21 Best Beaches in Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a surreal island in the Mediterranean that manages to take every traveler’s breath away with its blue and white dome buildings, stunning alleyways, and unique beaches.
Even though Greece has many islands with their own unique qualities, Santorini is the Greek island that many travelers can’t pass up.
When planning your vacation to Greece, especially during the summer, it can be daunting to choose which beaches to explore as Santorini has a variety of beach landscapes with rocky cliffs and black sand.
Here is a detailed post about all of the best beaches in Santorini!
Best Beaches in Santorini Guide
1. Perivolos Beach
One of the best beaches for swimming in Santorini, Perivolos Beach is home to the black sand and is one of the most popular beaches to visit in the summer.
Perissa and Perivolos Beach are nearly identical beaches with Perivolos on the southern part of the island. Due to Perivolos being the longest black sand beach of Santorini, there is plenty of room for tourists to stay in resorts and explore bars.
The best transportation options to Perivolos Beach are a taxi or bus. If you’re staying in Fira, there is a direct bus that departs every day and arrives at Perissa and Perivolos Beach.
After spending time at the beach, grab a few drinks or a meal at the Sea View Restaurant Perivolos right on the beach.
2. Red Beach
Red Beach is a unique part of Santorini with volcanic sand that reminds visitors of Mars. Located on the Aegean Sea, this volcanic beach offers some of the best views of the bay.
Since Red Beach is one of the most popular attractions in Santorini, it is recommended to visit in the morning and reserve a lounge chair during the peak season.
Unlike Perissa and Perivolos Beach, Red Beach gives travelers access by taking a walking path from the parking lot. You can also access this beach by taking a bus from Fira to Akrotiri.
After exploring the Red beach, enjoy a light lunch at the Red Beach Santorini Michael or dine in at The Dolphins.
3. Mesa Pigadia Beach
Mesa Pigadia Beach is quieter when it comes to Santorini beaches with a more relaxed atmosphere.
Most people spend the day at Red Beach or Perissa Beach but don’t miss out on a hidden gem like Mesa Pigadia! Only 15 miles from Fira, travelers can access the beach by taking a boat from Akrotiri or by car.
Mesa Pigadia beach is off on the main road, which may be why the crowds haven’t flocked to Mesa Pigadia despite the black sand and calming atmosphere. If you want a less crowded beach that is similar to Perissa or Perivolos, give Mesa Pigadia Beach a try!
4. Kamari Beach
In the seaside village of Kamari, this beach is one of the most visited areas in Santorini. If you stay in Fira, it is only 10 miles away by car.
You can also visit this beach before heading to the airport to catch your flight home. Similar to other beaches in Santorini, Kamari Beach offers a mountainous and refreshing landscape.
This beach is at the bottom of Mesa Vouno mountain where Ancient Thera is located. One of the best ways to experience Kamari Beach to the fullest is to arrive early in the morning and take advantage of the sun beds and beach bars.
5. Baxedes Beach
Visit this beautiful underdeveloped beach in Oia! Baxedes Beach is another black sand beach that offers a great escape from the crowds. You can walk or take a bus to the beach, although be prepared to walk a little way.
When visiting Baxedes Beach, it can be quite difficult to access the water with the beach only comprised of stones, so bring the right pair of shoes.
Grab yourself a drink and rent a sunbed to experience the breathtaking views of Baxedes Beach on the north coast of the island!
6. Monolithos Beach
Only a mile away from Kamari, Monolithos Beach is a black sand paradise with plenty of sun beds and umbrellas.
This quiet beach is 9 miles from Fira and is targeted at families with children. Monolithos Beach offers shallow waters and a playground area with an array of outdoor activities.
One of the most notable aspects of this beach in Santorini is the rock formations with its name drawing from a big rock where Agios Ioannis is built.
7. Exomitis Beach
On the southern end of Santorini, Exomitis Beach offers a wild landscape with black sand. Only 13 miles away from Fira, this beautiful beach provides a quiet escape compared to the nearby beaches.
If you’re looking for a beach that values privacy without attractions or sun beds, Exomitis Beach may be for you. Once you arrive by car or taxi, you will have to walk till you officially come upon Exomitis Beach.
8. Caldera Beach
Located on the west coast of Santorini, Caldera Beach is one of two beaches that provides a breathtaking view of the caldera under Akrotiri. You can also peak a glimpse of Oia, Finikia, and Thirasia Island.
The lovely beach is swimmer-friendly without any sun beds. Caldera Beach is one of the best beaches in Santorini for explorers with half of the beach dedicated to a scuba diving stand while the other half allows cliff diving at low tide.
9. Vlychada Beach
Visit this surreal and chill beach with more seclusion than other beaches with all of the necessary amenities. Vlychada Beach can be accessed by bus or car.
However, there is a tourist train that operates around the island during the summer that picks up people from the Perissa bus station. If you rent a car, you can easily park close to the beach for more convenience.
10. Eros Beach
A great secluded beach in Santorini, Eros Beach is a continuation of Vlychada of the south part of the island. Drive from Fira and continue on a dirt road to a restricted parking area.
Unlike other beaches, Eros offers deep waters with some free space without a beach filled with sun beds and umbrellas.
