Top Santorini Historical Tours

With this full-day tour, you won’t need a crystal ball (or a guidebook) to find Santorini’s historical and cultural highlights. Skip the crowded tour buses and strangers getting in your postcard-perfect photos and explore the island in style aboard an air-conditioned minivan. Visit remarkable Venetian castles in Emporio and Akrotiri, marvel at the ocean views from Firostefani, and much more.

Santorini's sights are spread across the island, and reaching the ancient ruins, villages, and beaches beyond the caldera towns takes a vehicle. See them on one bus tour, taking in the Akrotiri excavations, traditional villages, and a hilltop monastery. Stop at Red Beach and the black sands of Perivolos too, and cover the island's landmarks in a single day.

Parking in Santorini is beyond challenging. Skip the self-drive stress while enjoying the freedom and flexibility of independent travel when you book this 100-percent private, fully customizable sightseeing adventure. Simply choose the tour duration and departure time that suits your schedule then design your own itinerary—or work with your local driver-guide to tailor a route to your interests, be that villages, beaches, or volcanic views.

Explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri with an expert archaeologist and immerse yourself in the history and daily life of this advanced prehistoric city. Walk through its preserved streets and learn how a volcanic eruption buried the town, inspiring the myth of Atlantis, and discover the secrets of this lost civilization.

Getting a taste of Santorini couldn’t be easier with this private guided tour. As well as exploring popular sights like the village of Olia, with its blue-domed churches, and Red Beach, your local guide will show you hidden gems—including a traditional village and a monastery at the island’s highest point. There’s also the opportunity to swim and enjoy lunch (own expense) on Perivolos Beach.

Santorini can be whatever island you want it to be—it just takes the right guide. Work with an experienced private concierge to discover the Santorini of your dreams on this 100% customizable private tour. Your package includes an air-conditioned vehicle with snacks, bottled water, and Wi-Fi, plus hotel pickup; any additional expenses, such as a wine tasting or a visit to the Akrotiri archaeological site, are at your cost.

Discover Santorini’s highlights on a small-group tour with wine tasting options. Choose a classic half-day route or extend to a full-day adventure. Wander through Oia, admire panoramic views from Prophet Elias Monastery, and explore the historic village of Pyrgos. Upgrade your experience with wine tasting or Akrotiri’s ancient ruins. With seamless transport and a knowledgeable local guide, every stop feels personal and unforgettable.

Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands and you’ll discover why when you explore it during this private day tour. Whether you’re arriving via cruise port, airport, or are staying the night in town, receive round-trip transportation for this exciting tour that covers everything from the Red Beach and Santo Winery to the medieval village of Pyrgos and hillside town of Oia.

Santorini is one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, packed with stunning landmarks and viewpoints. Skip the hours of research and the hassle of self-driving when you book this half-day tour of the island’s top highlights. From the vibrant Red Beach to the iconic blue domes of Fira, this tour has it all, including a stop for the world-famous sunset in the village of Oia.

Experience Santorini in its fullest—every view, every story, every unforgettable moment. This private 8-hour tour is more than a sightseeing trip; it’s a deep dive into the island’s soul, crafted for travelers who want it all without compromise. Explore a handpicked blend of breathtaking villages, volcanic beaches, panoramic viewpoints, and hidden corners that most visitors never see. Wander through timeless alleys, gaze over cliffside horizons that seem to stretch forever, and feel the pulse of the island in places where tradition and beauty meet in perfect harmony. Every stop is a new emotion, every view a memory in the making. You won't just visit Santorini—you’ll feel it. The energy of the caldera, the warmth of the sun, the whispers of tradition in every chapel and courtyard. With a local driver by your side and a route designed for wonder, this is the most complete and unforgettable way to experience the magic of Santorini—just for you.

Experience the volcanic beauty of the Aegean without having to line up for selfies on land during a catamaran cruise. Stop to bask on Santorini’s red- and white-sand beaches, snorkel, and soak in volcanic hot springs. Choose to sail in the morning or at sunset when the scenery is washed in golden sun. With included hotel transport plus a fresh Greek barbecue and soft drinks, beer, and local wine served onboard, it's a decadent way to enjoy the island’s famous sights.

