Best Beaches in Santorini: Black Sand, Red Cliffs and Quiet Coves
If you are picturing Caribbean white sand, the best beaches in Santorini will surprise you. The island is the rim of a volcano, so its beaches are made of black sand, dark pebbles and cliffs in shades of red, grey and white. That is exactly what makes them worth a visit. This guide comes from a local transfer company that drives visitors to these beaches every day in summer, so it tells you what each one is really like, who it suits and how to get there. If you already know where you are going, you can book a private transfer to any Santorini beach and skip the bus.
Understanding Santorini's beaches before you go
All of the island's organised beaches are on the east and south coasts, the gentle side of Santorini that slopes down to the sea. The west side is the caldera, where cliffs drop 300 metres into the water and there are no beaches you can walk to, only small harbours such as Ammoudi below Oia.
Three things are worth knowing. First, the sand is dark and absorbs heat, so by early afternoon in July it is too hot for bare feet. Second, the water is exceptionally clear, but on the long east coast beaches it gets deep quickly, which is great for swimmers and less so for small children. Third, the meltemi, the northern summer wind, can make Kamari choppy while the south coast stays calm, so on a windy day head for Perissa, Perivolos or Vlychada.
Kamari: the easy all rounder
Kamari is a long beach of black sand and small pebbles on the east coast, about 10 minutes from the airport. Behind it runs a pedestrian promenade lined with cafés, tavernas, shops and small hotels, and at the southern end the mountain of Mesa Vouno rises straight out of the sea, with the ruins of Ancient Thira on top.
Kamari suits almost everyone: families, couples and anyone who wants sunbeds, a shower and lunch within a few steps of the water. In the evening the promenade is one of the liveliest places on the island outside Fira, and the open air cinema is a local favourite.
Perissa and Perivolos: the long black sand beaches
On the other side of Mesa Vouno, Perissa starts a stretch of black sand that continues for several kilometres into Perivolos and Agios Georgios. It is the longest continuous beach on the island, which means that even in August you will find space.
Perissa is relaxed and good value, with tavernas and water sports. Perivolos is where the beach bars and beach clubs are, with music, cocktails and sunbeds with table service. Agios Georgios, at the far end, is a little calmer. The sand here is finer than at Kamari, and the south coast is often sheltered on windy days. In summer a small boat links Kamari and Perissa around the mountain, which makes a nice way to see both.
Red Beach: the most famous view
Red Beach near Akrotiri is the most photographed beach in Santorini: a small cove backed by towering cliffs of red volcanic rock. It is spectacular, but be realistic. The path from the car park is rough, and because of the risk of rockfall, access to the beach itself is often restricted by the authorities. Most visitors enjoy it from the viewpoint above the cove, which is honestly where the best photo is taken.
Red Beach sits five minutes from the archaeological site of Akrotiri, so the two are always combined. Our private Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting stops at the viewpoint as part of a 4 hour loop around the island.
Vlychada: lunar cliffs and fine sand
Vlychada on the south coast is the beach for anyone who wants scenery without crowds. The cliffs behind it have been carved by the wind into strange shapes that look almost like sculptures, and the sand is dark grey and fine. There is a small marina at one end with fish tavernas, and the beach is quieter than Perissa even in high season.
White Beach, Ammoudi and the quieter spots
White Beach, around the headland from Red Beach, is a pebble cove under pale cliffs that you can only reach by boat. Small boats leave from Akrotiri harbour in summer and often combine Red, White and Black beaches in one trip.
Ammoudi Bay below Oia is not a beach at all, but a tiny fishing harbour with tavernas at the edge of the water. A short walk along the rocks leads to a swimming spot with deep, clear water and a rock that brave swimmers jump from. Combine it with lunch and the climb back up to Oia.
For a quiet day, Monolithos near the airport has shallow water that suits small children, Kambia in the south west is a peaceful pebble beach with one taverna, and Katharos near Oia sits below the cliffs at the end of a dirt road.
