Private Guided Profitis Elias Monastery, Oia and Winery Tour

Due to its fascinating geography, more than 5,000 years of history, and its unique hospitality, all of our tours on Santorini include a professionally trained, licensed guide so you get an in-depth experience which you would not receive by merely being driven around with a guide book. You will meet your guide on the pier of Fira after tendering ashore. They will escort you via cable car to the town of Fira, where you will walk to your transportation. Departing Fira, you will drive to the village of Oia, located at the northern tip of the island. As you travel along, you will see the different layers of lava the volcano had produced, making a timeline of the island's history. Oia offers magnificent views of the caldera and the rest of the other islands. Depending on the time of day, the sun paints the cliffs with different shades of color and light like an ever-changing landscape painting. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Oia attracts so many artists. With its cobblestone streets, beautiful old mansions and houses perched on the cliffside, you can admire the traditional Cycladic architecture for which Santorini is so well known.

From Oia, you will travel across the terraced island, through Pyrgos village and make your way up to the highest peak of Santorini, Mt. Profitis Ilias. (883 feet) Here a monastery of the same name was built in 1712. Although you cannot enter the monastery, you can enjoy its magnificent view of the entire island from the south end of Perissa Beach to the north part of the island were Oia village is situated. After the photo stop, you will drive to one of the local wineries on the island. Here you will gain an insight into how wines were once produced on the island, as well as learning of the unique way in which grapes are grown and harvested on Santorini. After the orientation, you will be able to sample three of the most famous wines of Santorini.

From the winery, you will make your way back to the town of Fira, the picturesque capital town of the island built on the rim of the caldera wall. Your guide will lead you to the major pedestrian street where they will give you a brief orientation of how to navigate the town before you begin your free time. Wander the endless maze of whitewashed streets looking for jewelry, gifts, or the perfect view of the caldera while you enjoy a coffee or wine. When you are ready to return to your ship, use your included cable car ticket to return to the tender pier in Fira.

The afternoon tours will visit the winery first and then travel to Oia. Sunset time in July / August is between 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Please Note: The tour duration does not include the time required to tender ashore from your ship or to ascend from the tender pier to Fira Town by included cable car ride. Please be aware that the waiting time for the cable car can be extensive when there are several ships in the port. Groups of ten or more guests will be tendered from the pier at Fira to the pier at Athinios and begin their tour from there. All tours end in Fira and include a return cable car ticket to the tender pier in Fira to be used at your convenience. This tour offers customized departure times between 7:30 AM and 7:00 PM. If your preferred departure time is not listed, please contact us to place your request.