Santorini is not a typical beach island. The volcanic geology means you will not find the white sand and turquoise shallows that other Cyclades islands are known for. What you get instead is something more dramatic. Black sand beaches backed by towering cliffs, red volcanic rock formations dropping into deep blue water, and a moonscape coastline on the south shore that looks like nowhere else in Greece.
All of the swimmable beaches sit on the east and south coasts. The west coast is the caldera side, with sheer cliffs falling hundreds of metres into the sea. That is where Fira, Firostefani, and Imerovigli sit, perched on the rim with the famous sunset views. The beaches are on the opposite side of the island, and most visitors take a bus, car, or taxi to reach them.
The main beach strip runs along the southeast coast from Kamari Beach through Perissa Beach and on to Perivolos Beach. These 3 merge into one long stretch of black sand separated only by the Mesa Vouno headland between Kamari and Perissa. Check the Santorini bus timetable for routes and the how to get to Santorini page for flights and ferries.
Which Santorini Beach Suits You
The one everyone visits: Red Beach near Akrotiri is the most photographed beach on Santorini. A tall cliff of red volcanic rock towers above a small strip of dark red sand and pebbles. The water is deep and clear. It gets very crowded in summer, so arrive early.
Organised black sand with beach bars: Perissa Beach is the longest and most popular black sand beach on the island. Sunbeds, restaurants, and bars line the shore for over a kilometre. The sand is volcanic black and the water is cool and clean.
Quieter black sand strip: Perivolos Beach is the southern continuation of Perissa. It has fewer crowds, a handful of good beach bars, and the same black sand. The further south you walk, the quieter it gets.
Families with children: Kamari Beach on the east coast is well organised, has shallow entry into the water, and the promenade behind the beach is full of restaurants and shops. It is the most practical beach on Santorini for families.
Families with very young children: Monolithos Beach near the airport has the shallowest water on the island. The sand is grey rather than black and the beach has a playground, making it popular with local families.
Something dramatic and unusual: Vlychada Beach on the south coast is backed by towering white and grey pumice cliffs carved into strange shapes by the wind. It feels like standing on another planet. There is a small marina at one end and very little else.
A hidden cove near Akrotiri: White Beach is only reachable by boat from Red Beach or by a scramble along the cliff path. The white pumice cliffs above give it its name. It is small, remote, and one of the most striking settings on the island.
Swimming in the caldera: Amoudi Bay sits below the cliffs at the northern tip of the island, reached by 300 steps down from the village above. There is no sandy beach here, just rocks to jump from into deep caldera water, and a handful of seafood tavernas at the water’s edge.
Kambia Beach (Akrotiri)
Beach Type & Experience Kambia Beach is a small secluded cove tucked between the famous Red Beach and White Beach on Santorini’s southwest coast. This hidden gem sits near the village of Akrotiri, about 13 kilometres away from the island’s capital Fira. The beach is known for being one of Santorini’s quietest swimming spots, perfect
Amoudi Bay (Oia)
Beach Type and Experience Amoudi Bay is not a traditional sandy beach but rather a picturesque rocky fishing port nestled at the base of dramatic red volcanic cliffs directly beneath the famous village of Oia. The beach composition is entirely rocky with a pebbly seafloor, requiring sturdy footwear for comfortable navigation. The terrain consists of
Caldera Beach
Beach Type and Experience Caldera Beach is a hidden gem positioned on Santorini’s southwestern edge near the village of Akrotiri. This is a small, secluded beach that delivers an authentic, unspoiled Greek island experience far removed from the bustling tourist crowds found in other parts of Santorini. The beach is covered with a distinctive mixture
White Beach (Aspronisi)
Beach Type and Experience White Beach is a striking and exclusive destination tucked away on the southwestern coast of Santorini near the village of Akrotiri. The beach itself is quite small and has a rugged, natural appearance that sets it apart from other shores on the island. Despite its inviting name, the beach is not
Red Beach Akrotiri
Beach Type and Experience Red Beach stands as one of Santorini’s most visually striking natural wonders, famous for its dramatically different characteristics compared to typical Mediterranean shores. The beach composition features a fascinating mix of volcanic pebbles and red sand formed from oxidized iron deposits, creating that distinctive crimson hue that makes the beach instantly
Monolithos Beach
Beach Type & Experience Monolithos Beach stands out as Santorini’s most family-friendly destination because it features something truly rare on this volcanic island. Unlike most other beaches scattered across Santorini, Monolithos boasts actual soft golden and black sand instead of the uncomfortable volcanic pebbles and rocks that characterize the rest of the coastline. This makes
Vlychada Beach
Beach Type and Experience Vlychada Beach stands as one of Santorini’s most distinctive coastal destinations, stretching along the southern shore with a unique combination of fine black volcanic sand and dark pebbles that create a comfortable walking experience. This is not your typical Mediterranean beach. The composition of the sand is naturally warm beneath your
Perivolos Beach
Beach Type and Experience Perivolos Beach stretches along Santorini’s southeastern coast as one of the island’s longest and most distinctive beaches. The beach features unique black volcanic sand mixed with fine pebbles, creating a striking contrast to the turquoise Aegean waters. Unlike many other Santorini beaches, Perivolos offers a comfortable entry into the sea without
Perissa Beach
Beach Type & Experience Perissa Beach stretches for seven kilometres of stunning black volcanic sand and pebbles along the southeastern coast of Santorini. The beach composition is primarily fine black sand mixed with smooth pebbles created from the island’s volcanic past, and it remains one of the most well-maintained stretches of coastline on the island.
Planning Your Beach Days on Santorini
Buses run from Fira to the main beaches at Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos regularly during summer. Red Beach near Akrotiri is also served by bus, though the final walk from the car park is on foot. For Vlychada and the south coast, a hire car gives you the most flexibility, and the Santorini taxi page has numbers for local drivers.
The Santorini map shows where each beach sits on the island, and the Santorini photography guide covers the best times for capturing the volcanic coastline. Between beach days, the villages of Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Emporio offer a quieter side of Santorini away from the caldera crowds. The volcano and caldera guide is worth reading too, and the getting around Santorini page covers every transport option. For the full picture, see our main Santorini island guide.