Santorini’s top attractions are scattered high and low across the island. Discover them without the expense of car hire and the strain of finding parking on this convenient tour by minibus, with a driver-guide to explain exactly what you’re seeing. Soak up views across the island from its highest point, see charming villages, ancient lighthouses, colored beaches, and blue-domed churches, and wrap up with Santorini’s star sunset: Oia.

Go beyond a typical walking tour and take a hike from Fira to Oia with this half-day private tour. Walk along the caldera cliff and through several traditional villages, learning about the day-to-day life of ancient Greeks from your guide. Plus, make several stops throughout the hike to capture stunning photos of the panoramic views.

Enjoy a hassle-free visit with a time-slotted e-ticket to the prehistoric site of Akrotiri. Choose the time slot you prefer, and download the app and your audio tour on your smartphone before your visit. Marvel at the layout of the prehistoric town, once buried under volcanic ash. Discover the Square of the Double Horns, the House of the Ladies, Telchines Street and Xeste 3. Learn about the fascinating history of Akrotiri and why it is called the Pompeii of the Aegean.

Simplify your time in Santorini and avoid the hassle of self-driving by taking a private, customizable day tour. Your guide is a local so can show and tell you things that you might otherwise miss. Visit the lighthouse, the monastery, the castle, lookout points, and many other beautiful spots. Learn more about Santorini while having fun.

Santorini's Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos is a unique establishment attached to a winery and set in an underground cave. Experience it without the self-drive stress on this convenient group tour, with pickup and drop-off direct to many Santorini hotels and the cable car station (for cruise port access). You'll explore the museum with an audio guide, and sample three or four different local wines in Volcan Wines' tasting room.

This tour takes you to places most tourists never see, exploring untouched areas of Santorini, traditional Greek wineries, and a lava cave settlement. You wouldn’t find all of these places if not for this tour. You’ll also keep costs down with this small-group tour, but still have an intimate experience (max 6).

Check out Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed with a volcanic eruption of Theros. Explore the ruins, which were preserved by volcanic ash, on this group tour. Your guide will show you the different houses, rooms, and even preserved murals. You’ll also have transport to/from the meeting point to keep things running smoothly.

Cruise around Santorini on this half-day catamaran tour departing from Vlihada Marina. Observe famed sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Indian Rocks, the Red Beach, and the White Beach as you glide atop clear blue water. Enjoy a swimming and snorkeling excursion, then take in panoramic views of Thirasia Island and, if you've chosen an evening tour, sail past Oia during sunset—a must-do for any Santorini trip.

If you’ve only got limited time in Santorini, it’s important to make the most of your stay. See the spectacular Greek island your way on a private shore excursion that allows you to customize your itinerary according to personal preferences. Port pickup and drop-off means you’ll begin your tour as soon as you step off the boat, and a private guide guarantees that you’ll receive undivided attention and have ample time to ask questions.

Get an in-depth overview of Akrotiri, the 3,600-year-old Minoan city preserved by a volcanic eruption, on this time-saver private tour. You’ll get enriching historical context on the ruins of the ancient city, learning about the day-to-day lives of its ancient inhabitants as well as the 1967 discovery of the site.

Enjoy a fuss-free visit to the Lost Atlantis Experience in Megalochori on Santorini by prebooking admission. Save time by reserving your ticket before you travel, and experience the museum’s digital displays on the mythical lost city, believed by some to be connected to Santorini. Relive Atlantis’ believed destruction in a 9D experience, explore interactive dioramas, see holographs of Santorini through the ages, and more; all in your own time.

Santorini stuns at any angle, but its most magical destinations are often only reachable by water. Experience its rugged coastline and volcanic islands by boat on this catamaran cruise. Choose between daytime and sunset bookings; snorkel equipment is available for swim stops, and you'll enjoy a BBQ buffet lunch or dinner washed down with local white wine and soft drinks—as well as swimming to the Santorini Hot Springs.