Santorini: ATV guided tour around the South of the island

Santorini’s south is made for a different kind of island outing: a guided quad ride that links black sand, fishing boats, volcanic terrain, hilltop views, and an old village. The route begins at Perissa and reaches both the island’s highest point and the caldera viewpoints near Megalochori.

I like two things here: the route balances riding with proper stops, and it reaches places that can be awkward to connect in a short visit, from Vlychada’s fishing marina to Pyrgos. The guides named in past tours include Carla, Clara, George, Ariadna, and Sebastien, though you can’t count on a particular guide.

One thing to weigh before booking: this is a driving tour, not a chauffeured sightseeing trip. Drivers must be over 23, bring a driving licence, and be comfortable following instructions on a quad; personal insurance and collision damage waiver are not included.

At a glance

• Four hours across southern Santorini: The route combines beach, village, mountain, and caldera stops.
• A 450cc or 550cc quad: Riding instruction and a helmet are included, along with fuel and third-party insurance.
• Perissa to Vlychada: See the black beach and a fishing marina where local fishermen repair their nets.
• Two Prophet Elias viewpoints: Ride past Emboreio’s traditional windmills toward the island’s highest point and monastery.
• A stop in Pyrgos: Explore the old Kasteli or take a break at a café.
• $176 per person: Water and a choice of coffee, tea, or a soft drink are included; personal insurance and collision damage waiver are not.

Perissa is more than the starting line

The tour begins in Perissa, where you receive a helmet and instruction on operating the quad. That initial briefing matters. If you haven’t ridden one before, ask questions and take the time to get comfortable before setting off. The tour is guided, so you follow a leader rather than navigating the route alone.

Then comes a ride along Perissa’s volcanic black beach. It’s a striking first look at a side of Santorini that feels quite different from the whitewashed villages and caldera views often associated with the island. The beach is also a reminder that this is a working vehicle outing: bring a driving licence, wear the provided helmet, and pay attention to the guide’s directions.

The 450cc or 550cc quad is part of the price, as are fuel and third-party insurance. But the package does not include personal insurance or a collision damage waiver. I’d check what cover you already have and what the waiver would cost before confirming, so the advertised price doesn’t give you a false sense of the total.

Vlychada brings the island down to earth

From Perissa, the route heads to Vlychada’s fishing-boat marina. Here the focus shifts from Santorini’s grand views to everyday island life: local fishermen repair their nets and share stories. It’s a useful pause in a tour that could otherwise become a string of scenic photo stops.

That mix is part of the route’s appeal. You get a look at the island as a place where people work, not only as a backdrop for holiday photos. The stop is a good opportunity to take a breather and listen, though the amount of time available at each location is not specified.

The trip then takes in the area’s volcanic terrain on the way to Theros Beach. You can take a quick swim if you want to cool off, especially in the hot summer sun. Bring swimwear if a dip sounds good, but keep expectations measured: the swim is described as a short option, not a long beach break.

Prophet Elias offers the high point

After the coast, the route heads inland and upward. You pass the traditional windmills of Emboreio and reach the lower summit known as Small Prophet Elias, with views over mountains, sea, villages, and fields. The changing scenery is one of the tour’s strengths: the ride doesn’t stay in one visual register for long.

Next comes Santorini’s highest point, Tall Prophet Elias, where the monastery and the island’s most important church are located. If the monastery gates are open, you can walk in the yard and take in the views. The gates are not always open to visitors, so think of the visit inside the grounds as a possibility, not a promise.

This is the highest point on the itinerary, and the views are a major reason to choose the tour over a beach-only outing. You get a broad sense of the island’s shape and terrain from above. Still, the route involves riding up to viewpoints rather than a long hike, so it suits people who want scenery without building their day around strenuous walking.

Pyrgos gives you time to slow down

The descent leads to Pyrgos, a traditional village at the mountain’s foothills and Santorini’s first capital before Fira took that role. Here you can choose how to spend the stop: wander through the Kasteli, or sit in the shade at a café with a cold coffee or refreshing juice.

That choice makes Pyrgos a welcome change of pace. The Kasteli offers a chance to stroll through an older part of the village at your own speed, while a café break lets you rest after several hours on the quad. If you prefer a structured, guide-led walk at every stop, note that the tour gives you the option to explore independently here rather than prescribing one activity.

The four-hour schedule has to fit several parts of the south into one outing, so this is not a deep visit to Pyrgos. Treat it as a taste of the village and a chance to pause, not as a replacement for a separate visit if you want to spend a long time exploring.

