Best Beaches in Santorini 2026: Red, Black Sand & Beach Clubs
Last updated: June 28, 2026
Quick answer: Santorini's best beaches are Kamari and Perissa for organised black-sand days with families, Perivolos for beach clubs, Red Beach for the most dramatic volcanic scenery, and Vlychada for the quietest, most unusual setting. All sit on the south and east coast, so renting a car or ATV (from about €23/day) is the easiest way to reach them.
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. Swimming is good when the sea is calm, and is best paired with a Red Beach Snorkeling Adventure (€65 per person) to explore the volcanic underwater formations safely.
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 accessible, but visitors should stay away from the cliff face and check local conditions before visiting. You can also arrive by boat from Akrotiri port.
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 with verified partners like Santorini Rent Me or Santorini Quad 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, holding a Blue Flag certification. A long straight shoreline of jet-black volcanic sand and dark pebbles runs parallel to a pedestrian-only promenade packed with traditional tavernas, cafes, bars, and water sports operators. The setup is highly convenient -- rows of sun loungers and umbrellas stretch the length of the beach, with lifeguards on duty.
The Mesa Vouno headland towers over the southern end of the beach, separating it from Perissa. You can hike up to Mesa Vouno to explore the ruins of Ancient Thera (a steep 45-minute climb).
The black sand gets scorching by noon in summer, so beach shoes are mandatory. The high density of family facilities and calm waters make Kamari the easiest beach day on the island.
How to get there: Kamari has a regular bus service from Fira. Driving or taking a rental car gives you more flexibility; rent a compact car from Santorini Rent Me or Mercury Cars for easy parking.
Perissa Beach
Perissa sits on the south side of the Mesa Vouno headland. It offers a similar volcanic landscape to Kamari but has a slightly different, more laid-back vibe popular with younger travelers, backpackers, and water sports enthusiasts.
The beach is famous for its fine black sand that shelves gently into deep, clean waters, making it excellent for swimming. The village behind Perissa offers budget-friendly rooms and tavernas, making it a great base for cost-conscious visitors.
How to get there: Frequent buses run from Fira to Perissa. If you are exploring the southern beaches, hiring an ATV from Santorini Quad is a popular way to hop between Perissa, Perivolos, and Vlychada.
Perivolos Beach & Beach Clubs
Perivolos is the natural extension of Perissa beach, running further south. The black sand continues here, but the vibe shifts completely from family tavernas to upscale beach clubs and lounge bars playing ambient DJ sets.
Perivolos is the destination for travelers seeking a stylish beach day with premium services, sunbed rentals, and creative cocktails.
Top Beach Clubs for 2026:
- Jojo Beach Bar & Restaurant: A vibrant beachfront lounge featuring an in-bar swimming pool, comfortable sunbeds, and a menu of fresh seafood.
- Forty One (41): A premium beach club and restaurant offering elegant dining, sushi, fresh seafood, and signature cocktails directly on the shore.
How to get there: Reachable by bus from Fira (the Perissa bus continues to Perivolos) or via a quick drive. Parking is plentiful behind the beach clubs.
Vlychada Beach (The Lunar Beach)
Vlychada is Santorini's most visually unique beach, highly recommended for visitors who want to escape the crowded sunbed scenes. The long stretch of dark sand and pebbles is backed by towering white pumice cliffs that have been carved by wind and sea erosion into bizarre, canyon-like structures. It feels like swimming on the moon.
The beach is mostly unorganised, preserving a wild and raw atmosphere. Near the entrance, there is a small marina where you can stop at To Psaraki, one of the island's best seafood tavernas serving the catch of the day.
How to get there: Vlychada is not served by public buses. You will need your own transport; renting an economy car from Santorini Rent Me or a quad from Santorini Quad is the best way to get here.
White Beach (Aspri Paralia)
White Beach sits just past Red Beach. It gets its name from the towering white cliffs that surround it, though the beach itself consists of pale grey volcanic pebbles and large white stones. It is small, secluded, and has a wild, rocky feel.
How to get there: There is no road or foot path to White Beach. The only way to reach it is by taking a taxi boat from Akrotiri or as part of a caldera boat tour. You can park your rental car at Akrotiri and hop on the local shuttle boats.
Pink Sand Santorini Beaches: The Truth
A common question from travelers is: Does Santorini have a pink sand beach?
The short answer is no. Santorini does not have natural pink sand beaches like Elafonisi or Balos in Crete. Any photo online showing bright pink sands in Santorini is heavily edited or clickbait.
However, the red volcanic pebbles and sand at Red Beach, when mixed with light white volcanic pumice particles and viewed in the warm light of the afternoon sun, can occasionally take on a soft, rose-gold or pinkish hue. But do not expect a true pink sand beach. For dramatic volcanic colors, Red Beach remains the closest experience.
Ammoudi Bay
Ammoudi Bay is a tiny fishing harbor below Oia rather than a sandy beach, but it is one of the island's premier swimming spots. Walk down the 200+ steps from Oia (or drive down the outer road) to the harbor, then follow the footpath around the cliff edge to a rocky outcrop. Here, you can jump directly into deep, crystal-clear volcanic waters.
Ammoudi is best combined with a fresh seafood lunch at the harborside tavernas.
Getting Around to the Beaches
Santorini's beaches are located on the south and east coasts, opposite the cliffside caldera towns of Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli.
- Public Bus: KTEL buses run from Fira to Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos. Timetables can be irregular, and buses are very crowded in peak season. There is no bus service to Vlychada or Red Beach.
- Rental Vehicles: Renting a car or ATV is the best way to explore. Santorini Rent Me offers convenient delivery to Athinios port or JTR airport. Mercury Cars provides a premium fleet, while Santorini Quad is the go-to for ATV rentals. Compare options in our ATV vs car rental guide.
For ferry arrivals, see our Athens to Santorini ferry guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best beach in Santorini? It depends on what you want: Kamari is best for families and facilities; Perivolos is best for beach clubs (Jojo, Forty One); Vlychada offers the most dramatic lunar cliff scenery; Red Beach is the most famous for volcanic photography.
Does Santorini have sandy beaches? Yes, but the sand is volcanic. It is black, dark grey, or red, and contains pebbles. The black sand absorbs heat rapidly, so beach shoes are highly recommended.
Is Red Beach Santorini open in 2026? Yes, Red Beach is accessible by foot or taxi boat, but there are ongoing landslide risks. Visitors are advised to stay away from the cliff base and check local signs.
Does Santorini have a pink sand beach? No. Santorini does not have pink sand. Red Beach can sometimes appear rose-gold under certain sunlight, but true pink sand beaches in Greece are only found in Crete (Elafonisi) or Elafonisos (Peloponnese).
Do you need a car to get to Santorini beaches? While Kamari and Perissa have bus links from Fira, a rental car or ATV is highly recommended to reach Vlychada, Red Beach, and to easily explore the island.
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