The Best Santorini Private Tours

Greece › Santorini › Private Tours
By Santorini Dave

See Also

• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Things To Do in Santorini

Private Tours on Santorini: What to Know

• Private day tours and tour guides in Santorini are more expensive than group tours but they’re just about always worth the extra cost. (Even the most expensive tours will still be a small portion of what you paid to get here – yet will likely be the most memorable part of your trip.)
• Book early. It’s easy to reserve last-minute group tours, but there are surprisingly few private tours offered on Santorini and they get booked early for visits from June to September.
• If you only have time for one then do a boat tour of the caldera – the cliffs and the caldera are what makes Santorini so fantastically unique.
• The Accessible Santorini Private Tour is a guided sightseeing tour. The large private van can accommodate one wheelchair user that can board with a ramp, without having to leave the chair. The vehicle can accept more disabled passengers, as long as they use folding wheelchairs.

The 10 Best Private Tours in Santorini

All these tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off (which doesn’t sound significant but is super helpful).

1. Best of Santorini Private Tour

Excellent guided tour around the highlights of Santorini – from Akrotiri in the south to Oia at the northernmost tip. In between, you’ll visit beaches, churches, wineries, and historical sites. The professional guide is top-notch.

2. Private Catamaran Cruise

Wonderful boat tour of the hot springs and caldera cliffs with swimming and snorkeling. Go pretty much anywhere you want with your private tour guide and captain. If this isn’t the highlight of your trip I’d be surprised. Starts at 10:30am (day cruise) or 3:30pm (sunset cruise). Delicious BBQ meal and unlimited bear and santorini wine. Hotel pick up and drop off are included. If sold out (as often happens) these are also great tours: Private Sunset Cruise • 7-Hour Private Catamaran Cruise • Private Cruise on a Motor Yacht

3. Private Santorini Wine Tour

Incredible wine tour of Santorini’s best wineries with plenty of tastings, cheese, olives, and snacks. There’s a 10am departure and a 4pm. Both visit a winery with great caldera views. The later tour will include sunset views. Cheaper option: Santorini Sunset Wine Tour

4. Santorini Eat & Walk Food Tour

Wonderful food tour that visits 6 or 7 restaurants on its way from Firostefani down to Fira. Stops include idyllic caldera locations and out of the way local spots. Guides are fun, friendly, and well informed. This is a great activity to do at the beginning of your visit, as it will help you get your bearings and provide plenty of tips and recommendations for your stay. Can also be booked on Get Your Guide. This is not technically a private tour but the small groups make it very intimate.

5. Santorini Cooking Class and Wine-Tasting

Such a wonderful experience and a great way to learn about the island and its culture. Easy going and super fun. There are both private and semi-private (max of 8 people) versions available.

6. Private Helicopter Flight

Phenomenal views of the Santorini caldera, volcano, cliffs, beaches, and nearby islands. Very cool and highly recommended (though obviously expensive).

7. Santorini Private Photography Tour

If you want to get incredible shots of Santorini this is how you do. You’ll see the most spectacular views from all over the island. The tour starts at 3:30pm and last 4 hours (though often goes a little longer). This is as much a sightseeing tour as a photography tour, so if one person is really into photography and the other more interested in sightseeing it still works great.

8. Santorini Fishing Tour

This isn’t truly a private tour but there are only 10 spots on the boat so if you want it to yourself just book all ten. It’s a great boat tour and super fun for all – even if you’re not into fishing. Sail around the Santorini waters on a local fishing boat. Fresh seafood lunch or dinner served on board (eat what you catch and get from the nets). There are stops to swim and snorkel. The daytime tour is best for families and serious fishermen. The sunset tour is best for couples.

9. Akrotiri & 3 Wineries with Tastings

Explore the fantastic archaeological site at the ancient village of Akrotiri. The guide is very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. (Having a guide is essential for touring Akrotiri.) After the Akrotiri, visit 3 different wineries and learn about Santorini wine-making (unique due to the limited rainfall). Taste 12 wines from Santorini and other parts of Greece. There are early morning and late afternoon start times. If you only want Akrotiri then the private tour of ancient Akrotiri is excellent.

10. Santorini Jet Ski Tour to the Volcano

Not your typical private tour but an incredible experience if you’re looking for something a little more active. My one-word review: Amazing!