Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option

Santorini’s villages and high viewpoints are the main event here, but this tour also gives you a practical way to see more of the island without renting a car. You travel by air-conditioned minivan, with a local guide to connect the stops and a group capped at 12.

I like the mix of famous Oia views and quieter traditional villages, and the option to add a winery visit gives the day a distinctly Santorini flavor. One thing to plan carefully: pickup is not available at the Old Port, and the cable car ride up to Fira can take time.

The route can last five to seven hours, depending on the version you book. The longer option adds Akrotiri, Red Beach and Emporio, while winery and archaeological-site entrance fees are extra.

• Oia is the headline stop: Allow about 50 minutes for its lanes, whitewashed houses and photo spots.
• A 12-person maximum keeps the group small: You still need to stay on schedule, but the format is more personal than a large coach tour.
• The full-day route covers more ground: Akrotiri, Red Beach and Emporio are included in the longer version.
• Wine tasting costs extra: The tasting at Artemis Karamolegos Winery is listed at €20 per person.
• Akrotiri admission is also extra: Budget another €20 per person if your chosen route includes the excavation site.
• Old Port pickup is not offered: You need to reach the cable-car top station, the new port, or the central Fira meeting point.

A compact way to see Santorini beyond Oia

Santorini looks small on a map, but moving between its villages and viewpoints takes time. A minivan tour lets you cover several parts of the island in half a day or a longer outing, without having to navigate unfamiliar roads or arrange separate transport.

The tour is run by Argyros Travel, a local family business. The included package covers an air-conditioned minivan, a local tour leader, bottled water, fuel surcharge and taxes. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact location and time with the company before the day.

The group limit of 12 is useful for a route with short stops and narrow village lanes. You can ask questions and get help with photos, though the itinerary still has a timetable. If you prefer long, unhurried visits, this may feel brisk.

Guides named in accounts of past tours include Penny, Yota or Yiota, Yola, Will, Mary and Giota. The specific guide is not guaranteed, but the local knowledge is central to the format: guides have shared island history, culture and practical tips, and some have helped groups find photo spots away from the thickest crowds.

Oia’s lanes and iconic views

Oia is the most familiar Santorini image: whitewashed buildings, pastel details and narrow lanes framed by bougainvillea. You get about 50 minutes here, enough for a guided walk and photographs, but not enough to explore every side street at a leisurely pace.

The crowds are part of the setting, especially around the best-known viewpoints. A guide who knows how to move through the village can help you make better use of your short visit. Some guides have also taken group photos, which is handy if you want a picture with everyone in it.

Wear shoes with a steady grip. Santorini’s lanes can include slopes and steps, and the tour involves a moderate amount of walking. If you want to browse shops, stop for a long coffee or linger for sunset, you may find the scheduled stop too short.

Pyrgos and the island’s highest viewpoint

Pyrgos offers a different feel from Oia. Its traditional lanes and old Castelli area give you a look at a village shaped by Santorini’s history, rather than the familiar caldera-side postcard scene. The itinerary allows roughly 20 to 40 minutes here, depending on the tour version.

The village is a good counterweight to Oia, though it is not a long visit. Expect to walk through the central area and take in the architecture, not to spend an hour getting lost in its alleys.

Prophet Elias Monastery sits at Santorini’s highest point and provides wide views across the island. You have about 20 minutes to see the monastery and take in the panorama. The elevation makes this a rewarding stop for orientation: after seeing the island from above, the distances between villages and coastlines make more sense.

Weather can change the feel of the viewpoint. The island is known for wind, and one group described a cool, breezy day even under sunshine. Bring a light jacket, particularly if you are taking an evening tour or visiting in unsettled weather.

Add Akrotiri, Red Beach and Emporio

The full-day option extends the route south. At Akrotiri, you can visit the excavated remains of a prehistoric settlement often compared to Pompeii. The site is known for its two-story houses, frescoes and drainage system, evidence of a sophisticated community before the volcanic eruption that buried it.

You get about an hour at the excavation site, but admission costs €20 per person and is not included. If ancient history matters to you, the extra time and fee may be worthwhile. If you would rather spend the day on village scenery, the shorter route may suit you better.

Red Beach is a viewpoint stop, not a beach visit. You have around 15 minutes to look over the red volcanic cliffs and water, and take photographs. Treat it as a quick scenic pause rather than time for swimming or settling in by the shore.

Emporio adds another traditional village to the day. Its narrow lanes, medieval Kasteli and Cycladic buildings give you a glimpse of local architecture and village life. The stop is around 45 minutes, so there is a little more room to explore than at the Red Beach viewpoint.

The longer route means more variety, but also more stops to fit into the day. Confirm which version you are booking and what it includes. The tour is described as lasting five to seven hours, and the longer schedule is the better match if you want Akrotiri and the southern villages.

