Best of Santorini, Private 4 hour Island tour including Oia
Description
Explore Santorini, in this 4-hour private tour of the island, with your English speaking driver. Visit wineries to taste the famous local wines and explore traditional villages like Oia, Fira and Pyrgos. Enjoy great views of the brilliant flooded caldera; stroll above the rooftops of the homes carved into the cliffs and gaze into the deep blue waters of the caldera far below. Santorini is the most spectacular of the islands in the Cyclades, and this will be a tour to remember.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visually, Santorini is the most spectacular of the isles in the Cyclades. With its brilliant flooded caldera, high cliffs and charming villages, it is the Greek Isle of everyone’s dreams. Our tour will take us to Santorini’s highest peak, crowned by the Mount Profitis Ilias Monastery. At 883 feet, Mt. Profitis Ilias rugged landscape is largely composed of volcanic rocks as a result of hundreds of eruptions during the last two million years, some of them being large caldera-forming events. Here, in this remote spot, we’ll have an ideal photo opportunity to capture the beauty of this ancient island. We’ll discover the village of Pyrgos, which was the capital of Santorini until 1800. Here we’ll be able to admire the beautiful old houses and the Venetian Fortress crowned by several churches. Our half-day tour then takes us to one of the island’s most famous traditional wineries. Viniculture is an ancient art in Santorini, and the fact that vines thrive at all is amazing considering the fact that the island has limited water resources. But the volcanic soil is an excellent medium for producing grapes, especially the Assyrtiko grape – a rare, white variety. After our visit, we’ll drive through the countryside to visit Oia. This traditional Greek village of whitewashed cubes is perched impossibly high on cliffs at the north west tip of the island. Here, take in the stunning views of the island from one of the charming cafés or stroll above the rooftops of the homes carved into the cliffs and gaze into the deep blue waters of the caldera far below. From Oia village, we’ll return to the cliff top town of Fira. Our tour ends here.
This traditional Greek village of whitewashed cubes is perched impossibly high on cliffs at the north west tip of the island. Here, take in the stunning views of the island from one of the charming cafés or stroll above the rooftops of the homes carved into the cliffs and gaze into the deep blue waters of the caldera far below.
Pyrgos is the largest preserved village on Santorini and the island’s former capital. Strategically built in the heart of the pre-volcanic hinterland and at the foot of Mt Profitis Ilias, Pyrgos affords panoramic views. The Venetian castle is one of the five on the island of Santorini and dates back to the 13th century. The fortified settlement is amphi-theatrically built on the hill and offers superb views of both sides of the island. The village has many churches: the church of Theotokaki with its beautiful frescoes and old icons, Agia Triada, the church of Agia Theodosia, the Archangel Michael and many others.
Our tour will take us to Santorini’s highest peak, crowned by the Mount Profitis Ilias Monastery. At 883 feet, Mt. Profitis Ilias rugged landscape is largely composed of volcanic rocks as a result of hundreds of eruptions during the last two million years, some of them being large caldera-forming events. Here, in this remote spot, we’ll have an ideal photo opportunity to capture the beauty of this ancient island.
