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The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Santorini, South Aegean
Even if you’ve never been to this Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea, you’d still recognize it immediately – candy-colored houses carved into cliffs, sapphire waters, gleaming white buildings topped with half-spheres the color of a stormy sky. Here you’ll find peace as you roam the black sand beaches or the streets of a provincial village like Imerovigli. Beautiful Oia is world famous for its sunsets, which seem tinted with every shade of an artist’s palette.
Restaurants in Santorini
1. Tailor Made Private Tours in Santorini (3 hours)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
With experience of over 10 years in sightseeing excursions on the unique island of Santorini, we will make sure that you experience all the beauty, see all the important sights but also discover all the hidden treasures. As our tours can be arranged according to individual wishes, we provide half day or full day tours or as many hours tours are required to meet your needs.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Bottled water, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions:
Reviewed By giorgosl2021
I traveled to Athens in December 2020. During that time Greece was under strict restrictions due to the covid-19 pandemic. I booked the transfer in early December and they were very responsive to all my queries regarding my trip and kept me posted up to the last minute. I had a late night arrival but Christos, the driver was there on time with a warm welcome. The company vehicle was extremely clean,fully equipped with sanitizer and disinfectant wipes and masks (if needed). All the preventive measures were taken. On the way to Athens, Christos gave me a detailed update on the measures and the movement restrictions imposed by that time and thoroughly explained the procedure to issue permits (with SMS) to go out. I book the transfer back to the airport with Marryposa. Cannot thank them enough for their service and hopefully next time will be on their base, on Santorini island, for a full tour! Totally recommended for all travelers arriving to Athens and need a transfer!
2. 5-Hour Private Best of Santorini
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Succumb to Santorini’s charms on a private tour to see its highlights. Traveling by luxury, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide, learn about Santorini’s history and culture as you explore. Stop at Red Beach, view the Minoan ruins at Akrotiri independently, see Oia - Private best of Santorini tour, with air-conditioned transport -Explore the ancient ruins at Akrotiri and admire the scarlet-colored bay of Red Beach -Visit Oia Benefit from a flexible itinerary with personalized attention from a private guide
Inclusions: Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points and all hotels and villas in Santorini, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private tour, Local english speaking guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuites, Entrance fees to Akrotiri (€ 12)
Reviewed By ericamI5476XI
My husband & I booked this tour as an expensive Shore excursion option. It was a great find on trip advisor. My mother in law was with. She has some mobility issues. Santorini has lots of steps, cobblestone and hills. Our guide was very accommodating to every one on the tour ( there were 9 of us, including a teenager-from the same cruise) he picked us up at the exit to the Cable car, at the top of Mountain. He took us to all the main areas of the island. He was also very knowledgeable! Explained so much about the history, and how people live there now. He pointed us to great food, beaches & we made the sunset in Oia!! ( that is a must see!!) I highly recommend this tour to anyone’s house has just a day here and wants to see the main points.
3. Full Day Santorini Highlights and Venetian Castles Small Group Tour
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 12 reviews
Experience the beauty of Santorini by joining us on a full day Santorini tour that is off the beaten path. Learn about ancient and medieval history of the island and discover the magnifiscent beauty of the Venetian castles. Chill out in the most beautiful black sandy beach, feel the local culture combined with a wine tasting expirience and finish your day with an unforgettable sunset in Oia.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Small-group tour maximum 15 persons, Local taxes, Wine tasting, Tour escort/host, Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions: Entrance Fee at symposion (Interactive music instrument presentation), Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By baxad91
The format of this tour is great – it doesn't take a whole day but there is plenty of time to see Oia and Fira, to see the sunset, get dinner and check out the nightlife. Perfect for getting a taste of these towns before going back to explore more thoroughly. They were also very flexible with timing, offering to take us home earlier or later if we needed. Gregory was our driver: he was loads of fun and very knowledgeable about the island. We had a great time. (COVID-19 precautions: capacity was limited and everyone wore masks inside the minibus.)