Which Santorini beach suits you
| Beach | Type | Best for | From Fira by car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamari | Black sand and pebbles, promenade | Families, first timers, evenings out | About 20 minutes |
| Perissa | Long black sand beach | Swimming, good value, water sports | About 25 minutes |
| Perivolos | Black sand with beach clubs | Beach bars, groups of friends | About 25 minutes |
| Red Beach | Small cove under red cliffs | Photos from the viewpoint | About 25 minutes |
| Vlychada | Fine dark sand, sculpted cliffs | Scenery, quieter days | About 20 minutes |
| Ammoudi Bay | Rocks and harbour, no sand | Swimming off rocks, fish lunch | About 25 minutes |
How to get to the beaches without a car
Buses run from the central station in Fira to Kamari and to Perissa and Perivolos, but from Oia or Imerovigli you usually need to change in Fira, and in July and August the buses back in the late afternoon are full. We explain the options in detail in our guide to getting around Santorini.
A private transfer is the simplest way if you are a family or a small group. Magic South has a fixed price per vehicle, from 35 euros for up to 3 passengers and from 50 euros for up to 8, confirmed before you travel, with the driver collecting you at your hotel. You can see all the routes on our page for hotel transfers, and if you want a beach and the sights in one day, the Santorini Exclusive tour includes Akrotiri, Red Beach and time on the black sand. For the rest of the island, see our list of things to do in Santorini.
Practical tips for a Santorini beach day
- Water shoes make a real difference on hot black sand and on the pebbles at Kamari and White Beach.
- Sunbeds on the organised beaches usually cost around 10 to 20 euros for a pair with an umbrella, and more at the beach clubs of Perivolos. Many tavernas include them if you order lunch.
- Go early or late. The light is softer and the sand cooler before 11 in the morning and after 5 in the afternoon.
- Check the wind. If the meltemi is blowing from the north, the south coast beaches are calmer.
- Keep the sunset free. Most beaches face east or south, so for the sunset head back to the caldera. Our Santorini sunset guide lists the best spots.
Featured photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions about Santorini beaches
What is the prettiest beach on Santorini?
Red Beach near Akrotiri is the most striking, with its cove under red volcanic cliffs, though it is best admired from the viewpoint because access is often restricted. For a beach where you can also spend the day, Vlychada with its wind carved cliffs and the long black sand of Perissa are the favourites of many visitors.
Are Santorini beaches swimmable?
Yes. The water is very clean and clear, and the organised beaches of Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos and Vlychada are excellent for swimming from late May to October. The seabed drops quickly on the east coast, so keep an eye on small children, and on windy days choose the more sheltered south coast.
Which is better, Kamari or Perissa?
Kamari is better if you want a promenade full of restaurants, shops and evening life right behind the beach, and it is only 10 minutes from the airport. Perissa is better for a long stretch of finer black sand, more space in August and good value tavernas. Both are organised with sunbeds and easy to reach by bus from Fira.
Does Santorini have sandy beaches?
Yes, but the sand is volcanic and dark rather than golden. Perissa, Perivolos and Vlychada have the finest black and dark grey sand, while Kamari mixes sand with small pebbles. White Beach and Kambia are pebble coves, and Red Beach is made of red rock and coarse sand below the cliffs.
Is Red Beach in Santorini open?
The viewpoint above Red Beach is always open and gives the best photo of the cove. Access down to the beach itself is often restricted because of the risk of rockfall from the cliffs, so check the signs on the day and do not sit under the cliff face. Boats from Akrotiri also pass in front of the beach in summer.
How do you get to White Beach in Santorini?
White Beach can only be reached by sea. In summer small boats leave from the harbour at Akrotiri and from Red Beach, and many trips combine Red, White and Black beaches with a swimming stop. There is no path from the land, so there are no facilities on the beach, and you should bring water and shade.
Where are the beaches in Santorini?
They are on the east and south coasts. From north to south you find Katharos near Oia, Monolithos near the airport, Kamari, then Perissa, Perivolos and Agios Georgios on the other side of Mesa Vouno, Vlychada on the south coast and Red, White and Kambia beaches around Akrotiri in the south west. The caldera side has no beaches.
