Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Caldera, Traditional Winery and Oia Village Tour

See the highlights of Santorini on an 5 hours 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 and Perissa, a black-sand beach. 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.

Meet your private guide at Santorini Port and travel to the island's caldera for your first stop of the day. A spectacular geological formation, the caldera is the volcanic remains of the original island that collapsed beneath the sea after a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago.

Stand at the edge of the caldera to pose for pictures against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea, and then continue by minibus to check out another of the island's volcanic features: a dramatic-looking black-sand beach. Stroll down Perissa - the longest beach on the island - and make the most of some free time to sunbathe on the warm shores and enjoy a bite to eat for lunch, if you wish.

Meet back up with your guide at the prearranged time and travel to the peak of Profitis Ilias, Santorini's highest mountain that stands some 2,000 feet (600 meters) above sea level. Gaze out at the island vistas surrounding you, and then follow your guide inside the ornate Greek Christian monastery perched at the mountain's summit. Walk around the chapel, listening to the monks chanting, and savor samples of the dessert wine, honey and extra virgin olive oil that's made on-site.

After learning about winemaking in the mountains, head down into the hills to visit a typical Santorini winery and volcanic vineyard where the local assyrtiko and vinsanto varietals are produced. Sample up to four glasses of the island's distinctive light and acidic whites while learning how wine is produced in such a dry and unforgiving island environment.

From the hills, continue to Santorini's poster-child village of Oia, the iconic whitewashed village that's graced many a postcard. Take a stroll around the streets with your guide to get your bearings and learn about the village history, and then enjoy some free time to sightsee and shop at leisure. After making the most of your free time, meet your guide, and then finish your day with a drop-off at the port.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to Santorni Port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of call.If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.


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Oia Sunset and Traditional Villages Tour in Santorini

Take a break from Santorini's beaches and discover Minoan excavations, the island's ancient capital and the famous Oia sunset on a full-day tour! With a friendly local guide at your side, explore the archeological site at Akrotiri and wander along the town's old main street while hearing its history. Enjoy free time to explore Santorini's ancient capital of Pyrgos, and then watch the sun set from the Kastro of Oia, the Venetian castle ruins at the top of the idyllic Santorini village.

Leave your Santorini hotel by air-conditioned coach and travel to the archeological site at Akrotiri, an ancient city that was frozen in time after a volcanic eruption some 3,600 years ago. Step inside with your guide and learn about the Minoan city before the devastating event occurred.

Gaze in admiration at the ruins of multi-storied buildings that date back to the 16th century, and admire the intricately designed drainage system that hints at a talented civilization far more advanced than its time. As you explore the main street, lined with old stores and warehouses from the ancient commercial city, hear about the ceramic artifacts, such as pithoi (earthenware jugs), and other rare finds that add even more intrigue to the site.

The most impressive view of Akrotiri is seen from a triangular plaza near the exit, so head there next to soak up the views. Before leaving the site, your guide will also show you the burial place of the site's chief archaeologist, Professor Spyridon Marinatos of the University of Athens, an individual who sadly died working on the excavations.

From Akrotiri, continue to Pyrgos, a village that was once the ancient capital of Santorini. With more than 50 churches, a Venetian castle and incredible views, the village is the perfect place to spend your afternoon. Enjoy plenty of free time to explore independently and perhaps enjoy a late lunch (own expense), too.

Meet back up with your guide in the early evening, and travel to Oia village, the quintessential Greek village that's known for its sugar cube houses and pretty, blue-domed churches. The village is renowned as the place on the island to see the sun set, with its streets stacked into the side of the cliffs overlooking the spectacular caldera. Follow your guide up to the old ruins of an ancient Venetian castle, known as the Kastro of Oia, and gaze down from the village and caldera to the sea.

Having watched the sun set, return to your coach and finish your evening with a hotel drop-off.

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Santorini Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Oia, Fira and the Akrotiri Excavation

Spend your time in the port of Santorini discovering the wonders of the island. On this private shore excursion, you will visit the island's capital, Fira, and the dramatic town of Oia, home to dwellings nestled in volcanic rock.

At the Akrotiri excavation site, you will see the remains of one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean region.

Your private tour guide will entertain you during your tour with interesting details and stories about Santorini.

While you are in port in Santorini, see the beauty of the island on this private shore excursion. Hop in a small local boat and make your way to the Athenios harbor, where you'll jump in a private luxury car with your local guide and proceed to the archeological site of Akrotiri.

Often compared to Pompeii, Akrotiri is a site from an earlier age and preserves amazing ruins that date back to the 2nd millennium BC. Walk through the passageway in the excavated area, and marvel at the beautiful pottery, the two- and three-story houses (once decorated with wonderful wall-paintings) and the staircases.

Continue through the beautiful Santorini countryside to the village of Oia. Built on the northern part of the caldera rim, Oia is a place where many artists have found their inspiration. Enjoy the stunning views of the caldera, where many dwellings are built into niches of the volcanic rock. You'll also have panoramic views of the rest of Santorini and the Aegean Sea.

Fira, your next stop, is the attractive capital of Santorini, perched on the caldera rim where the land slopes gently in one direction and falls steeply into the sea in the other. In Fira, you can either explore the town and its little shops at your leisure or take the cable car to Santorini port, where your cruise ship waits.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Santorini port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.

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