Private Tour for Cruise Ship Passengers & Visitors
Duration
Only have a few hours to spend in Santorini and want to make the most of your time on the island?
Avoid the crowds, skip the long lines, and discover the true beauty of Santorini with this private highlights tour, designed especially for travelers with limited time.
Your experience begins with a convenient pickup from the location of your choice. One of our experienced local guides will welcome you and introduce you to the island’s most famous sights while sharing fascinating stories, history, and local insights along the way.
This is a fully private tour, which means you can explore the island at your own pace with a flexible itinerary tailored to your interests. Whether you want to admire breathtaking viewpoints, visit traditional villages, or capture the perfect photos of Santorini’s world-famous scenery, your guide will ensure you enjoy every moment of the experience.
First Stop: Firostefani
Your first stop is the beautiful village of Firostefani, located just next to the capital of Fira and perched on the edge of the caldera cliffs.
From this spectacular viewpoint, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the volcano and the caldera, one of the most famous landscapes in the world.
Here you will also see one of Santorini’s most iconic landmarks — the blue-domed church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, accompanied by the famous three bells. This picturesque view has appeared on countless Santorini postcards and travel photos and is considered one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Now it’s your turn to experience it in person and capture your own unforgettable photos with the stunning backdrop of the Aegean Sea and the caldera cliffs.
And don’t worry about finding the perfect angle — your guide will happily act as your personal photographer, helping you capture some amazing shots to remember your Santorini experience.
Second Stop: Oia Village – The Magic of Santorini
Our next stop is the world-famous village of Oia, one of the most photographed places in Greece and one of the most iconic destinations in the world.
Wander through its charming narrow streets and alleys, including the famous bougainvillea-lined lanes, and admire the white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and colorful cave homes built into the cliffs. Visitors from around the globe come to Oia to enjoy its breathtaking views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea.
The village is known for its 19th-century mansions, once owned by wealthy sea captains, perched dramatically along the caldera. These historic homes, combined with the stunning natural scenery, make Oia one of the most picturesque and unforgettable spots in Santorini.
During our visit, we will explore the Kasteli of Agios Nikolaos, a historic Venetian castle built in the late 15th century to guard against pirate raids. From this elevated viewpoint, you will enjoy panoramic views over the caldera and the volcanic cliffs — perfect for capturing stunning photos.
Oia’s beauty has also inspired films, music videos, and attracted celebrities. Iconic productions like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, and Summer Lovers, along with frequent visits from Hollywood stars, have made this village a cinematic and cultural landmark.
As locals, we know the hidden paths and quiet viewpoints that many visitors miss. This allows you to experience the authentic magic of Oia, away from the crowds, in a relaxed and memorable way.
Truly, Oia is a place of extraordinary beauty — a village where visitors can spend a few hours, a full day, or even a lifetime enjoying its timeless charm.
Third Stop: Monastery of Prophet Elias
Next, we reach the highest point of Santorini, the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, perched at approximately 567 meters above sea level. Built in 1711, this striking monastery resembles a fortress and is a beautiful example of Cycladic architecture.
Historically, it played a vital role in the island’s cultural and educational life, serving as a school where students learned Greek language and literature.
Today, the monastery houses a museum with ecclesiastical items, rare manuscripts, Byzantine icons, and sculptures, as well as exhibits of traditional crafts such as shoemaking, printing, and candle-making. A few monks still live here, producing wine and other local products available for visitors.
Profitis Ilias offers a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the island, making it an ideal spot for unforgettable photos. Especially at sunset, the scenery is simply magical.
Fourth Stop: Perissa-Perivolos – The Black Sand Beach
Next, we arrive at Perissa, a coastal village on the southeastern edge of Santorini, famous for its extraordinary black sand beach. The striking contrast of black lava sand, a sandy sea bottom, and deep blue waters creates a truly unforgettable setting. Perissa is one of the longest and most popular beaches on the island and proudly holds the Blue Flag for cleanliness.
The beach is fully organized, offering sunbeds, umbrellas, and a variety of amenities. Adventurous visitors can enjoy diving, windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, canoeing, and banana boat rides, with two local diving centers available for underwater exploration.
