Our Top Santorini Shore Excursions for 2026

We’ve crafted several exclusive Santorini tour options tailored for cruise visitors. Whether you want to hit all the famous postcard spots, explore at your own pace, or even combine a boat and land experience, we have you covered. Each tour is led by a local guide and designed to maximize your time ashore. Here are our top picks:

Must-See Santorini Highlights (5 Hours Private Tour)

This best-selling private tour checks off Santorini’s most iconic sights in one efficient trip. You’ll start with a scenic drive to Oia, the clifftop village famed for its blue-domed churches and jaw-dropping caldera views. Stroll the marble alleys, snap that perfect photo overlooking Amoudi Bay, and soak in Oia’s charming atmosphere. Next, head to Firostefani to see the celebrated Three Bells of Fira blue dome church – another postcard-perfect spot without the big crowds. From there, our guide whisks you to the highest point of Santorini at Prophet Elias Monastery for a 360° panoramic vista of the entire island and the Aegean beyond. Time permitting, you can relax on the unique black sands of Perissa Beach or explore the dramatic red cliffs of Red Beach at Akrotiri. Throughout the tour, you’ll enjoy commentary brimming with local insights, and of course plenty of photo stops for those envy-inducing shots!

Best for:  First-time visitors who want to see all the highlights  in a half-day. If you’ve never been to Santorini, this tour ensures you capture the classic sights (villages, views, beaches) without feeling rushed or herded in a massive group. It’s the ultimate “greatest hits” tour.

Santorini Private Shore Excursion

Designed specifically with cruise ship schedules in mind, this shore excursion mirrors the popular routes offered by the cruise lines – but in a much more intimate way. In roughly 5-7 hours, you’ll visit all: Oia village for stunning panoramas,  a scenic drive showcasing Santorini’s caldera along the way, relax on volcanic beaches. Unlike the cruise ship buses, it will be only you hearing your guide’s commentary and have freedom to ask questions. We also adjust the itinerary to the day’s conditions – for example, hitting spots in a different order to avoid peak congestion from the big tours. If the cable car lines or tender timing are a concern, we’ve got you covered: we plan the tour to get you back to the port with time to spare, and we can start/end at alternate ports or take alternate routes if needed to maximize your time. This is essentially the stress-free shore excursion you’ve dreamed of, covering Santorini’s must-see locales efficiently and comfortably.

Best for: Cruise passengers who want a comprehensive overview of Santorini’s top spots but prefer a more personal touch than the ship’s mega-tours. It’s ideal if you’re a bit nervous about timing – we stick to a cruise-friendly schedule – or if you simply want a dependable, value-packed tour that hits the highlights. Families, couples, and even senior travelers will appreciate the relaxed pace and expert handling of logistics on this tour.

Santorini Your Way! 

Custom Private Tour with flexible duration and starting times

Have specific sights in mind or a unique idea of how you’d like to spend your day? Our “My Way” tour lets you call the shots! This is a fully customizable private tour where you decide the destinations and duration (up to a full day, if you like). Work with our team in advance to map out your dream itinerary – whether that’s delving into Santorini’s ancient history at Akrotiri, sampling local wines at a family winery, relaxing on a quiet black-sand beach, or all of the above. On the day of the tour, your private driver-guide will be at your service to make those plans a reality, with insider suggestions along the way. Want to spend an extra 30 minutes enjoying the view in Imerovigli? No problem. Suddenly crave a fresh seafood lunch overlooking the water? We’ll adjust the schedule. The “My Way” tour is all about flexibility and making sure you experience Santorini your way. Of course, we ensure the timing aligns with your ship’s call – you’ll be back on board with plenty of time, having seen and done exactly what you wanted.



Best for: Repeat visitors or those with very specific interests. If you’ve been to Santorini before and want to explore new corners of the island, or if you dislike rigid itineraries, this is perfect. Also great for small groups or families who might want to incorporate a special activity (like hiking a section of the caldera trail, visiting a particular restaurant, or capturing Instagram photos in unique spots). It’s your Santorini day, your way – with a knowledgeable local to make it happen smoothly.

