Santorini Horse Riding – Black Sand Beach Ride

Santorini Horse Riding on the Black Sand

Santorini horse riding is one hour on horseback along the black volcanic sand in the south of the island, priced per rider: 75€ for one, 150€ for two, 300€ for four, and on in steps of 75€ to 750€ for ten. It is the shortest and cheapest thing we offer and, for a lot of families, the part of the week the children talk about afterwards.

The pace on our Santorini horse riding is a walk along the sand, not a trek. Riders are matched to horses by weight and experience, complete beginners are entirely fine, and a guide rides with the group throughout.

What Santorini horse riding includes

The horse, a helmet, a guide for the ride, and basic instruction before you mount. Hotel pickup can be added – ask when you book and we will quote it with one of our private transfers, or build the ride into a longer day.

What to wear

Long trousers, closed shoes with a small heel if you have them, and something you do not mind getting dusty. Shorts and sandals are the two things that make an hour uncomfortable. Sun protection matters – there is no shade on the beach at all.

Who Santorini Horse Riding Suits

Families with children old enough to ride. Generally from about six, depending on the child and the horse. This is the single most popular reason people book Santorini horse riding here.

Anyone with a spare hour rather than a spare day. One hour, and you are back with your afternoon intact.

Couples wanting something that is not another viewpoint. The black sand with the cliffs behind it is a genuinely different Santorini from the caldera.

Complete beginners. Santorini horse riding here is a walk on flat sand. Nobody is expected to have ridden before.

Experienced riders should know in advance that this is a gentle beach ride rather than a hack. If you want something more demanding, say so when you book and we will tell you honestly whether it can be arranged.

Not suitable for riders above the weight limit the stable sets for the horses’ welfare, for children under about six, or in the middle of a July afternoon – the sand and the sun are unkind at that hour, which is why Santorini horse riding runs early or late.

When to Ride

April to June. The best window. Warm, not hot, and the beaches are quiet.

July and August. Early morning or the hour before sunset only. Black sand absorbs heat and the middle of the day is genuinely unpleasant for horse and rider alike.

September and October. Excellent – warm sea, softer light and empty sand. Santorini horse riding at sunset in September is the version people photograph.

Winter. On request and weather permitting.

Animal welfare

Worth saying plainly. The horses used for Santorini horse riding here are a working stable’s riding horses, ridden for an hour at a walk with a weight limit enforced. That is a different thing from the donkeys carrying cruise passengers up the 588 steps from the old port, which welfare organisations have criticised repeatedly and which we do not include on any itinerary. If the welfare question is why you were hesitating, that is the distinction.

Combining Santorini Horse Riding With a Tour

An hour leaves most of the day free, and Santorini horse riding pairs naturally with the tours that finish in the south.

With the south part tour. Akrotiri, the Red Beach and Vlychada in the morning, the ride at the end. The most natural pairing on the list.

With the black sand beach tour. Same beaches, and the ride slots straight into the afternoon.

With the sunset tour. Ride first, then the caldera as the light goes.

As a family day. Santorini horse riding for the children and a wine tour for the adults on separate days is a combination we arrange more often than you would think.

Every itinerary and all santorini tours prices are on the santorini tours page. Our santorini day tours, santorini private tours, santorini island tours, santorini excursions, santorini guided tours and santorini tour packages run from this single hour up to a full eight-hour day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santorini Horse Riding

How long is the ride? One hour on the black sand.

How much does it cost? 75€ per person, rising in steps of 75€ to 750€ for ten riders.

Do I need experience? No. It is a walk on flat sand with a guide alongside.

What age can children ride? Generally from about six, depending on the child.

Is there a weight limit? Yes, set by the stable for the horses’ welfare. Tell us at booking and we will confirm.

What should I wear? Long trousers, closed shoes, sun protection. Not shorts, not sandals.

Is a helmet provided? Yes.

Is hotel pickup included? Not as standard, but it can be added.

What time does it run? Early morning or late afternoon, and in July and August only those hours.

Can we book Santorini horse riding with another tour on the same day? Yes, and it works best after a tour that finishes in the south.

How far ahead should I book? A few days outside high season, a week or two in July and August. Santorini horse riding takes small numbers per session.

Book Santorini Horse Riding

Send your dates, the number of riders and their ages and we will confirm the same day. To reserve directly: horse riding booking, south part, north part, sightseeing, full day, famous sights, sunset, shore excursion, historical, personalised, food experience, wine.

We are licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organisation. Santorini horse riding is run with a stable we have worked with for years rather than whoever is cheapest that week.

Everywhere the Santorini Horse Riding Can Reach

Any of these can be built into a private itinerary. Each has its own page with what to see and how long to allow.

Caldera villages: Fira · Firostefani · Imerovigli · Oia · Finikia · Baxedes

Inland villages: Pyrgos · Megalochori · Emporio · Mesaria · Karterados · Vothonas · Vourvoulos · Exo Gonia · Mesa Gonia · Pigadia

Beaches: Perissa · Perivolos · Kamari · Vlychada · Monolithos · Red Beach · White Beach · Agios Georgios · Agia Paraskevi

Sites and landmarks: Akrotiri · Ancient Thira · Akrotiri Lighthouse · Nea Kameni · Palia Kameni · Thirasia · Athinios Port

All our tours: All Santorini tours · Full day tour · Sightseeing tour · Personalised tour · North part tour · Famous sights tour · South part tour · Sunset tour · Shore excursion · Caldera tour · Food experience · Wine tour · Historical tour · Small group tour

Planning and services: Private transfers · Transfers to Oia and Finikia · Transfers to other villages · Villages of Santorini · History of Santorini · Tours near you · Languages we guide in · Food and fun tours · Gay friendly tours · Our tour buses · Daily tours · Day tours · FAQ · Gallery · Tour photo gallery · About us · Contact · Blog