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Kamari is located just 10 km away from Fira and is one of the most picturesque and beautiful villages of Santorini. It has the most cosmopolitan and busy beach of Santorini with a length of over 5 km, with black sand and crystal blue and clear waters. The popular black volcanic sand, the countless choices in beach bars and restaurants and the small jewellery and souvenir shops make Kamari beach a popular choice for visitors of all ages. For the adventurous, there is the huge rock of Mesa Vouno, ideal for diving into the sea from different heights.
Jf you love water sports and scuba diving, there are many options with specialized professionals that will give you incredible experiences! After a full day at the beach, nothing compares to a meal with fresh fish and Greek delicacies in one of the many taverns located by the sea. Access is very easy as Kamari is connected by public bus service to Fira and the rest of the island. Buses run about every 30 minutes to 1 hour during high season. Spring and fall seasons also have frequent bus service. Keep in mind that during the summer months the public bus can be quite crowded. It is also very easy to access by taxi or with your own vehicle. Parking is not a problem as there is plenty of space. No matter how you get there, you should not miss visiting Kamari during your stay in Santorini!
Kamari Beach
Adjacent to Kamari is the beach of Perissa. Essentially, the two villages are separated by the inner mountain (Mesa Vouno) between them. No road directly connects Perissa with Kamari, but there is a sea taxi which for a small price can transport you from one beach to another. Perissa is a seaside village of Santorini, located at its southeastern tip, 13 km from Fira. The landscape is composed of black volcanic lava together with the sandy seabed and the deep blue color of crystal-clear waters for a backdrop. The beach of Perissa is one of the largest and most famous beaches of Santorini, characteristic of the morphology of the volcanic island. It is fully organized with sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, lifeguards, and playground and has received the Blue Flag Award. The village is easily accessible by car or public bus. The options in restaurants and beach bars are as many as at Kamari Beach and you can enjoy all the same activities.
The beach of Perivolos is the beautiful coastal section that joins the beach of Perissa at the beginning of Perissa from the mountain and the shallow waters towards the end of Ai Giorgis. The natural continuation of the beach of Perissa is accessible by car or motorbike, but we suggest you leave the car somewhere on the beach – there are free parking spaces everywhere – and walk the coastal road parallel to the sea. There is a coastal road that on one side has a crystal-clear beach with soft black sand and of course umbrellas and sunbeds and on the other several beautiful restaurants and beach bars with great music and chill out spots on the sand. Perivolos is among the beaches we stop at on our Private Santorini Round Trip Cruise, during which you can enjoy many unique beaches of the island aboard your own private boat!
Pessisa & Perivolos Beach
The most secluded and unspoiled beach of Santorini is located on the northeast coast of the island. It is only 4 km from Oia and about 12 km northeast of Fira, the capital. Colombo Beach is completely secluded and quiet and crowds rarely gather on this beach. Of course, it is not organized, there are no sunbeds or umbrellas, but the huge red cliffs offer some shade if you need a break from the sun. There are no dining and coffee options and therefore you must come prepared carrying what you need. This beach takes its name from the Columbo underwater crater that last erupted in 1650. This crater is the most active on the island and therefore the waters here are warm. The beach is covered with black and gray sand and tiny pebbles and is open to the north winds so that waves are common here. There are no bus services to Columbo Beach, so you can only access it with your own vehicle. You need to park your vehicle on the road and then follow a narrow path that leads to the beach. Cape Columbo is considered the beach for solitude and if you enjoy privacy, this is the place to be!
olumbo Beach
Located in the northwestern part of Santorini, at the bottom of the scenic village of Oia, lies the charming, small port of Ammoudi. We could say that although it does not have the typical look of a beach as we are used to, it is definitely worth a visit for swimming! There are various ways to access it. You can reach it by car from Oia village (11 k from Fira) or on foot by descending a series of steps (more than 200). The crystal-clear blue waters of the sea make this a perfect spot to take a swim. This is not a beach in the typical sense, there is no sand, sunbeds, and umbrellas but you can have a distinctive experience by swimming from the dock. While you are swimming you are gazing at the breathtaking Oia settlement hanging on the caldera upon staggering sheer, reddish cliffs. If you wish to avoid the crowds, it is best to swim here early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Tip: Locals say the rocks behind the lighthouse are the best swimming spot!
Ammoudi Beach
This is a typical Santorini village near the airport of Santorini and only 8 km away from Fira town. Monolithos Beach is a great local favorite, so if you’re looking for an immersive travel experience where you can mingle with the locals, make your way to this black sandy beach. It took its name from the rock named Monolithos on top of which the church St. John is built. With its shallow waters, this is one of the safest beaches on the island and is perfect for families with children as it is organized with many facilities, including children’s play areas, sunbeds, umbrellas for rent, water sports, and many restaurants. Monolithos is famous for its old tomato factories (the oldest built in 1922) but only one of them is still in operation. It operates only a few days a year to produce the local tomato juice, loyal to the tradition and respecting the environment of Santorini. The beach is close to the popular Kamari Beach but is much more peaceful and less crowded. You can access it easily by car/motorbike or by public bus.
