Fernwayer’s Santorini Tours

Santorini is often reduced to a single image: white villages clinging to the caldera, blue domes, and sunsets seen from crowded viewpoints. Yet the island is far more complex. Beyond its iconic scenery, Santorini is shaped by volcanic ground, agricultural resilience, and a network of villages and sea routes that tell a deeper story of how people have lived, worked, and adapted here for centuries. Fernwayer approaches Santorini by shifting the focus from what is merely seen to what can be experienced through people and places. Our experiences are designed to move across the island and its surroundings, connecting villages, kitchens, vineyards, archaeological sites, and coastal routes into a coherent reading. By working with local hosts, guides, and producers, Fernwayer offers access to settings and encounters that reveal how the island functions beyond its most photographed moments.

You might explore the island’s volcanic past through the agricultural practices it sustains today, listen to ancient music and myth through the voice of an artist who handcrafts instruments on the island, or wander the narrow streets of an inland village where Cycladic houses stand alongside Venetian remains, reflecting the layered histories that define the island’s identity. Each experience is is built around around real contexts and human connections, offering a grounded way to understand Santorini as it is lived today.

Fernwayer’s essentials in Santorini introduce you to the island by easing you into its rhythm, alongside locals who live and work there every day. You will cook with a local chef inside a traditional house carved into volcanic rock, then share lunch together on a terrace overlooking the Aegean. You will explore the island’s turbulent volcanic past by immersing yourself in the stories of Akrotiri. You move through the inland villages at the same pace as the people who live there, joining conversations under a plane tree over coffee, talking with a local craftsperson, and learning how tomatoes and vines are grown in a volcanic land that is both harsh and generous. Or you will take to the sea to admire the caldera at sunset or experience an adventure on Santorini’s twin island, Thirassia.

Explore our essential Santorini tours below or see all Santorini experiences here.

Walking Tours

Wander through the early-morning streets of Fira and Oia, when the island moves at a gentler pace and familiar landmarks take on unexpected nuances. Explore ancient Akrotiri, unearthed from volcanic ash and often described as the Pompeii of the Aegean. In Megalochori and Pyrgos, let the morning unfold slowly among courtyards, bell towers, and the scent of baked bread. Ancient vineyards and black stone houses show how farming and settlement adapted to Santorini’s volcanic terrain. Our itineraries are designed to show Santorini beyond postcard views, connecting archaeology, villages, and everyday spaces through routes that help you understand how landscape and memory continue to define the island’s identity.

Boat Tours

Discover Santorini from the water, seeing its dramatic cliffs, the caldera, and the surrounding islets from a different perspective that helps you understand the island’s geology while enjoying the splendor of the Aegean Sea. Fernwayer’s boat itineraries combine coastal navigation with context, linking time on the water to specific places and stories rather than treating sailing as a standalone activity. Routes move past the Red, White, and Black beaches, stop near the hot springs, or reach Thirassia by sea. What Fernwayer offers is a set of distinct itineraries allowing you to choose how the sea fits into your time on the island without turning it into a generic cruise.

Food & Wine Tours

Indulge in Santorini’s flavors through experiences rooted in tradition and shaped by the island’s volcanic character. Fernwayer’s experiences focus on how these conditions translate into everyday cooking, winemaking, and the cultivation of local ingredients. You might cook in a cave house in Megalochori, taste wines made from native grapes in family-run wineries, or trace ingredients such as fava, sun-dried tomatoes, and local varieties across villages. What Fernwayer provides is access to places and producers where food is part of daily life, offering context and continuity between landscape, ingredients, and tradition instead of isolated culinary moments.

Santorini Key Areas Guide

Fira

Fira is the island’s main transport hub. It’s where museums, shops, and services are concentrated, and where most road connections converge. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera provide useful historical context before exploring the rest of the island. Fira is also the starting point of the caldera walk toward Imerovigli and Oia. Restaurants and bars are spread throughout the town, with options ranging from casual to more refined. Fira works well as a base for travelers who want easy access to transport and a central position. Recommended experience: A Perfect Day in Santorini.

Oia

Oia is best known for its caldera views and compact historic center. Beyond the well-known sunset viewpoints, the village includes small museums and art galleries, and walking paths toward Ammoudi Bay. Early mornings and evenings reveal a quieter side of the village, when its architecture and layout are easier to appreciate. Oia is primarily a place to explore on foot, with limited vehicle access in the core area. Dining options are concentrated along the caldera edge.

Inland villages

The inland villages offer a different reading of Santorini, centered on traditional architecture, fortified settlements, agricultural landscapes, and local craftmanship. Pyrgos features a hilltop castle and panoramic views, while Megalochori and Emporeio are known for narrow alleys, historic houses, and village squares. This area is closely connected to Santorini’s wine production, with several wineries nearby. Exploring these villages provides insight into everyday life. Recommended experience: Santorini: Myth, Sound, Flavor.

Akrotiri

Akrotiri is defined by its archaeological site, one of the most significant prehistoric settlements in the Aegean. The excavations offer a structured visit that benefits from contextual explanation. The surrounding area includes open landscapes, vineyards, and access to the southern coastline. Nearby viewpoints and the lighthouse provide a broader sense of the island’s geography. Recommended experience: Akrotiri, The Lost City.