After spending a day tanning, easily walk to the beach and bar restaurant for refreshing cocktails and meals filled with flavor. Eros Beach stands out with its unique landscapes, featuring white-brown cliffs that give the beach a surreal and romantic feel.
11. Pori Beach
One of the best beaches in Santorini for children, Pori Beach provides shallow waters and fine sand. Although, the beach is not swimmer-friendly with rocks throughout the water.
While Perissa and Perivolos Beach have organized umbrella and sun lounge areas, Pori does not but allows guests to bring their own umbrellas and chairs for relaxing.
Before planning your trip to Pori Beach, it is best to know how to get there. Take a private car or taxi from Chora. You can also access the beach with an hourly boat service by Prassinos during peak season.
12. Vourvoulos Beach
Vourvoulos Beach is a serene and secluded paradise made up of abandoned fishing caves and gorges. This rocky beach is a peaceful place to soak in the rocky landscapes and old buildings.
This beach is a great way to immerse yourself in the unique natural landscapes of Santorini. But the beach does offer cold drinks to help you cool down.
While this beach is close to Imerovigli by bus or motorbike, Vourvoulos is a great escape from the crowds.
13. Agios Georgios Beach
Agios Georgios Beach is a quiet beach with snorkeling opportunities for the whole family. Guests will also have access to bars and restaurants with breathtaking sunset views.
One of the widest beaches in Santorini, Agios Georgios Beach is a family-friendly paradise with a great parking area and decent prices for sun bed rentals. Take a taxi from Corfu or take a bus from Corfu to Linia.
14. Ammoudi Bay
Set on high volcanic cliffs under Oia, Ammoudi Bay is a unique place that is known for cliff diving and swimming. But make sure to wear the right shoes since the beach is fairly rocky.
The most accessible and easy way to get to Ammoudi Bay is to walk down the steps from Oia Castle as finding a place to park with a vehicle can be quite challenging. Once you make the short hike, you will be granted magical views and picturesque restaurants.
If you watch the sunset in Santorini from any area, Ammoudi Bay is the perfect place mesmerizing view of the sunset and the caldera.
15. Perissa Beach
One of the most popular Santorini beaches, Perissa Beach is a sunbathing paradise that is often very crowded during the summer. If you can manage to go during the off-season, Perissa beach is a perfect place to relax and explore the nearby village.
You also won’t have to worry about not finding an umbrella or sun bed. Take a taxi or drive a car 11 miles southeast of Fira to experience Perissa Beach.
Tip: When we were in Santorini, we were able to have our taxi booked through our hotel, so I would definitely look into that to save time.
16. Xiropigado Beach
Located on the east coast of the island, Xiropigado Beach offers stunning, blue water and a gorgeous landscape. This beach also happens to be close to Pori and Vourvoulos for exploring a variety of beaches on your trip to Santorini.
Even though this beach has a peaceful environment, you can find hotels, rented rooms, and tavernas if you want to stay close by. But if you’re just planning to spend one day at the beach, you can easily drive or take a taxi.
17. Gialos Beach
This beautiful beach has yet to pique much interest from tourists, but Gialos Beach offers everything needed to have the best beach escape.
Gialos is one of the longest beaches of Lefkada near Egremni and Porto Katsiki. It offers privacy ideal for travelers looking for less crowded beaches and space.
Grab a cocktail or other cold beverages and relax on a sun bed without the crowds. Drive or take a taxi from Akrotiri to Gialos Beach.
18. Cape Columbo Beach
Only 8 miles from Fira, Cape Columbo Beach is one of the most isolated beaches in Santorini. Since the beach is not frequented by many tourists, there is no bus route, so it is only accessible by car or motorbike. It is also a beach without umbrellas or sun beds.
The parking area is easy to find but there is a narrow path down to the beach. Surround yourself with tall rock cliffs and the stunning water of the Aegean Sea.
19. White Beach
Find a secluded spot amongst the white cliffs and black, pebbly shore at White Beach! If you visit this beach in the summer, prepare for less availability when it comes to the sun loungers and bistros.
This beach tends to be less crowded than Perissa or Perivolos, so the locals love spending time here instead. This secluded beach is right next to Red Beach near the village of Akrotiri.
Since White Beach is located in a cove, it can only be accessed by boat. Park near Red Beach and take a water taxi to White Beach for a small fee.
20. Kambia Beach
Located on the south coast of the island, Kambia Beach is a black pebble beach near Red Beach and White Beach.
Ideal for swimming, Kambia Beach is a laid-back paradise only accessible by a dirt road near Akrotiri village. There is also a family-run taverna on the beach for a delicious Greek-style meal. Rent a sun bed and umbrella to enjoy Kambia’s unique landscape.
21. Armeni Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Oia, Armeni Beach is a paradise with black and red rocks as part of its landscape. This small beach is unique with its deep, blue water with very little space to have a sun bed or umbrella.
But there is one place in the rundown village on the beach that rents them out. Armeni Beach is mostly comprised of boats but can still be accessed with steep stairs and a small footpath along the beach.
When booking your hotel on Santorini, make sure to check to see if your hotel can set up a driver to pick you up and drop you off at one of the many beaches on the island.
Check out my Greece itinerary for my experience of Perissa Beach and the things you need to know when visiting.
For more travel inspiration, visit these posts: