Most visitors see Santorini from a boat or a viewpoint. This ride shows you the other side of the island, the quiet stretch of coast in the south where the cliffs fall straight to the shore and the sand is black. The route starts at the stables, where you are asked to arrive about fifteen minutes early to meet your horse, your guide and the other riders. From there the group rides along Caldera Beach beneath tall cliffs, crosses volcanic terrain and arrives at Eros Beach on the southern coast, where you ride along the black-sand shoreline before turning back to the stables. The ride lasts about an hour and a half and moves at a walk for much of it, so it is accessible to people who have never been on a horse, while the scenery does the work: ash-coloured cliffs, ribbons of lava rock, the sea on one side and the empty slopes on the other. Travellers rate it very highly, with several thousand reviews mentioning the guides, and it appears among the most booked activities on the island. It is a relaxed, low-key counterpart to the island's boat trips and quad tours, and it is an excellent choice for a morning or late-afternoon when you want something active without a long drive.
Who it suits
First-time riders and experienced riders alike will enjoy it, though experienced riders who want to canter should look instead at one of the separate advanced beach rides, because this one is designed as a guided scenic walk. The group is led by a guide and the horses are matched to your confidence. Children are generally welcome on rides of this kind, but check the minimum age and weight limits at the time you choose your date, because they depend on the horses on that day.
What to wear and bring
Long trousers or leggings are far more comfortable than shorts on a horse, and closed shoes with a small heel are best. Bring sunscreen, a hat or the helmet provided, water, and a camera or phone with a secure strap, because this is a stretch of coast you will want to remember. Black sand heats quickly, so a morning ride is cooler and a late-afternoon ride gives a better light on the cliffs. Be prepared for dust on the tracks and a little salt wind on the beach.
Practical notes
The stables are in the south of the island, so you will need a taxi, transfer or a hire car, and it is easy to combine the ride with lunch in a nearby beach village or a swim afterwards at Perissa or Vlychada. The ride is cancellable free of charge according to the operator's terms, which matters in a place where wind and heat can change the schedule. If you are travelling as a couple, this is one of the nicest low-cost romantic activities on Santorini; if you are travelling as a family with teenagers, it is a good shared experience that is not a museum or a boat.
One more thing worth knowing is how the ride fits the shape of the island: Santorini's south coast is the opposite of the caldera, a low, open shoreline of dark sand and pale cliffs with almost nothing built on it, and a horse is a quiet way to cross it without engine noise. Take the ride early if you plan to spend the afternoon on a beach, because the black sand stays hot well into the evening.
What to expect
The experience
A guided horse ride of about ninety minutes from the stables along Caldera Beach, across volcanic terrain and along the black-sand shore of Eros Beach, then back.
Best time
Mornings are cooler on the black sand; late afternoon has softer light on the cliffs.
How long
About ninety minutes, plus arriving fifteen minutes early.
Tips
Wear long trousers and closed shoes, bring sunscreen and water, and arrive on time to meet your horse and guide.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a quiet, scenic, active hour on the south coast of the island.
- Families
- A good activity for older children and teenagers; check the age and weight limits when choosing your date.
- Couples
- A relaxed, romantic ride that ends on a black-sand beach before a late lunch or swim.
- Pair with
- Perissa and Perivolos beach or a winery tasting in the south.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours including transport.
Good questions
How long is the ride?+
About an hour and a half, from the stables to Eros Beach and back.
Do I need riding experience?+
No. The ride is a guided scenic walk suitable for beginners, with horses matched to your confidence.
Where does the ride go?+
Along Caldera Beach beneath the cliffs, across volcanic terrain and onto the black-sand shore of Eros Beach.
What should I wear?+
Long trousers, closed shoes, sunscreen and a hat; bring water.
Where do I meet the group?+
At the stables, about fifteen minutes before departure, which you will need a taxi, transfer or hire car to reach.
