Top-rated ATV tour on the island
Hotel pickup · helmet · training included
Of all the ATV tours on Santorini, the ATV-Quad Experience Tour + Transportation is the one we point first-timers to, and the 4.9 rating from 200+ reviews backs it up. What sets it apart isn't the route — most south-island tours hit similar stops — it's the execution: small groups, road-legal 450/550cc quads, real training, and guides ("Alex" and "Pablo" come up again and again) who keep nervous riders calm. Hotel pickup, fuel, helmet and a Megalochori wine stop are all bundled.
It's not flawless for everyone, and a fair review says so. It's open-air, dusty and weather-dependent, the pickup doesn't cover the port or airport, and it's not suitable for pregnant riders or anyone with back, heart or mobility issues. But if you can drive a quad and want the south island in one well-run half-day, this is the tour that most reliably delivers it — which is exactly why it sits at the top of the ratings.
After your south-island ride through Perissa, Emporio Kasteli, Megalochori and Vlychada, many visitors add a catamaran sunset cruise from the Old Port below Fira, a boat trip to the Nea Kameni volcano and Palea Kameni hot springs, or a guided tour of Akrotiri's Minoan ruins and the Red Beach.
From Perissa black beach to Emporio, Megalochori, the caldera viewpoint and Vlychada — what actually happens on the day.
After hotel pickup you meet at Perissa black beach for paperwork, helmets and a safety briefing, then a training lap so you're confident before the road. Bring your physical licence — you need it to ride.
An off-road warm-up leads to Emporio, where you park and explore the maze of whitewashed lanes inside the Venetian castle on foot — a back-street labyrinth coaches never reach.
You cruise past windmills and vineyards to Megalochori, the most traditional village on the island, and stop at an old wine cellar for a tasting (or coffee/juice) and a light snack.
Ride along the caldera for panoramic views, then visit a chapel tucked inside a hidden cave that locals know. This is where the guide-photographer captures the group shots.
The final leg is a pure off-road run down to Vlychada's pale, lunar pumice cliffs before looping back to Perissa for drop-off — about 3.5 hours start to finish.
Everything in one place — check live dates and prices on the right.
Why it tops our list: the highest-reviewed ATV tour on the island (4.9 from 200+ reviews), small groups on road-legal 450/550cc quads, with training, a guide, fuel, helmet and hotel pickup all bundled — the lowest-friction way to ride the south island.
The route runs from Perissa to 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. Reviewers single out guides "Alex" and "Pablo" 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.
Training, back-road routing, the wine stop and the photographer — the four things that keep coming up.
Across 200+ reviews the same strengths recur. These are the four that most explain the rating.
"Alex" and "Pablo" appear by name across reviews for training nervous riders, handling traffic calmly and working as a team. On an activity this dependent on the guide, that consistency is the single biggest reason it rates 4.9.
Small group sizes mean the guide can keep everyone together on the back roads, and the road-legal 450/550cc quads handle the hills far better than the underpowered machines some rentals hand out.
The Megalochori wine-cellar tasting and the walk through Emporio's Kasteli give the day substance beyond riding — reviewers consistently mention the stops, not just the quads.
A guide-photographer follows the group and shares the pictures afterwards, and several reviewers note a complimentary printed photo — a small touch that lands well when you're the one driving.
Pickup, quad, fuel, helmet, training, guide and a wine stop are in; personal insurance, tips and extras are not.
Recent verified reviews from travellers who booked the ATV-Quad Experience 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 ATV-Quad Experience Tour as of June 2026.
Weather, the pickup limits, the licence, who it's not for and the real day-cost — the caveats behind the 4.9.
The tour is open-air and can be cancelled or rescheduled for wind or rain. Summer middays are hot, so the morning and late-afternoon departures are there for a reason — pick one of those.
Hotel pickup is included, but not from the cruise port or airport. Cruise passengers meet in front of McDonald's in Fira — fine, but plan that leg and mind your tender timing.
Bring your physical Category B car licence (and an IDP if you're from the US or Canada). Without it you can ride only as a passenger where permitted, not drive.
Not for pregnant women or anyone with back, heart or mobility problems. Riders under 21 need an accompanying adult, children ride only on the back seat, and the operator can decline riders it judges unsafe.
Personal accident insurance, extra food and drinks, and tips sit on top of the price. They're modest, but factor them in so the day's cost doesn't surprise you.
Couples who'd rather sit side by side with seatbelts may prefer a buggy tour over a quad. It costs more, but it's the better fit for stability and shared photos.
Value, what's included, the route, timing and who it suits.
Yes for most riders. It's the highest-rated ATV tour on the island at 4.9 from 229 reviews, runs in small groups on road-legal 450/550cc quads, and bundles hotel pickup, training, fuel, helmet and a Megalochori wine stop into one 3.5-hour south-island loop.
Hotel pickup and drop-off (not from port or airport), a 450/550cc ATV with fuel, professional guides with training and a safety briefing, a helmet, bottled water, and a wine tasting or coffee with a light snack. Personal insurance, extra food and tips are not included.
It's listed from around €75 per person, in the typical €65–€95 range for guided Santorini ATV tours. The live per-person price for your date shows in the booking calendar.
From Perissa black beach you ride to Emporio's Venetian Kasteli, through windmills and vineyards to Megalochori for a wine-cellar stop, on to a caldera viewpoint and a hidden cave chapel, then off-road down to Vlychada before looping back to Perissa.
It runs about 3.5 hours. 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. Cruise passengers meet in front of McDonald's in Fira.
It's not suitable for pregnant women or people with back, heart or mobility problems. Riders under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, and children ride only on the back seat. Nervous drivers and families wanting comfort may prefer a buggy or car.
Yes, if you want to drive. Bring your physical Category B car licence, and an International Driving Permit if you're from the US or Canada. The tour provides the quad, helmet, training and fuel.
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