Overview
Port of Call: Santorini
Magic Santorini, Caldera, and Akrotiri Excavations 5-H Tour; Few places so small as Santorini can boast about their ancient and mysterious legends that have shaped a unique and special reputation for the island. The 5 hours tour to Caldera and the history trails with Akrotiri excavations will bring you closer to the mystery of Santorini.
The evocative scenery, the fascinating history, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the unique local products and wines, and a gastronomy that is constantly evolving, along with high-quality services characterize Santorini.
The island of Santorini is not one of the top travel destinations in the Mediterranean by accident. From the volcanic landscape of the Caldera, the quirky beaches with black sand and rock carvings and the archaeological site at Akrotiri, to the atmospheric gourmet
restaurants and the intense nightlife, everything is about a unique island.
The magic and romantic inspiring landscape seep into the lifestyle of Santorini and the foundations of tourism evolution: that is why its restaurants, romantic hotels, or atmospheric cocktail bars look as if they are made largely to host couples and romantic souls – and it’s no wonder that hundreds of visitors come each year from across the world to get married or renew vows of love overlooking the Caldera, or just visit some of the most impressive archaeological findings on the island.
Highlights of Magic Santorini, Caldera, and Akrotiri Excavations 5-H Tour
- A 5 hours private tour in Fira and Akrotiri
- Visit the trademark of the island, the breathtaking Caldera
- Visit the excavations at Akrotiri, which is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean Sea
- Private tour escort throughout your tour
- Highly recommended for cruise passengers visiting Santorini for a whole day or for several hours
Description
Description of the tour to Caldera and History Trails with Akrotiri Excavations
Some believe the island to be part of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis. Could Santorini be “Atlantis”?
Your tour begins after our meeting at the cable car. We will take you to Firostefani and the highest point of Fira, where you can enjoy impressive views of the sea and the island, and of course visit the highlights of the island, the blue-domed churches of Santorini.
It is almost certain that the unique architecture, the little shops, and the romantic atmosphere of this village will capture your heart forever.
Continuing your shore excursion, we will head to the excavations in Akrotiri that have uncovered one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. The first habitation dates from the Late Neolithic times (at least the 4th millennium BC).
During the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC), a sizeable settlement was founded and in the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca. 20th-17th centuries BC), it was extended and gradually developed into one of the main urban centers and ports of the Aegean.
Admire the large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate drainage system, and the sophisticated multi-stored buildings with magnificent wall paintings, furniture, and vessels, showing its great development and prosperity. In contrast to the Minoan palaces in Crete, here findings indicate a culture with a more human face and a better distribution of wealth.
We will end our private tour at the cable car terminal in Fira.
More Shore Excursion on Santorini island…
Details
Important notes
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion - Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included in the tour
- Car and Driver
- A professional English-speaking driver or escort with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have a licensed state tour guide to escort you inside the sites and museums, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
- Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Pick-up from and return to your hotel
- Pick-up from the Port of Piraeus
- Private tour, Road tolls and local taxes
- Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.
Excluded from the tour
- Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
- Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
- Olive oil tasting fee (olive oil tasting tours)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and beverage
- Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the difference between a STATE LICENSED TOUR GUIDE and a TOUR DRIVER GUIDE in Greece!
Additional info
- Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
- Terms & Conditions and Frequent Questions
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
- This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.
Persons with Disabilities
- Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
- In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Restrictions:
- Please note that on this tour, your tour driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb. If you want this service you may book a licensed by-state tour guide for an extra cost.
- In case a group is followed by a licensed tour guide or an English speaking tour-escort the professional driver is not obliged to speak English!
Opening hours & Admission fees
- Opening Hours:Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
- Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
- Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
- Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.
Free admission days
- March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
- June 5: Environment international day
- April 18 : International monuments day
- May 18: International museums day
- September 27: International tourism day
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- National Holidays
- Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
- The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
- NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day
Holidays in Greece
- January 1: closed
- January 6: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Shrove Monday: 08:30AM - 03:00 PM
- March 25: closed
- Good Friday: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
- Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: closed
- Easter Monday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- May 1: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- 15 August 15: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
- December 25 & 26: closed
