Hotel pickup & drop-off included
Small-group · helmet & training
Santorini is small but awkward to explore, and the buses all hub through Fira — so the south island and interior are the parts most visitors miss. An ATV or quad fixes that: it parks where cars can't, slips through narrow village lanes, and turns the black beaches, old villages, wine country and quiet viewpoints into a single half-day loop. It is the best pick for couples, solo travellers and confident first-timers who want light adventure with their sightseeing — but not for nervous drivers or families who'd rather have air conditioning.
On a typical south-island route you ride from Perissa's black-sand beach to Emporio's labyrinthine Venetian Kasteli, through the windmills and vineyards around Megalochori for a wine-cellar stop, out to a caldera viewpoint, then down to Vlychada's pale, lunar cliffs. If you've never driven a quad or you're wary of the steep roads, book a guided small-group tour for the training, back-road routing and hotel pickup; rent self-drive only if you're already comfortable on narrow, busy lanes.
Planning a full Santorini itinerary? Alongside an ATV or quad day on the south island — through Perissa, Emporio, Megalochori and Vlychada — visitors regularly pair a catamaran sunset cruise from the Old Port, a boat trip to the Nea Kameni volcano and Palea Kameni hot springs, or a guided wine-tasting tour in Pyrgos.
From Perissa black beach to Emporio, Megalochori, the caldera viewpoint and Vlychada — what your guide covers, stop by stop. See the full south-island route map.
After hotel pickup you gather at the black-sand beach in Perissa for paperwork, helmets and a short safety briefing. Your guide runs a training lap so you're comfortable with the throttle, brakes and group spacing before the road. Bring your physical driver's licence — you need it to ride.
The first leg is an off-road warm-up toward Emporio, one of the island's oldest villages. You park the quads and explore the labyrinth of whitewashed lanes inside the Venetian castle on foot — the kind of back-street maze tour coaches never reach.
Cruise past windmills and vineyards to Megalochori, considered by locals the most traditional village on Santorini. You stop at one of the island's oldest wine cellars for a tasting of local wines — or a Greek coffee or juice — and a light snack.
Ride along the caldera for panoramic views across the flooded volcano, then visit a chapel tucked inside a hidden cave that only locals tend to know. These are the photo stops your guide-photographer captures for the group.
The final stretch is a purely off-road run down to Vlychada's pale, lunar pumice cliffs before you loop back to Perissa. Total riding time is about 3.5 hours, ending where you started for your drop-off.
Why we start travellers here, then check live dates and prices on the right.
Why we recommend it: it's the highest-reviewed ATV tour on the island (4.9 from 200+ reviews), runs in small groups on 450/550cc quads, and bundles the things first-timers worry about — training, a guide, fuel, helmet and hotel pickup — into one half-day. Read our full review.
You ride the south-island loop from Perissa: Emporio's Venetian Kasteli, the windmills and vineyards of Megalochori with a wine-cellar tasting, a caldera viewpoint, a hidden cave chapel and an off-road descent to Vlychada. Guides "Alex" and "Pablo" are named again and again in reviews for keeping nervous riders relaxed.
Morning and late-afternoon departures; cruise passengers meet in front of McDonald's in Fira. Check live dates and book on the right.
Akrotiri-side beaches, Emporio's Kasteli, Megalochori wine country and Vlychada — four reasons the quad beats a coach or a bus.
A guided ATV tour isn't just transport — it's the part of Santorini most day-trippers never reach, ridden at a pace that lets you actually stop. Here's what makes the format work.
Perissa, Emporio, Megalochori, Vlychada and the caldera-side viewpoints are awkward by KTEL bus, which routes everything through Fira. On a quad they string together into one easy loop.
The single biggest worry first-timers raise is "do we actually stop?" On this format you park and walk the Kasteli lanes, taste wine in a cellar, and linger at viewpoints — not just photograph them through a window.
Bigger engines handle Santorini's steep hills far better than the underpowered quads rental shops sometimes hand out, and a small group means the guide can keep the whole line together on the back roads.
Reviewers regularly call it a couples' and first-timers' highlight. It's open-air, dusty and windy, so it's not for nervous drivers, under-3s, or anyone wanting AC — a buggy or car is better there. See our guide for couples.
Real shots from the tour and the south-island route. Scroll or drag to browse.
Hotel pickup, quad, fuel, helmet, training, guide and a wine stop are in; personal insurance, tips and extra food are not.
Training, routing, logistics, photos — the four things a guided small-group tour handles that a bare rental doesn't.
First-timers and anyone wary of the roads should book guided; confident riders who want a full day of freedom can rent self-drive. Here's what tips most visitors toward the guided option — or read our full guided vs self-drive comparison.