4. Best of Santorini, Private 4 hour Island tour, Oia, winery, Pyrgos, Caldera
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 23 reviews
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.
Inclusions: Experienced local English-speaking driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Local taxes, Transport by private vehicle, Pick up at the top end of the cable car for cruise ship passengers, Flexible departure time, Flexible itinerary - ask us if you want to make changes
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Wine-tasting, Gratuities
Reviewed By nixamo
We were on a 7 day Med cruise from Athens, but wanted to spend more time in Greece after the cruise. Aphrodite arranged the hotels and rental cars along with some great travel advice. Great trip, rental car was delivered to the hotel and dropped at the airport hotel, never easier. Saw all the key sites especially the one you don't want to miss, Meteora.
5. Santorini Highlights: 5-Hour Private Tour with Wine-Tasting
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 32 reviews
See the highlights of Santorini on a 5-hour shore excursion, and explore the island from its half-submerged volcanic caldera to the summit of its highest mountain. With a private guide at your side, learn about Santorini’s volcanic history while visiting the caldera. Then, travel through the mountains to a monastery and sample local produce made by the resident monks. Try wine at a volcanic vineyard and winery, and then round off your day with free time in picturesque Oia village before returning to port.
Inclusions: Meeting point within walking distance from cruise port (top of cruise port's cable car), Private guide, Wine tastings at a traditional winery served with local cheese, Mineral water and soft drinks, Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Lunch / Meals (optional), Cable car tickets for cruise ship travelers (6.00 Euros per person, per ride)
Reviewed By burnsie6
Had a great trip. The food served was excellent for this type of trip. Barbecued prawns and Greek salad plus a few extra options. The views on the trip were excellent and the crew were amazing. Our original trip was cancelled due to some thunderstorms but the team helped us fit the trip in before our flight which was hugely appreciated and the kind of customer service which makes it an easy trip to recommend.
6. Archaeological bus tour to Akrotiri excavations & Red beach
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 34 reviews
Prophet Elias Monastery – Megalochori village – Akrotiri Excavations – Red Beach - Perivolos Beach – Last stop for wine tasting With this tour you will visit the traditional villages of Santorini, charming monasteries, great beaches and the famous Akrotiri excavations. You will admire amazing views and learn about the history of the island.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Children under 4 years old can get free, Pick up and drop off service, English speaking guide
Exclusions: Excavation site entrance 14.00 E, Children under 4 years old will not reserve a seat on the bus. They will sit on parents' lap., Wine tasting costs
Reviewed By euit2016
What an amazing experience! Everything you want to see in one day. We enjoyed sailing with King Thiras and a fun experience. Easy pick up and great guidance. We hope to see you again.
7. Half Day Tour of Santorini's South Side
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 10 reviews
A private tour of the southern side of Santorini will give you an overview of the most spectacular and historical sites of the southern island. Come see the amazing views and historical places that will be sure to leave an impression.
Inclusions: Local driver guide, Hotel Pickup and drop-off included , Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes minivan, Bottled water, Private transportation, Alcoholic Beverages
Exclusions: Entrance fees, Gratuites , Food and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By Stefan R
It was a great day. Alex spontaneously got around a german-speaking tour guide. Alex and Kathrin were very friendly and perfectly focussed on our wishes. Both have an extensive knowledge of Santorini, really very exciting. I can highly recommend Santorini Tours!
8. Santorini Full Day Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
On this bus tour, travel to the highest point of the island and take a cruise to visit the majestic islands of the area such as Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and Therasia.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Guided tour of Santorini, Boat trip, Pickup from meeting points
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Volcano entrance fee 4,00 Euro per person
Reviewed By Andreas C
We booked via Cretan Holidays our stay in Heraklion, a car rental and one excursion.We received top quality products, quick responce, exceptional customer service!
