10 Best Beaches in Santorini, Greece

Santorini is beyond gorgeous. The tall caldera cliffs, the infinite sunsets, the blue sea as far as the eye can see and the white-and-blue historic towns. This island in the Cyclades has long been the most desired spot on the Greek travel map, an ultimate bucket-list destination. Santorini isn’t necessarily the best for beaches in the country, but the local black volcanic stretches have their charm. 

In 2025, things got shaken up a bit, quite literally. Located in the center of seismic activity, Santorini experienced a series of earthquakes in January and February. While no major damage was reported, and everything went back to normal in March, the island braced for a different kind of summer season. Known for overcrowding, Santorini and its beautiful volcanic beaches are expected to be more tranquil in 2025. Here’s our guide to the best beaches in Santorini. 

Best urban beach in Santorini

When people think about the most developed beach in Santorini, it’s usually Kamari. Made of small black pebbles, it’s a long stretch on the east coast of the island. The trademark straw umbrellas and loungers dot this stretch that overlooks the magnificent Mesa Vouno mountain. Kamari village, behind the beach, is where you find most of Santorini’s seaside resorts. If you’re staying in the island’s capital, Fira, Kamari is less than 5 miles away. Bring water shoes for a more comfortable swim. There are numerous restaurants and cafes around Kamari, and you’ve got several stylish beach bars for more exclusive beachgoing. The stretch is also the best place on Santorini to get into watersports — try stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing and tubing. 

Best for all-day beach fun

Located on the other side of Mesa Vouno from Kamari, Perissa is a great choice for a beach in Santorini. You won’t have to endure twists and turns to get here— the stretch is well-connected to Fira by the main road. It is composed of black pebbles (shoes are a must for swimming) of volcanic origin. The beach is a part of the small resort village of Perissa, so you always have a taverna or a coffee shop nearby. The northern part, next to the Mesa Vouno mountain, is the most scenic. All facilities are in place at Perissa, making it a great family-friendly Santorini beach. During summer, the water is pleasantly calm and clear. As with other Santorini stretches, it can get windy, so be aware of that. 

Best for natural panoramas and nudism

Vlychada is a triumph of the untamed Santorini coast. It charms you with phantasmagoric hills, grey sands and blue waters. The beach is quite long, so there’s never a space issue. Speaking of space, Vlychada’s lunar, extraterrestrial appearance makes hanging out here a surreal pleasure. If you’re looking for extra comfort, there’s a beach bar with umbrellas and sunbeds closer to the village. Naturists should head to Vlychada’s northern end to find a peaceful, clothing-optional spot. And why not learn more about Santorini’s rich tomato history? Set in a former factory with tall chimneys beside Vlychada beach, the Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos” offers an interactive immersion into the island’s tomato-paste production.

Best for sunset-watching

It’s all love and hate with the famous Red Beach (or Kokkini Beach). While definitely one of Santorini’s most photogenic and breathtaking stretches, it also tends to be very overcrowded during the season. Unlike Perissa or Kamari, it’s an isolated beach with no civilization around, so don’t expect fancy restaurants and beach bars. The beauty is unparalleled, though. The ochre-colored, windswept cliffs glisten in the sun as the Aegean Sea invites inspired dips. Catching the sunset here is a sublime experience. That being said, be prepared for the hassle of reaching Red Beach. Public buses stop at the top of the beach. There’s a 20-minute walk downhill from the parking to the stretch (hiking shoes are advised for safety). You can also come by taxi boat from Akrotiri. And always check the official warnings regarding the beach, as landslides and rockfalls are not unheard of. 

Best for families

Don’t come to Monolithos expecting a showstopping beauty— it’s not really that kind of beach. Located close to Santorini airport, this stretch is best for children. When most of the island’s beaches are pebbly, Monolithos offers fine black sand, which is actually easy on your feet. Also, the shallow water access is a gift that keeps on giving to families. Your kids will have a blast playing in the sand and wading in the wavy waters. There are several traditional restaurants around the beach, a volleyball court and a children’s playground. Often less crowded than other island stretches, it also comes with the cheapest rates for sunbed and umbrella rentals. 

