Private Santorini Tour: Fully Customizable Itinerary

You decide where the day goes; the guide knows where to take you.

A private, fully customizable tour of Santorini where you choose the attractions, timing and pace with an experienced local guide and driver. Hotel, airport or cruise port pickup is included, and the itinerary can span anywhere from three to twelve hours depending on what you want to see. Wine tastings, archaeological sites, beaches and mountain viewpoints are all optional stops you select before the day begins.

Step-by-step itinerary

Customizable private Santorini tour

• Visit Oia village and viewpoints
• See Caldera and Volcano views
• Explore Fira village and scenic balcony
• Discover traditional white painted houses
• Visit French-built cliff viewpoint
• Photograph Red Beach volcanic landscape
• Relax at Perissa Beach
• Admire views from Profitis Ilias Monastery
• Wander historic Pyrgos village
• Explore Venetian fortified settlement
• Tour Akrotiri Archaeological Site
• Taste local products at family farm
• See windmills and chapel near Emporio
• Visit Santorini Tomato Museum
• Taste wines at modern winery
• Enjoy wine and tapas at Venetsanos winery
• Explore natural wine museum cave
• Tour and taste at Ftelos Brewery

The Experience

You land in Santorini with a free afternoon, or your ship docks and you have a few hours before re-boarding. Instead of joining a bus full of strangers or figuring out taxis and ferry schedules, a driver meets you at the airport, port or your hotel. From there, the day is yours to shape. Tell your guide what matters—the famous Oia sunset, the volcanic Red Beach, the Monastery of Profitis Ilias perched at the island's highest point, the 4,000-year-old Bronze Age settlement at Akrotiri, or the hidden village of Pyrgos with its Venetian castle and narrow cave houses. The guide knows the island intimately and can suggest routes that connect what you want to see without wasting time on traffic or wrong turns.

The van is air-conditioned and private, so you move at your own rhythm. Stop for as long as you want at a viewpoint, skip what doesn't appeal, linger over lunch at a seaside taverna on Perissa Beach's black lava sand, or detour to a family-run winery where you taste wine made from vines over 150 years old. If you're curious about Santorini's volcanic past, Akrotiri's frescoes and three-story Minoan buildings tell that story. If you want to taste what the island produces, you can visit a traditional farm sampling homemade wine and local products like fava and sun-dried tomatoes, or tour Ftelos Brewery to watch artisanal beer being made and taste six varieties. A natural wine museum in a 300-meter cave, a tomato museum, and several established wineries are all options you pick at booking.

For cruise passengers, the driver tracks your ship's schedule and guarantees you're back at the port in time to re-board—you provide the ship name, docking time and re-boarding time when you book, and the timing is locked in. Bottled water is included, and the guide speaks English or Greek. Tours run from three hours up to a full day, depending on how many stops you want and how much time you have. You're not following a set route or a script; you're exploring Santorini the way you actually want to.

What’s included

• Hotel, airport or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned van with an experienced local driver and guide.
• bottled water.
• maps and live commentary in English or Greek.
• guaranteed on-time return to port for cruise passengers.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Santorini Road Trips

Is this one for you?You decide what to see and when—your guide drives and knows the island inside out, so you explore at your own pace without planning the route.

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Top questions

Can I see the Oia sunset if I book an afternoon departure?

Yes. Oia sits on top of an impressive cliff and is famous for its sunset views. If you choose an afternoon departure and include Oia as a stop, your guide can time the visit so you're there for the sunset, which is one of the most photographed moments on the island.

What's at Akrotiri, and is it worth the visit?

Akrotiri is a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age settlement buried in volcanic ash after an eruption, which preserved the buildings, frescoes and artifacts inside. You walk through ancient walls and see three-story Minoan structures, well-preserved wall paintings and an elaborate drainage system—it's one of the most intact ancient towns in the Mediterranean and a must-see if you're interested in archaeology.

Do I have to choose all my stops before the tour starts, or can I change my mind during the day?

You select your preferred attractions when you book, but your guide is flexible. If you want to adjust the itinerary once the day begins—spend more time at a beach, skip a stop, or add something you didn't plan—you can discuss it with your guide and adapt as you go.

Is wine or beer tasting included, or do I pay extra?

Wine and beer tastings are optional add-ons you choose at checkout. Several wineries and a brewery offer tastings with local cheese or snacks, but they're not automatically included in the tour price.

How does this work if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Provide your ship name, docking time and re-boarding time when you book. The driver picks you up at the port, and the tour is timed so you return with guaranteed on-time arrival before your ship leaves. Bottled water and live commentary from your guide are included throughout.

What's the difference between the 3-hour, 6-hour and 8-hour options?

The duration determines how many stops you can comfortably fit and how far across the island you can travel. A 3-hour tour covers one or two nearby attractions; a 6-hour tour lets you see multiple villages, beaches and viewpoints; an 8-hour or longer tour gives you time for distant sites like Akrotiri, a winery visit and a full meal without rushing.