Best Beaches in Santorini 2026: Red, Black Sand & Beach Clubs
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Most visitors arrive in Santorini expecting white-sand coves and crystal turquoise shallows. What they find instead is something far more extraordinary. Santorini is a volcanic caldera, and its beaches reflect that geology in the most dramatic way possible -- deep red cliffs, jet-black sand, and charcoal pebble shores that heat up fast under the Aegean sun. We have spent a lot of time exploring this island, and the beaches here are genuinely unlike anything else in the Cyclades.
That volcanic character comes with trade-offs. The black sand at Kamari and Perissa reaches temperatures that will burn bare feet by midday in July, so pack beach shoes. Red Beach has ongoing rockfall risks. And almost all of the best beaches are concentrated on the south and east coast, which means a significant drive if you are staying near the caldera in Oia or Fira. More on getting around below.
For context on everything else Santorini has to offer beyond the beaches, see our full Santorini travel guide and our roundup of the best things to do in Santorini.
The Quick Answer
| Best For | Beach |
|---|---|
| Families | Kamari |
| Beach clubs | Perivolos |
| Most unique scenery | Red Beach |
| Swimming and calm water | Perissa |
| Quietest / off the beaten path | Vlychada |
| Best black sand beach overall | Kamari or Perissa |
Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia)
Red Beach is the standout visual spectacle on Santorini. A wall of towering red and orange volcanic cliffs drops almost vertically onto a short stretch of dark red pebble and sand beach. The colour contrast -- terracotta cliffs, deep blue sea, black pebbles -- is extraordinary. It is the most photographed beach on the island, and it earns it.
The beach itself is small, gets crowded fast, and has limited facilities. There are a handful of sunbed operators and a snack bar nearby. Swimming is good when the sea is calm, but avoid swimming close to the cliff base at any time.
Safety note: The red cliffs are unstable volcanic rock and there is an ongoing risk of rockfall. Sections of the beach have been closed at various points due to landslides. As of 2026 the beach is open and reachable, but always check local conditions before you go and do not stand directly under the cliff face.
How to get there: Drive or ride an ATV to the Akrotiri archaeological site car park, then follow the 10-minute coastal footpath to the beach. Alternatively, small boats run from Akrotiri port. There is no direct bus. Renting a car or ATV in Santorini is strongly recommended for this and most other beaches on the island.
Kamari Beach
Kamari is the most organised and family-friendly beach in Santorini. A long straight shoreline of jet-black volcanic sand and pebbles runs parallel to a pedestrian promenade packed with tavernas, cafes, bars, water sports operators, and shops. The set-up is efficient and comfortable -- rows of sun loungers and umbrellas stretch the length of the beach, and the water is generally calm and sheltered.
The black sand gets scorching by noon in summer, so bring beach shoes or sandals. That said, the facilities here are good enough that Kamari is one of the few Santorini beaches where you can comfortably spend a full day without needing to move.
Kamari also has the Mesa Vouno headland behind it, which you can hike up to reach the ancient ruins of Ancient Thera. It is a steep but rewarding 45-minute climb.
How to get there: Kamari is one of the few beaches with regular bus service from Fira. It is about a 20-minute ride. Driving or taking an ATV gives you more flexibility over timing. See Santorini car rental options if you want to combine multiple beaches in a day.
Perissa Beach
Perissa sits on the other side of the Mesa Vouno headland from Kamari and offers a similar experience -- long black sand beach, organised sunbeds, promenade with tavernas and cafes. The two beaches look similar but feel slightly different. Perissa has a longer shoreline, a more lively bar scene particularly in the evenings, and a younger crowd in peak season.
The water along Perissa is calm and the shelf is gentle, which makes it good for swimming. The village behind the beach has some solid taverna options and is a little cheaper than the caldera-side towns for accommodation and food -- worth knowing if you are watching your budget.
How to get there: Regular buses run from Fira to Perissa. The ride takes about 25 minutes. By car or ATV the drive from Fira is around 20 minutes via the inland road. For the most flexibility in combining Perissa with Perivolos and Vlychada in one day, renting a car in Santorini makes the most sense.
Perivolos Beach
Perivolos is essentially the southern extension of Perissa, separated by a narrow river mouth that you can wade across or drive around in about two minutes. The feel here is noticeably different. Perivolos has become Santorini's beach club destination, with several well-designed lounge-bar operations serving cocktails and DJ sets from midday into the evening.
The beach itself is long, black sand, and a little less crowded than Kamari or Perissa on a typical day. If you are looking for a stylish beach club afternoon with good service and decent food, Perivolos is the answer. It is also a good spot for a sunset drink before heading to dinner -- pair it with a reservation at one of the best restaurants in Santorini.
How to get there: Perivolos is served by the same Fira bus that stops at Perissa -- ask the driver or check the stop. By rental car or ATV it is a straightforward drive on the south coast road.
