Private Highlights tour: Discover Santorini Like a Local
Description
Experience Santorini your way with a fully customizable tour designed around your interests. Whether you're drawn to the iconic blue-domed churches of Oia, the quiet charm of Megalochori’s hidden corners, or the striking beauty of the Red Beach, every moment is thoughtfully crafted for you. Guided by passionate locals, you’ll discover both the famous highlights and the lesser-known treasures of Santorini. For cruise travelers, we ensure a seamless experience with carefully timed pickups right at the port and personalized attention to your ship’s schedule, so you can enjoy the island without any stress. Whether visiting for just a few hours or spending more time with us, every detail is managed with care to make your visit effortless, memorable, and completely your own. Book your perfect Santorini experience and see the island through your own unique lens.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Three Bells of Fira, situated in the heart of Santorini's capital, are an iconic sight and cultural landmark. Perched atop the cliffside, these three blue-domed churches, dedicated to the Holy Mother, St. John, and St. Nicolas, create a harmonious and picturesque ensemble against the island's distinctive landscape. As you explore Fira, these bells serve as a captivating focal point, representing the rich history and architectural charm that define Santorini's allure. Driving time from the previous stop : 10mins
Nestled on Santorini's cliffs, Imerovigli is a serene village offering breathtaking views and tranquility. Whitewashed charm, narrow pathways, and a high vantage point make it an ideal escape for a peaceful retreat and romantic moments. Driving time from previous location 20min
Oia (Ia) is the crown jewel of Santorini, a village where every corner feels like a postcard brought to life. Perched dramatically on the edge of the caldera, it enchants visitors with its cascading whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and narrow marble paths that wind through the majestic beauty and charm. It’s a place where light, color, and architecture come together in perfect harmony, creating an atmosphere that feels both romantic and timeless.
Oia's famous blue domes are iconic symbols of Santorini's allure. Perched against the sparkling Aegean Sea, these distinctive azure rooftops create a striking contrast against the whitewashed buildings. The blue domes, synonymous with postcard-perfect images, are nestled within the labyrinthine streets of Oia.
Megalochori, a hidden gem in Santorini, enchants visitors with its authentic Greek charm. This traditional village invites exploration through winding alleys and whitewashed buildings adorned with bougainvillea. Discover the allure of local tavernas, historic churches, and the laid-back ambiance that defines Megalochori. Tucked away from the bustling crowds, this village offers a serene escape while preserving the essence of Santorini's timeless beauty. Driving time from previous stop :20-25mins
A brief stop to admire the striking Red Beach, known for its dramatic crimson cliffs and unique volcanic landscape.
Relax at the Black Beach of Perivolos, with time to enjoy a drink or a light meal by the sea.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your driver will pick you up from your preferred pickup point, provided it is accessible by vehicle. Where access isn't possible, we'll arrange a convenient meeting point nearby. Pickup times vary by location: standard tour departures are 10:30 and 14:00 for guests in Fira Town, while guests staying elsewhere on the island will receive adjusted pickup times accordingly. When booking, please provide: Phone number and email Flight or ferry arrival details Name and address of your hotel If on a cruise: cruise ship name and arrival time ★ CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ★ Santorini's cruise port has NO road access. After tendering ashore, the only way up to the town of Fira is by cable car, and queues can be very long — often over an hour when several ships are in port. For this reason, your driver cannot collect you at the port itself. You have two options: OPTION 1 — MEET AT McDONALD'S, FIRA Take the cable car up from the Old Port and meet your driver at McDonald's in Fira, our standard cruise meeting point. Please allow enough time for the cable car queue. OPTION 2 — SKIP THE CABLE CAR (RECOMMENDED) Choose the "Skip the Cable Car" option at booking and we will bring you by water transfer directly to Amoudi Bay, where your driver will be waiting to collect you. This avoids the cable car queue completely and is by far the smoothest choice for cruise guests on a tight schedule.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Reviews(51)
Niko was great. Took us everywhere. Even took us to a great spot for food on the black beach called ‘41’. Finished up with a sunset.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with Niko. It is always our goal to showcase the very best of Santorini, and we are pleased that you were able to explore so many beautiful locations around the island. We're especially happy that you enjoyed your stop at Black Beach and the local dining experience. Finishing the day with a Santorini sunset is always something special, and we're glad it provided the perfect ending to your tour. Thank you for choosing VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to Santorini again in the future. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
Look at our tour was fantastic. They took us to all the highlights of the island we got exclusive access to all the best spots for photographs. Our Tour Guide George was so much Fun highly recommended!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are so happy to hear that your Santorini experience was filled with beautiful highlights, fun moments, and unforgettable photo opportunities around the island. Exploring Santorini through its most iconic locations while also finding those perfect hidden viewpoints always makes the experience extra special. George will be very happy to hear your kind words. His energy, personality, and passion for the island truly help create memorable experiences for our guests. Thank you again for choosing VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini and for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back again someday for another amazing day on the island. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
Mary was amazing!!! It was our first time in Greece. We were picked up at the Santorini Cable Car. From there, we toured the city and got to see some of the most beautiful sights EVERRR!!!