A guided tour starts with a safety briefing and a training lap, so you're comfortable on the quad before you hit a public road. A walk-up rental hands you the keys and a map.
Guides know which lanes avoid the Fira and Oia traffic and where it's safe to stop for photos — the difference between a relaxed ride and white-knuckling the busy stretches yourself.
Hotel pickup, fuel, helmet, water and a wine stop are all bundled. You don't plan a route, find parking or refuel — you just ride and look around.
On the featured tour a photographer follows the group and shares the pictures afterwards — hard to manage yourself when you're the one driving.
Price, comfort, parking, south-island access and who each suits — the short answer per option.
| What matters | ATV / Quad | Buggy | Car | KTEL Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | €25–€60/day, or €65–€95 guided | €70–€150/day | €25–€50/day | €1.80–€2.80/ride |
| Comfort & weather | Open-air, windy and dusty | Open but stable, with seatbelts | Air-conditioned, weatherproof | Basic, can be crowded |
| Parking & narrow lanes | Easiest — parks almost anywhere | Easy | Hard in Fira and Oia | Not applicable |
| Reaches the south island | Yes, freely | Yes | Yes | Poorly — everything hubs through Fira |
| Best for | Confident riders, couples, adventure | Couples wanting stability and photos | Families, luggage, hot midday weather | The tightest budgets |
Short version: for adventure and easy parking, take an ATV — a buggy if you're two-up and want stability and seatbelts. Need air conditioning, luggage space or you're travelling with young kids? Rent a car. On the tightest budget, the bus is cheapest, but you'll change in Fira. For the full breakdown, see getting around Santorini: ATV vs car vs bus.
Recent verified reviews from travellers who booked the featured tour.
"One of my favorite experiences in Santorini! Hotel pickup, ATV training, and an incredible route through beaches, villages, vineyards and scenic dirt roads. Our guides, Alex and Pablo, were knowledgeable and patient. A professional photographer followed the group and we received a complimentary printed photo."Jacqueline · United States · June 2026
"I loved the scenery, and how patient and helpful the guides are. We even learned how resilient the grape vines are in their natural habitat. This tour is a fantastic way to see the island before exploring on your own. 10/10 recommend!"Latrina · United States · June 2026
"What an amazing tour with wonderful hosts — they all spoke clearly and were friendly. One of the main guides, Alex, went above and beyond when we got into a traffic concern. The whole tour was perfectly orchestrated as they worked as a team."Gary W · United States · June 2026
"Had a great day, would definitely recommend. The guys were fun and professional, with safety at the forefront throughout. A great way of seeing the views, with a nice little stop off for snacks and a drink at a local cafe."Jacqueline · United Kingdom · June 2026
Rating reflects 229 verified GetYourGuide reviews of the featured ATV-Quad Experience Tour as of June 2026.
Category B licence, morning or late-afternoon departures, the back-seat rule for under-21s and the dust factor — what to bring and what to leave behind.
About 3.5 hours of riding. Morning tours start around 8:00am and evening tours around 3:30pm; in shoulder months the evening tour starts earlier as it gets dark sooner.
Free hotel pickup and drop-off (not from the port or airport) — give your accommodation details when booking. Cruise passengers meet in front of McDonald's in Fira; see our cruise-day plan.
Tours run in English and Greek with a professional guide who also handles the photo stops.
To drive you need your physical Category B car licence; US and Canadian visitors should also carry an International Driving Permit. Riders under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, and children ride only on the back seat.
Not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with back, heart or mobility problems. Nervous drivers and families wanting comfort are usually happier in a car or a buggy.
Closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a light jacket — you'll get windy, dusty and far more sun than you expect. Bring your licence and a credit card; no large bags, food or alcohol in the vehicle.
Safety, licence rules, weather, the real day-cost and a proposed 2026 rule change — what we wish more sites said upfront.
Santorini's roads are narrow, steep and often without guardrails, and quads roll easily. Per Greek City Times, ATVs were linked to five fatalities and over 660 injuries across Greece in 2024. Go guided if you're inexperienced, wear the helmet, and never ride two-up on an underpowered quad.
Greek law treats quads like cars, so you need a full Category B car licence (not a motorcycle one). US and Canadian drivers should carry a Geneva International Driving Permit too; without it you may be unlicensed and your insurance void.
Sub-125/150cc quads are banned from paved roads, so rent 150cc+ — and choose 300cc+ if two of you are riding the hills. The featured tour uses 450/550cc machines, which is what you want here.
Tours can be cancelled or rescheduled for wind or rain, and summer afternoons are genuinely hot. Ride in the morning or late afternoon, and avoid the 11:00–15:00 furnace in July and August.