Santorini Land & Sea Combo Tour (Full-Day Experience)

Can’t decide between a land tour or a caldera cruise? Why not do both! Our Santorini Combo Tour offers the ultimate day of adventure, combining a guided land excursion with an unforgettable boat tour. In the morning, embark on a private catamaran cruise around the caldera (shared small-group or exclusive hire, your choice). You’ll sail to the volcanic hot springs for a dip, circle around the towering cliffs of the caldera, and even stop at a secluded cove for swimming and a light onboard lunch. After experiencing Santorini from the sea – with unique views of the volcano islands and the cliffside villages above – you’ll return to shore for the land portion. A private vehicle will be waiting to take you to Oia for the afternoon, where you can explore the village and maybe indulge in some wine tasting or shopping. We time the land tour so that by late day you’re in a prime spot (perhaps Oia’s viewpoint or a secret caldera-edge perch) to savor the sunset that made Santorini famous. Finally, relax as we handle your transport back to the tender port (no worries about post-sunset crowds; we have strategies to beat the rush!). The Combo Tour truly gives you the best of both worlds – Santorini’s stunning coastline and its charming inland sights – all in one epic day.



Best for: Those who want to do it all in a day – enjoy Santorini’s volcanic waters and beaches as well as the traditional villages and panoramic viewpoints. If your cruise itinerary gives you a full day in port, this is an amazing way to maximize it. It’s also a fantastic choice for active travelers or celebratory trips (honeymoons, anniversaries) where you want a bit of luxury (sunset on a boat, anyone?) combined with classic sightseeing. Despite packing in a lot, the day feels seamless because we take care of all the logistics.

Private Tours vs. Cruise Ship Group Tours

Choosing between a ship-organized excursion or an independent private tour is the biggest decision cruise visitors face. Cruise lines heavily promote their own tours – often warning that if you tour on your own, the ship won’t wait if you’re delayed.

It’s true that with a ship-sponsored excursion, the ship will wait for your group if the tour runs late. That said, in Santorini it’s extremely rare to hear of anyone being left behind. The island is small, distances are short, and both crews and local providers are very cautious because everyone knows how unique the logistics are here. In addition, because the Aegean islands are close together, a small delay rarely creates major consequences for the next port. Of course, if someone ignores timing completely or takes unnecessary risks, anything can happen; but with normal planning, it’s not the typical Santorini story.

Another point cruise lines mention is that excursion guests may be tendered to Athinios Port, where buses are waiting; this can help you avoid the cable car queue at the Old Port. In theory, that sounds like a big advantage. In practice, it’s not always as helpful as it seems because Athinios is in the far south of the island, while the main landmarks most people want to see are in the center and north; Fira, Oia, and the classic viewpoints. So unless your excursion departs very early (around 08:00 or earlier), you often arrive to those key areas around the same time as everyone else.

However, experienced cruisers know that independent tours often offer far better value and experiences. Private tours are typically just your own party, meaning no cattle-call crowds or waiting for 50 people to assemble. You get a personalized itinerary and flexible pacing, so you can linger at places you love or skip things that don’t interest you. In Santorini, a private guide can time stops cleverly to avoid crowds and long lines – a huge plus on a popular island.

Cost is another factor. Cruise line excursions are often more expensive than identical tours you can book directly. The cruise line acts as a middleman and marks up the price (sometimes significantly). By booking a private tour directly with a local operator in Santorini, you can frequently save money or get a more deluxe experience for a similar price. And while cruise tours are one-size-fits-all, private tours can cater to your interests – whether that’s photography, wine tasting, ancient history, or finding the best panoramic viewpoints away from the throngs. Despite the cruise lines’ warnings, reputable local operators prioritize timing because our reputation depends on it.

It’s worth noting that apart from tendering, ship-sponsored groups don’t get special treatment at Santorini’s sites. There’s no front-of-line access at the Blue Dome Churches or  famous seaview points – everyone queues together. If a cruise tour drops its guests in Fira at the end, they’ll wait for the cable car down just like independent travelers. In other words, beyond the ship’s scheduling cushion, you won’t miss out by going private – and you stand to gain a much more intimate and customized adventure. As one travel forum contributor aptly put it, you don’t want to spend your day “waiting when you could be touring Santorini” instead!