Venetsanos winery or Santo winery, located on the cliffs, overlooking the magnificent caldera of Santorini. The Venetsanos family has a very long tradition in producing wine. Originally was produced for the island and subsequently it was exported extensively, and particularly to countries such as Russia. It was built in 1947 by Venetsanos family and became the first industrial winery on the island. Its most distinguished feature is the structural design, which essentially used gravity, facilitating energy efficiency, at a time when access to electricity and other energy sources was very limited. The winery was built in an unconventional manner constructed from above and moving downwards.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from your hotel, villa, airbnb Pick up for cruise ship passangers is from the top end of the cable car Santorini airport (JTR): we will meet you at the arrivals hall
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Tour will depart at your preferred time. Please inform us of the time you wish to be picked up from the port (for cruise ship passengers) or your hotel
Reviews(34)
I am very lucky to have found Kivotos of Aegan Travel and have my recent tour to Greece and Italy arranged by Despina. The tour arrangement and the itineraries were very detailed and organized. I also have enough leisure time to explore and enjoy the places. They have assigned very professional tour guides who speak English like a native. The transfers were smooth and drivers were professional and very punctual. All bookings, flights, ferry ride were scrupulously arranged. I did not face any single concern or difficulty in terms of mobility. They arranged representatives in every area or destination to meet with me to answer any questions I may have, Ms. Aphrodite was so kind and have even spent her precious time, showing me around the center of Athens and give her recommendations (restaurant, food, etc.). The 24/7 support is something I also appreciate especially since it's my first time in Greece and Italy, and was travelling solo. Despina would check me from time to time if my day and tour went well and if there is anything I need. She's such an amazing person! And best part is when Despina upgraded my hotel in Santorini, the view was ethereal! The best in Santorini. Something that I may not be able to find by booking the hotel myself. So grateful of her kindness. It was a pity I was alone and couldn't share the joy and excitement I felt. I just so love everything they arranged for me. It is definitely the kind of experience you'd never wanna miss! I am very sure Despina would cater to the kind of tour and experience any client would prefer. It is always best to go to local agency to arrange the best experience for you. I am very happy and highly recommend Kivotos of Agean Travel. Thank you very much for making my tour experience in Europe enjoyable and one of the most memorable!
My nephews and I had an amazing tour of Santorini. Themis our host and driver was amazing, showing us the best parts of the island (Oia, Red Beach, Pyrgos, a winery, etc.) and sharing the history along the way, which we loved to learn. Themis is so friendly and offered to take pictures, and he always ensured he got the best views behind us, which was appreciated. My 21 and 18 year old nephews loved the tour as much as I did, and we would highly recommend it!
Great tour. Christos was very knowledgeable and helped us make the best of our day in Santorini. We enjoyed the small villages with less crowds and the wine tasting is one not too miss. Thank you
Thank you Christo for an unforgettable tour of your beautiful island of Santorini! Our day started with a private pickup in a spacious, luxury van from our hotel. Christo customized the itinerary based on our feedback. His knowledge of the island brought history to life throughout the tour. I strongly recommend booking a tour with someone that has this vast knowledge. Christo kept my teenage daughters engaged during the walking tours and even taught my daughter the Sirtaki! The final stop was Santo winery where we were treated like VIP. It is clear that Christo is well known and loved in his island. This was a trip of a lifetime and we’re blessed to have met him!
Such a beautiful experience with an experienced and thoughtful tour guide, Christos! He was just awesome and so knowledgeable so make sure to ask for him. Even went out of his way to call us after the tour to make sure we knew the cable car line was vicious and to be careful we don’t miss our embarkation time. The winery was over the top and we hope to return. We hit everything we wanted to within 4 hours with time left over to stroll and shop.
This tour was perfect to get to see the villages and hear the history of the island. Make sure you wear your most comfortable shoes, there's a lot of walking. Would absolutely recommend this to get the full experience
Cristos was amazing- would always use him given the opportunity was extremely knowledgeable , funny -courteous- went out of his way to give us our best tour ever. Highly recommend
We were 2 families of 4 who booked the tour when we stopped there for our RC cruise. The tour was very, very well done, our guide was great, the communication from the company was amazing, getting back to us quickly and answering all our questions. You can customize the tour for what you want to see most. We loved it all but the winery at almost sun set was fantastic! Only advice to those who take this tour is to leave enough time before or after to shop! The tour takes you through the streets and there was so many stores we would have wanted to stop at!! The men said absolutely not, we were on a tour not a shopping adventure, but the temptation was enormous! An amazing place, we loved Santorini. Leave plenty of time to get off your cruise ship and up the cable car to the top because that is the ONLY place you can meet anyone for tours at the old port. So everyone who comes in has to ride the same cable car and the line can get lengthy.
This was a great tour. Guide Bobby was amazing. Loved her. We customized how we wanted. Appreciated the water.
Ten out of ten! Christos was a fantastic guide. Explored and enjoyed the island. Quite a few other tourist, but Christos knew and took us to the most beautiful (secret) spots for amazing views!! Ended at Santo Winery. Perfect day!! Thank you!!