Vlychada Beach
Vlychada is Santorini's most underrated beach, and the one we recommend most to visitors who want something genuinely different from the organised sunbed scene. The beach sits below a tall wall of white pumice cliffs that have been sculpted by wind erosion into strange lunar formations. It looks almost artificial -- like a movie set or a desert moonscape.
The beach is long, dark sand, and significantly less crowded than Kamari or Perissa even in August. There is a small marina nearby with a couple of cafes. The water is calm and clean. Vlychada also has the Nomikos Cultural Foundation nearby, which occasionally hosts contemporary art exhibitions in the summer.
How to get there: Vlychada is not on the main bus routes. A rental car or ATV is essentially required unless you are on an organised tour. The drive from Fira takes about 25 minutes.
White Beach (Aspri Paralia)
White Beach sits immediately north of Red Beach along the same dramatic volcanic coastline near Akrotiri. Despite the name, the beach is not white -- it has pale grey and white volcanic pebbles rather than sand. The real draw is the setting: towering pale volcanic cliffs on one side and clear Aegean water on the other. It is a small, sheltered beach with a raw, uncrowded feel.
The only practical way to reach White Beach is by boat from Akrotiri port. There is no road access. Small boat taxis and tours depart regularly from the port in the morning. It is worth combining a White Beach trip with Red Beach in the same morning excursion.
How to get there: Boat from Akrotiri port. You can combine it easily with Red Beach. Renting a car to drive to Akrotiri first, then taking the boat, is the most efficient approach.
Ammoudi Bay
Ammoudi Bay is not a traditional sandy beach, but it deserves a place on this list. Tucked below the clifftop village of Oia and reachable by 300 steps (or a short donkey ride), Ammoudi is a tiny volcanic harbour with flat rocks and clear deep water ideal for swimming. Local children dive from the rocks into the sea -- you can join them.
The main reason to come to Ammoudi is the combination of swimming and eating. The small cluster of seafood tavernas at the water's edge serve some of the freshest grilled octopus, sea bream, and lobster on the island. Come for a late lunch, swim, then climb back up to Oia in time for the famous sunset. For restaurant ideas across the island, see our guide to the best restaurants in Santorini.
How to get there: Walk down the steps from Oia or take a donkey. Taxis and rental vehicles can drive to a small car park near the top of the steps. Ammoudi is the one beach on this list that is easy to reach without a car if you are already staying in Oia.
Getting Around to the Beaches
The most important practical point about Santorini beaches is this: almost all of them are on the south and east coast, far from the caldera towns of Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira where most visitors stay. The island is small but hilly, and the road distances are longer than they look on a map.
By bus: The KTEL bus network runs routes from Fira bus terminal to Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos. Buses run reasonably often in high season but get very crowded, timetables are fixed, and the last bus back can leave earlier than you expect. It works for a day trip to one of the main organised beaches, but it is not flexible.
By rental car or ATV: This is the way we recommend you explore the beaches. Renting a car or ATV in Santorini gives you the freedom to combine multiple beaches in a day, reach Vlychada and Red Beach (which have no bus service), and leave whenever you want. Parking is generally available near all the major beaches. Roads on the south coast are well-paved. ATVs are fine for two people with light bags; rent a car if you have luggage or a group.
For getting to Santorini from the mainland, the main ferry route is Athens Piraeus to Santorini, with high-speed options taking around 5 hours. Once you arrive, have your rental car pre-booked so you can head straight to the beaches.
If you are also planning accommodation, our curated Santorini hotels guide covers the best options by location and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Santorini? There is no single answer because each beach serves a different purpose. Red Beach is the most visually dramatic, Kamari and Perissa are best for families and organised facilities, Perivolos is best for beach clubs and cocktails, and Vlychada is the quietest and most unusual with its white lunar cliffs.
Does Santorini have sandy beaches? Yes, but the sand is not the classic white powder you find in the Cyclades. Santorini is a volcanic island, so its beaches have black, red, or dark grey volcanic sand. The black sand at Kamari and Perissa gets very hot in July and August, so bring beach shoes.
Is Red Beach open and safe in 2026? Red Beach is accessible by foot via a short coastal path from the Akrotiri area, but there have been ongoing rockfall and landslide risks from the red volcanic cliffs above the beach. As of 2026, the beach is reachable but visitors should stay away from the cliff face and check local conditions before visiting. You can also arrive by boat from Akrotiri port.
Which beach in Santorini is best for families? Kamari is the best family beach in Santorini. It has a long organised beach with loungers and umbrellas, a pedestrian promenade lined with tavernas and cafes, calm water suitable for children, and easy bus access from Fira.
Do you need a car to reach the beaches in Santorini? Most beaches are on the south and east coasts, far from the caldera-side towns of Oia and Fira. There is a bus service from Fira to Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos, but timetables are limited and buses get crowded in peak season. Renting a car or ATV is the most flexible and practical option for exploring the beaches at your own pace.
Ready to start planning? Check our Santorini hotels for the best places to stay, browse things to do in Santorini beyond the beach, and book your ferry with our guide to Athens to Santorini ferry routes.
