City Tours

Santorini Bus Tour: The Majestic Spots of Santorini & Akrotiri

Mother and daughter walking on a cobblestone path in Santorini, Greece, with sea view.

Boats docked at Amoudi port below Oia caldera, Santorini, with red cliffs and white buildings.

Red Beach in Santorini with red cliffs and turquoise water.

Amphorae among ancient ruins at Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Santorini, Greece.

Duration

10 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers included

Travel across Santorini in comfort with shared transfers and an expert guide, visiting the island’s most iconic villages, historic sites, and stunning viewpoints.

Take in panoramic views from the Prophet Elias Monastery, perched at the island’s highest point, and enjoy a peaceful look at monastic life above the clouds.

Wander through Pyrgos, one of Santorini’s most traditional villages, and discover narrow alleyways, hidden chapels, and authentic Cycladic charm away from the crowds.

Explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, a once-thriving Bronze Age settlement buried in volcanic ash, and marvel at preserved homes, artifacts, and city planning over 3,500 years old.

End your journey in Oia, where whitewashed houses and windmills cling to the cliffs—find the perfect spot to watch the world’s most famous sunset paint the caldera in golden hues.

10-hour full-day bus tour across Santorini and the Akrotiri excavation site

Shared air-conditioned transfers with pick-up and drop-off services

Expert English-speaking guide

Visits to 6 scenic and cultural stops: Prophet Elias Monastery, Pyrgos Village, Akrotiri excavations, Red Beach, Fira Town, Oia Village

Free time in Fira and Oia

Entrance fee to Akrotiri Excavations (€12)

Guided tour inside the Akrotiri site

Meals, drinks, or entrance fees at personal stops

FIRST DEPARTUREProphet Elias Monastery
LAST DEPARTUREProphet Elias Monastery
Timeline
Map
Start point
13 starting points available
1. Exo Gonia
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2. Megalochori
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3. Akrotiri
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4. Emporio
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5. Perissa
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6. Perivolos
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7. Vlichada
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8. Pyrgos
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9. Fira
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10. Karterados
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11. Messaria
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12. Monolithos
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13. Kamari
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8 min
4.5 km
1. Prophet Elias Monastery
20 min
5 min
2.5 km
2. Pyrgos Village
30 min
10 min
5.5 km
3. Akrotiri archaeological site
60 min
5 min
3 km
4. Red Beach
40 min
15 min
9.5 km
5. Fira Town
60 min
30 min
16 km
6. Oia Village
90 min
End point
13 ending points available
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.6
545 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Emma
Aug 2021
Verified booking
5/5
Comfortable bus tour with enjoyable commentry from guide. Really enjoyed it!
Sadie
Aug 2021
Verified booking
5/5
Loved the beach part of the tour - was definitely my highlight!
John
Jul 2021
Verified booking
5/5
Loved all the spots. I got a lot of great pictures too. It was a well-paced tour - got time to enjoy and relax. I felt like going once again after back!!!
Headout Guest
Aug 2024
Verified booking
4/5
Headout Guest
Aug 2024
Verified booking
5/5

What to bring

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the tour includes cobbled streets, uneven paths, and short uphill walks at locations like Pyrgos, Fira, and Oia.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as several stops, such as Prophet Elias Monastery and Red Beach, offer little to no shade.

You’ll have free time in Fira and Oia, so carrying a small day bag with water, snacks, or a light jacket is a good idea.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you'd like to swim or relax near Red Beach during your free time.

What's not allowed

Photography is welcome at most stops, but flash and selfie sticks are not allowed inside the Akrotiri site—look out for signage.

Accessibility

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users due to uneven terrain and limited accessibility at some stops.

Additional information

The entrance ticket to Akrotiri excavations is not included in the tour price, so be prepared to pay €12 at the site entrance.

The visit to Akrotiri is self-guided, so take your time walking through the ruins and reading the signs and displays along the way.

Infants aged 4 and under can enter for free with an ID. Reduced or free admission is available at the ticket counter for eligible visitors such as children aged 6 to 18 from non-EU countries, EU citizens aged 25 or under and 65 or over, children under 5, and people with disabilities, with valid documentation.

The tour involves multiple stops with fixed durations, so returning to the bus on time at each location is essential to avoid delays.

The sunset in Oia is a highlight of the tour, so arrive at the chosen viewpoint early to secure a good spot for photos.

Although the bus returns to your original pickup point, some walking may be required at the end of the day, depending on road access during sunset hours in Oia.

My Tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Please display your mobile voucher along with a valid photo ID to your guide.

If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification.

Kindly ensure that you arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Transfers

This ticket includes pickups and drop-offs from specified meeting points.

On the day of your tour, please arrive at your preferred meeting point 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.

Pick-up Point Itinerary

Kamari: 11:15 AM

Monolithos: 11:20 AM

Messaria: 11:20 AM

Karderado: 11:25 AM

Fira: 11:30 AM

Pyrgos: 11:35 AM

Perissa: 11:15 AM

Perivolos: 11:20 AM

Emporio: 11:20 AM

Vlichada: 11:20 AM

Akrotiri: 11:25 AM

Megalochori: 11:30 AM

Validity

This ticket is valid on the date and time selected during checkout.