50m²
Σουίτα Μήνα του Μέλιτος
Υπόσκαφη σουίτα με βεράντα προς την καλντέρα, για ζευγάρια και ξεχωριστά ταξίδια.
Δείτε το δωμάτιοShort answer: Yes, Santorini has beaches, just not the white sand kind. The sand is black, red or grey, all of it volcanic. Kamari and Perissa are the long organised ones with sunbeds; Red Beach is the famous one near Akrotiri. Fira sits on top of the cliff; the nearest beach, Exo Gialos (locally called Fira Beach), is about 2.5 km down on the east coast, and every beach you can reach by road is a short bus, taxi or car ride away (see which beaches are walkable from Fira).
The sand here is black. Or red. Or grey. The cliffs behind it were made by a volcano, and the water drops off into deep blue faster than you'd expect. None of it looks like the beaches you grew up seeing on postcards.
That's what makes them worth the trip.
We've put together the beaches worth knowing on this island, the popular strips where sunbeds line up and beach bars play music, the hidden volcanic coves where you'll be alone for hours, and everything in between. If you want the best beaches Santorini has, they're all here, sorted by type, crowd level, and what you'll actually find when you show up. Staying in Fira? Down in Perissa? Somewhere else? Either way, you'll know which beach to pick, how to get there, and whether it's worth the trip.
First time on the island? Our complete Santorini travel guide covers the non-beach stuff, where to stay, getting around, timing your trip right.
The black sand beaches: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos
These three are where most visitors end up, and every one of them is a black sand beach Santorini is famous for, and they're the easiest to reach, the best organized, and the longest stretches of sand you'll find.
Photo: Michelle Maria, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kamari Beach
Kamari's about 10 km from Fira on the eastern coast. Dark grey to black sand, long shoreline, and a pedestrian promenade that runs alongside it packed with restaurants and bars and shops. For a wider look at the best places for Santorini dining, including Kamari and the other areas, see our island-wide restaurant guide.
What to expect: Sunbeds and umbrellas line up along the whole thing (EUR 10-15 per set). Water is clear, deepens at a reasonable pace, makes for solid swimming. Families gravitate here, showers, changing rooms, water sports, the whole setup.
The thing nobody mentions: There's an open-air cinema right behind the beach. Cine Kamari. You watch a movie under the stars after a day in the water. Tickets run about EUR 8-10. It sounds small but it makes the whole evening.
Getting there: KTEL bus from Fira, 20 minutes, EUR 2.20. Every 30 minutes in summer. You can also drive, parking sits right behind the promenade.
Perissa Beach
Perissa is next door to the south. A massive rock called Mesa Vouno separates them (Ancient Thera sits up top of it). The sand runs darker here, almost jet black, and the beach goes on for about 7 km once you count Perivolos.
What to expect: Younger crowd than Kamari. More beach bars, louder music, a bit more buzz. Water's clean and good for swimming. Sunbed sets go for EUR 8-12.
What makes it: Mesa Vouno. That cliff face rises straight up behind the northern end of the beach. One of the most photographed views on the island, and the photos don't do it justice.
Getting there: KTEL bus from Fira, roughly 25 minutes, EUR 2.70. Frequent summer service.
Perivolos Beach
Perivolos is really just Perissa's southern extension. No hard line between them, the vibe just shifts. If Perissa has the energy, Perivolos is where Santorini's beach club scene actually lives.
What to expect: The higher-end beach bars are here. Wet Stories, Chilli Beach, Tranquilo (the island's most loved vegan and vegetarian beach spot). Sunbeds at the clubs run EUR 15-25, and some places want a minimum spend on food and drinks. Same black volcanic sand. Deep, clean water.
What Perivolos is about: This is the closest Santorini gets to a "party beach." Still nothing like Mykonos. But if cocktails, decent music, and table service from a sunbed sounds right, this is the spot.