Best for turquoise waters and cliff jumping

The black beaches of Santorini are in a league of their own. In other words, the scenery here is not quite the turquoise, dreamy coast that Greek islands are often depicted as. But then, there’s Ammoudi Bay. Here, you’ve got that transparent emerald water and jet-set postcard-perfect atmosphere. Located under the iconic sunset-watching white village of Oia, Ammoudi is a must-visit for idyllic cliff jumping and an alternative Santorini beachgoing experience. Snorkeling here is also the best you can find on the island. Reach the beach by descending the 300+ steps from Oia, which are both demanding and overwhelmingly scenic. Don’t come without the water shoes, as Ammoudi Beach is mostly rocks. 

Best for sunbathing and Greek restaurants

Perivolos, a continuation of Perissa, ranks among the longest black-sand beaches in Santorini. It’s the island’s top spot for carefree lounging and sunbathing. Along with Kamari, this area is the closest Santorini comes to a package-resort holiday in Greece. The formula here is simple: lay down your towel and spend the entire day doing nothing. Numerous beach bars offer umbrella and lounger rentals for a touch of glamour. A shaded, tree-lined promenade flanks the shore, dotted with traditional tavernas. At its southern end, Perivolos gives way to the more relaxed Agios Georgios beach.

Best for idyllic vistas

Fancy a beautiful Greek panorama of a whitewashed village harbor and multicolored boats swaying on the cyan water? Head to Armeni Beach. Like Ammoudi Bay nearby, it’s connected to Oia by steep stairs. The little hiking escapade is totally worth the effort — Armeni is a tranquil piece of Greek coastal magic with an excellent seafood restaurant, a tiny pebbly beach and a few charming old village houses. 

Best for escaping the crowds

Mesa Pigadia is perfect for when Santorini’s most popular beaches overwhelm you with noise and crowds. Remote and lesser-known, it sits on an undeveloped southwest coast beneath stunning ochre-colored caldera cliffs. Though the stretch is isolated, you’ll still find a beach bar renting umbrellas and loungers, plus a superb seaside tavern serving local seafood with fantastic views. One reason Mesa Pigadia remains underrated is its relative inaccessibility: you can follow a dirt road from Akrotiri by car, or opt for the easier—and more scenic—taxi-boat ride.

Best for snorkeling

Santorini is full of natural surprises and White Beach is one of its most striking attractions. Interestingly, it’s situated right next to the Red Beach, creating an unforgettable coastal palette. While Kokkini (the Red one) is connected to the major towns by bus, the Aspri (the White one) is isolated. You can only reach it by taxi boat from Akrotiri or by going on a Santorini coastal cruise. If you decide to go, you’ll be rewarded by the astonishing scenery of tall chalk cliffs rising above the Aegean Sea. The surface here is pebbly and there is a limited number of umbrellas and loungers during the high season. It’s also a top place for snorkeling with all the rocks. Moreover, you’ve got a small sea cave to explore. 

Yes, it is safe to visit. There are currently no safety precautions advising against visiting Santorini. The state of emergency was lifted in March and the island went back to normal with hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions opening again. Also, the officials did a thorough inspection of the local infrastructure. 

Sitting atop an active volcano, Santorini is in the middle of an active seismic zone. Much like California or Japan, minor tremors are a frequent occurrence here. Usually, they do not pose any threat, but general awareness helps. The best advice for visiting Santorini with peace of mind is to check the official information beforehand and to track the weather alerts. If you’re booking early, consider selecting options with free cancellation. You can also purchase travel insurance. 
One of the best sources of information is the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, which regularly publishes updates and warnings. There’s also a Greek website that tracks earthquakes, so you can check the real-time updates. But again, tremors happen in this country often and most do not pose any danger.