Our island is known for its unusual architecture: dark volcanic rock is the basis for the snow-white houses. A classic Santorini bus tour is a full day excursion that will take you to some of the most picturesque villages on the island. The villages of Pyrgos, Emporio and Perissa are all waiting for you and, of course, the village of Oia – where you will arrive just in time to see the sunset.
On this tour you will be able to see the following sights:
This Santorini bus tour lasts most of the day, allowing you to discover the authentic villages of the island, the amazing landscapes of the caldera and of course the volcanic beaches.
The first stop on the route is the mountain of Profitis Ilias, the highest point on the island. Here, almost in the centre of the island, is one of the most famous viewpoints from which you can admire the incredible beauty of the landscape of the island and entire caldera too! You will also have free time to walk near the XVIII century monastery and visit the chapel of St. Nectarius that are located there. Did you take the photos? Let’s move on!
Next, we will head downhill to one of the most beautiful villages on the island, the village of Pyrgos, located almost in the very center of the island. In Pyrgos you will have free time to walk through its winding streets, see traditional Santorinian houses and island architecture, the ancient fortress and, of course, the blue-domed churches. The next stops on the route are the villages of Emporio, where you will have a walk and see the small Venetian fortress, and Perissa, with its huge black volcanic beach and crystal clear waters, where you will have plenty of free time to swim in the sea or have lunch in one of the Greek tavernas on the beach.
In the afternoon we will start preparing for the sunset, but first we will discover one of the most famous products of the island – wine of Santorini. You will not only learn about the wine making process, but also enjoy a tasting of 3 wines made from local grape varieties before we go to the western part of our island! Oia is waiting for you!
The “Traditional villages of Santorini” bus tour ends with its most precious moment – an evening trip to the village of Oia in time to watch the sun go down. In the early evening we’ll arrive at the cliff-top village, which is probably the most beautiful place in Santorini. It’s got those cave-like houses, elegant captains’ mansions (of diffrent colours!) and famous blue-domed churches. Again, you’ll have plenty of free time to walk around the village, take lots of photos, do some shopping or have a drink, but don’t forget about time! You can watch one of the most beautiful sunsets here! Approximate sunset time in Santorini this week – 20:37.
In 2025 price of the bus excursion to the traditional villages of Santorini is:
Prices may be lower in low season, on certain days with discounts, if you book early or for a large group.
There is a shortened version – Evening tour from the south coast of Santorini to the north, meeting the sunset in Oia.
Please note the Santorini sightseeing tour – in addition to a long journey around the island, it also includes a stop at one of the best wineries in the area.
Travelling with a large family or group? Contact us in advance and we will do our best to give you the most favourable offer.
Sometimes there are discounts on this trip and it is sold cheaper for our subscribers – follow us on Instagram!
In 2025 a tour of the traditional villages of Santorini is runs from 01/04 to 31/10. 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.
Please read Cancellation and Refund policy.
In case there are less than 24 hours left before the trip, please book only after agreeing with the manager on availability.
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 trip!
It depends on the location of your hotel or villa. Some cities of Santorini are famous for their narrow streets, which are not so easy to walk even on foot. So in some cases you will need to walk to the main road, some nearest square or parking place, where a car or a tour bus can pick you up. If your hotel has good road access, then the transfer will be able to pick you up directly from the hotel.
After placing an order, you will receive detailed information about the place and time of the meeting, as well as all the necessary documents. Please read them carefully beforehand.
Santorini has a lot of sun and almost no shade during the spring and summer. You will definitely need some sun protection: sunscreen, glasses, hat and so on. If there is a possibility of nausea in transport, then we recommend taking the appropriate pills. You may want to buy something during your trip or to have lunch in one of the taverns, so consider taking some cash with you for these extra expenses.
This tour includes short walks through villages and towns with a guide, and there will be time to rest in the middle of the day. There will be no difficult and long hikes on the route.
It is not recommended to take very young children with you in case they get motion sickness on the bus. It is not advisable to bring a stroller with you. It may also be difficult to participate in the tour in a wheelchair due to the uneven terrain in most areas.
The bus tour of Santorini’s traditional villages starts around 11:00, so you will be able to have breakfast in your hotel.
We plan a trip to Black Beach at lunch time where there are many traditional Santorinian tavernas to suit all tastes. Lunch costs an average of 15-20 euros per person, depending on your choice of food.
Yes, you will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking guide.
Yes, you will be able to see almost all of the most important sights of Santorini!
The main language of the tour is English.
The following is an approximate schedule. The exact time will be specified in the information provided with your order.
The sunset time changes during the year, so the schedule and the total length of the tour can vary a bit from month to month.
| Tour schedule | |
|---|---|
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Departure from the hotel |
| 12:00 - 12:40 | The highest viewpoint in Santorini, monastery of Prophet Elias |
| 13:00 - 13:30 | Walking tour in the village of Pyrgos |
| 13:40 - 14:10 | Walking tour in the village of Emporio |
| 14:20 - 16:00 | Perissa village and Black beach, time for lunch and swimming |
| 16:30 - 21:00 | Oia village, sunset |
| 21:30 - 22:30 | Returning to hotels |
| 20:37 | Approximate sunset time in Santorini this week |
| Duration and travel time | |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 minutes | Transfer by bus from the hotels |
| Up to 30 minutes | Transfer by bus between sights |
| 30 - 180 minutes | Time to visit each of the sights on the route |