Perissa and Kamari

Perissa and Kamari lie on the eastern side of the island and are defined by long volcanic-sand beaches. The area is flatter and more linear than the caldera towns, making it easier to move around on foot. Dining options are concentrated along the beachfront promenades, with a mix of casual tavernas and modern restaurants. These areas are primarily beach-oriented and work well for travelers prioritizing swimming and a slower daily rhythm.

Thirassia

Thirassia sits opposite Santorini’s caldera and offers a different scale and rhythm. The island has a few settlements, walking paths, and viewpoints facing the main island, along with a handful of local tavernas and small wineries. The exploration is mostly on foot once on the island. Thirassia is reached by boat from Santorini, with crossings of around 10–20 minutes. It’s typically visited on a short trip, making it easy to combine walking, views, and a meal on the island. Recommended experience: An Escape to Thirassia.

How to get to Santorini? Santorini is reached by flight or ferry. The island has direct year-round flights from Athens, with a flight time of about 45 minutes. During the main season, Santorini is also connected by direct flights to several European cities, while there are no direct intercontinental flights. By sea, ferries depart mainly from Piraeus port in Athens, with travel times ranging from about 5 to 8 hours, depending on the type of ferry. What is the smoothest private arrival? From Santorini National Airport (JTR) or from the Athinios ferry port, the smoothest onward transfer is a pre-arranged car or driver, especially during busy periods when taxis are limited. Distances on the island are relatively short, but coordinating transport on arrival can take time without prior arrangements.

Where should I base myself — and why? Choosing where to stay in Santorini depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for. Fira is the most central base, well connected and convenient if you want easy access to restaurants, shops, and transport. Oia is ideal if you’re drawn to iconic views, but it’s also the place where large numbers of visitors gather every day, especially in the late afternoon for sunset. Staying in Oia works best if you can enjoy it outside peak hours, in the early mornings and evenings, when it regains a quieter and more polished atmosphere. Pyrgos offers a more residential feel and a strong sense of local life, with the advantage of being centrally located on the island. For those prioritizing beaches and a slower pace, areas like Perissa or Kamari can work well, though they are less connected to the rest of the island. How do I move around effortlessly? Santorini is not an island best explored on foot alone. While buses are reliable on main routes, they can be limiting if you want flexibility. Renting a car or hiring a private driver is the most efficient way to move around, especially if you plan to visit wineries, beaches, or villages beyond the caldera. Taxis are limited and should be booked in advance. How far ahead do I need to book restaurants? In high season, popular restaurants, especially those with caldera views, should be booked well in advance. In July and August, planning at least one to two weeks ahead is strongly recommended, and even earlier for particularly sought-after spots. Outside peak months, reservations are still advisable, but availability is generally more flexible. When should I visit to avoid crowds? The best times to visit Santorini are late April to early June and September to October. During these months, the island is lively but more manageable, with pleasant weather and fewer day visitors. July and August are the busiest months. Crowding is highly concentrated in specific places and time windows, particularly at sunset in Oia. Is Santorini only about views and sunsets? While the caldera views are undeniably striking, Santorini has much more to offer. Beyond the cliffs, the island reveals archaeological sites, traditional villages, vineyards shaped by volcanic soil, local craftsmanship, and a contemporary creative scene, offering a deeper understanding of the island as a lived place, not just a backdrop. How many days do I really need in Santorini? Santorini works best with at least three full days, while four days are the best option if you want to balance landscapes, food, beaches, and cultural sites without rushing. Two days often feel compressed, especially once travel time and logistics are factored in. A common mistake is squeezing Santorini into a single overnight stop. Can I visit wineries without a car? Santorini’s wineries are spread across the island and are poorly connected by public transport. Visiting them independently without a car is impractical and often means missing key producers. The most effective way to explore Santorini’s wine scene is with organized transfers or guided experiences, which also provide context on volcanic soils, local grape varieties, and production methods that are hard to grasp on your own. Is it easy to combine Santorini with another island? Yes, it is relatively easy. Santorini has direct ferry connections with several Cycladic islands, with routes that are more frequent from late spring to early autumn. The closest and most commonly combined island is Ios, about 30–40 minutes by high-speed ferry. Anafi is also very close, with crossings of about 1–1.5 hours. Other frequent direct connections include Mykonos, typically 2–3 hours by high-speed ferry, and Paros and Naxos, usually reached in around 2–4 hours. Do I need a guide for archaeological sites like Akrotiri? While sites like Akrotiri can be visited independently, a guide adds substantial value. The settlement is complex, and much of what makes it significant isn’t immediately visible without explanation. Guided visits help place the site within the broader context of the island’s history and landscape, turning a short visit into a clearer and more meaningful experience. Is Santorini a romantic destination? Santorini is widely considered a romantic destination and is especially popular with couples. It also works for solo travelers or friends, but it’s less centered on nightlife or social scenes and more focused on landscapes, food, and cultural sites. How physically demanding is Santorini? Santorini can involve some physical effort, especially in caldera towns where there are steps, sloped paths, and elevation changes. In summer, heat can add to the overall feeling of effort. This doesn’t make the island difficult to visit, but it’s useful to be aware of the terrain when planning your days. Many areas are easily reached with short transfers, and most itineraries can be adjusted without difficulty to different paces and comfort levels. Is Santorini a good choice for a first trip to Greece? Santorini can work well as a first introduction to Greece, especially for travelers drawn to landscapes, history, and food. However, it’s important to know that it represents a very specific version of the country. The island’s geography, architecture, and pace are quite different from mainland Greece or other islands.

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Walking Tours in Santorini