Last Updated on: 29th February 2024, 09:18 am
#1 top pick
Wine Museum Ticket with Tastings and Audio Guide
- ☑ Visit the unique wine museum of Santorini at a traditional Greek winery.
- ☑ Taste wines with a sommelier.
- ☑ Explore the wine museum, a carved labyrinth contained inside a 300-meter long cave eight meters below the ground.
- ☑ Check out historical exhibits and get a glimpse of what life was like as a winemaker on a Greek island from the 1600s onwards, including peeks at rare machinery and tools
- ☑ Duration: 1-2 hours
- ⭐️Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (168 reviews)
If this is your question, chances are you’re going on a cruise that’s going to stop in Santorini for half day.
My first suggestion is to take an organized tour with total duration under 4 hours. Whether you like wine tasting, horse riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking or boat trips, you’ll find the right activity to keep you busy while in Santorini.
Santorini Tours You Can Do in Four Hours or Less
1. Wine Museum Tasting with Audio Guide
This tour has a duration of 2 – 2.5 hours and it includes the wine museum entry ticket, the tasting of local wines, and an audio guide of the museum in 22 languages.
The wine tasting includes Assyrtiko (white wine), an Orange Wine (also white), an Ambelones (red wine) and a Kamaritis (dessert red wine, very sweet).
The Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum is located near the airport, at 4 km from Fira.
Check out this tour and book your date here.
2. South Sea Kayaking Tour with Sea Caves & Picnic
You’ll cover about 4 miles on water, in your kayak, with a stop at the White Beach, where you’ll swim, snorkel and enjoy a tasty picnic.
You’ll see the Red Beach from the water. This is the only safe way to visit the Red Beach, anyway, as the cliffs are in danger of collapsing, so access on land is forbidden.
This tour takes about 3 – 3.5 hours. When you book, you’ll be able to choose the hour that best suits you, if available.
Click here to check out the rates and to book your tour. You must know how to swim and be capable of paddling for such a long distance.
3. Wine Tasting Tour to 3 Wineries
This is your best opportunity to taste various wines that are native to Santorini. You’ll learn about the art of wine making and about the progress of this industry across centuries.
This tour takes about three hours and it includes visits to Rousos Winery, Venetsanos Winery, and Koutsoyannopoulos Winery. While in Venetsanos Winery, you’ll have the opportunity to take photos of the amazing Caldera.
Check out the rates and the availability here.
4. Night Hike, Wine Tasting & Greek Dinner
The hike itself takes 1.5 – 2 hours, but the entire activity with pick-up and drop-off takes four hours. You’ll hike only some parts of the famous Fira to Oia hike, but you’ll have the chance to experience the orange sunset and then the lights of Santorini.
It comes without saying that you have to be available after the sunset, so you should ensure you don’t need to leave Santorini earlier.
Check out this tour and book it here.
5. Private Guided Tour with Oia Sunset and Wine Tasting
This private tour has multiple starting times, so you can choose the one that suits your schedule. You’ll explore Imerovigli, the peak of Prophet Elias, the Blue Dome church in Firostefani, the Skaros Rock, and the village of Oia.
After the sunset, the guide will take you back to the starting point of your tour. Click here to see this 4-hour private tour and to book your date.
6. Have Your Flying Dress Photo Shoot
Many girls dream of being photographed in flowing, red dresses, on a backdrop of whitewashed walls, blue dome churches, and deep blue seas.
As such Santorini flying dress photo shoots take about one hour, you have enough time to organize yours, even if you’re only visiting the island on a cruise. Just let the photographer know that you don’t have accommodation in Santorini.
How To Best Spend 4 Hours in Santorini on Your Own
You don’t need an organized tour to have a great time in Santorini!
Depending on your starting point, you can explore some highlights by yourself.
Let’s see what you can do in 4 hours in Santorini:
1. Soak in the Beauty of Fira
Whether you come to Santorini by sea or by air, start your four-hour exploration by visiting the vibrant capital of the island, Fira.
Perched on the edge of the caldera, Fira offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring volcanic islands. It is only a short drive away from the airport and from the ferry port. Since you’re short on time, you’d better take a taxi rather than using the bus.
This is Fira, Santorini’s capital town, as seen from Imerovigli
After you explore the narrow streets in the center of Fira, take a cable car ride or venture down the steep steps to the old port, where you can hop on a boat tour to explore the volcanic landscapes and to relax in the hot springs.
The old port is small but beautiful. If you don’t feel like taking a boat tour, grab a seat at the restaurant by the water and enjoy some delicious food.
The Old Port of Fira, a charming place to visit in your four hours in Santorini
The cable car that links Fira to the old port – for those who hate climbing stairs
You can easily spend between one and two hours doing this. As far as I remember, I needed about 30 minutes to descend all of the stairs. I took the cable car uphill, but I had to wait in line for more than 30 minutes. It was the beginning of October. I can’t imagine how long this would take in June, July, August or September.
2. Enjoy Oia & Ammoudi
Start your adventure in the charming village of Oia, located on the northern tip of Santorini. Famous for its iconic blue-domed churches and picturesque white-washed buildings, Oia offers a quintessential Santorini experience.
Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets, browse local boutiques, and immerse yourself in the magical ambiance of this captivating village. Unfortunately, most restaurants with Caldera views are expensive.
Oia – nice restaurant with seaview
If you want to eat in Oia, you’d better try some restaurants on the other side of the main road. I had some nice fish at one of the restaurants near the bus station. I can’t remember the name. However, my ruse when choosing a restaurant is to go where locals congregate.
Oia street crowds just before the sunset
If you are fit enough, descend the stairs to Ammoudi Bay.
3. Explore the Ancient Ruins of Akrotiri
Next on your itinerary, venture to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, often referred to as the “Pompeii of the Aegean.” Step back in time as you wander through the well-preserved ruins of this Minoan Bronze Age settlement. Marvel at the intricate frescoes, explore the excavated houses, and gain insight into the rich history of Santorini. This archaeological gem provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Santorini sunset cruise boats and yachts as viewed from Akrotiri
There are buses from Fira to Akrotiri, but I’d take a taxi to make sure I don’t waste my four hours in Santorini on a bus.
3. Indulge in Santorini’s Culinary Delights
No visit to Santorini is complete without savoring the island’s delectable cuisine. Take a break from your exploration and treat yourself to a delightful culinary experience. Sample mouthwatering local specialties such as fresh seafood, traditional Greek mezes, and the renowned Santorinian wine.
Whether you choose a seaside taverna or an elegant restaurant with panoramic views, the flavors of Santorini will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
octopus vinaigrette – I had this in Fira, in a restaurant near the cable car entrance
4. Unwind on Perissa Beach and Cross the Mountain to Kamari
Escape the bustling crowds and unwind on the black sand beach of Perissa. This idyllic stretch of coastline offers crystal-clear waters and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for rejuvenating during your brief visit. Take a refreshing swim, soak up the sun on a comfortable lounger, or indulge in water sports activities. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of this coastal haven and let your worries melt away.
Perissa black sand beach & Mesa Vouno mountain
If you don’t want to enjoy beach time, climb the Mesa Vouno mountain, visit the Ancient Thera archeological site, then descend on the other side of the mountain to Kamari.
The entire thing should take you the four hours you want to spend on Santorini, so don’t plan anything else for the day.