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Santorini Culture & history

Our most recommended Santorini Culture & history

Santorini: Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting & Sunset in Oia

1. Santorini: Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting & Sunset in Oia

Embark on a full-day guided tour of Santorini's highlights. Visit the iconic blue-domed churches of Oia, admire the views from Profitis Ilias, and relax on the shores of Perissa Beach before some well-deserved wine tasting. After pickup from your hotel, board the luxury coach and drive to Profitis Ilias, the highest point on the island. Take in an incredible panorama of the entire island of Santorini, and the stunning deep blue color of the Aegean Sea while learning about the island´s fascinating volcanic history. Wander around the courtyard of the 18th-century monastery that sits on top of the mountain. Then visit the Saint Nektarios chapel and enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings. Continue to the village of Pyrgos, a hidden gem of Santorini. Wander through its winding alleys and immerse yourself in its traditional atmosphere. See typical houses, blue-domed churches, and quaint shops. Walk up to its imposing castle for beautiful vistas of the surrounding area. The next stop is Emporio, where you will join a guided walk and visit the small Venetian fortress. Feel like you’re on the set of Mamma Mia as you discover the many doorways, windows, alleys, and arches of this picturesque medieval village. Continue to Perissa Beach, also known as Black Beach. Here, there will be plenty of free time to go swimming in the sea or have lunch at one of the Greek tavernas facing the beach. Take the opportunity to taste local Santorinian wine, one of the most famous products of the island. Learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a private wine tasting session of 3 wines made of local grape varieties. In the early evening, arrive at the cliff-top village of Oia with its famous blue-domed churches. Embark on a guided walk from Saint George's Church in the most peaceful part of Oia. Learn about Oia´s glorious maritime past and admire elegant captains' mansions and cave-like houses along the way. Once at the bustling castle area, enjoy some free time to take some photos, shop, or have a relaxing drink. Finally, watch an incredible sunset before meeting up with your guide opposite Platsani Church. Board the bus for a relaxing evening journey with drop-off back at your hotel.

Santorini: Guided Wine Tasting Tour with Pickup

2. Santorini: Guided Wine Tasting Tour with Pickup

Visit the most acclaimed wine estates on the island of Santorini and sample 12 different wines produced in the local wineries. Learn about the 3,500-year history of wine making on the volcanic island, starting at a vineyard located on the unique soils with traditional basket vines. Hear about the local viticulture that makes Santorini a world heritage site for wine production. Visit 3 distinct wine estates, such as the Argyros estate or Art Space Winery, the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum, Venetsanos Winery or Gavalas Estate Winery. Taste organic wines, such as Nykteri, Assyrtiko, and Vinsanto, with local delicacies including cheese and olives.   

Santorini: Akrotiri Prehistoric City Private Guided Tour

3. Santorini: Akrotiri Prehistoric City Private Guided Tour

Explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri, a settlement on Santorini on a private tour. See the paved streets, the remains of high-building complexes, and more with a guide. Stroll through the city and discover public buildings and astonishingly well-preserved decorations and murals. Hear about the tragic events that buried the city after a volcanic eruption, and learn why it is being well-preserved.  You will also see some of the famous artwork, including pottery, furniture, and frescoes from the Bronze Age. Learn about the life of the people 4,000 years ago while admiring the historical area. 

Private Group Visit to Akrotiri & 3 Wineries with Tastings

4. Private Group Visit to Akrotiri & 3 Wineries with Tastings

Uncover the fascinating past of Santorini on a 5-hour guided tour. Explore the excavations at Akrotiri, a prehistoric Bronze Age city. During the Minoan volcanic eruption some 3,600 years ago the city was frozen in time by volcanic ash. On this tour that’s priced for a group of up to 4 persons, you will admire the elaborate drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storied buildings, magnificent wall paintings, and excavated furniture and vessels. Discover evidence of winemaking that has been estimated to date back to the 3rd millennium BC, making Santorini one of the oldest wine-making regions in the world. Visit 3 of the island’s wineries and learn about Santorini’s unique viticulture traditions. Taste a selection of 12 different wine styles from across Santorini and Greece – including Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and the sublimely sweet Vinsanto wine.

Santorini: Akrotiri Prehistoric City Ticket with Audio Guide

5. Santorini: Akrotiri Prehistoric City Ticket with Audio Guide

Experience the prehistoric site of Akrotiri at your own pace with a skip-the-line e-ticket and a captivating self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Travel back in time to experience the curious, spine-chilling history of the site of Akrotiri, frozen in time by the eruption of the Santorini volcano. Put on your headphones and explore the layout of the prehistoric town, once buried under ashes, through the power of storytelling. Learn historical information about its affluent residences, known as Xeste, and little-known stories and anecdotes about the daily lives of its inhabitants. The content of the tour is the result of in-depth research, distilled into brief original stories that will make your visit both engaging and educational. The audio tour can be used repeatedly and at any time, before or after your visit. This is an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights into the archaeology of a prehistoric residential space that has been literally frozen in time, providing a snapshot of life just before its residents decided to flee the increasing fury of the neighboring volcano. As a result, you will relate to your surroundings in an entirely original way.

