The Best Santorini Small-Group Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Step off your cruise ship and explore Santorini on a small-group shore excursion designed specifically for cruise passengers. Visit top sights like Oia and Firostefani’s famous blue-domed churches while enjoying panoramic island views and local insights from an expert guide. Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a maximum of 19 guests for a personalized experience. The tour departs conveniently from the Fira cable car exit and is carefully timed to match cruise schedules, ensuring a smooth, stress-free adventure.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Full refund if ship is unable to dock
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Professional Local English-speaking tour guide
Small Group Shore Excursion (limited at 19 guests)
One complimentary bottle per person
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Air-conditioned vehicle
Meals
Gratuities (Optional: Recommend 10% for guides, and 5% for bus drivers)
Cable car ticket (one way)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Athinios Port Santorini
If your cruise ship docks at Athinios Port, you'll first take a short transfer to Fira via local transportation or cable car before beginning your guided tour. The excursion is timed to fit your ship’s schedule, with pickup arranged near the Fira cable car exit for easy access.
Firostefani
Embark on a half-day tour showcasing Santorini’s most iconic sights, including the stunning village of Firostefani. Enjoy panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and Caldera, and don’t miss the chance to photograph the island’s famous blue-domed church nestled in this peaceful cliffside neighborhood.
Options
Ticket for a shared tour
Meeting Point for Tour: Upon debarkation from the tender, please take the cable car to the top. The tour commences at the exit in Fira Town.
Starting point:
Santorini Cable Car - Upper Station, Ipapantis 10, Thira 847 00, Greece
Ticket for Skip Cable Car Tour
SKIP CABLE CAR TOUR!: For select cruise ships only: on the busiest docking dates in Santorini we offer a special tour, skipping the cable car
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a shared tour. It allows to skip the cable car which on some dates can take many hours.
Pick-up by Boat: Upon arrival by your ship’s tender to the Santorini harbor, we will pick you up by our boat, skipping the cable car.
Return by Boat: At the end of the tour, we will return you to your tender pick-up point by boat, once again avoiding cable car lines.
Included in tour price: This option already includes the private boat transfer in the price. There are no additional costs with this option.
Book an early tender!: Please book an early tender directly with your cruise ship's staff to ensure timely arrival.
Starting point:
Santorini Old Harbor, Fira 847 00, Greece
Private Tour - Driver + Guide
Private Guide + Vehicle: This private tour provides a personal guide and vehicle, with a flexible itinerary tailored to your wishes.
Duration: 5 hours: The tour is 4-5 hours long depending on the traffic at the port. Our goal is to make sure we get you back to the port on time
Designed to your wishes: A private tour has a fully customizable itinerary - you can spend your time as and where you wish!
Starting point:
Santorini Cable Car - Upper Station, Ipapantis 10, Thira 847 00, Greece
Private Tour with a Driver
Private Car + Driver: Includes an English-speaking driver and a personal vehicle for a duration of 4-5 hours
Duration: 5 hours: The tour is 4-5 hours long depending on the traffic at the port. Our goal is to make sure we get you back to the port on time
No tour guide: The driver can provide general overview, but please note drivers are not certified tour guides.
Starting point:
Santorini Cable Car - Upper Station, Ipapantis 10, Thira 847 00, Greece
Shared Skip Cable Car Tour
SKIP CABLE CAR TOUR!: For select cruise ships only: on the busiest docking dates in Santorini we offer a special tour, skipping the cable car
Shared Tour: This is a ticket for a shared tour. It allows to skip the cable car which on some dates can take many hours.
Pick-up by Boat: Upon arrival by your ship’s tender to the Santorini harbor, we will pick you up by our boat, skipping the cable car.
Return by Boat: At the end of the tour, we will return you to your tender pick-up point by boat, once again avoiding cable car lines.
Included in tour price: This option already includes the private boat transfer in the price. There are no additional costs with this option.
Book an early tender!: Please book an early tender directly with your cruise ship's staff to ensure timely arrival.
Starting point:
Santorini Old Harbor, Fira 847 00, Greece
Private Skip Cable Car Tour
Skip the cable car!: Private guided tour and shared boat transfers from the Old Port to the Athinios Port and back - bypass the cable car!
Private tour&shared boat rides: The boat transfers are shared with other guests. The private tour starts at Athinios Port where you meet your guide & driver.
Starting point:
Santorini Old Harbor, Fira 847 00, Greece
Shared Tour from Athinios Port
Meeting Point for Tour: Once you disembark from your cruise ship at Athinios Port, look for your guide holding a sign that reads 'VEXPERIO.'
Starting point:
Thira Santorini Port, Órmos Athiniós 847 00, Greece
Shared Tour of Santorini
Meeting Point: Upon debarkation from the tender, please take the cable car to the top. The tour commences at the exit in Fira Town.
Starting point:
Santorini Cable Car - Upper Station, Ipapantis 10, Thira 847 00, Greece
Reviews
326 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent tour
Laura E,
Aug 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00Driver and guide were very knowledgeable and accommodating. Best day tour of Santorini, grandparents, parents and 8yr olds enjoyed immensely
Santorini Tour
Martin M,
Aug 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great tour with excellent driver and guide. They even contacted us by phone as we were delayed getting off the ship. they waited about 10 minutes and we got on the tour. Super service and a truly great tour.
once in a lifetime
Melissa h,
Aug 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00lovey small group, great guide. worthwhile to skip the cable lines!You go to some very busy places, but it's once in a lifetime! Black beach is crowded. It's a long day with no included meal.
Wonderful experience!...
Miriam M,
Aug 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00Wonderful experience! Informative, and so much fun. Even our driver sang to us. Highly recommend Ana as a tour guide.
A great experience
Robert T,
Aug 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00After the initial meeting up, it was a great experience. It was a little confusing as you had to take the cable car up to the top of the cliffs where you would meet your guide. For those contemplating this, just ride up to the top in the station exit, there is a waiting room. Guys will come up there with your name on a paper and you join up with it there. The actual tour was very interesting and somewhat tailored to 2-hour desires. We did have some physical limitations in our group but were well accommodated for. Our guide and driver were great and we did see everything of interest we wanted to see. We were also very fortunate there was only one other ship in Port. We were actually able to get to those famous spots for the blue roof pictures.
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Operated by Vexperio