Santorini Island: Guided Tour From Heraklion Crete

Overview

Available languages

German

Russian

English

Italian

Polish

French

Mobile ticket

Santorini is the southern island of the Cyclades, with an area of 76 km square and a coastline of 70 km long. Many legends take place on this island, as it is called the "Lost Atlantis" or the "Pompeii of the Aegean". Around 1450 BC, as a result of powerful volcanic explosion, most of the island sank into the sea, shaping the island as warped crescent, with a steep cliff (altitude 300 m) in the western part and gently sloping beaches in the east.

You will visit the towns of Oia and Fira, famous for its beautiful white houses and stunning views. Optionally, you can take a boat trip to the volcano (extra charge).

You will have the opportunity to learn the fascinating history of this amazing place, take unique photos, and buy souvenirs! You will spend 6 hours in total on Santorini island. The tour will be by air-conditioned bus with free time in each of the stops. You will spend 2hours 15 minutes on the ferry each way.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.

Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels, no more than 800m. All the villages between Fodele, Agia Pelagia, Amoudara from the West Heraklion; and Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Gournes, Hersonissos, Stalida, Malia, Sissi from the East of Heraklion city. Please, arrive 5-10 minutes before the departure time.

If you cannot find your pickup location, please, contact us. When booking, always indicate the hotel/airbnb of your stay in Crete, and your contact phone number. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up.

If your hotel is located in the city of Heraklion, you have to arrive to the Heraklion port on your own (by taxi, walking or rental car).

Upon arrival at Heraklion port, the staff of the SeaJets Kiosk will assist you in exchanging your voucher for a ferry boarding ticket.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Return tickets for the fastest ferry Sea Jets (2h15min each way to Santorini)

Additional insurance for tour participants

Guided bus tour on the island of Santorini (air-conditioned bus, certified tour guide).

Pick-up from the specific bus stops, no more than 800m from your hotel (EXCEPT Heraklion city)

Pick-up from remote areas or hotels (we will notify you at the moment of booking).

Pick-up from the hotels within the city of Heraklion (you should arrive to the port on your own).

Entrance to the museums, other personal expenses.

No meals or drinks are included, you can purchase them on the boat / in Santorini within your free time.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Oia's Main Street

Oia is a scenic village on the north west edge of the Santorini island within the Cyclades. It extends for almost 2 kms along the northern edge of the caldera that forms the island of Santorini, at a height of between 70 and 100 metres above sea level. Oia typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades, in many cases built directly into niches which are cave houses used by crew of the ships, on the lip of the volcanic crater, between which are narrow alleys and blue-roofed churches with cupolas. The landscape is stunning, Oia's white houses are contrasting with the black and red volcanic rocks of the island.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Three Bells of Fira

Fira is a capital of the island and a city of white-washed houses built on the edge of the 400 metres high caldera on the western edge of the island. You will enjoy 1,5 hour walk, during which you can see The Three Bells Church, White Orthodox Cathedral of Ypapanti, built on the site of an earlier church destroyed in the 1956 Amorgos earthquake. The infinite blue color of the sea merging at the horizon with the Mediterranean sky is reflected on the domes of the churches. The two main museums of interest that you may want to take a look is the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira. From Fira there is a panoramic view of the 18 kilometres long caldera of the volcano.

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Heraklion Port - No pick-up

No pick-up offered: The travelers who stay within Heraklion city should arrive at the port on their own.

Pick-up -Agios Nikolaos region

Transfer - Agios Nikolaos area: Pick-up at the specific bus stops in the areas: Agios Nikolaos/Elounda/Istron
Pickup included

Pick-up - Rethymno region

From Rethymno to Heraklion: Every Thursday transfer from Rethymno region to the port of Heraklion, extra payment on the bus is 15 euros.
Transfer from Rethymno region: Pick-up at the specific bus stops in the areas: Rethymno/Kavros/Georgioupoli/Platanias/Scaleta/Panorama
Pickup included

Pick-up - Heraklion region

Transfer from Heraklion region: Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Amudara/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia.
Pickup included

Reviews

4.34

56 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Incredible excursion with...
Teddy G,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Incredible excursion with the option volcano negative point the visit of Oia with children is very sporty but to do in hesitation
Good experience
Sightseer20262874952,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Good guide who had a lot of information about the island. Santorini is unbelievably full in October too, you have to prepare for that.
Be prepared for crowds!...
Debra G,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Be prepared for crowds! VERY long day, but well worth it. You are bussed from the port to two separate cities on the island, given time on your own at each, then bussed back to the port.
Santorini, beautiful!
Paradise43685957863,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The guide was great, the driver was top and very careful and the whole tour was super well organized. It was a bit windy but the sun was out. Very nice experience!
Great taster visit to Santorini!
Joanne S,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This really ticked all the boxes my teenage girls needed to experience Santorini. The ferry was quicker than expected and we were given lots of time in each town to explore and enjoy. And Sophia, our guide, was very helpful and lots of fun.
Must do when you are in Crete!
69lilianab,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Everything was perfectly organized before the trip and during the trip. The only issue was the AC in the bus. Salut to the bus drive #33 that got us safely to our destination in the. Very narrow roads
Disappointment...
c cilem848,
Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Long journey (boat and bus) for very little time on site (1h30+2h). Tour at the pace and restaurant recommended by the guide where we are taken for pigeons (18th the gyros, 7th sauce, 7th fries) and all this not specified to order!!!!! Excursion at a more than excessive price.
Great trip to Santorini
Andi123446,
Jun 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I can recommend the trip to Santorini with this provider gladly. We had a pleasantly air-conditioned bus, a very nice tour guide who spoke super German and provided a good atmosphere. She took very good care of us. We were also lucky that the number of visitors was not as high as on days when several cruise ships dock. Santorini is definitely worth seeing
Beautiful
vanessa t,
May 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Very nice day 4 stars because most of the day by bus or ferry But coming to Crete and not visiting unthinkable Santorini Everything is very well organized from hotel pickup, ferry, tours and return. Thanks to our guide Carine for all his explanations. Memorable day
Family of 3 who wanted to visit Santorini for the day.
JoDee B,
Oct 21, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour guide was very nice, friendly and informative. We have not had a very good experience with Greek people being warm or nice on our travels. So it was a nice change to have such a friendly and warm tour guide and bus driver. The tour is exactly as promised. It’s very well organized. I’ve seen complaints that it wasn’t explained where to go or what to do. We received instructions and pictures. We had multiple emails and texts confirming. We felt it was a nice day trip to visit Santorini. Thank you.