There are hundreds of islands in Greece that are definitely worth visiting. Of course, our island is at least one of the top five, because Santorini is world famous. Have you walked the streets of the white-washed cities? Have you sunbathed on the black and red beaches? Have you seen our sunset? Now is the time to push your limits and take a helicopter ride over Santorini in the light of the sunset! Believe me, it’s a totally different experience that you just can’t have on the ground.
The half-hour helicopter ride is the most comprehensive sightseeing tour. It takes place in the evening, when the light is softer and the colors are warmer and brighter.
The Airbus AS 355N helicopter tour at sunset lasts 30 minutes. During this time you will see the key sights of Santorini, the caldera and volcanic islands in the light of the setting sun:
The itinerary of this helicopter tour contains more sights. For example, you will fly west over the island of Thirasia. It was originally part of a larger island that collapsed in an eruption to form a cluster of big and small islands, the main and most famous of which was Santorini, with Thirasia as the second largest.
The schematic route of this evening helicopter tour is shown on the map in the slideshow of photos above. Depending on the season, the sunset occurs at different times. For example, the approximate sunset time in Santorini this week is 17:05.
On this aerial sightseeing tour we offer a flight over Santorini, the volcano caldera and the small islands of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirasia in the evening. The aircraft we will be using is the largest and most comfortable on the island – a twin-engine Airbus AS 355N helicopter. It is a rather large helicopter with a spacious comfortable cabin and large windows. In addition to the pilot, the helicopter can comfortably accommodate five passengers – perfect for large families and groups of friends!
During the helicopter tour, you can communicate with each other and the pilot using a special headset with a microphone and headphones. There are headsets in the helicopter cabin for all participants of the flight.
This helicopter is equipped with large panoramic windows. Each of the side doors also has its own large windows. In other words, the view ill be very wide and impressive!
Another great feature of this large helicopter is that it has additional viewing windows in the floor. They are at the bottom at the feet of the pilot and the passenger sitting next to him. Through these windows you will be able to look and photograph almost vertically downwards. The feeling of flying will increase as the island scenery and the sea surface pass beneath your feet.
The passenger seats in this helicopter are arranged in two rows. One of the passengers can take a seat in front next to the pilot and four more guests can sit in the second row behind.
If you plan to take photos or record videos during your Santorini sightseeing helicopter tour, we suggest you take a seat near the pilot: the panoramic windows and floor glazing will help you take even more interesting shots!
In 2024 the price of a thirty-minute sunset aerial sightseeing tour in an Airbus AS 355N helicopter is 1600 euro. This is the price for a helicopter ride (private flight) and it does not depend on the number of people in your group.
Travelling with a large family or group? Contact us in advance and we will do our best to give you the most favourable offer.
We can arrange it! First of all, check out a sightseeing tour with a similar route, but in a small four-seat helicopter.
Sometimes there are discounts on this trip and it is sold cheaper for our subscribers – follow us on Facebook!
You can book a 30-minute sightseeing helicopter tour to fly over Santorini and Thirasia before sunset in an Airbus AS 355N helicopter online (see “How to book excursions in Santorini”).
Please note that in order to process documents for an aerial excursion over Santorini, our managers will need some additional information about all participants: name and surname (as in the passport or ID), passport or ID number, date of birth, citizenship and weight. If you already have this information, you can write it in the comments field when placing an order. Also don’t forget to take your passports or ID with you – we can check them before boarding the helicopter.
In 2024, a thirty-minute sunset aerial tour in an Airbus AS 355N helicopter takes place from 20/05 to 10/10. Available days – on a daily basis.
Please note that the tour schedule is subject to change. Changes are extremely rare and usually associated with weather conditions on the island or in the sea. For example, it can be a strong wind, thunderstorm, rain or other force majeure situations. We always try to inform in advance about all changes.
Helicopter tours in Santorini are very popular – sometimes flight bookings start weeks or even months in advance. Please take this into account when planning your holiday on our island.
