Excursion Best of santorini tour at Santorini

Experience the island of Santorini and its best sites during this full-day picturesque sightseeing excursion.

Akrotiri Excavations

Depart the ship by a local tender to Athinios, where you join the waiting motor-coach. Enjoy your scenic drive to the southern end of the island and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. A volcanic eruption circa 1,600 BCE destroyed all life on the island, and the island itself sank beneath the waves. The excavations here, led by Professor Spyros Marintos, began in 1967 and document the existence of life on Strongoli, legendary Atlantis; although no written records have ever surfaced to support this. It is an amazing city with houses, streets, squares and workshops, all of which had been covered under a thick blanket of pumice for over 3,500 years. You are able to walk around this ancient city among well-preserved buildings, which will give you an insight into the ancient civilization of Santorini, the center of a civilization akin to the Minoans of Crete.

Venetsanos Winery & Wine Tasting, Panoramic Views, Local Tavern & Lunch

After your visit, continue to Venetsanos Winery where you will sample the famous Santorini wines and admire panoramic views of the Caldera of Santorini. Continue to a local tavern where your lunch awaits and taste Greek delicacies.

Village of Oia & Free Time

Depart for the scenic drive to the northern tip of the island, and a visit to Oia. This quaint little village was once the home of wealthy seafarers of the past, and features beautiful old cliff-side mansions and houses. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour through the narrow cobbled streets of Oia. Following your walking tour, enjoy free time for additional independent exploration. See many tiny shops offering a varied and unusual collection of handmade works of ceramic art, paintings and semi-precious jewelry. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano.

At the end of tour, return through the beautiful countryside back to the port of Athinios where your tender will await to take you to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Akrotiri Archeological Site, Local Winery & Wine Tasting, Traditional Greek lunch, Panoramic Views, Village of Oia & Free Time

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate to extensive amount of walking over uneven, cobbled and narrow pathways and is thus not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests should wear seasonal clothing, flat walking shoes and sun protection. Only Euro currency is accepted. Please be advised that Oia is the most visited place on the island and is usually very crowded. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Please note that at the conclusion of the tour you will have an option to remain in the town of Fira for self-exploration. Guests will have to make their own way to the tender boats from Fira using a cable car. Cable car ticket costs 10.00 Euros one way. Long lines for the cable cars may be encountered during the busy summer season. Tour order may vary.