Santorini Beaches Guide

People don't come to Santorini for the beaches, and if white sand and shallow turquoise water are your priority, Naxos or Milos will do better. What Santorini has is different: long strips of dark volcanic sand and pebble on the east and south coasts, and cliffs coloured by the volcano on the Akrotiri peninsula. The sand gets very hot by midday, so bring water shoes.

Kamari

A long beach of black pebbles and sand below the mountain of Mesa Vouno, with a paved promenade of cafés, tavernas and hotels behind it. Sunbeds, clear water, and a bus straight from Fira. It's an easy choice for families and anyone staying on the east coast. There's also an old open-air cinema here in summer.

Perissa and Perivolos

On the other side of Mesa Vouno, this is one continuous stretch of black sand several kilometres long. Perissa, at the northern end, is the more budget-friendly village. Perivolos, further south, has most of the beach bars with music and cocktails. Walk far enough south and it thins out.

Vlychada

Our favourite. Pale grey cliffs, worn by wind into strange shapes, rise behind a wide beach of dark sand. There's a small marina with fish tavernas at one end. It's usually quieter than Perissa, though it can be very windy.

Red Beach

The famous one, below cliffs of rust-red rock near Akrotiri. It's also the most dangerous. Rockfalls have closed the path from land repeatedly over the years, and during the February 2025 earthquakes large sections of cliff came down on camera. Land access is officially closed, and the signs mean it. The realistic option is to see it from the water. Small boats run from the harbour near Akrotiri village, and many caldera cruises pass by.

White Beach

A small cove of pale cliffs and pebbles next to Red Beach, reached only by boat. Pretty, but too small for the number of boats that stop in summer.

Ammoudi

Not a beach, but people swim off the rocks below Oia. The popular spot near the Agios Nikolaos islet is reached by a footpath from Ammoudi that is currently closed under the 2026 safety measures. Ask locally before trying.

A car or quad gets you between beaches in minutes, but buses cover Kamari, Perissa and Akrotiri from Fira. For somewhere to stay near the sand, see our where to stay guide, and pack for hot sand using our what to wear guide.