Getting there: Same bus as Perissa, or drive a bit further south. Some beach clubs will shuttle you from Fira for free if you book a daybed ahead of time.
Famous and unique beaches
Not the biggest or best-organized. But these are the beaches that make Santorini's coastline different from every other island in Greece.
Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia)
Red Beach is probably the most photographed spot on Santorini, and for once the hype isn't wrong. Towering red and orange volcanic cliffs dropping down to dark red sand. Small beach. Absolutely packed in summer. Worth it anyway.
What to expect: Maybe 100 metres of shoreline. July and August? Shoulder to shoulder. A few sunbeds for rent, but most people just lay towels on the red sand. Swimming is good, clear water, interesting snorkeling around the volcanic rocks.
The part most blogs skip: Red Beach has a rockfall problem. Cliff sections are unstable. There have been closures, and they're not being dramatic about it, stones do fall. Check access status before going, especially if you're planning the cliffside trail from Akrotiri (about 10 minutes, uneven ground).
Getting there: Drive or bus to Akrotiri village, then walk. Or take the hop-on, hop-off water taxi from Akrotiri port (EUR 15 per person for the day, covering Red, White and Black beaches, according to Postcards From Carrie's 2025 guide). The boat gives you the best view of those cliffs from the water.
Nearby: The Akrotiri archaeological site is right there, a 3,600-year-old Minoan city under volcanic ash. Allow one to two hours to wander the site. Admission is EUR 20.
White Beach (Aspri Paralia)
White Beach hides around the headland from Red Beach. Boat access only. That's the entire appeal. A small cove backed by white and grey pumice cliffs, and because there's no footpath, it stays much quieter.
What to expect: A tiny strip of black and grey volcanic pebbles. The name comes from the white cliffs, not the shore (Visit Santorini). Almost nothing in terms of facilities. Bring water. Bring food. The water is clear and the snorkeling along the cliff base is excellent.
Getting there: The same water taxi from Akrotiri port, which also stops at Red Beach (the EUR 15 day ticket covers it, boats about every 30 minutes in summer). No road.
Vlychada Beach
Vlychada looks like the surface of the moon. Tall white-grey cliffs carved by wind and rain into shapes that shouldn't exist. It's the most visually bizarre beach on the island, and it catches people off guard every time.
What to expect: The public section is undeveloped. Volcanic pebbles and sand. The beach club situation has been on-again, off-again (check current status). Water is calm, good for swimming.
What photographers know: The cliff formations are unlike anything else in Greece. Go late afternoon, the light on the cliffs changes everything.
Getting there: Drive to the small marina at Vlychada (about 20 minutes from Fira), then walk along the coast. Bus service is spotty, so a car or taxi is the easier option.
Hidden and quiet beaches
Want to skip the crowds? These require a bit of effort. That's exactly what keeps them empty.
Colombo Beach
Colombo is the wild one. No sunbeds. No bars. No facilities. Dark volcanic sand, hot springs bubbling up near the shore, and a cliff wall behind you. It's one of the island's real hidden gems. Clothing-optional in practice, though nobody's made it official.
What to expect: Warm water seeps up through the sand near the waterline, natural hot springs. The beach is pebbly with dark sand. Bring shade, water, food. Everything.
Getting there: About 3 km from Oia. There's no road to the sand: park by the road above Cape Colombo, then take a steep dirt path, about 5-10 minutes down. No bus.
Baxedes Beach (Paradisos)
The quiet alternative to Kamari and Perissa. Sits on the northern coast below Oia, dark grey sand, barely any development. Some locals call it Paradisos. They're not wrong.
What to expect: Long, flat beach, a few tavernas at one end. No clubs. No noise. But the north coast catches wind, especially during Meltemi season (July-August), and the water gets rougher for it. Check conditions.
Getting there: About 3 km from Oia, car access. Bus service is minimal to non-existent.
Monolithos Beach
This is the family beach. Eastern coast near the airport, shallow water, fine dark sand, gentle slope. A playground behind the beach. It's not trying to impress you. It's trying to keep your kids safe.