Take a relaxing lunch break at a charming local tavern, away from the tourist crowds, and savor authentic island flavors and traditional Greek cuisine, just like the locals.
Once we have relaxed and enjoyed our meal, the tour continues as we return to Fira, the capital of the island, where the tour concludes, completing your unforgettable Santorini experience.
Fifth Stop: Fira – The Capital of Santorini
Our final stop is Fira, the vibrant capital and largest town of Santorini. Perched on the western cliffs, Fira offers breathtaking views of the volcano and the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni.
The town is compact and perfect for exploring on foot. Wander through its charming maze of narrow alleys, discovering hidden chapels, traditional archways, colorful flowers, and the famous Santorini cats relaxing in the sun.
Fira is ideal for a leisurely stroll through cobbled streets filled with boutiques, souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants. Take your time to explore and shop for local treasures.
One of Fira’s highlights is the Metropolis Church (Orthodox Cathedral), known for its elegant white arches and panoramic views over the caldera and volcano. Built in 1827 and restored after the 1956 earthquake, the cathedral is beautifully decorated with frescoes by the local artist Christoforos Asimis.
Finally, before returning to your ship, enjoy a delicious dessert with spectacular views of the caldera — the perfect way to conclude your unforgettable Santorini experience.
We aim to provide a flexible and personalized experience tailored to your needs.
If you’d like to make any changes to the itinerary, feel free to let us know—either in advance or even on the day of the tour.
We’re always happy to adjust the plan to suit your interests and pace. Santorini, the youngest volcanic island in the Eastern Mediterranean, awaits with its once-in-a-lifetime romance and magical charm.
Don’t think twice—come and experience it for yourself!
- Bedazzling views and iconic postcard shots at the famous Blue Dome and the three bells in Firostefani village
- Pass by the narrowest point of Santorini.
- Exquisite views of the island’s caldera, the only inhabited caldera in the world.
- The charm of this world famous settlement lies in its colourful cave houses, the imposing 19th cent mansions of the captains of the sea,the most spectacular sunset, famous blue domed churches and stunning views.
- Unmatched dramatic views to the scintillating waters of the Aegean and the marquetry of the vineyards, cliffs, villages and countryside of the island from its highest point, the Monastery of Prophet Elias .
- Relax and enjoy swimming and lunch in Perissa-Perivolos Black beach.
- Fira the beautiful capital of the island and the biggest and most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini.
Inclusions
✓ Flexible departure & itinerary customized to suit your preferences, to include additional stops for shopping or relaxing
✓ Cold bottled Mineral water (0.5lt bottle per person)
✓ Wi-Fi on board
✓ Phone Charging
✓ Local Tour Guide (could be the Driver) who will accompany you during the whole tour
✓ Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
✓ Maps & live commentary
✓Pickup and drop-off from locations of your choice Hotel/Port/Airport
✓ Children under 4 years old can get free
✓ Above 5 years old charged as adult
✓ All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions
⊘ Any meal or personal expenses.
⊘ Entrance fees to museums and wineries (unless agreed otherwise).
⊘ Children under 5 years old will not reserve a seat on the car. They will sit on parents' lap
⊘ Tickets for the cable car if you arrive with a cruise ship (€10 for a one-way ticket)
⊘ Entrance fees (to museums or archaeological sites)
⊘ Not wheelchair accessible.
This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or physical limitations, as it requires a certain amount of walking, with sites that are only accessible on foot.
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help.
Just call the number below +30 6945830082.
Traveler pickup is offered from the below listed departure points:
- Hotel or accommodation name
- Full address
- Phone number
- Airbnb host’s phone number (if applicable)
- If you have WhatsApp or Viber, sending us a message or giving us a call is preferred. This ensures smooth communication and helps avoid any confusion during your arrival.
Flight number (if applicable)
Cruise ship name (if applicable)
Arrival time (if applicable)
Traveler phone number
- Take a tender boat from your cruise ship
- Once ashore, go to the cable car
- Pay a ticket of 10 Euros per person (one way), take a cable car ride up to Fira town (3 min.)
- Exit the cable car building.
- Behind the gate, our guide or driver will be holding an Santorini Tour Lovers sign with your name on it.
