Santorini Island Private Custom Tour in Half or Full Day

Exploring Santorini becomes a personalized adventure with the Santorini Island Private Custom Tour, offered at $191.16 per person. This flexible experience spans 4 to 8 hours, allowing you to tailor your day from a selection of breathtaking stops. Whether you prefer scenic villages, volcanic beaches, ancient ruins, or wine tastings, this tour adapts to your interests. The tour includes hotel, port, or airport pickup, and features air-conditioned transportation, making it comfortable and convenient. With a perfect 5.0-star rating based on 313 reviews, this private tour consistently earns high praise for its guiding quality and flexible itinerary.

While the experience offers a broad range of attractions, it is best suited for travelers who appreciate a relaxed, customizable pace. The tour’s highlights include visits to Oia, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Perissa Black Sand Beach, along with cultural stops like the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, Megalochori, and Pyrgos. For history enthusiasts, the Akrotiri archaeological site provides an intriguing glimpse into ancient Minoan civilization. Notably, entrance fees are not included at sites like Akrotiri and wineries, which are paid separately on-site.

Key Points

• Personalized experience: Choose your stops and tour duration, from 4 to 8 hours
• All-inclusive pickup: Includes transport from your hotel, port, or airport
• Expert guides: Friendly, knowledgeable guides with excellent local expertise
• Flexible itinerary: Visit iconic spots like Oia, Fira, Red Beach, and Black Sand Beach
• Cultural and historical sites: Explore the Akrotiri archaeological site and traditional villages
• Wine tasting options: End with a visit to Santo Wines or Art Space Winery (fees paid on-site)

Customizable Tour from the Heart of Santorini

This private tour begins with hotel, port, or airport pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring a smooth start. The flexibility of the tour means that stops are tailored to your interests, whether that’s panoramic views, historic ruins, or relaxing on volcanic beaches. The tour duration can be adjusted from 4 to 8 hours, giving ample time to explore at a comfortable pace. Many reviews highlight the guides’ ability to adapt and show the island’s best spots without feeling rushed.

Highlights of Santorini Villages: Oia, Firostefani, and Imerovigli

The trip often includes visits to Oia, famous for its iconic whitewashed buildings and blue domes. It’s a favorite for capturing photos and enjoying its charming atmosphere. Nearby, Firostefani offers scenic alleys and the Three Bells of Fira, where visitors can appreciate the volcanic landscape and learn about Santorini’s geology and history.

Imerovigli provides panoramic vistas from its high vantage point, perfect for photos of Skaros Rock and the volcano. These villages showcase the island’s colorful architecture and traditional charm, making them ideal stops for leisurely exploration and picture-taking.

Exploring Santorini’s Unique Beaches and Natural Landmarks

The tour takes you to Red Beach, known for its vivid red volcanic cliffs, and Perissa Black Sand Beach, famous for its volcanic sand and crystal waters. These stops provide opportunities for swimming, relaxing, and taking stunning photos. The nearby seaside restaurants and bars at Perissa offer casual spots to enjoy local flavors.

Profitis Ilias, the highest point on the island at 567 meters, is another key stop. From the summit, visitors get sweeping views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. The site includes a Greek Orthodox chapel and hand-made products created by monks, adding a spiritual and cultural element to the experience.

Discovering Santorini’s Traditional Villages: Megalochori and Pyrgos

Megalochori stands out for its white-painted houses, narrow alleys, and traditional underground cave homes, offering an authentic taste of local life. The village’s architecture and peaceful atmosphere make it a favorite for those seeking a less touristy experience.

Pyrgos, perched atop a hill, features a 16th-century Venetian castle and a maze-like layout of narrow alleys. Its strategic position provides spectacular views of the island, and the village’s old-world charm makes it a compelling stop for history lovers.

The Ancient and Cultural Sites: Akrotiri and the Windmills

The Akrotiri archaeological site is a highlight for history buffs. This Bronze Age settlement, buried by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE, features remarkably well-preserved buildings, frescoes, and infrastructure. Visitors can explore the site at their own pace, as guides are not permitted inside—entrance fees are paid separately.

The Windmills of Emporio, located on a hilltop, are a picturesque view and favorite photo spot, especially during sunset. The red-tiled windmills and small chapel offer a peaceful setting with panoramic views of the landscape.

Sunset and Wine Experiences: Santo Wines, Art Space, and Koutsogiannopoulos

The tour can include a visit to Santo Wines for a wine tasting experience that showcases local volcanic varietals. This stop offers stunning caldera views and a chance to sample Santorini’s renowned wines, although tasting fees are paid on-site.

Alternatively, the Art Space Winery combines contemporary Greek art with wine tasting, housed in a historic 1861 winery carved into pumice rock. Visitors can enjoy exhibits and sample four different wines.

The Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum offers a deep dive into the island’s winemaking history from 1660 to 1970, with tastings in a 300-meter-long cave. These stops highlight Santorini’s long-standing tradition of vine cultivation and wine production.

Logistics and Practicalities of the Tour

This private tour includes pickup and drop-off at your preferred location, whether that’s a hotel, port, or airport. The air-conditioned vehicle comfortably transports your group throughout the day. The tour features flexible timing at each stop, guided by an expert driver who shares insights and local knowledge.

Most stops are free of charge, but entrance fees to sites like Akrotiri and some wineries are paid separately. The tour is designed to be accessible for most travelers, with reviews highlighting the guides’ flexible and considerate approach.

Why This Tour Stands Out

What makes this private tour particularly appealing is its customizable nature. Unlike fixed group excursions, this experience allows you to select the sites that interest you most, with a knowledgeable guide leading the way. The high ratings and positive reviews reflect consistent praise for the guides’ expertise, friendly attitude, and the balance of sightseeing and relaxation.

Plus, the option to include wine tastings and art visits adds cultural depth to the day. The 4 to 8-hour window offers enough time to see both the popular sights and some lesser-known gems without feeling hurried.

Who Should Book This Tour

This experience suits travelers who value customization and flexibility and want a personalized day exploring Santorini’s highlights. Families with children, couples, or groups of friends will enjoy the private driver and guide, ensuring comfort and tailored pacing.

Those interested in local wines, archaeological sites, or authentic villages will find this tour especially rewarding. It also appeals to travelers who want to maximize limited time—such as cruise passengers with a short window—thanks to its efficient route planning and private, flexible approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the tour last?
The tour can be customized to last between 4 and 8 hours depending on your interests and pace.

What is included in the tour price?
The private guide/driver, hotel, port, or airport pickup and drop-off, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Entrance fees and tastings are paid separately.

Can I choose which stops to visit?
Yes, the tour is customizable, allowing you to select stops like Oia, Fira, Red Beach, Akrotiri, and others based on your preferences.

Is this tour suitable for families or children?
Yes, the flexible pacing and private transport make it suitable for families and children, especially with personalized stops.

Are entrance fees to sites included?
No, entrance fees for sites like Akrotiri and wineries are paid on-site and are not included in the tour price.

How do I book this tour?
You can book online in advance, with most bookings made about 34 days prior, and the tour offers multiple departure times.

What if I have specific interests?
The tour can be tailored to your interests, whether cultural, historical, scenic, or culinary.

Is this tour accessible for all physical levels?
Most stops are accessible, but some sites with uneven terrain or steep paths may require additional caution. It’s best to check directly with the provider if you have specific mobility concerns.

What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled start, receiving a full refund.

How are guides chosen?
Guides are experienced, knowledgeable, and praised for their friendliness and ability to adapt to guests’ interests, as reflected in numerous positive reviews.