Ride two-up · wine stop · photographer
Buggy upgrade for side-by-side seats
The easiest, best-value way for a couple to ride is to join the island's top-rated ATV tour two-up — one of you drives, the other rides on the back, on the same 450/550cc quads that handle Santorini's hills comfortably. You get the 4.9-rated south-island loop with the Megalochori wine stop, caldera viewpoints and a guide-photographer who captures the day, all with hotel pickup. It's the most-praised couples experience in our research, and reviewers regularly call it a honeymoon highlight.
There's one real decision: double ATV or buggy. On a double ATV you sit front-to-back and only the front rider drives; it's cheaper and joins the top-rated tour. A buggy gives you side-by-side seats, seatbelts and a roll cage — more stable, more comfortable, the most photo-friendly — at a higher price. If sitting together and sharing the driving matters most, take the buggy; if you want the best-rated tour and don't mind front-to-back, ride two-up.
Couples visiting Santorini often pair an ATV or buggy day with a catamaran sunset cruise around the caldera, a romantic wine-tasting evening in the Megalochori or Pyrgos Kallistis wineries, or a private boat excursion to the Nea Kameni volcano and Palea Kameni hot springs.
How you sit, who drives, what it costs and which suits you — the short answer per row.
| What matters | Double / tandem ATV | Buggy |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Front-to-back, like a motorbike | Side-by-side, like a small car |
| Who drives | Only the front rider | Either licensed partner |
| Stability & comfort | Open; needs 300cc+ for two | Seatbelts and roll cage — most stable |
| Cost | Cheaper — part of the standard tour | Higher — the comfort upgrade |
| Best for | Couples who want the top-rated tour | Couples who want to sit together and share photos |
Short version: ride the featured ATV two-up for the island's best-rated tour at a lower price; choose a buggy if sitting side by side with seatbelts and sharing the driving matters more.
Book one driver and one passenger on the same tour — check live dates on the right.
Why we recommend it for couples: it's the highest-reviewed ATV tour on the island (4.9 from 200+ reviews) and uses 450/550cc quads that take two comfortably, so one of you drives and the other rides — with training, a guide, fuel, helmet, hotel pickup and a wine stop included.
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. A guide-photographer follows the group and shares the pictures — handy when you're riding together.
Only the driver needs a physical Category B licence (IDP if non-EU). Check live dates and book for two on the right.
Riding together, the Megalochori tasting, the caldera viewpoints and the shared photos — four reasons two-up works.
It's not just transport for two — it's a shared half-day built around the island's most romantic stops. Here's what couples single out.
Two-up means you ride the whole loop together rather than in separate cars or on a bus. For couples who want a shared activity rather than sightseeing apart, that's the appeal.
The stop at an old Megalochori wine cellar for a tasting (or coffee) is a relaxed, romantic break in the middle of the ride — one reviewers mention again and again.
The caldera viewpoint and the hidden cave chapel are the day's photo moments — the kind of scenery couples come to Santorini for, reached without the crowds of Oia.
A guide-photographer follows the group and shares the pictures afterwards, so you get shots of the two of you together — not just selfies taken one-handed on a quad.
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. 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. 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 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.
Engine size, who drives, comfort, the licence and when a buggy wins — the caveats specific to riding two-up.
Don't ride two-up on a small quad — Santorini's hills are too steep. Choose 300cc or larger for two; the featured tour's 450/550cc machines are built for it, which is part of why we recommend it for couples.
On a double ATV you sit front-to-back and the front rider drives the whole way. If you both want to drive or sit side by side, that's the case for a buggy instead.
It's an open ride, so expect wind, dust and sun — not a polished, climate-controlled date. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a light layer, and you'll both enjoy it far more.
The driver needs a physical Category B licence (and an IDP if from the US or Canada). The passenger doesn't, but both should carry ID and the passenger must be comfortable on the back.
For maximum stability, seatbelts and side-by-side seating — and the most photo-friendly vehicle — a buggy beats a double ATV. It costs more, but it's the better couples choice when comfort outranks price.
It's not suitable if either of you is pregnant or has back, heart or mobility issues. Nervous riders may be happier in a buggy or a car — there's no shame in choosing comfort on a trip you want to enjoy together.
Two-up riding, buggy vs ATV, honeymoons, driving and licences.
For most couples, the island's top-rated ATV-Quad Experience Tour ridden two-up is the best pick: 4.9 from 229 reviews, small groups, hotel pickup and a Megalochori wine stop. If you'd rather sit side by side with seatbelts, choose a buggy version of the same kind of route.
Yes, on a double ATV designed for two, where you ride front-to-back and one person drives. 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.
An ATV ridden two-up is cheaper and lets you join the island's top-rated tour, but you sit front-to-back and only the front rider drives. A buggy has side-by-side seats, seatbelts and a roll cage, so it's more stable, more comfortable and the most photo-friendly — at a higher price.
Many couples call it a honeymoon highlight. The open-air ride, the caldera viewpoints, the Megalochori wine stop and a guide-photographer who shares the pictures make it a memorable shared day — provided you're both comfortable on a quad.
On a double ATV only the front rider drives, though you can swap riders at stops if both hold a valid Category B licence. In a buggy either licensed partner can drive, like a small car, which is why some couples prefer it.
Choose at least 300cc when two of you ride together, as Santorini's hills are too steep for an underpowered quad with two people. The featured tour uses 450/550cc machines, which handle two-up riding comfortably.
Only the person driving needs a full Category B car licence (and an IDP if from the US or Canada). A passenger riding on the back doesn't need one, but both should carry ID.
Prefer side-by-side seats — or still deciding? These are the options worth a look.
The comfort upgrade
Side-by-side seats, seatbelts and a roll cage — the most stable, photo-friendly vehicle for two, with a local tour leader. The pick if comfort outranks price.
Featured: Santorini Buggy Highlights Tour · ★ 5.0 · 3.5 hours Check availability
For an evening date
A cooler evening ride with drinks and the island lit up — a romantic alternative if midday heat or daytime traffic puts you off.
Featured: Santorini ATV Glow Night Tour + Drinks · ★ 5.0 · 2 hours Check availability
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