Santorini horse riding offers guided tours along black-sand beaches like Eros and Vlychada and through vineyards and volcanic canyons, with experienced instructors and horses for all levels. This guide covers what the tours are like, the routes, who they suit, the cost and how to book a ride.
Horse riding is a memorable, active way to see the wider Santorini travel guide. It reaches scenic, quiet corners. The sections below cover horse riding.
What is horse riding in Santorini like?
Horse riding in Santorini is a guided experience, typically lasting 90 minutes to two hours, that takes you on horseback through vineyards and volcanic canyons to black-sand beaches such as Eros and Vlychada. Experienced instructors give basic training first, so it suits beginners and experienced riders alike.
Horse riding offers a uniquely scenic way to explore the island. Run by local stables, mostly around Megalochori in the south, the tours set out from the farm with experienced instructors and well-cared-for horses, leading you on horseback through the island’s vineyards, volcanic landscapes and dramatic canyons down to the coast. A typical ride lasts around 90 minutes to two hours, and because the guides give the basic training needed before you set off, the tours welcome complete beginners as well as confident riders. Gentle, guided and beautiful, it is a relaxed yet adventurous way to reach corners of Santorini few visitors see, set within the wider things to do. The beach rides are the highlight.
What are the beach and vineyard routes?
The most popular routes ride to black-sand beaches: Eros Beach, whose black sands and blue water are ideal for riding along the shore, and Vlychada, with its lunar cliffs. Tours also pass through vineyards and volcanic canyons, and some combine the ride with wine tasting and a local meal.
The routes show off Santorini’s volcanic coast at its most beautiful. A favourite leads to Eros Beach, whose black sands and deep blue water make a stunning setting for riding along the shore before heading uphill for the full view, while another reaches Vlychada beach, famous for its lunar, wind-sculpted white cliffs rising behind the dark sand. Along the way the trails wind through local vineyards and volcanic canyons, giving a real sense of the island’s landscape and farming life. Some operators offer fuller experiences that combine the ride with a wine tasting and a traditional local meal, and there are caldera-view and even mule-riding options too, set out alongside the guides to Vlychada beach and Megalochori. The rides suit different levels.
Who can do it and is it suitable for beginners?
Horse riding in Santorini suits beginners and experienced riders, with instructors giving basic training before the ride. Some tours are gentle and welcome novices and families, while others are aimed at confident riders. Private and semi-private rides are available for couples, families or small groups.
The tours cater to a wide range of riders. For beginners and nervous first-timers, the instructors provide the basic training and guidance needed before setting off, and many rides are gentle, calm and well supervised, making them suitable for novices and families with children old enough to ride. Other tours are designed for those who have ridden frequently before and are confident in the saddle, offering a more active experience. If you would rather not ride with strangers, operators offer private or semi-private tours, ideal for a couple, a family or a small group of friends wanting a more personal, flexible experience. Whatever your level, there is a ride to match, set out alongside the guide to Santorini with kids. Booking is straightforward.
How much does it cost and how do you book?
A guided Santorini horse-riding tour typically costs from around 80 to 120 euros per person for 90 minutes to two hours, more for private rides or those including wine and a meal. Book ahead in summer through the local stables or booking platforms, wear long trousers and closed shoes, and go early or late.
Horse riding is a worthwhile, affordable adventure. Prices typically start from around 80 to 120 euros per person for a standard guided ride of 90 minutes to two hours, rising for private or semi-private tours and for experiences that add a wine tasting and a local meal. The stables, based mostly around Megalochori, can be booked directly or through online platforms, and reserving ahead is wise in the busy summer months. For comfort and safety, wear long trousers and closed, sturdy shoes, bring sun protection and water, and choose an early-morning or late-afternoon ride to avoid the midday heat, which is kinder to both rider and horse, set out alongside the guides to the best time to visit Santorini and private tours. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is horse riding in Santorini like?
Horse riding in Santorini is a guided tour, usually 90 minutes to two hours, taking you on horseback through vineyards and volcanic canyons to black-sand beaches such as Eros and Vlychada. Experienced instructors give basic training first, so it suits beginners and experienced riders alike.
Is Santorini horse riding suitable for beginners?
Santorini horse riding is suitable for beginners, with instructors giving the basic training needed before the ride, and many gentle tours welcoming novices and families. Other tours are aimed at confident riders, and private or semi-private rides are available for couples, families or small groups.
How much does horse riding in Santorini cost?
A guided Santorini horse-riding tour typically costs from around 80 to 120 euros per person for 90 minutes to two hours, more for private rides or those including wine and a meal. Book ahead in summer, wear long trousers and closed shoes, and ride early or late to avoid the heat.