Private Tour: Great Wines and Famous Towns of Santorini

Santorini’s white wines taste of the island: this private tour pairs eight pours at two wineries with stops in Oia, Fira and high above the island at Mt. Prophet Elias. It is a useful way to fit famous views and local wine into one six-hour outing, without having to arrange a driver or tasting reservations yourself.

I like the mix of well-known viewpoints and winery visits, rather than spending the whole day in one town. I also like that a local lunch is included at one of the wineries, so the day is more than a quick run of tastings.

The main consideration is the price: at $481.65 per person, this is a substantial spend, especially for a solo guest or couple. The tour is private, which can make the cost easier to justify for a group, but the wines are mainly whites and dessert wines, not a red-wine tasting.

What to know before you book

• Eight wines, split between two wineries: Hatzidakis and Anhydrous each offer a tasting of four wines.
• A meal is part of the winery visit: You’ll have a local lunch at one of the wineries, served alongside the tasting.
• Three different views of Santorini: Oia’s main street, the Blue Domed Three Bells of Fira and the island’s highest point at Mt. Prophet Elias.
• Your group gets a private vehicle and guide: Transport is in an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz minivan with an English-speaking guide.
• The morning begins at 9:30 am: Hotel and Airbnb pickup is offered, with separate meeting instructions for cruise ship arrivals.
• Expect mostly white and dessert wines: Santorini is known for these styles, so this is not the best fit if you only drink red.

A six-hour mix of towns, views and wine

This outing joins sightseeing with tasting rather than treating them as separate days. You’ll spend part of the morning looking at Santorini’s towns and volcanic scenery, then settle in at two wineries for guided tastings and lunch. The private format lets your own group travel together, while the guide helps connect the stops with the island’s wine and place.

The listed price is $481.65 per person. That is not a casual add-on, but it covers a private six-hour tour, an English-speaking guide, round-trip transportation, visits and tastings at two wineries, and lunch. For a group that values comfort and wants a planned day without coordinating separate transport and reservations, the package may offer good value. For one or two people watching their budget, the per-person price deserves a careful look.

The tour’s itinerary includes about three hours and fifty minutes at the five named stops. The remaining time is for driving between them, pickup and the meal and tasting schedule. Santorini’s roads and steep terrain make a car-and-driver arrangement practical, though you should not expect long, unhurried visits at every scenic stop.

Oia’s main street, with an hour to explore

The day begins with an hour in Oia, one of Santorini’s best-known towns. The draw is the combination of white buildings, narrow lanes and views over the island’s striking volcanic setting. You’ll have time to walk and take in the scenery rather than simply step out for a quick photograph.

Oia can be a busy place, and this visit is a short introduction, not a full exploration of every lane or shop. I’d use the hour to enjoy the views and get a feel for the town, while keeping an eye on the meeting time. If Oia is your main priority, you may want to return on your own for a longer visit.

Admission is free, so there is no separate entry charge for this stop. The value here is having a driver and guide fit Oia into a day that also reaches other parts of the island.

The Three Bells of Fira, a quick photo stop

The next stop is the Three Bells of Fira, a white-and-blue church and one of Santorini’s familiar photo subjects. The planned visit is 20 minutes. That’s enough for a look and a few pictures, but not a long wander through Fira.

This stop makes sense as a brief pause between the longer visits. If you’re hoping to spend meaningful time in Fira’s streets, shops or cafés, this itinerary does not set aside that kind of time. Think of it as a scenic viewpoint, not a town visit.

Mt. Prophet Elias, Santorini from above

The route continues past Pyrgos village to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias at Mt. Prophet Elias, Santorini’s highest point. You’ll have 30 minutes to take in the broad views across the island. After the close-up lanes of Oia and the church in Fira, the high vantage point gives you a different sense of Santorini’s shape and scale.

This is a good place to pause and look beyond the postcard angles. The stop is short, though, and the tour does not describe a monastery visit or a long walk. The focus is on the viewpoint and the chance to capture the island from above.

Two wineries, eight pours and a local lunch

The wine portion brings you to Hatzidakis Winery and Anhydrous Winery, with a tasting of four wines at each. The order and exact wines are not specified, but Santorini’s pours are mainly whites and dessert wines. The tour flags this clearly, which matters if you prefer reds or want a broad tasting across many wine styles.