Thank you so much for your amazing review. We absolutely loved reading your excitement about discovering Santorini for the very first time. There is something truly special about seeing the island through first-time visitors, and we are so happy your experience was filled with beautiful views, unforgettable moments, and wonderful memories. We are also very pleased that Mary helped make your day feel smooth, welcoming, and enjoyable from the very beginning of your pickup at the cable car station. Thank you again for choosing VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini to be part of your first Greece experience. We hope this was the beginning of many more beautiful travels for you. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
Our tour guide Paulina was very nice, friendly, and patient. She took care of us very well, driving us around Santorini and showing us the best angles of the landmarks. She is also very knowledgeable about all the places in Santorini. Paulina is a very good driver too! I highly recommend this tour.
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are truly happy to hear that your time in Santorini felt like a dream vacation and that you enjoyed discovering the island in such a relaxed and memorable way. From the beautiful viewpoints and iconic landmarks to the local stories and atmosphere, it sounds like you experienced some very special moments around the island. We are also very pleased that Paulina helped make your experience comfortable, enjoyable, and full of beautiful memories throughout the day. Thank you again for your recommendation and for choosing VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini. We hope to welcome you back to the island again someday. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
First class from start to finish. Very knowledgeable guide and a brilliant driver. You get to see the best of Santorini in a no rush no stress atmosphere at your own pace. Highly recommend! Don’t think about it, just book it!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We are truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the relaxed and personalized atmosphere of your tour and were able to experience the beauty of Santorini comfortably and at your own pace. Providing smooth, stress-free experiences with knowledgeable guides and professional service is exactly what our team strives for every day. Your recommendation means a great deal to all of us, and we sincerely appreciate you choosing VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini for your visit to the island. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
Everything just went well. From the booking, to pre arrangements. If you want too see everything Santorini has to see, book this tour! Nikos our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. He had lots of patience for our stops. Fantastic sums up the tour. Well done and thank you
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. We are truly happy to hear that everything went smoothly from the booking process to your time exploring Santorini with us. Providing a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish is something our entire team always strives for. Your kind words about Nikos are greatly appreciated, and we’re delighted to know that his friendly approach, knowledge, and patience helped make your day even more enjoyable. It means a great deal to us that you felt you were able to experience so much of Santorini in such a memorable way. Thank you once again for choosing VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
Our private highlights tour of Santorini with George was absolutely unforgettable. He knew the top scenic spots on the island and managed to take us to places that felt both iconic and hidden at the same time. Thanks to him, we captured some of the most beautiful photos and truly felt immersed in the essence of Santorini. George was knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely passionate about sharing the best of Santorini. The views were breathtaking, the experience felt personalized, and we never felt rushed. It was the perfect way to see the island. Highly recommended!!
Thank you very much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are truly delighted to hear that your time in Santorini was so memorable and that you were able to enjoy both the island’s iconic highlights and its more hidden corners. Creating experiences that feel both authentic and personal is something our team is very passionate about. It is especially rewarding to know that George made such a positive impression. We are proud to work with a team that shares the same dedication, knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm for showcasing Santorini in a thoughtful and engaging way. We would be very happy to welcome you again and share even more of Santorini with you in the future. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
We had an amazing time, Katerina and Christos tailored the trip to things that would suit us. We can highly recommend the private tour. We would use them again anytime.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are truly delighted to hear that you had such an amazing time exploring Santorini with us. It is especially rewarding to know that Katerina and Christos were able to tailor the experience exactly to your preferences—this is exactly the kind of personalized journey we strive to create for every guest. Santorini has so many hidden gems, and it is always a pleasure for us to share them in a way that feels unique and memorable. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to our entire team. We would absolutely love to welcome you back anytime for another unforgettable experience on the island. Warm regards, VIP Transfers and Tours Santorini
Covered the island and hit all the highlights. Perfect amount of driving and walking. Some exploring on your own.
Thank you very much for your lovely review. We’re so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the balance of the tour combining highlights, comfortable driving, and time to explore on your own. Creating a well paced and enriching experience is exactly what we aim for. It’s wonderful to know you were able to see so much of the island in such an enjoyable way. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Santorini in the future. Warm regards, VIP Transfers & Tours – Santorini
My Travel Advisor booked this amazing tour for me and it was the BEST way to experience Santorini! Our guide George was top notch and took us around the island in a clean and smoke free new van. He shared a lot of local history and culture for the island. We visited everything on my list as well as grabbing the best place for watching the sunset! This is a day I will remember.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are truly delighted to hear that your experience in Santorini was so memorable and that George provided you with such an enjoyable and insightful tour. It means a lot to us that you were able to explore the island comfortably, visit all the places on your list, and enjoy such a special sunset moment. Our goal is always to offer a seamless and personalized experience, and your kind words are a great reward for our team. We sincerely hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Santorini in the future. Warm regards, VIP Transfers & Tours – Santorini
