Private shore excursion
Private Shore Excursion to Oia & the Black Beach
4.9 on Tripadvisor · 119 reviewsAn easy cruise day for your party only: Oia’s lanes and shops, the caldera view from Imerovigli, then time on the black sand of Perivolos beach. There is very little walking, and we plan the timing around your ship.
About this tour
Timed to your ship
Choose a start time so the tour ends at least 2 hours before all-aboard.
Back in time for your ship
We get you back to the cable car in time for your tender. If your ship can’t stop at Santorini, you get a full refund.
Free cancellation*
Up to 24 hours before the tour.
*The card processing fee (about 3%) isn’t refunded.
4.5 hours
You choose the start time when you book.
Private
Your party only, in an air-conditioned minivan.
English-speaking guide
A local who lives on the island.
Meeting point
Cable car exit, Fira. Look for the Greece Holiday Tours sign.
What guests say
★★★★★
Billy was by far the best tour guide we’ve had. … We saw beautiful Oia, churches, beaches, cliff side winery with a view of the caldera, highest point in Santorini, and the list goes on. All while still making stops for us for restroom breaks and making sure we made it back to cruise ship perfectly on time to see sunset.
Review of Private Shore Excursion: The Best of Santorini
Select date and guests
From€280for 2 guests
Arriving by cruise ship?
Take the tender to Fira’s Old Port and the cable car up. Your guide meets you at the top. If your tender is late, we adjust the time.
Port and meeting detailsHighlights
- Free time to stroll and shop in Oia
- The caldera view from Imerovigli, the highest village on the cliffs
- Time to swim, sunbathe or find some shade at Perivolos black-sand beach
- An easy pace with very little walking, good for all ages
What to expect
This private tour shows you the best of Santorini without planning the route or the timing yourself. You travel in an air-conditioned Mercedes minivan with an experienced guide and driver.
Oia and Imerovigli
Start in Oia, the island’s most famous village, with time to look around, shop and meet the locals. Then stop in Imerovigli, the highest village on the caldera cliffs. The view is one of the best on the island, and your guide is happy to take photos for you.
Perivolos black beach
Finish on the fine black sand of Perivolos, one of Santorini’s best-known beaches. Lie in the sun, find shade under an umbrella or cool off in the clear water. Cafés and stalls along the beach sell snacks and local dishes.
Itinerary
Fira
Your guide waits at the cable car exit with your name on a sign.
Oia
Time to stroll, shop and see the caldera views.
Imerovigli
The highest village on the caldera cliffs. Photo stop.
Perivolos beach
Black sand and clear water. Swim, relax or have a bite to eat.
What’s included
- Experienced guide and driver
- Air-conditioned Mercedes minivan
- Bottled water
- All taxes
- Back at the cable car in time for your tender
- Full refund if your ship can’t stop at Santorini
- Cable car tickets (paid at the station)
- Meals and drinks
- Tips (optional)
Meeting point
Take the tender from your ship to Fira’s Old Port and buy cable car tickets up to Fira. As you leave the cable car station, look for your guide holding a Greece Holiday Tours sign with your name on it.
- Choose a start time about 60 to 90 minutes after your ship’s expected arrival, so you have time to get ashore.
- If you are delayed, don’t worry: your guide waits for you.
Your guide and vehicle
Air-conditioned minivan
Your guide speaks English. Spanish, German, French, Italian or Russian on request. You travel in a comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes minivan.
Our guides
Chris, Chrysa and Vasilis: locals who live on the island and know it well.
Good to know
What to bring
Sunscreen, swimwear.
Want more time or another stop? We can change or extend the tour for an extra charge. Ask us when you book.
Accessibility
Our tours aren’t really suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility. Please message us before you book.
Reviews
Ratings for Greece Holiday Tours across all tours.
★★★★★
Billy was by far the best tour guide we’ve had. … We saw beautiful Oia, churches, beaches, cliff side winery with a view of the caldera, highest point in Santorini, and the list goes on. All while still making stops for us for restroom breaks and making sure we made it back to cruise ship perfectly on time to see sunset.
Review of Private Shore Excursion: The Best of Santorini
Genevieve E. · Cruise guest · via Tripadvisor · June 2025 ★★★★★
Before we left I knew that we wanted a more personal and tailored tour to explore Santorini than the cruise ship was offering. … it was a brilliant tour and possibly the best one we took during the week.
Review of Santorini by Car with a Local
Emma D. · Cruise guest · via Tripadvisor · October 2025 ★★★★★
What an awesome way to explore Santorini when we just had one day on a cruise ship to see this island. Billy was tour guide and he was a 10 out of 10 and beyond. He gave us so much history and knowledge of the island …
Review of Santorini by Car with a Local
Kelly S. · Cruise guest · via Viator · September 2025 ★★★★★
Nik arranged for a beer/wine tasting tour followed by a home cooked dinner from a local small holder. … Chris was very knowledgeable about the wines but surpassed himself with his culinary knowledge and skills.
Review of Greece Holiday Tours
Hockbitt · Guest · via Tripadvisor · June 2026
Questions about this tour
Where do we meet if we arrive by cruise ship?
At the top of the Fira cable car. Your guide waits just outside the exit, holding a Greece Holiday Tours sign.
What happens if my ship or tender is delayed?
Don’t worry. We adjust the tour time to when you arrive, and your guide waits for you at the cable car exit.
What if my ship can’t stop at Santorini?
You get a full refund. If your ship skips Santorini, or the tender boats can’t run that day, we refund everything you paid.
Do we need to take the cable car?
Yes, if your ship anchors off Fira. Take the tender to the Old Port, then the cable car up to town (€10 per person, one way, paid at the station). Your guide meets you at the cable car exit. You can walk up the steps instead, but allow extra time for the climb.
What is the difference between a small-group and a private tour?
On a small-group tour you share the vehicle and guide with other guests on a set route. On a private tour the vehicle and guide are for your party only, so you can shape the route and the pace.