9. Private Santorini Full Day Highlights Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
- Book in advance with our company, travel, explore, discover Santorini how we know, and feel like a local for a few hours. - Custom private tour - Explore the best of Oia village with the most spectacular sunset, famous blue-domed churches, and stunning views. - See the famous blue dome and three bells in the village of Firostefani. - Visit the highest point of the cliff in the village of Imerovigli. - Go past the narrowest point of Santorini. - Explore the village of Pyrgos and the Venetian hilltop castle. - Visit the picturesque traditional settlement of Megalochori. - Take a walk through the village of Emporio and the narrow streets of the Venetian fortress. - Visit Black sandy beach Perissa-Perivolos, free time for lunch, and swimming.
Inclusions: Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water, Local experienced host during the tour, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner, Alcoholic Beverages, Breakfast
Reviewed By Stefan R
It was a great day. Alex spontaneously got around a german-speaking tour guide. Alex and Kathrin were very friendly and perfectly focussed on our wishes. Both have an extensive knowledge of Santorini, really very exciting. I can highly recommend Santorini Tours!
10. Santorini - The pearl of the Aegean
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Make your dream come true in one of the most amazing destinations worldwide! Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km south-east from Greece's mainland. It is the most active volcanic center in the Aegean Arc, though what remains today is largely a caldera. The name Santorini was given to it by the Venetians in the 13th century and is a reference to Saint Irene. Before then it was called Kallisti, Strongili or Thera. Today, Santorini is the only inhabited Caldera (volcano cauldron) in the world. Unlike other islands in Greece, the towns and villages sit densely on top of the massive cliffs of the Caldera and from a distance appear like snow capping the towering mountain tops. The colored strata of the volcanic rock of these cliffs are spectacular in themselves: chocolate brown, rust red, yellow ochre, white and cream will never let you forget.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Ferry ticket, Transfer from the meeting point or hotel + back, island excursion with live tour guide
Exclusions: Lunch, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea
Reviewed By Tania L
I did the Gramvousa and Balos tour with my family on may 31st and we had a terrible and stressful experience. We waited for almost 25 mins to be picked up in the morning and the boat was overcrowded. These things I could set aside and forget given it was maybe beyond the control of the bus driver to pick us up at scheduled time, or that it is tourist season and the boats might be overcrowded. What I have a problem with, is that it WASN’T ADVERTISED that on both Gramvousa and Balos in order to get to the beach, visitors need to walk over treacherous and dangerous volcanic rocks and there would be no designated walking path. We were also not warned that we need hiking boots to get off the boat as the rocks are absolutely not suitable for beach footwear. It only says for visitors who want to hike up to the fortress to wear walking shoes. It doesnt say the volcanic rocks aren't appropriate for small children and older individuals. The free time we had on Gramvousa island was 1 hour and in Balos 2 hours which was 2 hours LESS THAN ADVERTISED. I travelled with a 2 year old child who fell twice on the rocks in Balos and could've seriously injured himself had he hit his head. My other 2 family members who are women close to 70 year old couldn't even see the Balos lagoon because it was dangerous to walk 200m over the dangerous rocks. One of them nearly twisted her ankle and the other hurt her back while trying to balance on the rocks so they had to go back to the boat and wait over 2 hours for the boat to leave Balos. The tour was not as advertised and actually not disclosing crucial information about the volcanic rocks visitors have to walk over in order to reach Gramvousa and Balos beach is not only misleading but dangerous for the health of visitors. The tour guide by the name Sergio was rude when I expressed my concerns about the safety of the tour and that there was even a man who got seriously injured and was bleeding down his leg. Sergio told me how I wasn't climbing the Himalayas and that I didn't need hiking shoes. As a matter of fact, I did trekking in the Himalayas and I felt safer trekking there than walking 200m to Balos beach. And why I felt safer? Because I had proper footwear. The tour was terrible and my family members could not even access the highlighted parts of the tour, such as the lagoon. I will take this matter to the Greek ministry of tourism. I sent an email to the tour organizer, Viola, after the incident expressing my concerns, and I also asked for a refund. I got NO reply. Just shows how sketchy and unprofessional these people are.
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