The caldera views close the loop

On the way back to Perissa, the tour stops at the place called the Heart of Santorini, a photo spot with views over the caldera and the volcano. Megalochori is also highlighted for its panoramic caldera views, giving the route a final change of perspective after its beaches, marina, mountain, and village.

This last stop helps round out the itinerary. You have seen the island from sea level and from its highest point; now the caldera provides the familiar Santorini view from a different part of the island. The stop is intended for views and photographs, so have your camera ready and make the most of the time you have there.

At the end, the group returns to Perissa. The tour wraps up with a chance to share impressions and exchange photos taken along the way. That small closing ritual is practical, too: the ride gives you plenty of changing scenery, and photos help you remember the stops after the day moves on.

The guide and group shape the day

The guide is central to a tour that covers several different kinds of terrain and stops. Past guides have included Carla and Clara, as well as George, Ariadna, and Sebastien. Some are described as warm, attentive, flexible, and good at adapting the pace; French- and Spanish-speaking guides have also led tours, alongside English-speaking guides.

The advertised languages are English and French. If you need a particular language, confirm availability when you book rather than assuming a named guide will be assigned. Guide names and language arrangements can change.

The tour has worked for different group types, including a group of six and a larger family group. That does not mean every family member can drive: drivers must be over 23, and the tour information does not specify passenger age rules. Ask the provider about those details if you are travelling with children or anyone who will ride as a passenger.

Several past accounts also describe a small, relaxed group and a route that can be adjusted to the group’s pace. That can make the outing feel less like a convoy racing between landmarks. Still, group size is not specified as a fixed limit, so don’t book on the assumption that you’ll have a private tour.

What $176 buys, and what it leaves out

At $176 per person for four hours, this is a substantial half-day activity. The price includes the quad, riding instruction, helmet, guide, fuel, third-party insurance, bottled mineral water, and one coffee, tea, or soft drink. You’re paying for transport between several south-island stops as well as the guided route, not simply for a vehicle rental.

The value depends on how you like to see a place. If you’re keen to ride and want to connect coastal, village, and mountain stops in one outing, the combination may justify the cost. If you would rather spend a long time at one beach or village, a multi-stop motor tour may feel rushed for the price.

Check the insurance distinction carefully. Third-party insurance is included, but personal insurance and collision damage waiver are not. Those exclusions matter when comparing the total cost with other activities, so ask what protection you need and whether extra cover is available before you go.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is offered. The tour may be cancelled or rescheduled because of weather. Those terms are useful if your plans are flexible, but they do not remove the need to confirm the departure time and weather status.

Who should choose this ride

I’d put this tour high on the list if you want to see more than Santorini’s best-known caldera stops and you enjoy being behind the handlebars. Its variety is the real draw: black beach, fishing marina, optional swim, mountain views, monastery, Pyrgos, and a final caldera panorama in four hours.

It is also a good fit for people who prefer a guide to link the stops and handle the route. You get instruction before setting off, and the guide can explain what you’re seeing along the way. Past tours have included French- and Spanish-speaking guides, though only English and French are listed as available languages for this activity.

Skip it if you are pregnant or have back problems, mobility impairments, or heart problems, as the activity is listed as unsuitable for these conditions. It may also be the wrong choice if you don’t want to drive, are uncomfortable on a quad, or would rather explore slowly on foot. Drivers need to be over 23, and drivers from outside the EU, USA, and Canada need an International Driving Permit; contact the provider before booking if that applies to you.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a guided, active way to connect Santorini’s southern coast, high ground, and traditional villages in one half-day. The route offers genuine variety, and the guide’s role, included fuel and gear, and several scenic stops help explain the $176 price.

Before you commit, confirm the driving-document requirements, insurance details, and language you need. If you meet the driver rules and enjoy riding, this is a practical way to see a less familiar side of the island without spending the whole day on transport.

FAQ

How long is the ATV tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $176 per person.

What is included in the price?

A 450cc or 550cc quad, riding instruction, helmet, third-party insurance, guide, fuel, bottled mineral water, and a choice of coffee, tea, or a soft drink are included.

What should I bring?

Bring your driving licence and a credit card.

How old do I need to be to drive?

Drivers must be over 23 years old.

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Drivers from outside the EU, USA, and Canada need an International Driving Permit. Contact the provider before booking if this applies to you.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English or French.

Can I swim during the tour?

A quick swim at Theros Beach is an option. Bring swimwear if you want to take a dip.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems, mobility impairments, or heart problems.