Tips for Renting an ATV in Santorini, Greece

How to Rent an ATV in Santorini, Greece

One of the things that surprised me the most about Santorini was how big it actually is. There’s a lot more to see outside the town of Oia where we stayed and the best way to see it all is by renting an ATV. That’s right guys, ME – on an ATV. Brace yourselves.

Travel Tips / Renting an ATV in Santorini, Greece

Renting a quad was on the top of James’ to-do list, but it was something that neither of us had ever done before. I googled tips on ATV rentals and read first-hand accounts of the quads being unstable, veering off the road or even flipping over. The thought got my nerves going, but I think it was a necessary reminder that riding ATVs around the island should be done smartly and cautiously.

There are plenty of rental companies in Oia to choose from. We walked into a location right off the main street and snagged a rental for 40€ (plus an extra 5€ for insurance). Since we were visiting Santorini right before peak season, a reservation wasn’t necessary, but it’s highly recommended in July and August. Equipped with our helmets and a quick tutorial from the staff, we were off!

The Best Things to See in Santorini, Greece

I’m not going to lie, I was probably holding on for dear life for the first 20 minutes of our ride around the island. From Oia to Fira, it’s just you, a cool breeze and the curved roads along the island cliffs – both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time! After hopping on and off a couple of times, I started to feel pretty comfortable on the quad, to the point where I was Snapchatting as we zipped around the island (while James was driving, of course!).

Some of the places we visited by quad included:

The Three Bells of Fira: You can easily get to Fira from Oia by public transportation, but since the bus only runs every 1/2 hour, we decided to swing by the island’s capital town as our first leg of our trip. The Three Bells of Fira is one of the most iconic churches in Santorini. It was one of my favorite vantage points, since you can look both north to the cliffs of Oia and also down into the Old Port of Fira.

Kamari Beach: Afterwards, we took a 20-minute drive down to Kamari Beach, also known as the Black Beach. Because of the island’s volcanic history, all of Santorini’s beaches are blanketed with red and black pebbles instead of sand. The little rocks get pretty hot during the day, so make sure you wear your flip flops as you walk down to the water to cool off!

Santorini Brewing Company: As the only brewery on the island, we knew we had to get ourselves to the Santorini Brewing Company one way or the other. It’s a small, no-frills facility, but they give their visitors a free tasting of their beer (we tried Red Donkey, Yellow Donkey, Crazy Donkey and a seasonal White Donkey) and offer takeaway prices that are cheaper than the rest of the island. We took two bottles home to the States as souvenirs.

Perivolos: We made our way down to the most southern tip of the island for lunch at another beach in Perivolos. Terra Nera is a cute little beach club that’s ranked among the top 10 restaurants on the island on TripAdvisor. For 20€, we shared a meat platter of sausages, souvlaki, french fries and pita – so so good!

Santo Winery: One of the most beautiful places to grab vino with a view. You can arrange for a full tour of the facility in advance, but we walked in, grabbed a table by the cliff and ordered a tasting flight of seven different wines to enjoy on our own.

All in all, I definitely recommend renting an ATV if you want to see different parts of Santorini. I loved being able to explore the island on our own pace and visit sights that we wouldn’t have been able to get to otherwise. Just make sure you drive carefully, plan out your route in advance and wear tons of sunscreen!

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4 Comments

  1. I’ve only been ATVing on guided tours but that’s one fun way to ride! I need to go to Greece!

    http://asequinloveaffair.com

    Posted 6.27.16 Reply
  2. Meagan wrote:

    Sounds like you had a great time!
    -Meg
    http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com

    Posted 6.27.16 Reply
  3. Alisha wrote:

    Hi Jen,

    Do you remember what speed ATV four got? Just trying to book once in advance but not sure which one to book for beginners!

    Alisha

    Posted 8.17.19 Reply
    • Jen Dang wrote:

      Hi Alisha, it’s been a few years since our trip and unfortunately I don’t remember! Sorry!

      Posted 8.18.19 Reply