REVIEW · DINING EXPERIENCES
Santorini : Night Hike, Wine Tasting and Dinner
Book on Viator →Operated by TREKKING HELLAS · Bookable on Viator
If you like Santorini for the big views, this night outing delivers. You’ll take parts of the famous Fira–Oia hiking trail after sunset, so you trade daytime crowds for calm. I especially like how the route is timed for the orange sun going down, then the thousands-of-lights look across the island.
The second part is just as smart for your evening plans: you end in Imerovigli with a guided wine tasting (including Assyrtiko and Vinsanto) and a traditional dinner. One thing to keep in mind: the hike can feel more challenging than you might expect, and dinner isn’t a slam dunk for everyone.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- The big idea: a famous trail, but timed for night silence
- From hotel pickup to Fira: the easy start you’ll appreciate
- Fira to Imerovigli night hike: sunset first, then island lights
- What you’ll see
- How it feels
- What helps (and what doesn’t)
- The Imerovigli stop: wine tasting with Assyrtiko and Vinsanto
- Dinner in Imerovigli: Greek food, but check your expectations
- Price and value: where your money is going
- What to wear and bring for a night climb
- Group size and guide quality: why this matters on a night route
- Who this night hike and wine tasting is best for
- Weather matters more than usual
- Should you book this Santorini night hike with wine tasting?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the experience?
- Where do we meet the guide?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What language is the guide?
- What’s included besides the hike?
- How many wines are included in the tasting?
- Which wines are specifically mentioned?
- What should I bring or wear?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Final thought
Key takeaways before you go
- After-sunset Fira–Oia hiking: a famous route, but far quieter at night
- Guides who know the timing: the walk includes sunset views and good photo stops
- Wine tasting with local stars: 4 wines, including Assyrtiko and Vinsanto
- Convenient pickup and drop-off: you meet the guide at Fira, then get sent back to your hotel
- Small group feel: maximum 30 travelers, with some bookings running very small
The big idea: a famous trail, but timed for night silence
Santorini’s hiking routes are famous for a reason: the views are strong, the cliffs are dramatic, and the route feels like it was built for postcards. The problem is simple. During the day, the Fira-to-Oia path can get busy fast.
This experience solves that by working at night. You start with hotel pickup and then connect at Fira, around 7:30 pm, when temperatures usually feel more comfortable and the crowds thin out. The result is a hike that’s still scenic, but without the constant shoulder-to-shoulder traffic you get in daylight hours.
The other clever part is that this isn’t just a walk and then you’re on your own. You get a structured evening: hike first, then wine tasting and dinner in Imerovigli, and finally transport back to your hotel.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Santorini
From hotel pickup to Fira: the easy start you’ll appreciate
Pickup is offered from almost any hotel on the island, and that matters more than it sounds. Santorini can be a maze of stairs, steep lanes, and parking constraints. Having someone handle the logistics helps you start the hike focused, not stressed.
Once you’re picked up, you meet your guide at Fira. From there, the hike heads toward Imerovigli over about two hours. The walking pace is part of the package, with an experienced guide leading the way for a safe after-sunset adventure.
If you want the practical angle: show up a few minutes early if you can. At night, even a short delay can throw off your sunset timing and your dinner rhythm.
Fira to Imerovigli night hike: sunset first, then island lights
The hiking experience is built around timing and viewpoints.
What you’ll see
Early in the hike, you’ll admire the orange sun sinking below the horizon. As the light fades, you’ll move through sections of the Fira–Oia trail—a route that’s very crowded in daylight, but at night you’ll likely feel like you’ve found your own version of Santorini.
You’ll also get repeated viewpoint stops. These aren’t just “stand here” moments. The guide helps you look at the big picture: the volcano is still visible to your left, and the island below starts to glow with a grid of lights.
How it feels
Night hikes change everything. Footing matters more. Depth perception can trick you in uneven ground. You don’t want to sprint or rush. You want steady steps, slow glances, and respect for the terrain.
This is also where a key warning from real-world feedback comes in. The hike can be a little more difficult than expected. So if you normally skip stairs or you have any ankle issues, don’t treat this like a stroll. Think “managed challenge,” not “easy walk.”
You can also read our reviews of more wine tours in Santorini
What helps (and what doesn’t)
You’re not given gear in the included list. That means you should pack for traction and comfort yourself (more on that later). If you’re expecting flip-flops and casual sandals, lower those hopes now.
The Imerovigli stop: wine tasting with Assyrtiko and Vinsanto
When you reach Imerovigli, the evening pivots from moving outdoors to a relaxing meal setup.
The welcome is at a restaurant, and the wine part is the star of the show. You’ll taste 4 Santorinian wines, with Assyrtiko and Vinsanto specifically listed. That’s a meaningful combo: Assyrtiko is the island’s go-to white grape, and Vinsanto is the famous sweet wine tied to local tradition.
