Explore Santorini: Best ATV Tours & Packing List

Santorini ATV/Quad bike Tours

How to Choose the Best, What to Pack, and What to Expect

Santorini isn’t just the whitewashed houses of cliff side towns and sunsets in Oia. It also offers amazing options for some off-road exploring: black sand beaches, vineyards, abandoned villages and caldera views that regular most simply can’t reach. The best way to see the “other” Santorini is on an ATV/Quad Safari.

There are a variety of companies providing ATV tours, most of them offering both morning and sunset options. The places you’ll be visiting are off the beaten path and will include:

Perissa/Perivolos black beach
The windmills
Vlychada
Eros beach
Pyrgos
The monastery of Prophet Ilias (the highest point on the island with 360º views)
A cliffside winery
The Red Beach
Akrotiri lighthouse
Sunset at one of the hidden spots

The traffic is usually lighter in the morning hours, so for novice riders that could be a criteria for choosing at which time of the day to start your tour. But if you want to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the sunset at the end of the tour, the afternoon option is the one for you!

Usually starting at 9am or 3pm, the tours last for about 5 hours, during which you will stop for photos in the most scenic locations. Taking photos while driving is not advisable for safety reasons. Most tours depart from the south side of the island, Perissa or Kamari, but a private pick up from the hotel can also be arranged, of course.

What to bring:

Category B driver’s license (regular car license).
Closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops and sandals are not recommended.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+).
Sunglasses (dust and sun protection).
A bandana or a buff (protects face from dust).
A big bottle of water and snacks (most tours will provide water, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own).
A camera or a phone for photos.

Some of the best quad bike tour providers are “Santorini ATV Adventures”, “Santorini Quad Tours” and “Santorini ATV Experience”. During high season in July and August it’s better to book in advance, as some companies offer tours for only up to 6 quads to make it stress free and to have a closer connection with your guide.

If you’re thinking of taking a break from relaxing around the pool in your hotel, an ATV tour is an experience truly worth it. You’ll see the white houses and caldera views anyway, but the black beaches, abandoned villages, and the sunset with a glass of Assyrtiko somewhere in the hills – that’s a whole other story!