✅The stairs bring you next to the cable car exit but we strongly recommend using the cable car for your convenience.
⚠️The old port of Santorini, called Skala, located in Fira (where cruise ships dock), is not accessible by car.
1. Cable Car : The Santorini cable car is a donation from the LOULA & EVAGGELOS NOMIKOS Foundation, created to serve both locals and thousands of visitors throughout the year. Completely safe, it consists of six wagons, each with a capacity of six people. The fare is €10 per adult and €6 per child, one way. Payment can be made by cash or card.
2. Stairway: Climbing the 588-steps stairway will take about 20-30 minutes depending on your physical condition. The main challenge, besides keeping your stamina, is avoiding the donkeys that use the path.
3. Donkeys: While donkeys can be hired to take you up the hill, we strongly advise against it. The donkeys used to be the traditional transportation way of the island. They go up and down to the old port of Fira frequently. The price is 10 euro about per person (per way) and the ride lasts about 20 minutes. It’s not safe, and we oppose any form of animal exploitation.
The donkeys arrive at a different place in Fira, not to the cable car exit.
The old port of Santorini, called Skala (where cruise ships dock), is not accessible by car.
At the end of your tour, we offer flexible drop-off options — whether you wish to return to the original meeting point or be dropped off at a different location of your choice. Feel free to discuss your plans with us in advance, or send us a message via email or WhatsApp anytime. We are always here to assist you and ensure everything is arranged exactly as you prefer.
- English speaking driver/guide.
- Please have on your mind that in this private tour Times and attractions usually can be customized to fit your request. You can ask for some changes that we can discuss before we meet or even on the spot.(just let us know).
- Your guide will even act as your personal photographer during the tour and help you take great shots at the most famous beautiful spots of the island.
- Comfortable shoes will help you to stroll up and down the cobbled pathways(sport shoes / rubber sole) hats,
- Suntan lotion and sunglasses should be your best friends throughout your tour.
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Service animals allowed
- We support local communities, family-run businesses, and our groups are always small and respectful.
- Whether you are travelling with family or a group of friends we are here to create for you the most memorable tour.
- One of the best choice for influencers, bloggers, models honeymooners for romance- seekers,and lovey-dovey couples!
- All vehicles are certified as well as meticulously cleaned and sanitized every day.
- Also get your phone or camera ready and capture the beauty of Santorini.
- Choose an afternoon departure(2pm or 3pm)and enjoy an amazing sunset experience from the location of your choice such as: Oia village, the lighthouse or the Mountain of Prophet Elias.
- For an exciting, authentic and personal experience of beautiful Santorini, book your tour with us today. We can’t wait to show you around!
More Information:
- Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- All the stores you visit on this private tour are 100% locally owned and run. with that, it means that you help local economies blossom. How? On our tours you’ll go to local restaurants, visit local shops, and explore the island with local guides. Simply by doing this, you’re helping to bring more employment and business opportunities to locals in every community we visit.
- Local sourcing is a principle across all our tours. We use locally owned infrastructure and work with locally owned businesses to make sure the money you spend on travel is injected back into the local economy, and that profits from tourism go into local hands.
- Please keep in mind that anytime you feel hungry there will always be a place in the course of our tour to grab a snack. Otherwise, our tour may incorporate a lunch break at a local restaurant, to taste and experience the traditional food of Santorini.
- Comfortable shoes will help you to stroll up and down the cobbled pathways(sport shoes / rubber sole) hats,
- Suntan lotion and sunglasses should be your best friends throughout your tour.
- Also get your phone or camera ready and capture the beauty of Santorini.
No, you don’t need to pay anything in advance.
Reserve now & pay directly to your driver/guide, the day of your tour!
Would you like to cancel?! Okay, no problem we know sometimes things come up, so we'll let you cancel if you need to. But it will make us very sad.
Free cancellation up to 96 hours before activity starts.
Location:
Book Here:
Duration
Location
Santorini
Language
English
Group, Private
This is a private tour/activity. Only you & your group will participate. Please have on your mind that in this private tour you can ask for some changes that we can discuss before we meet or even on the spot.
Transportation
Tour takes place either on a luxury air conditioned mini van or an SUV. If you need a car seat for your child, we can provide one upon request.
