
Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery worth booking?
Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery is a 4.5-hour experience in Santorini, Greece, from $769 per person. It scores 41 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 14 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 41 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (14)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $769 per person
While you’re in the old port in Santorini, discover the beauty of the island on a private shore excursion. Firstly, you will enjoy a short ride with the cable car to ascend to Fira and board your private bus. Then, your private guide will lead you around the island on a scenic sightseeing tour, showing you rocky landscapes, vineyards and fabulous views of the beautiful coastline. Visit the highest peak of the island, Profitis Ilias, where a monastery of the same name sits. Discover the small village of Oia, built on a steep slope of the volcanic caldera, and wander around its little shops that offer traditional, handmade products. Then in Fira, the capital of Santorini, enjoy a short cable car ride to the pier.
What you get
About this experience
While you’re in the old port in Santorini, discover the beauty of the island on a private shore excursion. Firstly, you will enjoy a short ride with the cable car to ascend to Fira and board your private bus. Then, your private guide will lead you around the island on a scenic sightseeing tour, showing you rocky landscapes, vineyards and fabulous views of the beautiful coastline. Visit the highest peak of the island, Profitis Ilias, where a monastery of the same name sits. Discover the small village of Oia, built on a steep slope of the volcanic caldera, and wander around its little shops that offer traditional, handmade products. Then in Fira, the capital of Santorini, enjoy a short cable car ride to the pier.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Transport by private air-conditoned vehicle and professional driver
- Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Port pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Meals
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Monastery of Profitis Ilias
You will be transferred from the ship by a colourful local boat to Athinios where you will join the waiting motor coach. A short journey brings you to Santorini’s highest peak, crowned by the Mt. Profitis Ilias monastery. Here you will have an ideal photo opportunity to capture the beauty of this island.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Oia
Proceed to the most northern tip of the island to experience the unique village of Oia. This dramatic small village built on a steep slope of the caldera has many of its dwellings nestled in niches hewn into the volcanic rock. As you walk through its narrow cobbled streets, you will come across many tiny shops which offer a varied and unusual collection of hand-made works of ceramic art, paintings and semi-precious jewelry. Oia, perched on the edge of the cliffs offers spectacular views of Fira and the volcano.
40 minutes here
Fira
After your tour, you will be taken to Fira town. You will have some time to explore Fira and take some pictures. Then, enjoy a short cable car ride down to the pier.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Achtypis Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- At time of booking, Cruise Ship passengers must provide the following details under Special Requirements: Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Please enter your preferred pickup time in the Special Requirements box at the time of booking, and reconfirm 48 hours prior to the tour’s departure time
- Children who do not occupy a seat are free of charge. Children who occupy a seat and are up to 11 years old, benefit from a discount
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour
We enjoyed our tour in Santorini and our guide Marina was very good. The day was very hot and crowded with tourists but she managed to get us to the best locations with the least people and we took some beautiful photos. She provided just the right amount of information and manged to get us into a nice restaurant for lunch after the tour. Thanks!
via Viator
An awesome tour. Our guide met us...
<p>An awesome tour. Our guide met us at the bottom of the cable car with out ticket for the ride up. A short walk to our driver and van. Andrea was a very knowledgeable guide and did an excellent job!</p>
via Viator
Constantina was an amazing tour...
<p>Constantina was an amazing tour guide. She made us feel like family. Santorini was the highlight of our vacation thanks to her. I would highly recommend Viator and ask for Constantina. You will not be disappointed.</p>
via Viator
Santorini is a beautiful island but...
<p>Santorini is a beautiful island but with 4 cruise ships in port on the same day, it was overwhelmingly crowded. We started our tour in Fira and took the cable car to the top of the cliff to reach the town. Our tour guide met us at the bottom and we rode up to meet the driver. It was early in the morning and our first stop was Mt. Profitis Ilias, the highest point and the location of a monastery. As we are driving for about 30 minutes, there was a lot of fog and once we reached the top, we could see nothing! The tour guide also told us that she had never been to the monastery when it was open so she wasn't sure we could get in. She should have told us this and offered another alternative than going to some spot with fog and nowhere to go! That was very disappointing. We would have preferred to spend the time in beautiful Oia. Oia was the highlight of the tour but it was very crowded due to the number of ships in port. The trip was also scheduled to last 4.5 hours but she took us back to Fira after 3 hours. She seemed to be in a hurry to leave us! Once in Fira, we had a wonderful lunch on our own overlooking the water and left to catch the cable car around 2 pm. The line was probably at least 2 hours so we walked down the donkey trail to catch the tender boat at the bottom. That was horrible! The smell and the number of donkeys was unbearable. The trail is also uneven and difficult to navigate, trying to avoid donkeys and their deposits along the route! Santorini is beautiful but these annoyances will probably be what we remember the most!</p>
via Viator
Zina was excellent and new...
<p>Zina was excellent and new everything about this beautiful<br/> island. I wish we could of had her longer though.<br/> She even called ahead and got us a amazing table for lunch</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $769 to $1,299
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Achtypis Tours, who run 18 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 42.1.
See everything Achtypis Tours runsWhy this scores 41
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santorini.
How much does Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery cost?
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Prices start at $769 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santorini usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery take?
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Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santorini is not rushed.
Is Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 41 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Santorini, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santorini can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santorini and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santorini within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Santorini?
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On Outty we rank every Santorini experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Half Day Premium Catamaran Cruise in Santorini including Oia, Private Santorini Tailor Made - Choice of the Guest!, Private Tailor-Made Santorini Land Tour with a Local Driver. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Santorini?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery?
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Included: Professional guide; Transport by private air-conditoned vehicle and professional driver; Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee; and Port pickup and drop-off. Not included: Meals; Entrance fees; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 199 listed pickup locations in and around Santorini.
What languages is Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Santorini. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Santorini Private Scenic Shore Excursion: Oia, Mt Profitis and Ilias Monastery?
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Across 14 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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