Bottom line: If you value flexibility and want a real feel for Santorini, a private tour is often the best choice. You’ll still get back safely (no stress about the last tender), and you’ll usually enjoy more than you would with big bus groups.

Best Santorini Shore Excursions by Cruise Line (Mini Playbook)

Different cruise lines approach Santorini in different ways. Here’s a quick playbook to help you plan:

• Mega-Ship Lines (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Carnival, Costa): These large ships bring thousands of passengers (often 3,000–4,000 per vessel), which can overwhelm Santorini on peak days. If you’re on one of these lines, expect big crowds and consider arranging a private tour or priority tender to get ashore early. For example, Royal Caribbean and MSC sometimes schedule shorter stays or odd hours (e.g. arriving at 14:00 and leaving by 23:00), so timing is tight. A Santorini "Private Highlights Tour" can ensure you efficiently visit Oia, Fira, and other must-sees without getting stuck in the herd. With limited time, focus on the top highlights (Oia’s caldera views, Firostefani’s blue dome, a quick winery stop) rather than trying to do it all.
• Premium & Mainstream Lines (Princess, Celebrity, Holland America): These lines typically offer a full day in Santorini – many ships arrive around 7–9 AM and depart after sunset (some Celebrity/Princess itineraries stay until 8–10 PM). With more time, you can explore at a slightly more relaxed pace. Princess and Celebrity excursions will still be large-group affairs, so a private tour is a great upgrade here. You may even have time for an extra stop, like Akrotiri or a cliffside wine tasting. If your ship stays late, enjoy sunset in Fira and then take the cable car down; Oia sunset is not recommended because it’s farther from the port and not the best fit right before you need to head back. Many savvy travelers on these lines opt for private tours to maximize their day and get back well before that last tender rush.
• Luxury & Small Ship Lines (Azamara, Windstar, Seabourn, Viking): Smaller ships often mean fewer people and sometimes later departure times or even overnight stays. For instance, Azamara has been known to overnight, and some Viking/Seabourn itineraries depart late, allowing an unrushed sunset experience. If you’re on a boutique line, you might avoid the worst crowds simply due to timing and passenger count. The cruise line’s own tours may be in smaller groups, but they’ll also be very pricey. For small-ship guests, a custom “My Way” tour (see below) is ideal – your guide can take you to off-the-beaten-path gems since you’re not racing the clock as much. You’ll enjoy Santorini like a VIP, in style and without a rush. 
• Short-Stay Cruises & Special Cases (Celestyal, 3-4 night Aegean cruises): Some itineraries, especially regional Greek lines like Celestyal Cruises, give only a half-day in Santorini – sometimes just 4–5 hours in the afternoon. In this case, a ship’s excursion will get you off quickly, but you’ll be whisked to one or two spots at best. To truly make that brief stop count, a private tour is invaluable: the moment you tender ashore, your driver-guide can zip you straight to Oia ahead of the crowds. With such a short window, we recommend focusing on one or two must-see locations (for example, head straight to Oia for a stroll and photos, then back to Fira for a quick taste of the town). On a tight schedule, every minute matters – so don’t waste it standing in lines or on a slow-moving big group. An efficient private shore excursion can literally be the difference between seeing Santorini or just seeing crowds.

Ready for Your Santorini Adventure?

Time and again, Santorini tops travelers’ lists of favorite cruise destinations – and with the right excursion, it’s easy to see why. Don’t settle for less on your once-in-a-lifetime visit.

Our team offers cruise-aware timing tours and expert local guides, so you can explore with confidence and peace of mind. In fact, our past cruise guests consistently give us glowing feedback – we’re proud to be top-rated 5★ on every major review platform.

Santorini in 2026 is calling your name – Secure your spot on one of our Santorini shore excursions today and discover Santorini the way it was meant to be experienced – through the eyes of a local, at your own pace, and with zero hassle.

We can’t wait to share our island home with you

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