Personal accident insurance, extra food and drinks, and tips are on top of the tour price. Budget a little extra so the day doesn't surprise you at the end.
The operator can refuse riders it judges unsafe (with a partial refund), and the tour isn't suitable for pregnant women or people with back, heart or mobility issues. Families with very young children are usually better in a car.
Peak-season quads and tours sell out, especially smaller machines. Reserve 1–2 weeks ahead in July–August; shoulder season often allows later booking.
Greek officials have proposed requiring drivers to have held a licence for at least five years before renting a quad. It's a proposal, not law, as of mid-2026 — check the current rule before you travel.
Licence, safety, cost, timing and what you'll see — the questions riders ask most.
Yes — you need a full Category B car licence (not a motorcycle licence), carried as the original physical card. Non-EU visitors, especially from the US and Canada, should also carry an International Driving Permit. See our full Santorini ATV licence guide.
It can be, but ATVs are the riskiest common way to get around the island's narrow, often guardrail-free cliff roads. A guided small-group tour is the safer choice for first-timers: you get training, back-road routing and a guide setting the pace. Always wear the helmet, which is required by law.
For most first-time visitors, yes. A guided tour includes a safety briefing, training, a planned route, fuel, helmet and usually hotel pickup. Self-drive rental is cheaper and more flexible, and suits confident riders comfortable on steep, narrow roads. See our full Santorini ATV & quad rental guide for vehicle types, engine sizes, prices and what to look for.
Yes if you want to see beyond Oia, Fira and the caldera towns. A quad reaches the south island — black-sand beaches, old villages, wine country and quiet viewpoints — that the Fira-hub buses serve poorly, and it parks where cars can't. It's not the choice for nervous drivers or families wanting air conditioning. Read our full honest worth-it verdict.
Guided small-group tours run about €65–€95 per person. Self-drive rentals are roughly €25–€60 a day depending on engine size and season; buggies cost more. The featured tour shows live per-person pricing in the booking calendar.
An ATV is the most fun and easiest to park. A buggy, with side-by-side seats, seatbelts and a roll cage, is more stable and comfortable for couples. A car is safer, air-conditioned and better for families, luggage and hot midday weather. For the full transport breakdown, read our getting around Santorini guide.
Yes, on a double ATV designed for two, where you ride front-to-back. On Santorini's steep hills choose a 300cc-or-larger machine when riding two-up. Couples who want side-by-side seating should consider a buggy instead.
Ride in the morning or late afternoon and avoid the 11:00–15:00 summer heat. The best months are May–June and September–October, with cooler temperatures, quieter roads and easier parking. Book ahead in July and August. See our best-time-to-ride guide and sunset ATV tour guide.
Most south-island tours visit Perissa black beach, Emporio's Venetian Kasteli, the windmills and vineyards around Megalochori, a caldera viewpoint, and Vlychada's lunar cliffs. Some add Akrotiri, the Red Beach viewpoint, Pyrgos or the lighthouse.
Riders under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, and children ride only as passengers on the back seat where the operator allows it. US and Canadian drivers should carry a Geneva International Driving Permit alongside their original licence, as Greek police and rental shops increasingly require it.
Not sold on the top pick? Four other well-rated ways to ride the island.
For couples
A side-by-side buggy with seatbelts and a roll cage — the stable, photo-friendly upgrade for two. Local tour leader, similar south-island highlights.
Featured: Santorini Buggy Highlights Tour · ★ 5.0 · 3.5 hours Check availability
Make a half-day of it
The quad-bike route with a sit-down lunch and hotel pickup added — a fuller half-day if you'd rather not plan a meal around the ride.
Featured: ATV Quad Bike Tour with Lunch & Pickup · ★ 4.9 (100+) · 3 hours Check availability
After dark
A shorter, cooler evening ride with drinks and the island lit up — a good fit if midday heat or daytime traffic puts you off.
Featured: Santorini ATV Glow Night Tour + Drinks · ★ 5.0 · 2 hours Check availability
For wine lovers
A guided quad route built around the island's volcanic-soil wines and the Megalochori cellars — sightseeing with the Assyrtiko front and centre.
Featured: Guided ATV Tour with Wine Tasting · ★ 5.0 · 3.5 hours Check availability
Self-drive guide
Compare vehicle types, licence rules, engine sizes, hotel delivery, rental prices and when self-drive makes more sense than a guided ATV tour.
Full Santorini ATV rental guide Read the rental guide
Transport planning
Compare buses, taxis, rental cars, ATVs, buggies, private transfers, the cable car and boat trips so you can plan the right mix.
Complete Santorini transport guide Read the transport guide