Santorini Day Trip: Explore Clifftop Villages and Aegean Views from Rethymno

Embark on a guided day trip from Rethymno to Santorini and explore the clifftop villages with stunning Aegean views. Discover the pastel-painted houses of Oia and wander through the charming streets of Fira.

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Santorini - Experience the beauty and romance of Santorini on a day trip from Crete. Set sail from the Port of Rethymno, and then take a guided tour by air-conditioned vehicle on arrival. Marvel at the blue and white buildings typical of the island.
What's Included
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Professional multi-lingual guide (English, German, French, Russian)
  • Inclusive boat tickets
  • Convenient hotel pickup in multiple areas
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional volcano boat tour (€20)
Additional Information

Embark on a day-long guided journey to Santorini, experiencing its cliff-edged villages overlooking the Aegean Sea. Commence the journey from Rethymno, boarding a plush catamaran. Be enchanted by the astounding caldera panorama, witness the charm of Oia’s pastel-coloured dwellings, and wander through Fira’s vibrant streets.

Set out from the seaside port of Rethymno and appreciate the azure and white structures unique to the island as you navigate to the dock.

Hop aboard a luxury swift catamaran and sail towards Santorini. Upon reaching Athinios port, embark on an exhaustive expedition of the island, gaining insights into the history of one of Greece’s most enchanting isles from your tour guide.

Navigate through the rural landscape, heading to Oia village situated at the island’s extreme north end. It’s nestled on the precipice of a volcanic caldera, adorned with blue and white homes speckled across the slope.

Next, venture to Fira and utilize your free time exploring the capital city. Amble through the scenic pathways, experiencing the quintessential Aegean architectural sites.

In the twilight, set sail for Crete, concluding your journey at the Rethymno Port.

  • The cruise departs from the Port of Rethymno. Please arrange your own transportation to the port
  • Pickup cost ΕΧΤRΑ begins up to 90 minutes before tour starts and is done from central meeting points near the hotels, only in the areas of Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli
  • At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
  • Please be at the port at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time
Location
Santorini
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
3.8
(5 Ratings)
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1 star
Vendetta_g
Oct 1, 2023
Santorini 2023 - The tour operator was great. From the time I booked, to the day of my scheduled tour, customer service was superb. They were very responsive and answered all of my questions/concerns. The day of the tour was also smooth. I was picked up from my hotel and taken to the port to catch the ferry. The ferry ride was not the best due to the choppy waters that day. Lots of passengers got sick but that was of no fault of the tour operator. After the 3 hour ferry ride, I was only in Santorini for about 5.5-hours. Which was plenty for me. During that time the group traveled by bus from the port to Oia, Fira and back to the port to catch the ferry. We were given a little time to sightsee in each city. Oia is absolutely beautiful but it was extremely crowded. I didn't expect it to be so many people for the time of year but there were several cruise ships in port. I loved my time in Fira best. It was a little bigger and there were less people. I had space to take some nice pictures and do some souvenier shopping without getting swept up by the large crowds. The bus ride was comfortable. The tour guide was personable and knowledgeable. Overall, the efficiency of the tour made it an amazing experience. I truly enjoyed myself and would recommend Platanos Tours.
Review provided by Viator
Sternchen22
Sep 7, 2023
Price-performance ratio is not right - Far too expensive for what you get to see. You are rushed through Oia and Fira and most of the time is spent on the transfer there. Very disorganized. You are supposed to be at the pick-up point 10 minutes beforehand, but the bus is 20 minutes late. You are then dropped off at the port and are not given any information about what happens next, only when you get in the wrong line are you sent to the next one. Unfortunately not really worth it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dsyvs
Oct 10, 2023
Save your money, visit Santorini properly. - My wife and I visited Santorini for a week in Oct ‘16 and recently (Oct’23) did the day trip with friends who had not been to the island. Whilst the boat and coaches are quite well organised and comfortable, it is a long day, 14 hours from hotel pick up to drop off and out of those you will be either sitting in the boat or a coach for about 10 hours; the remaining 4 hours will either be given to ‘sightseeing’ herded around by an uninterested ‘guide’ or eating in a mediocre restaurant they recommend and probably get commission from. Oia and Fira are unfortunately the two most commercialised (and expensive) towns on Santorini and you will very likely be visiting them together with literally thousands of other day trippers from boat excursions and cruise liners. At the time of our visit to Oia, the coach park must have had 30+ coaches in it, it’s alleyways we’re teaming with day trippers and you had to queue, 10 deep, to take photos of the views. The experience was manic, unpleasant and not the way to enjoy what Santorini has to offer. We overheard a fellow day tripper on the boat back to Rethymno saying ‘ well that has made up my mind, I shall certainly not bother visiting Santorini again’, what a sorry impression to leave. Santorini is a totally unique, stunning and interesting place to visit and offers so much more than a quick, crowded glimpse of Oia and Fira can offer. My advise would be, if you can, don’t bother with a day trip, your hard earned cash would be much better spent visiting Santorini for a few days at your leisure and experiencing Oia and Fira when all the day trippers have left.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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