Santorini has many ways to see its landscape on a horse, and this is the one that leans most into the island's quiet inland and coastal edges. It is a small-group ride of about an hour and a half on out-of-the-way trails that no car can follow, so you spend most of the time among vines, dry stone walls and open slopes rather than beside a road. The route listed for the tour passes vineyards, natural caves and a secluded stretch of black-sand beach, and stops for photographs at a traditional Greek church before returning. The finish is the part many riders remember: the ride ends with a glass of homegrown wine, a small, friendly touch that fits the pace of the experience. It is rated well, at 4.4 stars from well over a hundred travellers, and the operator is positioned as the more intimate of the island's horseback offerings, with small groups that leave room for attention from the guide. If you are comparing it with the longer-established ride to Eros Beach, the difference is character: this one is more about trails, vines and caves, while the other is about the shoreline. Beginners are comfortable on the walking pace, and the tour is a good way to experience the countryside in a way the buses and coaches never reach.
What to expect on the trail
The paths are rough and uneven, and the horses are accustomed to them, so you are asked to sit and let them work. The guide leads and decides the pace, and conditions affect the route, with strong wind or heat sometimes shortening or changing sections. The stop at the church is a short pause on a quiet hillside, a good moment to see how little of the island is built up once you leave the caldera rim.
What to wear and bring
Long trousers, closed shoes with a small heel, sun protection and water. If you want to take photographs, bring a phone strap or a small bag that can be worn across the body so that both hands are free for the reins. The glass of wine at the end is modest, and non-drinkers can skip it without any difficulty. Check age and weight limits for riders when choosing your date, because they depend on the horses available.
Practical notes
The ride is a morning or late-afternoon activity rather than a midday one, because the sun on the open trails is strong in summer, and because the quality of light on the vines is best in the early and late hours. It combines well with a winery lunch in the villages inland, or with an afternoon on a boat.
Read the meeting-point details on your confirmation, because stables are usually outside the main tourist centres and a taxi or transfer is normal. Of the island's horse rides, this one suits travellers who prefer trails and vineyards to a long beach ride.
If you travel with a group of mixed confidence, mention it when you book, because small groups allow the guide to match horses carefully. The ride is a gentle way to understand the island's shape, with its terraced slopes, its dry-stone field walls and its small chapels, and it gives you a very different feeling from the busy caldera villages that most visitors see first. Allow a relaxed schedule around it, as the pace of the ride encourages you to stop and look.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group guided ride of about ninety minutes on trails cars cannot reach, passing vineyards, natural caves and a secluded black-sand beach, with a photo stop at a traditional church and a glass of homegrown wine.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon, when the light on the vines is best and the trails are cooler.
How long
About ninety minutes.
Tips
Wear long trousers and closed shoes, and bring water and sun protection. Check age and weight limits when you choose your date.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Riders who prefer trails, vines and quiet coast to a long beach ride.
- Families
- Suitable for older children and teenagers who are comfortable on a walking horse; check the limits for your date.
- Couples
- A calm, scenic ride that ends with a shared glass of wine.
- Pair with
- A winery lunch, Megalochori village or the ride to Eros Beach on another day.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours including transport.
Good questions
How long does the ride last?+
About an hour and a half.
What does the route pass?+
Vineyards, natural caves and a secluded black-sand beach, with a photo stop at a traditional Greek church.
Is there a drink at the end?+
Yes, the ride finishes with a glass of homegrown wine.
Is the group small?+
Yes, the tour is run as a small group, with the guide leading on trails that cars cannot reach.
How does it differ from the Eros Beach ride?+
This one focuses on trails, vines and caves; the Eros Beach ride follows the cliffs and the black-sand shoreline.
