Santorini's Minoan Excavations: A Full Day of Traditional Villages and Oia Sunset

Discover Santorini’s Minoan excavations, traditional villages, and ancient capital on a full-day tour. End the day in Oia and witness the breathtaking sunset from the island’s northernmost tip.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site - Following a pick-up from your hotel, transfer by air-conditioned coach to the archaeological site of Akrotiri (please note that every Tuesday the archaeological site of Akrotiri will be closed). Explore an ancient city that was frozen in time after a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Step inside with your guide and learn about the Minoan city before the devastating event occurred.

Gaze in awe at the ruins of multi-storied buildings that date back to the 16th century and admire the intricately designed drainage system that hints at a talented civilization far more advanced than its time suggests. Stroll along the main street, lined with old stores and warehouses from the ancient city. Learn about the traditional ceramic artefacts, such as pithoi (earthenware jugs).

  • Emporio - Our next stop will be at Emporio Village where you can explore one of the oldest and most authentic traditional villages of Santorini, built like a small labyrinth and visit its medieval fortress (15th century).
  • Perissa Black Sand Beach - After that continue towards Perissa Beach and enjoy free time to have lunch and relax at one of the longest black sandy beaches in the Cyclades and the most popular beach of Santorini.
  • Monastery of Profitis Ilias - Profitis Ilias Mountain will be our next stop where you will finish your tour with a short stop at the highest peak of Santorini (567 meters) to admire the striking panoramic view of the entire island.
  • Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos - After that short stop we continue towards Vine Museum where you can taste Santorini’s distinctive wines and learn about one of the oldest vineyards in Europe while admiring the spectacular view of the volcano.
  • Sunset in Oia - Meet your guide again in the early evening for the transfer to Oia, a quintessential Greek village that’s known for its sugar cube houses and blue-domed churches. Join the legions who flock to Oia to watch the sunset, and stroll down streets nestled into the side of the cliffs overlooking the spectacular caldera.

Follow your guide to the ruins of a Venetian castle, known as the Kastro of Oia, and gaze down from the village and caldera to the sea. Return to the coach for the transfer back to your hotel.

What's Included
  • Experienced local guide
  • Entry to the Wine Museum
  • Wine tasting session
  • Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Akrotiri Entrance Fees (12 euro per person)
Additional Information

Take a break from Santorini’s black sand beaches on a full-day tour of its Minoan excavations, traditional villages, ancient capital and buried settlements. End the day at Oia and watch the sunset from the islands northernmost tip.Following a pick-up from your hotel, transfer by air-conditioned coach to the archaeological site of Akrotiri (please note that from November till end of March the archaeological site of Akrotiri will not be included). Explore an ancient city that was frozen in time after a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Step inside with your guide and learn about the Minoan city before the devastating event occurred. Meet your guide again in the early evening for the transfer to Oia, a quintessential Greek village that’s known for its sugar cube houses and blue-domed churches. Join the legions who flock to Oia to watch the sunset, and stroll down streets nestled into the side of the cliffs overlooking the spectacular caldera.

  • Only visitors with a Vaccination proof document check can enter Akrotiri Archaeological Site
  • From November till March the tour does not include Akrotiri site visit.
  • During Winter period due to earlier Sunset time the tour starts approximately at 09:00 am
  • Pick up location is subject to the accommodation location. It will be either from your property or nearby walking distance location
Location
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(42 Ratings)
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Crystal_b
Jun 28, 2024
Very fun, tour guide was... - Very fun, tour guide was great. Glad that we were able to visit all the local spots in Santorini. Would def recommend to anyone who plans on taking a trip to santorini!
Review provided by Viator
CĂ©line
Jun 5, 2024
Magnificent excursions - This a magnificent excursions the guide and fantastic I recommend this excursions if you want to discover Santorini and see the magnificent sunset
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jina_n
Apr 16, 2024
Worth the Day! - We felt like we were able to see the whole island of Santorini during this day trip. There were 6 stops. We enjoyed some free time during several of the stops. We did enjoy the archeological site and it would be nice if they added the ticket but we just planned the cost into our day! (We would have paid more for the tour so they could add the ticket and raise the cost of the tour!) The only thing that needs changed is at the wine tasting. No mention of prices or price list were given about the wine we tasted. It would be nice if they gave more information. They might sell more if they did. I wasn’t sure what was what in there store so providing this info would increase the likelihood of sales! The time at the beach was a little long but probably because it was not warm enough to swim! Many of the restaurants were not open so not much to do. The sunset was a beautiful end to the day. The views provided were all beautiful. Enjoyable day and would recommend the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Gladys_p
Jan 27, 2024
Best value day trip - I really enjoyed the whole day ,tour guide was excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly and really made the whole experience and day so enjoyable, the wine tasting was great ,got to try 3 different wines ,best value tour I've booked in a long time .would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Anna_c
Jan 27, 2024
Oia and the rest of the island tour - I enjoyed the thorough descriptions of everything we saw in santorini. I really enjoyed this tour immensely.
Review provided by Viator
Sheri_b
Oct 27, 2023
Wonderful Day of Touring! - We had a wonderful time on this tour. The tour was put together beautifully with ample time to enjoy all of the stops. Our tour guide and bus driver were professional and took care of us greatly. Nikolas is the best driver! We met some fantastic people on the tour as well. Would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Tracey_y
Oct 18, 2023
They started off as... - They started off as little hectic as we were picked up in one bus. And then told that we had to change and get on to a big, huge bus, which was not fun. As the tour was now about 30 people instead of about 10 period the person who was the guide was not overly friendly. We period period but I guess that's just the way it goes.
Review provided by Viator
Lynne_s
Aug 13, 2024
All day Santorini tour - The guide was great, pickup was on time. Ample free time for lunch. The only negative was that I did not like having to change bussss and drivers for the trip home after the sunset viewing .
Review provided by Viator
Ms0317
Jun 28, 2024
Long day; recommend for total experience of the culture and island! - Great trip! It was a long day; bus driver was a little late to pick me up at the start, contacted the company and had an immediate response. Wear sunscreen! Great walking tour of a traditional Greek village and plenty of time to explore for lunch. The sunset was my favorite part! Great historical tour of some ruins. I recommend this trip!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_f
Jul 1, 2024
Bad experience - Terrible communication. I asked for clarification about pick up area and did not receive it till after they had left us. Asked for a refund but haven't heard a word from them. I would not book this ever in Santorini. Just take the gondola up and find a travel office to help you. We did that and it was much cheaper and of course they didn't labe without us. Out $120 for this bad choice.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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