Santorini Fun day: Horseriding- Wine Tasting – Tapas

Santorini is famous for white villages and sunset views, but this five-hour adventure takes you into a different side of the island. You ride on horseback beside a volcanic black beach, pass wild lava scenery, then settle in for local wine and a Greek food tasting that can feel closer to a full meal than a light snack.

I like the way the tour mixes activity with eating, rather than asking you to spend half a day on another viewpoint circuit. I also like the small group limit of six, which should make the horse pairing and winery visit more personal. The main caution is simple: horseback riding requires mobility, and your clothes may get dirty.

At a glance

• Ride beside volcanic black sand: The 90-minute horseback route follows the south side of Santorini, with striking lava scenery and coastal views.
• Horses are matched to ability: The riding team pairs each person with a suitable horse, making the activity more approachable for different riding levels.
• Wine comes with food: Tastings include local snacks, and the later Greek tapas stop pairs wines with each course.
• A small group keeps things personal: With no more than six participants, you get a more focused experience than on a large coach tour.
• Pickup and drop-off are included: The driver also shares information about the island as you pass its sights.
• Plan for practical clothes: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that can handle dust, sand, or mud.

Why this five-hour combination works

This tour works because it gives you three different Santorini experiences in one outing: riding, wine, and food. You are not simply driven from one photo stop to another. Instead, the day has a clear rhythm. First comes the active part, then the relaxed tasting, then a longer meal.

That balance matters on an island where many excursions focus almost entirely on views. You still get excellent scenery, but you also spend time with local food and wine. For me, that makes the experience feel more connected to everyday island culture.

The tour is priced at $293 per person. That is a substantial amount for five hours, so I would not book it simply because you want a cheap ride or a basic winery visit. The value improves if you want all the moving parts handled for you: transportation, riding fees, wine tastings, snacks, water, and a meal-style food experience.

You are also paying for a small group rather than a crowded bus. With six people at most, the day should feel easier to manage, especially during the horse-riding portion. If you already have a rental car and plan to visit wineries on your own, the price may be harder to justify. If you want one organized half-day with transport and several activities, the package makes more sense.

Riding along Santorini’s southern coast

The horseback section lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. It takes place in the south of the island, alongside a volcanic black beach and open lava scenery. This is not the polished, postcard version of Santorini. The setting is rougher, darker, and more elemental, with volcanic ground shaping the view.

That difference is part of the appeal. The white buildings of Oia and Fira are beautiful, but they can also make Santorini feel visually repetitive. Here, you get a stronger sense of the island’s volcanic character. The beach and lava terrain provide good material for photographs, especially if you want something beyond the usual blue-domed church picture.

The route includes views of a beach, a church, and cave houses. Those details help connect the ride to the island’s built environment. You are not only looking at open ground. You also get glimpses of how people have adapted homes and religious buildings to Santorini’s unusual terrain.

The horses are paired with riders according to ability. That is an important point for beginners and for anyone who has ridden before but does not want a difficult or fast outing. You should still be comfortable sitting on a horse for 90 minutes and following riding instructions. This is not a suitable choice for anyone with mobility impairments.

Wear shoes that are comfortable and secure. The tour specifically advises clothes that can get dirty, so leave your best resort outfit in the suitcase. Dust, sand, and the natural conditions around the beach and lava ground are part of the experience.

After returning to the base, you receive snacks and drinks. This gives you a chance to settle down before the wine portion. Since a full bottle of water is included, you do not need to rely on finding a shop during the activity.

A local winery and Santorini’s wine tradition

After riding, the tour continues at a local winery. You taste local wines with snacks and assorted foods. The details of the winery itself are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a named estate or a particular label.

Still, the winery stop adds useful context to the day. Santorini is strongly associated with wine, and tasting local bottles gives you something more than a scenic drive past vineyards. The visit lets you connect the island’s volcanic soil with what appears in your glass.

The tasting is not presented as a formal technical class. It is part of a relaxed food-and-drink afternoon. That makes it a good fit if you enjoy wine but do not want a serious lecture or a long cellar tour.

The transition from horseback riding to wine also works well. You start with an active 90 minutes, then move into a slower setting. If you are planning to taste several wines, remember that the day begins with riding and may include more than one food stop. Eat the snacks provided, drink water, and pace yourself.

The overall group size remains limited to six. That can make a difference at a tasting, where a large party can turn a personal stop into a noisy queue. Here, you should have a better chance to hear the host and ask questions, although the exact winery format is not stated.

Greek tapas, paired courses, and Vinsanto

The final food stop is described as a Greek culinary tasting with tapas and more wine. It is worth paying attention to the wording here: this may be much more substantial than a few small bites. One participant described the meal as closer to five courses, with each course paired with wine.