Please read Cancellation and Refund policy.
In case there are less than 24 hours left before the aerial trip, please book only after agreeing with the manager on availability.
Please note that in order to process documents for an aerial excursion over Santorini, our managers will need some additional information about all participants: name and surname (as in the passport or ID), passport or ID number, date of birth, citizenship and weight. If you already have this information, you can write it in the comments field when placing an order.
You will receive your tickets by email or WhatsApp – whichever is more convenient for you.
Please keep all documents and tickets until the end of the aerial tour!
The Santorini helicopter tour does not include transfers from and to hotels and villas – you can drive to the helipad if you have a rental car. If you wish, we can additionally organize a transfer for you by any type of transport (car or minibus of economy or premium class). Please let us know in advance.
Passport or ID (original or at least a photo on your phone or tablet). Before boarding the helicopter, we can check your documents.
If there is a possibility of motion sickness in transport, then we recommend taking the appropriate pills.
There are no limitations on participation in this aerial tour. If there is a possibility of motion sickness, then we recommend taking the appropriate pills.
Please note that some companies calculate the flight time from the moment the helicopter engine starts until it is switched off. On average these processes take about 7-10 minutes, so the actual flight time may be less than stated. This is not our practice.
When you book a helicopter flight in Santorini with us, the actual flight time is what you have paid for – from take off to landing. All technical procedures are considered outside the time of your flight, do not take up your time and are free of charge to you.
All pilots as well as all personnel on the helipad speak English well.
There are few seats in helicopters, so there are usually just the pilot and you in the cabin. If you wish (and there will be one free seat in the helicopter), then for an additional fee we can offer you a guide who will tell you all the information about the sights during the helicopter aerial tour over Santorini.
Helicopters don’t have a lot of seats, so it’s usually just the pilot and you in the cabin. If you wish (and there will be one free seat in the helicopter), then for an additional fee we can offer you a professional photographer who will take pictures for you both in flight and when boarding the helicopter.
All helicopters for sightseeing flights in Santorini are provided and maintained by an Austrian company which has been in the passenger transport business for decades.
All pilots have years of experience both on islands and offshore as well as in mountainous terrain.
Your safety is guaranteed by an experienced team with a very attentive attitude from weather monitoring to helicopter fleet control and maintenance.
The Airbus AS 355N is a very stable helicopter with two powerful engines. Even strong gusts of wind will not cause any serious rocking. In windy conditions the helicopter may shake or vibrate slightly on take-off and landing, but during the flight it behaves absolutely smoothly.
Our team keeps a very close eye on the weather conditions on the island. If the weather is unsuitable for your helicopter flight in Santorini, we will inform you, cancel your flight and reschedule your aerial excursion to a suitable date and time with better weather conditions. If, however, the weather does not improve, we will refund you fully.
Yes, of course. If your hotel has its own helipad, then (for a fee, usually due to hotel policy) our helicopters can land there. However, this is dependent on the hotel and in our experience it is not always available at all times: some hotels do not always maintain their helipads, some hotels do not allow helicopters to land or take off from their helipads at certain times, e.g. early in the morning or late in the evening, etc. You can contact our managers for such details and they will be happy to help arrange everything.
The following is an approximate schedule. The order is a request for the desired departure time. The exact time will be specified in the information provided with your order.
| Flight schedule | |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | Total duration of the helicopter tour over Santorini and Thirasia |
| 3 minutes | Flying along the caldera cliffs above Thira and north to the village of Oia |
| 2 minutes | Flying over the village of Oia. Turn to the south |
| 10 minutes | Flying over island of Thirasia. Turn to the south in the center of the caldera |
| 10 minutes | Flying south over the volcano and the islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni |
| 2 minutes | Turning north over the Red Beach |
| 3 minutes | Flying over the Akrotiri Peninsula and returning to the helipad |