10/10 definitely... - 10/10 definitely recommend! So many beautiful sites seen that we wouldn’t be able to find on our own. So many good recommendations !

🌅 Magical Santorini in a Day: An Exceptional Private Tour from Cruise Tender 🌟 - Our one-day private tour of Santorini was, without a doubt, one of the most magical days of our cruise. From start to finish, everything was seamless, personalized, and absolutely unforgettable. If you’re arriving in Santorini by cruise ship and only have a short time on this breathtaking island, I cannot recommend a private tour highly enough—it’s the best way to experience the highlights without stress or crowds. 🚤 Smooth Pickup from Tender Port Santorini doesn’t have a deep-water port, so cruise passengers arrive via tender boats to the old port of Fira. We were a little worried about logistics, but our tour operator provided clear and timely instructions. As soon as we arrived ashore, we met our guide near the base of the cable car station (be sure to take the cable car up—the views are amazing and it’s the quickest way to town). Our guide, Maria, greeted us warmly with a sign and a smile, and we were on our way in a spotless, air-conditioned Mercedes van within minutes. 📍 Perfectly Curated Itinerary Since it was a private tour, we had the flexibility to tailor the day to our interests. Maria suggested a perfect balance of iconic sights, local experiences, and photo stops—and she was absolutely right. 1. Oia Village We started with a morning visit to Oia, beating the cruise ship crowds. Oia is everything you’ve seen in postcards and more: gleaming white buildings, iconic blue domes, winding alleys, and panoramic cliffside views. Maria guided us through the lesser-known backstreets and quiet corners for the best photo ops—and we even had time for a relaxing coffee with a view. 2. Firostefani & the Famous Blue Dome Next, we stopped in Firostefani, a quieter village with stunning caldera views and the picture-perfect blue-domed church often seen in travel magazines. Maria even snapped a few family photos for us, which turned out beautifully. 3. Profitis Ilias Monastery We ascended to the island’s highest point for panoramic views stretching across Santorini’s entire crescent shape. Maria shared stories of the island’s volcanic history and local culture that added so much depth to the experience. 4. Megalochori or Pyrgos Village We chose to visit Megalochori, a charming, off-the-beaten-path village with cobbled lanes, bell towers, and quiet courtyards. It was a peaceful contrast to the more touristy spots and gave us a feel for traditional island life. 5. Local Winery Stop 🍷 No trip to Santorini is complete without tasting its unique volcanic wines. We stopped at a boutique winery for a relaxed tasting of Assyrtiko and other local varietals, accompanied by cheese, olives, and unforgettable views of the caldera. 🍴 Optional Lunch with a View We had the option to stop for a traditional Greek lunch, and Maria recommended a seaside taverna in Akrotiri. Fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, and Santorini tomatoes—absolutely divine. Dining with our toes almost in the sand while watching the boats go by was one of those moments you never forget. ⏰ Timely Drop-Off & Zero Stress Maria was constantly mindful of our ship’s schedule, adjusting the itinerary as needed to ensure we made it back with plenty of time. She dropped us off at the cable car entrance in Fira with over an hour to spare, and we were back on the tender boat with zero stress. 💡 Tips for Fellow Travelers • Book early—private tours in Santorini fill up fast, especially on busy cruise days. • Take the cable car up and down—it’s worth every minute for the views and convenience. • Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection, especially if exploring the cliffside villages. • Be clear about your must-see spots—a private tour lets you customize everything! 🌟 Final Thoughts Our private one-day tour of Santorini was everything we hoped it would be and more: efficient, luxurious, personal, and incredibly beautiful. With the cruise ship crowds and tight timing, we were so glad to have a knowledgeable local guide leading the way, showing us the hidden gems and iconic views without feeling rushed. This tour made our short time on the island feel rich, relaxed, and full of discovery. Whether it’s your first time in Santorini or a return visit, a private tour is the best way to experience the magic—and we’ll be dreaming about that view from Oia for a long time to come. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5)

Santorini Semi-Private Tour - What a wonderful tour experiencing the best sights of Santorini and getting to know the history and the daily lives of the people as related to our small group by our most wonderful guide Niki.. Niki was amazing!!!

Couples - Very nice experience with very knowledgeable tour guide. The tour was great and our guide Tina was really helpful and friendly. Our driver Nikos was very friendly also and drive is safe everywhere. We enjoy mostly the beautiful Oia with the domes and the architecture. Also at the traditional village of Megaloxori we had a nice walk to see where the locals leave. The and of the tour on the black beach was also nice. We had an amazing lunch on a traditional taverna and we eat nice seafood. We recommend it to everyone.

Friends - We had a tour of 5 hours and we did 4 amazing stops. We saw all the highlights of the island. Our guide Stefani was very friendly and we enjoyed everything. At the and of the tour we when to the black beach and we had a nice lunch on a traditional taverna. It was perfect everything. We really enjoyed it and we recommend it to all of you to do it.

A few days relaxed - We did a Small tour with that company and we enjoyed everything. We when to Oia and to the blue Doms We had a very comfortable Mercedes van with a very knowledgeable guide. We definitely recommend it to everyone.

The perfect start to our vacation - Today our tour with Stefano was wonderful. We ended up having a private tour after a mixup with our reservation. The manager quickly accommodated us today and it was a happy mistake. Stefano was knowledgeable and we learned so much about the island. It was the perfect start to our trip.

Fantastic tour - A fantastic tour in Santorini with service,willing and polite.Excellent drive and careful George..A wonderful guided tour of Joanna .I highly recommend you ..

A beautiful day out with friends! - Great experience Maria was an excellent guide and Spiros a comfort driver beautiful sightseeings and professional photos highly recommend

Easy pace, gorgeous pictures, delicious local food! - A nice, laid back tour in a comfortable, roomy van with a guide and driver. Excellent organization & communication, you really feel pampered and taken care of! We had a gorgeous picture run in Oia and then a nice local meal by the Black Sandy Beach.