What to expect: Organized with sunbeds (EUR 8-12) and a couple of tavernas. Water stays shallow for a good distance out, and that's the whole selling point for parents with small children. Not the most jaw-dropping scenery, but practical and genuinely relaxed.
Getting there: KTEL bus from Fira (about 15 minutes) or drive. Close to the airport, so planes fly over. Kids usually love that.
Mesa Pigadia Beach
Mesa Pigadia is small, off the main roads, and usually quiet. A volcanic cove on the southern coast near Akrotiri, rugged, raw, and for people who want to be alone and don't mind rough terrain to get there.
What to expect: Short strip of dark sand between rocky cliff walls, with old fishermen's boathouses carved into the rock, a family-run taverna and a few sunbeds. Great snorkeling because nobody's there to scare the fish. Bring shoes you can actually walk on rocks in.
Getting there: Between Akrotiri and the lighthouse, a dirt road leads down to a small parking area by the beach. The Akrotiri water taxi stops here too.
Caldera Beach (Plaka)
A small beach on the caldera side, the western coast, which gives you something most Santorini beaches can't: a view of the caldera and Nea Kameni volcano while you're swimming. For a closer look, boat trips out to the crater and the volcanic hot springs leave from the caldera ports. It sits below Plaka village, between Akrotiri and Megalochori.
What to expect: Dark sand and pebbles. Steep approach. Deep water. Faces west, so afternoon light is beautiful. Not one for families because of the access and depth.
Getting there: Car to the Plaka area, steep path down. No bus.
Beach clubs and beach bars
If your beach day needs cocktails, music, and someone bringing drinks to your sunbed, Santorini has that. It's mostly concentrated in one area. Beach clubs also make a good activity for couples who want a slow day together.
Perivolos is the zone. The main names:
| Beach Club | Vibe | Daybed Cost | Minimum Spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Stories | Upscale, lounge music | On request | Ask the club |
| Chilli Beach | Party atmosphere | EUR 15-25 | Sometimes |
| Tranquilo | Relaxed, vegan & vegetarian-friendly | EUR 10-20 | No |
| Seaside by Notos | Restaurant + beach | EUR 15-25 | Food order expected |
Kamari has a different feel. Low-key beach bars on the promenade. Cold beer and grilled fish, not bottle service. Expect EUR 10-15 for sunbed and umbrella, then eat and drink as you feel like it.
JoJo Beach Bar in Perivolos keeps landing on "best beach bars in Santorini" lists and has been around long enough to actually deserve it. Live music some evenings.
Pricing reality check: Beach clubs at Perivolos cost way more than basic sunbed setups. A couple at a Perivolos club (daybeds + drinks + lunch) can easily hit EUR 80-120, versus EUR 25-40 for sunbeds at Kamari with a taverna lunch.
Beach comparison table
| Beach | Sand Color | Sunbeds | Crowd Level | Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamari | Dark grey/black | Yes (EUR 10-15) | Moderate-High | Bus/car | Families, swimming |
| Perissa | Black | Yes (EUR 8-12) | Moderate-High | Bus/car | Young travelers, good value |
| Perivolos | Black | Yes (EUR 15-25) | Moderate | Bus/car | Beach clubs, couples |
| Red Beach | Dark red | A few | High | Walk/boat | Photography, snorkeling |
| White Beach | Dark pebbles, white cliffs | Few | Low-Moderate | Boat only | Snorkeling, solitude |
| Vlychada | Grey/white | Varies | Low-Moderate | Car | Photography, quiet |
| Colombo | Dark volcanic | None | Low | Car + steep path | Hot springs, nudism |
| Baxedes | Dark grey | Few | Low | Car | Quiet, near Oia |
| Monolithos | Dark sand | Yes (EUR 8-12) | Low-Moderate | Bus/car | Families, children |
| Mesa Pigadia | Dark volcanic | A few | Very Low | Car (dirt road) or water taxi | Solitude, snorkeling |
| Caldera Beach | Dark pebbles | None | Very Low | Car + walk | Caldera views |
Water temperature by month
The sea around Santorini follows a pattern. Cold until late May. Warm through October. Simple.
