A Detailed Guide to the Santorini: Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting & Sunset in Oia, Cyclades
The charming and laid-back, yet elegant island of Santorini has become one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Europe. Its rocky caldera, crystal-clear waters, and breathtakingly beautiful whitewashed buildings, perched on cliffs and hillsides have earned it the name, “The Jewel of the Aegean Sea’. Amongst this beauty, a Santorini Highlights tour combined with a wine-tasting and breathtaking sunset in the legendary Oia village is the experience of a life time. In this guide, we’ll explore what to expect from this unique experience, and suggest some additional activities to really make the most of it.
What to Expect from a Santorini Highlights Tour
A Santorini Highlights Tour is designed to capture the spirit of this stunning Greek island in a complete package, and allow visitors to see the best that it has to offer. Depending on the tour operator you choose, it may include some of the activities listed below:
- Transfers to and from your hotel to the tour locations
- A visit to Oia Village and its beautiful sunset
- A visit to Akrotiri Ancient Village, with its incredible architecture and grounds composed of ash and solidified lava
- A visit to the Archeological Museum in Fira, Santorini’s capital and largest village
- A visit to Pyrgos village, perched dramatically on its own hilltop, with views across two thirds of Santorini
- A visit to one of the island’s wineries, where you can taste some of the regions famous wines
Depending on the operator, you may also be offered tailor-made experiences that include water sports, walking tours, a panoramic tour of the whole island, or visit to vineyards.
The Sunset Experience in Oia
No tour of Santorini would be complete without a visit to Oia Village, where you can experience what many believe to be the most beautiful sunset in Europe. This incredible installation of light will no doubt leave you mesmerized as it reflecting off the white buildings and sparkling sea beyond. It is very much worth getting there early in order to get the best vantage point, as the tight cobbled streets and steep stairs of the village do get rather busy during sunset. One sure fire way to ensure the unforgettable experience of an unobstructed view is by booking a tour or travel package with a private guide or concierge.
The Wine Tasting Experience
The island of Santorini is well-noted as one of Greece’s best regions for producing wine. The mild summers and damp winters help to create a unique terroir that produces varieties not found anywhere else in the world. Some common wines found in Santorini are:
| Wine | Style | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assyrtiko | White | A light dry white wine that is crisp, sharp and zesty. |
| Nykteri | White | A creamy yet dry white wine made from aged grapes. |
| Vinsanto | Dessert | A sweet desert wine made with sun-dried grapes. |
For those hoping to sample some of these fine wines (as well as traditional Greek snacks), there are many tours that include wine tasting sessions. As with everything else in Santorini, though, it pays to book in advance for these as spots are often quickly filled.
Our Recommendations for Making the Most of your Santorini Highlight Tour
If it is your first time to Santorini then a highlight tour is definitely the way to go. Not only will you get the chance to explore the entire island within a single experience, you’ll also be able to relax and enjoy a delicious meal for lunch on any stop you chose. But here are our top recommendations for ensuring you get full value from your tour:
- Opt for private tours : While group tours are often cheaper, they can be quite rushed and lack an extra special touch. Private tours offer more flexibility that allows you to curate your own tailored agenda and truly get below the surface of each experience.
- Book additional activities: There is no shortage of incredible activities to choose from that can be added onto your tour for an additional cost. Options range from private yacht and speedboat cruises around the volcanic island, through to SUP stand-up paddling at the beach near Red beach.
- Opt for drop-off and pick up transfers: In order to make your journey as comfortable as possible, we recommend taking advantage of the pick-up transfer service offered by most tour operators. This will free you up from having to worry about riding ferries or catching buses throughout your journey.
- Provide final destination information upfront: When booking any cruise or tour that requires drop-off or pick-up, please provide final destination information at the time of booking.
Remember: Experience Santorini On Your Own Terms!
At the end of the day, everyone’s experience in Santorini is unique – what works for one person may not for another. Which is why we recommend shopping around for deals and packages that best meet your needs. To make life even more easier for you try using an online booking platform like GetYourGuide , which give you access to hundreds of packages at great prices.
So why not challenge yourself by following this guide to explore Santorini’s beauty and combine it with wine tasting and a breathtaking sunset at Oia Village? We guarantee it will be an experience you’ll never forget! For a hassle-free and truly memorable experience book your “Santorini: Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting & Sunset in Oia’ with GetYourGuide now!
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