Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos
Almost every cruise ship sailing the Mediterranean calls at the port of Santorini for at least one day. Being one of the most desired islands worldwide, Santorini is beautiful but often overcrowded. Therefore, as a cruise passenger with limited time, you want to make the most of your stay ashore. Joining Santorini shore excursions guarantees that you’ll spend your time wisely and enjoy as much as possible your visit.
So, in this travel guide to shore excursions in Santorini, you’ll find info about the tours and their prices. Moreover, since I have visited Santorini several times, I’ll share some tips for your shore excursions as cruise travelers, accompanied by island photos. At the bottom of this article, you’ll also see my other guides about the island.
So, let’s start with the top Santorini shore excursions you can book right now.
*Some links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The best Santorini shore excursions
A disastrous volcanic eruption around 1600 BC sealed the island’s fate, affecting the whole Aegean Sea. Santorini’s dramatic landscape and black stones covering its beaches attract millions of travelers annually. As a cruise passenger, you’ll probably spend at least one day on the island, which is enough to get a glimpse of its beauty.
Please note that every excursion in the article is planned with cruise travelers in mind. The final section provides more information about what to keep in mind when visiting Santorini on a cruise ship.
So, here is my selection of day trips for cruise passengers stopping at Santorini.
Private customized tour of Santorini
This is the most flexible Santorini shore excursion you’ll find in this article. The reason is that you can customize it according to your schedule and interests. That said, if there are specific things that interest you, you can require them while booking this day trip.
There are plenty of places to choose from, and although some will be crowded, it’ll be a pity to miss them while visiting the island. The picturesque village of Oia, with its famous sunset and the blue dome church, or the remains of Akrotiri, are among the best things to do in Santorini. Additionally, you can ask for stops at one of the iconic wineries of the island or a visit to the world-famous black beaches of the island.
Therefore, if you already have an idea of what you’d like to see in your one day in Santorini, this private excursion is the one for you. Prices start from 220 euros per person, and the tour usually lasts four hours.
You can book the private customized tour here.
Six-hour classic panorama private tour
This private guided tour will take you to the most iconic spots on the island. This shore excursion is a full Santorini panorama: you’ll discover most of the island’s villages, relax at black and red beaches, and enjoy magnificent views.
Oia is the first village to visit, known for its picturesque houses and churches. Your guide will show you around Oia and share valuable info about it. Then, you’ll visit Megalochori, a less-visited but extremely interesting village. Megalochori offers a more accurate insight into local life and has a long history.
Then it’s time to swim at the Perivolos Black Beach, one of the island’s volcanic beaches. The water is crystal-clear, and you’ll have lunch at a seaside restaurant. Swimming in Santorini is a must-do, so don’t miss the opportunity. Afterward, you’ll visit the Monastery of Prophet Ilias, the island’s highest peak, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the island.
The Classic Panorama Tour of Santorini lasts approximately six hours, and prices start from 390 euros per group up to two.
You can book the Classic Panorama Tour here.
Private shore excursion in Santorini
Similar to the previous one, this Santorini shore excursion is among the top-ranked activities on the island. This private tour will cross the island from north to south to give you a complete overview. The day trip starts from Oia and continues to Firostefani and Imerovigli, two iconic spots on the island. Outside your window, you’ll see panoramic views of Thirasia, Santorini’s sister island, and Nea and Palia Kameni volcanic islands.
The tour continues to Megalochori, where you’ll have plenty of time to walk and explore its narrow streets. Finally, you’ll reach the famous Red Beach in the south. As its name suggests, the beach is red due to volcanic rocks and lava formations.
This private half-day shore excursion in Santorini lasts four hours, and prices start from 350 euros per group of two.
You can book the private half-day trip here.
Santorini Wine Tasting tour with a guide
Santorini’s wines are famous worldwide, and the island’s volcanic soil contributes to their taste. For wine lovers, there is a dedicated Santorini wine tour that deserves to be considered.
This wine tour will take you to some of the island’s famous wine estates. In addition to enjoying the island’s magnificent landscape, you’ll have the opportunity to taste 12 different Santorini wines. In addition, you’ll learn about the island’s wine-making tradition, which dates back to 1,500 BC.
Specifically, the wine tour will take you to the Argyros Estate, the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum, and the Venetsanos Winery. There you’ll taste the trademark Santorini wines, like Assyrtiko, Vinsanto, and Nykteri -and platters of local delicacies are also included. The tour lasts four and a half hours, and prices start from 160 euros per person.
You can book the guided wine-tasting tour here.
Bonus: Private wine-tasting tour in Santorini
If you prefer having a private wine-tasting tour for your shore excursion in Santorini, there’s an extra option. The private tour is similar to the previous one, and you’ll taste the wines at your own pace. It lasts five hours, and prices start from 250 euros per person. You can book the private wine tour here.