| Month | Water Temp | Swimming? |
|---|---|---|
| April | 16-17C | Cold. Only for the brave. |
| May | 18-20C | Cool but doable, especially late May. |
| June | 21-23C | Comfortable. Season starts. |
| July | 24-25C | Warm. Peak swimming. |
| August | 25-26C | Warmest month. |
| September | 24-25C | Still warm. Fewer crowds. |
| October | 22-23C | Pleasant, cooling down. |
| November | 19-20C | Season over for most. |
Best swimming months: June through October. July and August are warmest but the crowds are at their worst. September is the sweet spot, warm water, thinner crowds, lower prices.
For month-by-month climate details including wind and rain, see our Santorini weather guide.
Swimming safety
Santorini beaches are generally safe, but some things catch people off guard. (Especially if it's your first time on the island, read this part.)
Drop-offs: Most beaches, especially caldera-side ones, drop off steeply. Knee-deep to over-your-head in a few metres. Red Beach and the caldera coves are the worst for this.
Currents: The south-facing beaches (Perissa, Perivolos, Vlychada) are the most sheltered from the Meltemi, the north wind of July and August. It hits the north and east coasts: Kamari and Monolithos can get choppy, and the northern beaches (Baxedes, Colombo) get the roughest water. The Meltemi can make swimming genuinely dangerous on exposed north-facing beaches.
Volcanic rocks: Wear water shoes. The dark sand absorbs heat and gets scorching by midday. Some beaches have sharp rocks at the waterline too.
No lifeguards: Most small or remote beaches have none. Kamari and Perissa have stations in summer. If you're swimming at Colombo, Mesa Pigadia, or Caldera Beach, there's no lifeguard to help if something goes wrong.
Hot sand: Black volcanic sand in direct sun. Painful by June. Shoes between your sunbed and the water aren't optional.
Which beaches are walkable from Fira?
Not really. Fira sits on top of the caldera cliffs, 200-300 metres above sea level. The nearest beach, Exo Gialos, is about 2.5 km down by road on the east coast, and every beach you can reach by road is best done by bus, car, taxi, or ATV; White Beach is boat only.
Here's how long each takes from Fira:
| Beach | Distance from Fira | Drive Time | Bus Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamari | 10 km | 15 min | Yes (every 30 min) |
| Perissa | 13 km | 20 min | Yes (every 30 min) |
| Perivolos | 14 km | 20 min | Yes (via Perissa bus) |
| Red Beach | 12 km | 18 min | Via Akrotiri bus |
| Monolithos | 7 km | 10 min | Yes |
| Vlychada | 13 km | 18 min | Limited |
| Baxedes | 14 km | 20 min | No |
| Colombo | 16 km | 25 min | No |
But here's the thing about Fira. It's the bus hub for the entire island. Kamari, Perissa, Monolithos, Akrotiri, all a short ride away. Stay in Perissa and you're stuck at Perissa. Stay in Fira and every beach you can reach by road is 10 to 25 minutes away. And when you come back at night? Caldera sunsets and restaurants are right outside your door.
Planning your beach days
A few things that'll save you time and annoyance:
Water shoes. We keep mentioning them for a reason. The black sand burns through towels by noon. Every beach shop in Kamari and Perissa sells them for EUR 5-10.
Go early. Red Beach and Kamari fill up by 11 AM in peak season. Show up by 9-10 AM and you get your pick of sunbeds and actual space in the water. Working with limited time? Our 3-day Santorini itinerary slots in a beach day.