That makes the meal a major part of the tour, not an afterthought. You taste Greek flavors in a local establishment, with the wines matched to the food. This is useful if you want to try several dishes without committing to a separate restaurant dinner.

The most distinctive wine detail is aged Vinsanto, a sweet dessert wine from Santorini. It was so well liked by one participant that six bottles were shipped home. You should not assume you will have the same taste, but the dessert wine is a memorable feature for anyone who enjoys sweet wines or wants to try a classic Santorini style.

The food is also a reason to choose this tour over a basic riding excursion. After an outdoor activity, a generous meal feels welcome. The combination of local dishes and paired wines gives the afternoon a clear sense of place.

One limitation is that the exact menu is not provided. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong dislikes, contact the operator before booking. The available information confirms snacks, assortments, tapas, and multiple wine pairings, but it does not promise a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other special menu.

Pickup, driving, and the small-group setup

Pickup and drop-off at your location are included. That is a real convenience in Santorini, where you may not want to arrange separate transport between a hotel, riding base, winery, and food stop.

The driver speaks Greek and English. The driving portion is not just a transfer. One participant particularly valued the driver’s explanations of the island’s past and the sights seen along the way. That extra commentary can help you understand what you are passing instead of treating the vehicle as a silent shuttle.

The group limit is six people. For this type of experience, that is one of the strongest practical features. A small group makes it easier to organize horse assignments, keep the pace manageable, and enjoy the food stops without the feel of a large excursion.

The tour has a listed duration of five hours, but the supplied details do not give fixed departure times. You need to check availability for the date you want. The timing may matter if you have a cruise departure, dinner reservation, or another activity booked afterward.

There is also a practical note from one participant who wished the day had ended at a bar in Thira. That tells you what the tour does not provide: a final drink or social stop in the island’s main town. The official program ends after the food and wine experience, followed by the return transfer.

Who will enjoy this outing

I would choose this for an active couple, friends, or a small group that wants more variety than a standard sightseeing tour. You need to be comfortable with a 90-minute horse ride, but you do not need to be an expert rider. The horse matching is designed around ability.

It also suits people who care about food. If the tapas were only a token plate, the price would be harder to defend. Here, the food portion can be a serious tasting with several courses and wine pairings, which gives the day more weight.

This is less suitable if you want a pure winery tour, a long beach visit, or a full riding lesson. The horse ride is one part of a mixed program. The beach is viewed along the route, not presented as a separate swimming stop.

It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The combination of horseback riding, outdoor ground, and moving between venues requires enough mobility to take part safely.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your clothing practical. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, and your clothes should be suitable for getting dirty. I would avoid white trousers, delicate fabrics, and anything you would worry about around a horse or volcanic ground.

Bring your camera, since the black beach, lava scenery, church, and cave houses offer a different set of images from the usual caldera views. A bottle of water is included, but you may still want sun protection if you are sensitive to heat. The confirmed packing advice is comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

You do not need to pay separately for the horse activity, wine tasting, snacks, bottle of water, or pickup and drop-off. Those are included in the listed price. The phrase snacks and assortments covers food during the tasting, while the later tapas meal provides the larger culinary portion.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Santorini schedule is still changing. Check the available start times before committing, especially if your accommodation or ship schedule leaves you with a narrow window.

Should you book the Santorini Fun Day?

Book it if you want a compact, active food-and-wine experience with transport included. The strongest reasons are the southern ride beside volcanic black sand, the small group of no more than six, and the unusually substantial tapas and wine portion.

At $293, this is not a bargain excursion. Its value depends on using all three parts of the day. If you only want to ride a horse, choose a riding-focused activity. If you only want wine, a winery visit should cost less. But if you want riding, scenic stops, local wine, and a multi-course Greek tasting without arranging each piece yourself, the price is easier to understand.

Skip it if you have mobility limits, dislike horses, need a guaranteed special diet, or want the day to finish in Thira. For everyone else, this is a lively way to see southern Santorini, taste its wines, and leave the island with more than another sunset photograph.

FAQ

How long does the Santorini Fun Day last?

The activity lasts five hours. Check the available start times when booking.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off service from your location is included.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback riding portion lasts one hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the horse ride take place?

The ride takes place in southern Santorini, alongside a volcanic black beach and lava scenery.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

The horses are paired with participants according to their ability. However, the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What food and drink are included?

The tour includes snacks and drinks after riding, a local wine tasting with snacks and assortments, and a Greek tapas-style culinary tasting with more wine. A bottle of water is also included.

What languages are available, and how large is the group?

The driver and tour service are available in Greek and English. The group is limited to six participants.