Santorini: Traditional Sightseeing Bus Tour with Oia Sunset

6. Santorini: Traditional Sightseeing Bus Tour with Oia Sunset

Explore Santorini on a full day sightseeing tour by bus. Learn about the island's history and visit traditional villages. Stop at volcanic beaches and experience an Oia sunset. Tour Itinerary • Akrotiri excavation site: guided tour in this Minoan Bronze Age settlement buried by volcanic ash in the 17th century BC • Emporio village: Explore this quaint village with hilltop windmills, fortified medieval castles and centuries-old churches • Perissa Beach: Enjoy free time for lunch and a swim at the island's most popular black sand beach • Santorini Winery: Tour a traditional winery and taste Santorini’s distinctive wines • Profitis Ilias: Visit the island’s highest peak and admire views from the agricultural plains to the hilltop village of Oia • Oia sunset: Enjoy free time to experience a Santorini sunset at the most-photographed place in Greece

Santorini: Akrotiri Prehistoric City Guided Walking Tour

7. Santorini: Akrotiri Prehistoric City Guided Walking Tour

Meet your guide, a licensed archaeologist, at the entrance of Akrotiri Prehistoric City. Get assistance in buying the entry ticket and embark together with a group on a guided tour through Akrotiri Prehistoric City.  In the 16th century BC, a volcanic eruption destroyed all life on the island. Most of it collapsed beneath the waves and remained undiscovered until the excavations began in 1967, led by Professor Spyros Marintos. He uncovered the evidence of a city with houses, streets, squares and workshops, all of which had been covered under a thick blanket of pumice for almost 3,500 years.  Marvel at the well-preserved buildings and passageway in the excavated area. See the beautiful pottery, the roads, and squares of a city 3,500 years old. Explore the two and three-story houses, which were once decorated with wall paintings and get an insight into the ancient civilization of Santorini.  After the guided tour you are free to walk around the site at your own pace.

Santorini - 5 Hours Most Attractive Sightseing Island Tour

8. Santorini - 5 Hours Most Attractive Sightseing Island Tour

You will be collected early in the morning from your hotel on Santorini Island and driven in a luxury, modern, minivan with WiFi and air conditioning to the most attractive sightseeing spots on the island.  Augmented reality maps will be provided for free to passengers in order to give you the opportunity to get more information via your mobile phone about the sites. Your first stop is the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and museum in Akrotiri where you can feel the atmosphere of the island's volcanic eruption days and also see ancient ruins.  Then you will drive to the nearby Red Beach which is popular because of its amazing pure and volcanic red rocks formation. Here you can take some time to swim and relax. Then, you will head to Black Beach in Perissa to swim, relax, or have a meal at one of the seafront bars. Next up, enjoy a wine tasting in Venetsanos Winery. You will have the opportunity to try some of the most excellent local wines in quality and flavor, such as Vinsanto, Nichteri, and Assyrtiko. End the tour with stops in Pyrgos and Oia, the most traditional villages in Santorini.  Here, you'll have enough time to explore and admire the Cycladic architecture and Greek hospitality, walk in the narrow pathways next to blue and white old and traditional houses, go shopping, or relax and admire the breathtaking views of the island of Caldera.

Santorini: Private Highlights Tour by Minibus

9. Santorini: Private Highlights Tour by Minibus

Enjoy the first stop of the tour at Santorini Caldera and learn all about the details of its formation. Then, continue through the scenic countryside to the village of Oia, the most photographed location in Santorini. Explore the village of Imerovigli, situated on a higher cliff with an incredible view. Make a short stop in Firostefani to see the famous Blue Dome Church, the subject of so many Santorini postcards. Explore the peak of Prophet Ilias, the island’s highest mountain, standing 2,000 feet above sea level. Discover the village of Megalochori or Pyrgos and chose one of them. Take an optional stop at Akrotiri Archaeological Site if you want to explore the excavations. Also, you can choose an optional winery and visit Estate Argyros or Venetsanos Winery, to taste the local wine. Admire the panoramic views, swim at the picturesque red or black sandy beaches, and relax over lunch at the seaside restaurant.

Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach

10. Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach

Discover the sights of Santorini on this guided tour in an airconditioned vehicle. Be picked up from centrally-located meeting points on Santorini. Visit sights like Akrotiri, the Prophet Elias Monastery, and the black volcanic sand beach of Perivolos.  Start with the breath-taking views at the Prophet Elias Monastery and visit this picturesque monastery. Then head to Megalochori village, an extremely charming traditional settlement that was almost abandoned after a major earthquake. Continue to Akrotiri Excavations where were preserved by volcanic ash. Purchase a ticket to uncover these well-preserved pieces of history on your own. Have free time at the Red Beach to simply enjoy the colorful formations or visit Akrotiri Bay where you can buy lunch. Make your way to the black sand Perivolos beach for swimming, exploring the area, or purchasing fresh-cooked fish from a local tavern. The last stop is one of the most popular wineries in Santorini, for a wine tasting experience.

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What people are saying about Santorini

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 375 reviews

Great activity and worth the value! You get to see so many sights in a day without the hassle of figuring out transportation. You go to super cute Vinery for a quick wine tasting. You go to the black beach for lunch and have time for a quick dip. You get to the very touristy Oia and watch the sunset. And a few other things. If you want to cover a lot but don’t have much time then book this activity! Also our tour guide, a lady who was watching a mother in laws chickens at the time was hilarious and very informative! Sorry can’t remember her name

The experience was fantastic, our tour guide was brilliant. She gave us all the information and historical landmarks. I will recommend it.

Arthur was fantastic! Took us all over the island and answered any questions we had. Took us to spots only the locals know about.

The tour was very nice, the guide gave us very valuable information about the place.

Amazing tour guide, Amazing trip. It is recommended!