Akrotiri Horseback Riding to Vlychada Beach Tour Santorini

Akrotiri: the village and the stables

Akrotiri sits at the southern end of Santorini, roughly twelve kilometres from Fira, and it is far quieter than the caldera towns on the northern side. The village is best known for the Bronze Age settlement buried by the Minoan eruption around 1600 BC, which is one of the reasons people ask whether Akrotiri is worth visiting: the answer is yes, and a ride from here adds a very different side of the area.

Your horseback tour starts at the stables in the village. Please arrive ten to fifteen minutes early so the instructor can explain the basics, match you with a horse and check your equipment. The timetable is tight, so a delay of more than five minutes cannot be accommodated.

Vineyards and country trails

From the stables the route runs between traditional Santorini vineyards, where the vines are woven into low baskets close to the ground to protect the grapes from the strong summer wind. The soil is black and grey volcanic ash, and the landscape feels a long way from the crowded viewpoints at Oia and Fira.

Most of the ride is at a walking pace, which makes horse riding in Santorini realistic even if you have never sat on a horse. Your instructor rides with the group, tells stories about the island in the old days, and stops for photographs. In a heat wave or unsettled weather the ride time may be moved, so keep an eye on your confirmation.

Vlychada Beach on the south coast

The ride ends at Vlychada, a volcanic beach on the south coast, a few minutes from Akrotiri. Its dark sand is backed by tall, pale cliffs of pumice and ash that wind and waves have carved into smooth, lunar shapes. It is a favourite with photographers, and it is much calmer than Perissa or Kamari, so it suits a slow ride and a look at the sea.

If you are wondering how to get to Vlychada Beach, most visitors drive or take a taxi from Fira, which takes around twenty-five minutes. Riding there on horseback is a memorable alternative, and you see the coastline from a different angle than from the road.

Planning your Santorini horseback ride

The best time to ride in Santorini is in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the heat is lower and the light is softer, and this is why the tour offers a few start times each day. Check the booking panel to see what is open on your date.

Wear closed shoes and long trousers, since bare legs rub against the saddle. The weight limit is 100 kg for the horses' wellbeing, and the ride is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women or anyone with back problems.