You’ll also get taught along the way—wine culture and history are part of the tasting. Even if you’re not a wine expert, that guidance helps you notice differences in flavor and style instead of just drinking and nodding.
The vibe here is practical. You walk, you cool down, you taste, and you learn enough to make your next glass make sense.
Dinner in Imerovigli: Greek food, but check your expectations
Dinner is included, and it’s described as featuring local recipes alongside the wine tasting.
Here’s the honest balance. One piece of feedback flagged that dinner can feel a bit light or less satisfying than the price suggests. That same feedback described an approach like cold appetizers without much more afterward.
At the same time, the dinner wasn’t described as bad—just not as special as the rest of the evening. So I’d frame this dinner as a solid finish to your night out, not a guaranteed “top meal of your trip” experience.
If you’re the type who needs a heavy dinner after walking, you might still want to plan a small snack beforehand (and then trust the tasting and meal to do the rest). Just don’t overfill yourself before wine.
Price and value: where your money is going
At $240.82 per person for an approximately 3-hour experience, you should treat this as a bundled night: guided hiking + wine tasting + dinner + transport.
For value, focus on what’s included:
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- an English-speaking guide
- wine tasting
- traditional dinner
- taxes
Your biggest “value win” is time saved and stress reduced. A night hike on Santorini isn’t just walking. It’s logistics, safety, and pacing. The transport piece is a real convenience, especially on a steep island where getting back to your hotel can be its own mini mission.
Is it expensive? Yes. But it isn’t only paying for a view. You’re paying for an evening plan that runs smoothly—from Fira meeting point to Imerovigli dinner to your return.
If you’re sensitive to food portion size or you’re expecting a long, multi-course dining event, this is the part where the value might feel uneven.
What to wear and bring for a night climb
The tour listing doesn’t include hiking shoes or boots, and it also doesn’t include a small backpack with water. That’s important.
Bring:
- comfortable clothes for walking and cooler night air
- hiking shoes/boots with grip
- a small backpack
- bottled water (recommended for your comfort during the hike)
Also, keep in mind that it’s an evening start. You’ll want layers you can move in, not just warm things you can’t sweat through.
Group size and guide quality: why this matters on a night route
The maximum group size is 30 travelers. That number is high enough to keep it organized, but low enough that it usually won’t feel like a train platform.
Guide quality matters here more than you’d think. Night walking needs more than charisma. You need someone managing pace, keeping the group together, and offering context at the right moment—especially when you’re looking at the volcano and those viewpoint lightscapes.
Two guide names show up with strong praise: Panos and Sophia. That’s a good sign because their strengths were described as excellent guiding, island facts, and pleasant company.
Who this night hike and wine tasting is best for
This tour is a good fit if you want Santorini at night without spending hours planning your route.
It’s especially suited for:
- couples and small groups who like views but dislike crowds
- people who want a guided hike for safety and timing
- wine fans who enjoy learning about local grapes, not just drinking casually
- anyone staying on the island who wants pickup and drop-off handled
It’s less ideal if:
- you’re expecting an easy flat walk
- you need a big, heavy dinner afterward
- you don’t want to bring basic hiking gear like shoes and water
Weather matters more than usual
This experience requires good weather. If weather is poor, it can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Plan around this by packing real walking footwear and being flexible. Night hikes can become unpleasant quickly if wind or rain is involved.
Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the walking portion is the real deciding factor.
Should you book this Santorini night hike with wine tasting?
I think you should book it if you want a guided way to enjoy Santorini’s famous hiking views without daytime crowds, and you’re genuinely interested in Santorini wine culture. The combo of night scenery plus a structured tasting (including Assyrtiko and Vinsanto) makes the evening feel complete.
I’d pause before booking if you’re very sensitive to hike difficulty or if a big, satisfying dinner is your top priority. In that case, it may feel pricey for what dinner turns out to be.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 7:30 pm.
How long is the experience?
It runs for about 3 hours total (approximately).
Where do we meet the guide?
After hotel pickup, you meet your guide at Fira.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included, from almost any hotel on the island.
What language is the guide?
The guide is English-speaking.
What’s included besides the hike?
You get wine tasting and a traditional dinner, plus taxes.
How many wines are included in the tasting?
You’ll taste 4 Santorinian wines.
Which wines are specifically mentioned?
The tasting includes Assyrtiko and Vinsanto.
What should I bring or wear?
The tour does not include hiking shoes/boots or bottled water. Bring comfortable clothes, hiking shoes/boots, and a small backpack with bottled water.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Final thought
Book this if you want Santorini at night without the daytime crowd stress, plus a guided evening with wine tasting and dinner. Just bring proper shoes, expect a night hike that can feel tougher than it looks, and you’ll be in the right mindset for a memorable island evening.
