Wondering if guides that can enter are available outside this venue. I can't seem to find any information other than arranging through a the day tour company we will use, which is quite pricey (150E for 4 people). Some info on this site is several years old and pre-pandemic. Has anyone been to Akrotiri recently and seen guides for hire outside, or just best to arrange ahead of arrival. Thanks!
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
1011 posts
My husband and I visited Akrotiri in May this year. While I can't recommend a guide specifically for Akrotiri only as we took a half-day tour that included visits to other areas of the island and sunset wine tasting that include a little over an hour at Akrotiri. What I can say is that when we were there a late afternoon in May there were not guides outside. In addition, it is not a site that you can easily tour on your own. There is some signage and a nice video, but it really takes a guide to bring the history to life.
Posted by
France Southwest
2176 posts
150€ for 4 people with a licensed guide is not necessarily pricey, even if it does not include the entrance fee on site (12€).
Most private guided tours to Akrotiri cost around 300€ for a small group of 4 people. This includes the guided tour of about 2 hours and the transfer from/to your hotel.
Santorini is an island where everything is expensive.
Another option, since you are interested in the Minoan civilization in Santorini is to be your own guide by reading some books on the subject.
For example: "History of Akrotiri and Santorini" by Jamie Clarke, or "Thera: Pompeii of the Ancient Aegean" by Christos G Doumas.