Monolithos Beach
On the South side of the island at a distance of 9 km from Fira and close to Vlychada, you will find Eros beach which has a unique aura and will surely enchant you. To get there, you must follow a dirt road that leads to a restricted parking area. The long coastline is 6 km long and 35 m wide and Eros is one of the beaches of Santorini that you simply must include in your itinerary. Eros is one of the most beautiful beaches of Santorini where you can enjoy peace and relaxation in beautiful nature. It is also known as Lovers Beach or Sweethearts Beach. This name is associated with the seclusion of this corner of the island, where no one and nothing will affect your secluded romantic vacation. The surface is mostly sandy, and the sea is usually calm although a little deep. The beach is protected from strong winds by large volcanic rocks.
Eros Beach
Vlychada is an easily accessible beach by car or bus, located on the south coast of Santorini, 13 kms from Fira. The main access to the beach is at its southeastern end, near Vlychada’s marina. It is a lengthy beach with relatively shallow waters and dark volcanic sand and pebbles, like most beaches in Santorini. You will rarely meet many people on this beach, but it is organized with many sunbeds, wicker umbrellas and a canteen, you can spend many hours relaxing here and enjoy the spectacular spectacle with carved volcanic rocks. A little further from the beach, in the marina of Vlychada, you can see the boats that start their excursions to the hidden and enchanting beaches on the south coast including the Red Beach, the White Beach and Mesa Pigadia Beach. If you decide to visit them, it is from here that you will start your own experience of touring the hidden treasures of Santorini.
Vlychada Beach
This black sand beach is known locally as Mesa Pigadia beach, and its isolation means it has remained one of Santorini’s hidden gems. The southwestern coastline of Santorini consists of special beaches that are particularly beautiful and Mesa Pigadia beach is one of them. It is located in the area of Akrotiri, about 15 km from Fira, and very close to the famous Red Beach, White Beach, and the famous lighthouse of Akrotiri. You can access Meas Pigadia by car or by boat. Mesa Pigadia beach is not one of the popular beaches of Santorini, but it is definitely one of the best hidden spots, ideal for those who prefer quiet places where they can enjoy peace and relaxation. The first thing you notice on Mesa Pigadia beach is the impressive landscape. The contrast between the deep black sand and the white rocks is stunning. On the beach you can find a few sunbeds and umbrellas and a charming family tavern with a comfortable balcony. Keep in mind that black volcanic sand absorbs heat more than the usual golden sand beaches found elsewhere in Greece.
Mesa Pigadia Beach
White Beach, like most beaches in Santorini, is an area with black volcanic pebbles surrounded by giant rocks consisting of beautiful white and pastel colors. The only way to reach and swim in the clear blue waters of the white beach is by boat. Due to its secluded location, this is a fairly quiet beach with fewer people than the nearby popular Red Beach. The bright white rock formations and the blue waters make it one of the most beautiful beaches of Santorini. The beach is not organized and there are no dining and coffee options. Be sure to come prepared with the essentials if you want to spend a longer day here however the best way to enjoy it is to choose a full menu semi-private or a private cruise of Santorini.
Top Tip: White Beach faces west so you will catch the famous Santorini sunset if you choose an afternoon cruise.
White Beach
The world famous, enchanting and unique Red Beach is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach on the island of Santorini. A rare seaside environment that is definitely worth a visit. It stands out for its red sand and the reddish volcanic landscape that you encounter when you visit it for the first time. Red Beach is located in the southern part of the island, in the village of Akrotiri, near the famous site of the Ancient Akrotiri Excavations. It is only 20 minutes by car from the city of Fira and in addition to easy access by car, you can also visit it by bus from Fira or by boat, through daily boat trips and cruises to the most famous places of Santorini. The wild unique scenery with the huge rocks is a result of the volcanic eruption, the sand with the different colors and the colorful pebbles, an image that will stay in your mind for a long time after you leave the island. It is a semi-organized beach with a few umbrellas and sunbeds but without a beach bar, so make sure you have all the necessary equipment to protect yourself from the sun and get some supplies from the two canteens if needed.
Red Beach
If you want to enjoy a remarkable experience at sea while visiting many of the beaches mentioned in our list, choose a semi-private or private catamaran cruise which include a delicious Greek meal, local drinks, and complimentary transfer to and from your hotel. Contact us to start planning your perfect cruise today!
