A Santorini jeep tour is a half day on the island’s back roads and dirt tracks in an open Wrangler you drive yourself in a convoy, or in a private jeep with a local guide, stopping at the southern villages, the lighthouse and the beaches. Tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.
The sections below cover the tours you can book, the convoy, the private guided jeep, the route, the tracks, pick-up, duration, who can drive, who it suits, the months and booking, with links into the Santorini pages. The tours shown are checked on GetYourGuide.
What is a Santorini jeep tour?
A Santorini jeep tour is a guided drive around the island in a four-wheel-drive jeep. You either drive your own Wrangler in a convoy behind a guide, or a local guide drives you. Both formats reach villages, viewpoints and dirt tracks.
A convoy is a line of vehicles that follow one leader. On the self-drive format, the guide drives the front jeep and picks the route. Your group drives the jeep behind.
Black Trails Santorini calls its Wrangler trip the first pure off-road experience on the island. Off-road means driving on dirt, sand and rock, away from tarmac roads.
The private kind of Santorini jeep tour feels more like sightseeing. The guide shapes the stops around your group, and nobody in your group needs to drive.
Which Santorini jeep tours can you book?
You can book a Santorini jeep tour on GetYourGuide or directly with local firms. GetYourGuide lists a self-drive Wrangler convoy from Fira and a private jeep tour with a local guide. Black Trails, Santorinian Collection, Exi Experience and Santo Line also sell jeep trips.
- From Fira: Santorini Wrangler Jeep Convoy Tour & Villages: a self-drive convoy of about 5 hours in a small group.
- Santorini: Custom Private Jeep Tour of Island Highlights: a private jeep with a local guide at the wheel.
- Black Trails Santorini Off-road Experience: a 5-hour Wrangler convoy that ends after sunset.
- Santo Line: resells the Black Trails convoy for groups of 1 to 4 guests.
- Santorinian Collection: lists Wrangler tours in a 4×4 jeep, run from Exo Gonia.
- Exi Experience: a 4-hour jeeping safari with a morning slot and a sunset slot.
The Exi Experience Santorini jeep tour includes a stop at Santo Wines winery.
Santorinian Collection also runs private land tours by car or van with local driver-guides. These last 3, 4, 6 or 8 hours, and each route is tailor-made.
How does a self-drive Wrangler convoy work on a Santorini jeep tour?
On a self-drive Santorini jeep tour, each group drives its own open-top Wrangler. The tour leader drives the first vehicle, and the others follow in a line. A radio link joins all the jeeps, so the guide talks to every driver.
Black Trails runs six manual jeeps and one automatic. Manual means you change gear with a clutch pedal and a stick. The automatic is given on request.
Guests who prefer not to drive ride in the lead jeep. Up to 3 people per booking take this seat at no extra charge. Each jeep also has a Bluetooth device for your own music.
On the Fira Santorini jeep tour, an English-speaking guide gives live audio commentary. That convoy keeps to a small group of no more than 12 people.
What does a private Santorini jeep tour with a local guide include?
A private Santorini jeep tour puts only your group in the vehicle. A local guide drives and explains each stop. The GetYourGuide private listing covers Akrotiri lighthouse, Indian Rock, Red Beach, the Akrotiri site, Profitis Ilias and Oia.
The GetYourGuide listing calls this a custom tour. The guide changes the order of stops to suit your group. Pick-up from your hotel is available.
Other local firms run private jeep trips in the same way. One uses an air-conditioned jeep for up to 4 people. It offers a 5-hour trip or a 7-hour full day.
That firm also stops at Perivolos beach, the Emporio windmills and Pyrgos. Entry tickets to the Akrotiri dig are not part of that Santorini jeep tour.
Which villages does a Santorini jeep tour visit?
A Santorini jeep tour visits the inland and southern villages of the island. The Fira convoy names Pyrgos Kallistis, Emporio, Megalochori and Akrotiri. Each village stop on the route is short: a view from the road, a photo or a brief walk.
- Pyrgos: the convoy drives past for a panoramic view of the hilltop village.
- Emporio: a 15-minute stop at the windmills, with a view over the south of the island.
- Megalochori: a 40-minute walk, then dinner at the Traditional Kafeneio Megalochori.
- Akrotiri: the convoy passes the village the operator calls the oldest on Santorini.
Between the villages, the convoy stops at Vlychada beach for a 10-minute photo. It then gives 30 minutes for a swim at Eros Beach.
The Exi Experience Santorini jeep tour drives through the vineyards on its way to Emporio. It stops at the old castle quarter, then moves on to Megalochori.
Which viewpoints and sights does a Santorini jeep tour stop at?
A private Santorini jeep tour stops at the island’s big viewpoints. Its route covers Akrotiri lighthouse, Indian Rock, Red Beach, Profitis Ilias and Oia. The self-drive convoy passes the lighthouse area and stays in the south.
