above sea level, you'll see the Orthodox chapel, hear Byzantine music, and sample handmade local products. Wine tastings at Santo Wines, Art Space Winery, or the Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos are optional add-ons you arrange on the day—the tasting fees are separate.

The tour ends when your driver drops you back at your accommodation, the cruise port, the airport, or anywhere else you name. Infants travel free in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. The whole thing is built around not having to plan—your driver knows the routes, handles the driving, and adapts to what you actually want to see.

What’s included

• Private local driver-guide with insider knowledge of Santorini.
• hotel, port, or airport pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for the full duration.
• complimentary bottled water.
• customizable itinerary tailored to your interests and schedule.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by KALLISTI TOURS

Is this one for you?Book the 4-hour option if you're between cruise ship departures or have a short afternoon free and want to see the main highlights without a full day commitment. Choose 6 or 8 hours if you want time to swim at a beach, explore Akrotiri's ruins, visit a monastery, or stop at a winery without feeling rushed—the longer window lets you actually linger instead of moving from stop to stop.

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Top questions

Can I visit Akrotiri on this tour?

Yes, Akrotiri is one of the optional stops. Your driver will drop you at the entrance to the Bronze Age settlement, and you can explore the well-preserved buildings and frescoes on your own; only official Greek archaeologists guide the site itself. Entrance fees are paid on-site and are not included in the tour price.

What's the difference between the 4-hour, 6-hour, and 8-hour options?

The duration you choose determines how many stops you can comfortably fit and how long you can spend at each one. A 4-hour tour works for a quick loop of the highlights; 6 or 8 hours lets you linger at beaches, villages, or museums without rushing. Your driver adapts the route to your choice.

Do I have to follow the suggested itinerary?

No. The itinerary is a starting point. You can swap stops, skip attractions, or spend extra time at places you love. Tell your driver what interests you, and he'll take you there.

Are wine tastings included?

Wine tastings at Santo Wines, Art Space Winery, or the Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos are optional. If you want to visit one, the tasting fee is paid separately at the winery on the day of your tour.

What if my cruise ship arrives late or I need to be back by a certain time?

Tell your driver your schedule when you meet. He'll plan the stops and timing so you're back at the port or your hotel when you need to be. For cruise passengers, the meeting point is the top of the cable car station at the port.

Is lunch included?

Meals and beverages are not included in the tour price. You can stop at seaside restaurants in Perissa or other villages to eat on your own, or bring your own food. Your driver can suggest places based on what you're in the mood for.