Rent an ATV or car for the hidden beaches. Colombo, Mesa Pigadia, Caldera Beach, even Vlychada, getting there without your own transport is a hassle. ATV rental in Fira starts around EUR 25 a day for a small quad in the quieter months and climbs to roughly EUR 80-90 for a larger engine in peak summer. Car rental EUR 35-60. Our concierge can sort either out for you.
Beach plus winery. Some of the best wineries on the island sit between Fira and the southern beaches. Hit a beach in the morning, stop at Venetsanos or Santo Wines on the drive back for a sunset tasting. That's a complete day right there.
Don't skip the boat-only beaches. White Beach and some caldera-side coves are only reachable by water. A half-day catamaran cruise covers several spots and includes swimming stops you'd never stumble into on your own.
More beach guides in this series
This guide gives you the overview. These go deeper on specific beaches and topics:
- Red Beach Santorini guide: access routes, rockfall updates, snorkeling spots
- Perissa vs. Kamari: which black sand beach is better for you
- Vlychada Beach guide: the lunar landscape beach (photography spots, current facilities)
- White Beach by boat: everything you need to know about boat access
- Santorini beach clubs: pricing, reservations, and honest reviews
- Best beaches for couples: quiet spots and romantic swimming
- Swimming in Santorini: water temperature, safety, and the best spots month by month
Where to base yourself for beach trips
Most of Santorini's organised beaches are on the southern and eastern coasts, 10 to 25 minutes by car from Fira. Staying in Fira gives you the best of both: caldera-view mornings, then a quick drive to swim at Vlychada, Perissa, or Kamari in the afternoon. Aroma Suites is our cave hotel in central Fira, walking distance to the bus station, the cable car, and most restaurants. A car rental for beach days can be arranged through the hotel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nicest beach in Santorini?
Depends what "nicest" means to you. For raw scenery? Red Beach. Those red volcanic cliffs are unlike anything else in Greece. For swimming and having everything you need right there (plus some of the warmest sea temperatures on the island, along with Perissa and Perivolos)? Kamari Beach, clean water, organized sunbeds, a full promenade of restaurants behind you. For atmosphere? Perivolos Beach and its beach clubs. And if you want a beach to yourself? Colombo or Mesa Pigadia. You might not see another person all morning.
Is it worth going to the beach in Santorini?
Absolutely. But recalibrate. These aren't the white-sand, turquoise-water beaches you see on Instagram (for those, look at Crete, Naxos, or Milos). What Santorini gives you is a volcanic coastline that doesn't exist anywhere else, black sand, red cliffs, formations that look like the moon, underwater hot springs. Come for the strangeness. That's the draw.
Does Santorini have swimmable beaches?
Plenty. Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, and Monolithos all have clean, calm water from June through October. Water hits 24-25C in July and August. Eastern beaches have gentler entry points. Skip the northern beaches (Baxedes, Colombo) during strong Meltemi wind days, currents get rough.
What is the black sand in Santorini?
Volcanic basalt, pumice, and ash, ground down by thousands of years of waves. Santorini is one of the most volcanically active islands in the Mediterranean. The massive eruption around 1600 BC (the Minoan eruption) produced the raw material. Different minerals in the rock give different beaches their colors, black at Kamari, red at Red Beach, and white pumice cliffs above the dark pebbles at White Beach.
Which beach in Santorini is closest to Fira?
Exo Gialos, on the east coast about 2.5 km from Fira, which locals call Fira Beach: black sand and pebbles, with a taverna that rents sunbeds (more in our beaches for couples guide). The nearest organised beaches are Monolithos (about 7 km, a 10-minute drive) and Kamari (about 10 km, 15 minutes), both easy bus rides. Fira's KTEL bus station connects to all major beaches.
Are Santorini beaches free?
Every beach in Greece is public. Access is always free. What costs money is sunbed and umbrella rental (EUR 8-25, depending on the beach and setup). You can lay your own towel on the sand at any beach, any time, for nothing. Beach clubs at Perivolos charge for daybeds and sometimes have minimum spend requirements, but that's for the club service, not the beach.