- Akrotiri lighthouse: a quiet point on the southern tip of the island.
- Indian Rock: a cliff shaped like a human face seen from the side.
- Red Beach: a short stop to view the red volcanic cliffs.
- Profitis Ilias: the monastery on the highest peak, 567 metres above the sea.
- Oia: the final stop on the private listing, at the northern tip of the island.
From Profitis Ilias, the view takes in the whole island. On a private Santorini jeep tour, you see Red Beach from above, not from the sand.
The convoy route covers the south and centre of the island. Oia and Fira are not on its itinerary. For Oia, the private format is the one to book.
Which dirt tracks and off-road routes does a Santorini jeep tour drive?
A Santorini jeep tour drives sandy and rocky tracks across the south of the island. The first off-road stretch runs from Pyrgos down to Megalochori. Later tracks lead to Vlychada, Theros Beach and Eros Beach through a lunar landscape.
The convoy Santorini jeep tour opens with a loop round Pyrgos, so drivers get used to the Jeep. The village gives a wide view over Kamari. Narrow trails then lead on to the windmills of Emporio.
Next comes a dirt road to the port of Vlychada. The main off-road part then heads to Theros Beach, where the guide films a drone video. Exi Experience drives its own off-road route south, across a moonscape of sand and lava.
The trails pass black and brown rock formations, sandstone cliffs and vineyards. Black Trails also drives ancient wine trails and an off-road area above White Beach. The operator does not offer extreme off-roading, for safety reasons and because of the island’s terrain.
Where does a Santorini jeep tour start, and is pick-up included?
Yes, the Santorini jeep tour by convoy includes a hotel pick-up. A driver takes you to the start point and back again afterwards. One private jeep operator collects guests from any island address, the port or the airport.
Black Trails meets guests outside their hotel or at the closest meeting point. Pick-up runs between 14.20 and 14.50, and times shift with the sunset. One listing names the cable car station in Fira as the meeting point.
The GetYourGuide convoy lists a 3:30 pm start time. After pick-up, the safari leader gives a short briefing on the Jeeps and the stops. The group returns to the meeting point after sunset.
Exi Experience, based in Perissa, also begins with a hotel pick-up. Its half-day Santorini jeep tour, called a jeeping safari, runs from 10.00 to 14.00. Its sunset safari runs from 17.00 to 21.00.
How long does a Santorini jeep tour last, and what is included?
A Santorini jeep tour lasts between three and seven hours. The GetYourGuide convoy takes about 5 hours, and the private highlights tour about 3 hours. Fuel, a guide, hotel transfers and a light dinner come with the convoy.
Other private Santorini jeep tour options run 3 to 4 hours, 5 hours or a 7-hour full day. Exi Experience sells a 4-hour jeep tour. For a guided trip by car, see the half-day private tour.
- An insured, open-top Wrangler Jeep for your group
- An English-speaking leader who drives the front Jeep
- A VHF-PMR radio link, a two-way radio between all Jeeps
- Fuel and a Bluetooth device to play your own music
- A return transfer from and to your hotel
- A light Greek dinner with a soft drink
The dinner is served at the Traditional Kafeneio Megalochori, a small village café. Alcoholic drinks are not included. The guide also takes drone photos and videos during the drive.
Exi Experience’s wine-tasting safaris include a tour of the Santo Wines winery, with tasting and side dishes. Its tours also cover third-party liability, a basic insurance against harm to other people.
Who can drive on a Santorini jeep tour?
Each driver on a self-drive Santorini jeep tour needs a valid driving licence. The GetYourGuide convoy is not suitable for drivers under 18. On a private guided tour, a local driver does all the driving, so guests need no licence.
On a self-drive Santorini jeep tour, Greek law still applies. Visitors aged 18 and over can drive with a full, valid licence. EU and EEA licences are accepted as they are.
UK, US, Canadian and Australian licences need no international driving permit, or IDP. An IDP is a translation of your licence. Other non-EU licences need one.
- Six Jeeps have a manual gearbox, with a clutch and gear stick
- One automatic Jeep can be requested by message
- Non-drivers can ride free in the lead Jeep, up to 3 per booking
- Basic English is required for safety reasons
- No off-road driving experience is needed
Car hire firms set stricter rules. They ask for a minimum age of 21 and a licence held for one year. The Santorini car rental page covers those details.
Who suits a Santorini jeep tour?
A Santorini jeep tour suits couples, families and friends who want a private vehicle for their group. The convoy lists ages 10 to 75. It is not wheelchair accessible and is not advised in late pregnancy.
Couples get a Jeep to themselves, since each booking on the convoy drives its own private Wrangler. Exi Experience also sells exclusive half-day and sunset safaris for 2 persons.
Families on the convoy Santorini jeep tour can ask for infant seats. Under-18s ride as passengers, as they cannot drive. A 40-minute stop at a quiet beach gives children time to swim.
