Organised Beaches

From the exclusive Red Beach to the family beach Monolithos and from the cosmopolitan Perivolos to touristic Kamari and Perissa, Santorini offers a great number of exceptional organised beaches.

Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia)

The most impressive of all beaches in Santorini; the definition of a volcano beach. Its name reveals its colour. Everything here is red creating together with the rocks a scenery you cannot possibly find anywhere else. Although it’s a rather busy beach, younger ages seem to prevail.
Tip: You should be equipped with hats, suntan lotion and shoes for walking along the path. The temperature here seems to be twice as high as on the rest of the island. The two canteens at the parking are your last chance to find water and a snack.
How to get there: You can park in the road right below the archaeological site Rahidi and take the boat for the Red Beach, that runs every half an hour and costs 5€. Otherwise, when reaching the archaeological site, turn on the right, park in front of the chapel of Agios Nikolaos and continue on foot. In case you choose to go by car, you should be aware that there is a distance of about 5-10min that is quite rough. You can also take the bus to the beach.

Monolithos

If you have a family with small children, the Monolithos beach is your ideal destination. As a result of its shallow waters, big waves do not reach the beach. There is also an organised playground keeping kids busy until 7 o’clock in the evening. For teenagers or adults, there are beach volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a soccer field.
Scenery: Spaceous flat beach with dark-coloured fine-grained sand and shallow waters, quiet and very well organised. Beach chairs are not too close one with another, so there is enough room for walking inbetween.
How to get there: By car or by bus, which runs frequently. It is located 9kms far from Fira.

Vlyhada

The volcano white rocks in Vlyhada remind us of a moon landscape. It is one of the most beautiful and best organised beaches in Santorini. Ideal for those who do not like the hubbub of crowded places and are interested in simply swimming and lying in the sun. No water sports available here.
Tip: You should spend sometime at the beach bar Θeros, which is in perfect harmony with the scenery. Deckchairs on the beach, cocktails at the bar, relaxing music in an extraterrestrial scenery. Ideal to close your day and plunge into the sunset.
How to get there: From Fira you take the road to Akrotiri. When you are there you will see a sign to Vlyhada. There are no buses running and this discourages big crowds of tourists and elderly people from coming to this beach.

Agios Georgios - Perivolos

Amazing waters, cosmopolitan shops, the “elite” people of the island. Black sand and crystal clear waters; the ideal beach for safe diving and long sunbathing lying in comfortable deckchairs while listening to summer music. Mind the rocks because at some spots it is slippery! There is a lifeguard on the beach.
Tip: The place-to-be for the celebrities of the island is the famous Seaside by Notos at the very beginning of the beach, offering the best beach service ever. Anemos is another top beach bar, situated in the yard of an old tomato factory. Comfortable deckchairs in the size of a semi-double bed, high-quality snacks and dreamy cocktails.
How to get there: From Fira take the road towards Emporio and continue towards Perivolos. Signs may be a bit confusing for they seem to appear the very last moment. There is also access by bus.

Perissa

The natural “extension” of Perivolos, awarded with the E.U. blue flag, stretching up to the imposing white rock at the end of the beach. Ideal for water sports.
The more adventurous can dive from the rocks at the end of the beach (the area is called Kolada).
Activities: Mediterranean Dive, Santorini Dive Center and Wave Sport Club offer you everything -from jet skis, canoes and bananas to wind surfing. There is also a Water Park. • The charming chapel of Agia Irini (dating back to 16th century) is located near Perissa. Additionaly, you can walk to the Ancient Thera. The boat to Kamari sets off also from this point (every half an hour until 18.00, 5-7€).
How to get there: It is less than 15kms far from Thera. Bus service is available throughout the day.

Kamari

The heart of the touristic Santorini.
What to meet: A beach awarded with two E.U. blue flags, well-organised, with a lifeguard and plenty of room for lying free on the sand. In the northern part of the beach, the sea has slippery slabs. For the more adventurous and risky ones, the best place for diving is at Kamari towards the hill of Prophitis Ilias. But always with great caution!
Tips: The best thing to do in Kamari is inquire at Ancient Thera Tours and follow an organised sightseeing tour to Ancient Thera. Also note that walking up the hill of Profitis Ilias for 20΄ and following the path, you will reach the chapel of Zoodohos Pigi, where there is a spring with running water. Here you are very close to the location of Ancient Thera. For Scuba Diving contact the Kamari Dive Center or Aegean Divers. Regarding food, for delicious traditional Santorinean recipes visit ‘Kyra Irini’s’ Taverna at the entrance of the village. Mrs Irini herself is waiting for you there to offer you her traditional dishes. It is worth also visiting Nihteri restaurant which offers top quality local food.
How to get there: By car and bus. This is the most easily accessible beach of Santorini.

Off Road

Endless indeed is the list of the beaches in Santorini which may not be organised but which offer abundantly their natural beauty, tranquillity, virginity and crystal clear sea waters. Get equipped with all the essentials (umbrellas, towels and mainly water) AND LET US GO FOR A WALK ALONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONES.

Katharos

The closest beach to Oia. Park your car in the concrete road and walk down a steep dirt road. On your left you will see a high white cliff and on the beach many couples and small companies seeking for quiet and peace. The sea is not particularly deep with black pebbles and clear waters. As long as you are done with your swimming and sunbathing, walk up to the bar-restaurant Katharos, to enjoy the sunset while having your coffee, drink or a light salad listening to reggae and lounge music.

Ammoudi – Agios Nikolaos

Right below Oia lies the picturesque bay Ammoudi. You will have to walk down 235 steps from the Oia castle or approach it by car. In both cases, Ammoudi looks like a cinema setting, where you will find a number of tavernas carved in the rock. Follow the path continuing from Ammoudi, to the cliff with the chapel of Agios Nikolaos. The space for sunbathing may be limited but the feeling of swimming right at the foot of caldera is inconceivable!

White Beach (Aspri Paralia)

Right next to the Red Beach, the White Beach is reachable only by boat from Akrotiri (5€) or swimming from the Red Beach. It will take you about 20΄ and you will definitely need flippers. You will find yourself swimming in the most crystal clear waters ever having in front of you the imposing white cliff. Caution: there is nothing to eat or drink here.

Limanakia/Pori

About 10kms southeast of Fira lies the sandy beach Pori which belongs to Imerovigli. You can find it by following the lower road of Oia. The waters are crystal clear and quite shallow. Here you will find the cosy taverna of Captain Yannis serving fish and local dishes. Caution: there is no sign leading you to Pori.

Koloumbos

Nudists’ favourite beach. Located only 4kms from Oia and reached exclusively by car or motorbike. There are no umbrellas here, but as the sun falls, a shade is formed from the rock standing behind. Swim on the right of Koloumbos to the Seal Cave. There lies the active underwater volcano of Koloumbos.

Mesa Pigadia/Kampia

At the southern part of the road to Faros lies the beach of Mesa Pigadia, a small black-pebbled bay, and the Kampia beach with the white cliff and a diving board. Both of them are very calm with clear waters and have some beach chairs available (about 2€). In Mesa Pigadia there is the small homonymous taverna.