Fira: Santorini shore excursion with a guide
This Santorini tour is an ideal option for first-timers. It serves as an introduction to Greece’s most iconic island, and your guide will show you Santorini’s highlights. In addition, this shore excursion keeps in mind that people are here to enjoy their stay; therefore, you won’t have to walk steep alleys or take countless stairs.
After pick-up, your guide will drive you to Profitis Ilias, the island’s highest peak. The view of the island is breathtaking, and on a clear day, you’ll see lots of nearby islands. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Fira, the stunning settlement built on the volcano’s caldera. The whitewashed houses and the marvelous landscape will definitely fill your camera roll. Lastly, you’ll then visit Oia, Santorini’s most-photographed village.
In between, the tour will take you to the black beach of Kamari, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or dip in the crystal-clear sea. The tour lasts four hours, and the prices start from 100 euros per person. It’s probably the most affordable shore excursion you’ll find on the island.
You can book this guided tour here.
Practical info for your Santorini shore excursion
In this section, you’ll find some travel tips for your Santorini shore excursion. When reaching Santorini on a cruise ship, you should keep a few things in mind. As you will read in the following lines, these tips are helpful for joining the tours mentioned above.
So, here’s what you need to know about the Santorini shore excursions as a cruise ship traveler.
Santorini is a tender port
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a tender port is one where a cruise ship can’t dock. This can be for various reasons, from the waters being too shallow to the port’s inability to handle cruise ships due to its size.
In Santorini, small boats are always used to transport passengers between the port and the cruise ship. The port in Santorini cannot handle cruise ships, so they must drop their anchor offshore; therefore, you should expect short delays until you reach the island.
You’ll need the cable car from the port to Fira
When you step foot on Santorini’s soil, you must transport to Fira, the settlement on the island’s caldera. There’s a cable car starting from the port that takes you in less than five minutes to Fira. You also have the option to take 600 steps up to Fira, but this is extremely tiring and potentially dangerous due to the heat. Otherwise, you’ll need to book a private transfer, which might be costly.
Is there an alternative apart from a private transfer or the cable car? Yes, there is an alternative, but I don’t recommend it. When arriving at the port, you’ll see donkeys waiting in line to transport cruise passengers. They might be an attraction, but the animals are exhausted, and I find it shameful that this practice still exists. Taking a donkey to carry people and their luggage for 600 steps under the intense Greek sun is really unacceptable. Period.
Therefore, your best option here is to take the cable car.
Most Santorini shore excursions start from Fira
The common meeting point of every Santorini shore excursion in this article is the cable car station at Fira. Of course, other Santorini day trips and activities start from elsewhere, but as a cruise ship passenger with only one day in Santorini, it’s a pity to lose time searching for your meeting point.
You can see the Fira cable car station on Google Maps here.
Santorini shore excursion tips
Delays often occur when disembarking from the cruise ship. Sometimes, if it’s too crowded at the port, it might take an hour to reach the cable car station at Fira. Therefore, most tour operators recommend to let at least a 90-minute gap between your arrival in Santorini and the start of your shore excursion.
That said, make sure to add a note when booking a day trip with your cruise ship’s name and the estimated arrival time. It will save you from trouble. Plus, be at the meeting point at least ten minutes before the tour starts.
Santorini shore excursions: Conclusion
Having one day in Santorini and arriving on the island as a cruise ship passenger allows you enough time to see and enjoy. In fact, if you plan your activities correctly, you’ll get a good overview of the island. The best Santorini shore excursions described in this guide guarantee a fantastic time on the island.
To sum it up, allow at least 90 minutes between your arrival on the island and the tour’s start. Then, take a tender boat and use the cable car to reach Fira, where the excursions start. Join a tour based on your interests and budget, and if you arrive early, have a cup of coffee or simply enjoy the spectacular caldera views.
Obviously, if you have two days in Santorini, you can join more than one tour. However, since most cruises call at the port for a day, make sure to enjoy your time on Greece’s most famous island. Having even one day in Santorini is enough time to admire its beauty. So, book a shore excursion in Santorini and shoot loads of photos to show to your friends back home. 🙂
More about Santorini: Santorini facts & day trips, The best Santorini photo tours
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring. Share the best shore excursions in Santorini with your friends.
George, the photo of the beautiful blonde that shows a glimpse of PK Cocktail Bar and the statue of Aphrodite in Fira is awesome! One of your best photos in my opinion.
John, thank you! I also like the photo; it turned out really nice! There are many such moments in places like Santorini, where everybody gets photographed and sees other people posing for pictures. It was a fun moment in Fira, and the other women looking at her contributed to the atmosphere.