The island’s wine is part of what makes this outing more than a sightseeing drive. The available guide experiences include explanations of Santorini wine, how it is made and how its grapes compare with those from other parts of the world. Stefanos, one guide associated with Santorini wine outings, has oenology training. Guides named in these experiences also include Marina, Elena and Antonio. Your assigned guide for this departure is not specified, so don’t book on the assumption that you’ll have a particular person.

At one winery, you’ll have a local lunch served alongside the tasting. That pairing makes the visit more substantial than sampling wine on an empty stomach, and it means you may not need to plan a separate midday meal. The exact menu and which winery serves lunch are not given, so ask the operator if food details matter to you.

The tastings and meal are included, but the itinerary allows an hour at each winery. That makes for a focused visit rather than an all-day wine class. If you’re an especially keen wine enthusiast, note that this specific outing promises eight wines across two wineries. Other wine outings in Santorini may offer different formats, but don’t assume this tour includes a master class, more than two wineries or a dozen pours.

A private ride that simplifies a steep island

Transport is in a modern, air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz minivan, with pickup and return offered from hotels and Airbnb stays. That is useful on an island where some accommodation sits on slopes or in pedestrian-only areas. If the vehicle cannot reach your door, pickup is arranged at a nearby spot within walking distance, with the location provided after booking.

The private format means only your group takes part. That gives you a more personal setting than a large coach tour and keeps the day together from pickup to return. It does not mean every stop can be extended at will: the tour is about six hours, and the listed visits have set durations.

The start time is 9:30 am. If you’re arriving by cruise ship, the meeting point is in front of the McDonald’s restaurant in Fira. The included pickup information also refers to the top of the cruise port cable car, so confirm the exact meeting arrangement with the operator before the day. Airport pickup and drop-off at Santorini National Airport are available at no extra cost.

Is $481.65 per person worth it?

The value depends on how much you prize privacy and convenience. The price includes a private guide, a dedicated air-conditioned vehicle, transport, two winery visits, eight tastings and lunch. You also avoid arranging separate transport between Oia, Fira, the high viewpoint and the wineries, which can otherwise take time and planning.

Still, the cost is high for a six-hour tour, and the scenic stops are brief compared with the winery portion. Group discounts are offered, but no discount amounts are specified. If you’re travelling with a larger party, ask how the discount works and compare the total with the per-person price before booking.

For someone who wants an efficient introduction to Santorini’s towns and wine, the combination is appealing. For a dedicated wine collector seeking a long tasting session, or a visitor who wants several hours in Oia, the structure may feel too broad and brisk. And if your palate leans only toward red wines, the tour’s emphasis on whites and dessert wines is a real limitation.

Who will get the most from this outing?

I’d consider this tour if you have one day to see several sides of Santorini and want wine and food built into the plan. It suits couples, families and friends who would rather share a private vehicle than join a larger group, and who appreciate having an English-speaking guide explain the stops.

It is also a sensible option if you want winery visits but don’t want to drive after tasting. The included return transport removes that concern, while lunch helps pace the wine portion. Most travelers can participate, according to the tour information, though the island’s steep terrain and possible walking to a nearby pickup point are worth considering.

Book it if the mix is what you want: famous town views, a high lookout, two wineries and lunch. Skip it if you want a slow day in one village, a red-wine-focused tasting or a lower-cost experience. For a private, well-rounded day, it brings together a lot of Santorini in a manageable six hours.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

How many wineries are included?

You visit two wineries: Hatzidakis Winery and Anhydrous Winery.

How many wines will I taste?

The tour includes four wines at each winery, for eight wines in total.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A local lunch is served at one of the wineries alongside the wine tasting.

What kinds of wine are served?

The wines are mainly whites and dessert wines, which reflect the styles produced on Santorini.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is offered at Santorini hotels and Airbnb stays. Airport pickup and drop-off are available at no extra cost. Cruise ship arrivals meet in front of the McDonald’s restaurant in Fira.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations two to six full days before the tour qualify for a 50% refund. Cancellations less than two full days before the start time are not refundable.