Santorini is one of the world most popular islands and a must-see (or do-a-selfie) destination. Travelers associate it with volcano caldera, white houses perched on high cliffs and breathtaking sunsets. For some people, Santorini is the place where their summer vacation will be spent, tan will be made and beaches will be visited. Speaking of beaches, those on Santorini are not the type you can imagine, still there are more than enough to offer. Check bellow to discover which are the top beaches of Santorini.
Red Beach
Red Beach is the most famous beach of Santorini and one of the most colorful beaches worldwide. It is a narrow strip of reddish sand and pebbles under high red cliffs and thus its name. The weird color is due to the iron-rich rocks formed as a result of the volcanic eruption. No doubt it is a must-see destination which is worth seeing. The beach is located in the south part of the island, near the village of Akrotiri. In the village there are some signboards showing the direction to Red Beach and if you follow them, you will reach a small parking lot with a chapel in about 2 km - the short narrow path to the beach starts from here ... read more
Agios Georgios
The beach of Agios Georgios is the prolongation of Perivolos and Perissa. It is located on the east coast of Santorini. The beach strip has dark sand and there are many beach bars and water sports available. A couple of taverns can also be found as well as some hotels and villas.
Messa Pigadia
This is a not very popular beach on the south coast of Santorini, close to Akrotiri. It can be easily accessed by car but part of the route is unpaved. Before entering Akrotiri, you will see the signboard for Messa Pigadia beach. Follow the course of the road for a few kilometers and you will see another sign on your left - the unpaved section starts here but the road is in a good condition and it is less than 1 km. The charm of Messa Pigadia hides in the high cliffs surrounding the beach - they reveal the layers of the volcano in different colors and create a stunning atmosphere. The wider part of the beach strip is managed by a fancy beach bar-restaurant with sunbeds and umbrellas, and the sand is mixed with pebbles ... read more
Kamari
The seaside resort of Kamari is located on the eastern coast of Santorini where the terrain is flat. It is a lively village suitable for families with children with its long beach and the rich choice of hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops. Many people also prefer accommodation in Kamari because it is cheaper than the caldera villages and yet they are in a close distance for visiting (the capital Fira is 8 km away). Santorini`s airport is at a distance of 2 km. The taverns and cafes are set along the sea promenade and they are so many that it is hard to decide where to eat. The sand on Kamari beach is coarse and black and sometimes it is referred to as Black Beach (but that is not very correct as almost all beaches on Santorini are with black sand) ... read more
Vourvoulos
Vlychada
Vlychada is one of the beaches of Santorini. It is also known as the Moon Beach of the island due to the yellow rock formations which look weird and supernatural. At Vlychada there is also a marina for boats and yachts, with a couple of taverns where you can have a meal. The beach is long, with dark sand and pebbles. The sea goes deep abruptly and it is not very suitable for children. There is a tavern which rents a few rows of sunbeds and umbrellas but major part of the beach is empty. The most distant end of Vlychada is usually occupied by nudes. Next to the beach you can visit one small but unusual museum - the Tomato Industrial Museum ... read more
Baxedes-Paradisos
Baxedes and Paradisos are both used for the name of a long beach on the north coast of Santorini. It is 3 km away from Oia and in the area there are some hotels and villas. The beach is easily accessed by car as the main road passes close by it. In one of its ends there are sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent, as well as cold drinks to buy. The sand is dark and the water is shallow around the shore which makes it suitable for children. In calm weather the water is smooth but strong waves are expected in windy days. What people don`t know about this place is that from here you can also see the sunset.
Caldera Beach
Caldera Beach is one of the two beaches on the west coast of Santorini accessible by car (the other is Gialos). As the name suggests, it offers a splendid view toward the caldera, the villages of Oia and Finikia and Thirasia island. It is located under Akrotiri. Before entering the village, you will the signboard for Caldera beach on your right. There are a few taverns but it is usually quiet and not very populated. The beach has dark sand and pebbles. The sea goes deep only a few meters from the shore.
Monolithos
Monolithos is on the eastern coast of the island, 2 km north of Kamari, and it has the finest sand you can ever find on Santorini. It can hardly be called a village but in the area there are some hotels and taverns. The airport of Santorini is between Kamari and Monolithos. The beach is long, with dark sand and some trees grown up directly on the sand. Part of it is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas to rent. It is suitable for children because water is shallow around the shore. Right on the beach you will also find a playground and changing cabins. The beaches between Monolithos and Kamari are called Agia Paraskevi and Avis (it is actually one and the same beach strip but has different names in the north and south end) ... read more
Perissa
Perissa has the widest and longest beach on the island, with black sand. It has developed as a resort and merged with the neighboring beaches of Perivolos and Agios Georgios. Thus the beach strip spreads for 4-5 km, with a great choice of beach bars, beach taverns, a diving center and many water sports available. Perissa is less crowded and less noisy than Kamari but yet it has many hotels and taverns. There is also a small water park for children. Many people who are accommodated in the villages on the caldera come here during the day but in the evenings it gets queiter. The sea is usually calm as the rock with Ancient Thira in the north end protects it from winds ... read more