Santorini: Oia, Imerovigli & Villages Small Group Tour

4.68

(543 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the first turn — our driver, Nikos, pointed out Prophet Elias mountain and said something about feeling like a bird. Honestly, my mind was still waking up. But when we stepped out at the top, the wind hit me with that salty smell you only get on islands. I could see the whole curve of Santorini below, white houses clinging to cliffs like they might tumble off if you sneezed too hard. Someone behind me gasped. I just stood there, trying not to look like I was tearing up already.

Megalochori came next. It’s quieter than Oia, less polished maybe — narrow alleys twisting around whitewashed walls and blue domes peeking over rooftops. Our guide led us past a tiny church where an old man nodded hello but didn’t say much (I think he was more interested in his backgammon game). We stopped for Greek coffee at this café that looked like it hadn’t changed in decades. The cup was so strong it made my hands shake a bit, but the owner smiled and poured extra water without asking. I liked that.

The “Three Bells of Fira” spot was busy — everyone trying to get that famous photo with the blue dome and sea behind it. I tried too, but my hair blew straight into my mouth right as I clicked the shutter. So yeah, not quite Instagram material but it felt realer somehow. Then we wound up through Imerovigli, which sits way above everything else — almost 300 meters up if you believe Nikos (and he seemed trustworthy enough). The view over Skaros Rock is wild; volcanic black against all that white and blue.

Oia was our last stop and honestly it’s as pretty as people say, even with crowds weaving through those tight little lanes. We had free time to wander or shop — I mostly just watched light shift across the rooftops while eating pistachio gelato way too fast because it started melting down my hand. If you catch the afternoon tour you’ll see sunset here; we didn’t this time but even late afternoon felt golden somehow. Still thinking about those colors now.