The winery option and its extra cost

At Artemis Karamolegos Winery, the tour allows about 50 minutes. You can learn how wine production on Santorini has changed over time and taste wines made from grapes grown in the island’s volcanic conditions. The tasting is optional and costs €20 per person, paid separately.

The winery visit is a highlight for people who enjoy wine and want context with the tasting. Some tours have included a winery visit with a guide who also had wine expertise, and the tasting has been described as a selection of four wines with local snacks. Still, tastes and expectations vary: some people consider the pour sizes and food modest for the price.

Check the exact arrangement before you go. The tour information lists the tasting at €20 per person, while a separate lunch, if you choose to eat at the winery, is not included. Do not assume that lunch is part of the tasting fee.

There is a useful case for adding the tasting if you are curious about local wine or want a restful stop between sightseeing. If wine is not a priority, you can skip it and keep the extra cost for a meal or another activity.

What the price buys, and what it does not

At $102.79 per person, the base price pays for transportation, the local tour leader, bottled water and the planned route. The value comes from covering several far-flung sights in one outing, with someone else handling the driving and route planning.

The extras can change the final cost. The winery tasting is €20 per person, and Akrotiri admission is another €20 per person if you visit the excavation site. If you choose both, budget for those fees on top of the tour price. The currency and final card charge may vary with your payment method.

A useful comparison is what you would spend in time and effort to reach the same places independently. If you are not renting a car, the minivan and guide can make the tour good value, particularly on a short stay. If you already have transport and prefer to set your own pace, the fixed schedule may be less appealing.

Timing, pickup and the Old Port issue

The tour starts at the Argyros Travel meeting point on Mitropoleos Street in Fira, near the bus station, and ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, but the company says it will contact you with the details. Reply promptly: if you do not respond to the company’s messages at least two hours before the tour, you may be asked to meet at the central Fira point.

There is no vehicle pickup at the Old Port of Fira. Cruise ship passengers need to reach the top station of the cable car, arrange the stated alternative at the new port, or follow the company’s instructions for meeting in Fira. The cable car can involve a wait, so leave a generous buffer rather than assuming you can step off a ship and join the tour immediately.

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when booking. This information matters because the tour’s schedule needs to fit your time on the island. If you are unsure about the transfer from the port, ask the operator to confirm the route and meeting point in writing before departure.

Walking, weather and the day’s pace

Expect moderate walking, including village paths, slopes and steps. Comfortable shoes are more useful than sandals with slick soles. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are sensible, and the tour operator also recommends bringing a jacket for windy evenings.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, but poor weather may lead to cancellation and an offer of a different date or a full refund. A tour can still feel quite different under wind, rain or fog, particularly at Prophet Elias. Dress in layers, and do not count on warm weather just because you are visiting a Greek island.

Some tour days may include a bakery or coffee stop, but this is not a guaranteed listed stop. Keep your own snacks and meal plans flexible. The schedule can also feel full, especially on the longer route, so think of this as a broad introduction rather than a slow, in-depth visit to every site.

Who will get the most from this tour?

This is a strong fit if you have limited time in Santorini, want to see more than Oia, and would rather leave driving to someone local. The mix of villages, a high viewpoint and an optional winery stop gives you a broad sense of the island in one day.

It also works well if you want a guide to explain what you are seeing. Past tour leaders have been praised for sharing local culture and history, answering questions and helping groups avoid the worst of the crowds at photo stops. The quality of that personal connection can vary with the guide and group, so it is best to see the itinerary as the dependable part, not a promise of a particular person.

Skip it if you want hours of free time in one village, dislike group schedules, or mainly want to swim at Red Beach. The beach stop is a viewpoint, and the route covers a lot of ground. The tasting is best treated as an optional extra, not a must-buy.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an efficient, comfortable overview of Santorini, especially if you are visiting for only a day or do not plan to rent a car. Choose the longer route for Akrotiri and Emporio, and add the winery tasting if local wine interests you. Before paying, confirm your pickup or meeting point, the route version, and the extra entrance fees. If you want an unhurried day with plenty of time to wander, make your own plan instead.

FAQ

How long does the Santorini Highlights tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to seven hours. The exact duration depends on the route you select.

What places are included in the shorter tour?

The listed highlights include Oia, Pyrgos and Prophet Elias Monastery. The winery is an optional stop, with a separate tasting fee.

What does the full-day option add?

The longer route adds Akrotiri Archaeological Site, a Red Beach viewpoint and Emporio Village.

How much does the wine tasting cost?

The tasting at Artemis Karamolegos Winery costs €20 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Is Akrotiri admission included?

No. Admission to Akrotiri Archaeological Site costs €20 per person and is paid separately.

Is pickup available at the Old Port of Fira?

No. The Old Port is not accessible by vehicles for pickup. The stated alternatives are the cable-car top station or the new port, or you can meet at the central Fira meeting point.

How large is the tour group?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. A jacket is also recommended, especially if it is windy or you are touring later in the day.