The convoy is listed as suitable for all fitness levels. Reaching the quiet beach means a short walk along a small trail. One private Santorini jeep tour operator, True Santorini Experience, is pushchair accessible but not wheelchair accessible.
How does a Santorini jeep tour compare with an ATV, an e-bike or a bus tour?
A Santorini jeep tour moves you in a four-wheel-drive car, which powers all four wheels. Convoy groups stay small, capped at 12 guests. An ATV, an e-bike and a bus each trade comfort, effort and time in their own way.
Each option differs in licence rules, physical effort, group size and the length of the day. The list below sets the four formats side by side.
- A Santorini jeep tour by convoy runs about 5 hours, with a guide in the lead jeep.
- A guided quad or ATV ride lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours with a compulsory helmet.
- An electric bike tour lasts about 3 hours for up to 6 riders aged 16 and over.
- A full-day sightseeing bus tour lasts about 10 hours and ends with sunset in Oia.
Quad operators check a car or motorcycle licence before handing over the keys. E-bike riders stay under a 100 kg weight limit and over 160 cm in height.
Which months and times of day suit a Santorini jeep tour?
Late spring, June, September and early October suit a Santorini jeep tour, with warm and calmer days. July and August bring daytime highs of 30 to 35°C. They also bring the meltemi, a strong, dry north wind.
On Santorini the meltemi picks up around 11 am and dies down by sunset. Weather advice for July is to stay out of the sun from noon to 4 pm.
For a morning Santorini jeep tour, Exi Experience runs a half-day safari from 10 am to 2 pm. Its sunset safari runs from 5 pm to 9 pm.
The Black Trails afternoon convoy starts around 3 pm and ends after sunset. Pick-up times shift with the Santorini sunset, which falls near 8:35 pm in July.
What do you bring on a Santorini jeep tour?
Bring your original driving licence, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen and water on a Santorini jeep tour. Add sturdy shoes for the off-road stops. Pack swimwear and a towel when the route includes a beach swim.
Shops and police accept only the physical licence card, not a photo or a photocopy. Drivers from the US and Canada also carry an International Driving Permit, a translation of their licence.
- Sunglasses, since the dirt tracks throw up dust
- Sunscreen and a hat for the open-top Wrangler
- A camera for the viewpoint and village stops
- A light jacket for spring and autumn evenings
- Swimwear for the 30-minute Eros Beach stop on the Black Trails route
Trekking shoes or sturdy sandals both suit the sandy and rocky paths. The convoy jeeps carry a Bluetooth device, so a phone with your music adds to the drive.
How do you book and cancel a Santorini jeep tour?
You book a Santorini jeep tour online on the GetYourGuide listing, choosing a date and a pick-up point. Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before the start, with a full refund. Later cancellations get no refund.
The GetYourGuide convoy listing offers a reserve now, pay later option. You hold your seats on a Santorini jeep tour and pay nothing on the day you book.
The Black Trails afternoon convoy is booked on average 48 days ahead. Its pick-up details arrive by a messaging app on the day before the tour.
After booking a private jeep adventure, a voucher arrives by email. It lists the meeting point, the start time and the supplier’s contact details. Carry it on paper or on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if bad weather stops a Santorini jeep tour?
The Black Trails afternoon convoy needs good weather to run. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you pick a new date. A full refund is the other option. Summer rain on Santorini is close to nonexistent from June to September.
Is there a Santorini jeep tour for cruise passengers?
Yes. A self-drive 4×4 shore excursion puts each driver in a manual Suzuki Jimny behind a guide’s lead jeep. It lasts 4.5 hours and includes fuel, insurance and a light local lunch. Drivers must be over 21. Cable car tickets in Fira and tender tickets are not included.
Does a Santorini jeep tour include wine tasting?
Exi Experience runs its jeeping safari with a stop at the Santo Wines winery. The tasting comes with side dishes, and the half-day option adds brunch or lunch. Coffees, beers and additional wine are paid separately. Jeep Tours Santorini also offers a culture tour with tasting at an underground cave winery.
Can solo travellers join a Santorini jeep tour?
Yes. The Black Trails convoy sets no minimum number of guests, so a single booking still runs. Solo guests drive their own Wrangler like everyone else. Parties wanting the jeep to themselves pick a private tour. One private jeep adventure takes up to 4 people.
Can you bring your own food on a private Santorini jeep tour?
Yes. Jeep Tours Santorini, based in Mesaria, lets guests bring their own food and drinks. The operator encourages packing a lunch or snacks. Its private tours run in daytime or at sunset, and each ends back at the Mesaria meeting point.
Can you change the date of a Santorini jeep tour?
Changes follow the same 24-hour line as cancellations. A date change requested less than 24 hours before the start is not accepted. Cut-off times run on the island’s local time. Travellers from another time zone count the hours by Greek time.