The 7 best beaches in Santorini

Santorini isn't a typical beach paradise, but its volcanic sand and clear Aegean water make its beaches something to add to your bucket list. There's something for everyone: adventure, water sports, gorgeous scenery and a perfect beach vibe.

Read our guide to the five best beaches, plus two bonus beaches you must see, the famous Red Beach and White Beach, and you'll know exactly where to go for the perfect beach day.

Perivolos Beach

Perivolos is our favorite beach in all of Santorini, and it will be yours too, thanks to its gorgeous black volcanic sand and fun beach-party vibe.

Find Perivolos Beach on Google Maps

Highlights

• Wonderful black sand beach
• Small cafés, nice tavernas and hip beach clubs with great music
• Organized, but not as crowded as some beaches
• Free Wi-Fi in many spots along the beach

Sip a cocktail and stretch out in the sun on the black sand of Perivolos, as the sound of the waves and the music from the bars help you relax. Splash in the clean, clear water, or let your adventurous side take over and explore on a jet ski.

If you want more than soft black sand and crystal-clear water, here are things to do and places to eat.

Things to do

• Lounge on free or rented sunbeds
• Play beach volleyball or go cycling
• Rent a jet ski, paddleboard, kayak or banana boat
• Try snorkeling or parasailing

Places to eat

• 41 Restaurant: on the beach, with great lunches and cocktails
• Savvas Popeye Perivolos: on the beach, with fresh seafood and local treats
• Sea Side by Notos: fresh seafood and delicious Euro-Mediterranean fusion
• Terra Nera: tasty pizza and Greek dishes, with great service
• Margarita: a family-run café with great Greek food

Perissa Beach

Perissa joins on to Perivolos and has the same sand and water, with even more hotels and restaurants, which makes it a top tourist destination.

Find Perissa Beach on Google Maps

Highlights

• Wonderful black sand beach
• Popular with visitors, with the occasional celebrity sighting
• A beach-party scene with plenty of music, bars and tavernas
• Water sports, activities and comfortable sun loungers

Enjoy the party atmosphere as you sip a cool drink in the shade of a beach umbrella and mingle with visitors and locals. Swim in Perissa's sparkling water and grab a tasty snack before moving on to the bars, which stay open late into the night.

If you want more than great views and fun in the sun, try these things to do and places to eat.

Things to do

• Enjoy live music, popular DJs and the party atmosphere
• Find all your favorite water sports, including jet skis, paddleboards and diving
• Explore the beach and nearby trails by rented bicycle or ATV
• Visit the famous ruins of Ancient Thera nearby

Places to eat

• Noma Kuzina Mediterra: delicious, healthy Greek and Mediterranean dishes
• Yazz Beach Bar Restaurant: on the beach, with live music, tasty food and cocktails
• Sirocco: excellent Italian food and pizza
• Aqua Beach Restaurant: good lunches, snacks and drinks
• The Magic Bus: friendly service and local specialties

Kamari Beach

Another of Santorini's iconic black sand beaches, Kamari is family-friendly, with an upscale feel that makes it very popular.

Find Kamari Beach on Google Maps

Highlights

• Wonderful black sand beach
• Plenty of activities, such as diving and other water sports
• Family-friendly, with lots for children to do
• Easy to reach, and the closest of these beaches to Fira and the caldera

Bring the whole family for fun in the sun and sea at Kamari. Try snorkeling in the crystal-clear water or stroll along the seafront promenade. Taste traditional Greek specialties or find the perfect souvenir. There's something for everyone at this lively black sand beach.

If you want more than volcanic sand and beautiful waves, here are things to do and places to eat.

Things to do

• Try exciting water sports, including jet skis and kayaks
• Stroll along the promenade and take in the surroundings
• Relax on a lounger under a beach umbrella
• Shop for souvenirs along the promenade

Places to eat

• Elia Eatery: Greek and Mediterranean food and cocktails with a view
• Prince Bar Restaurant: European and Mediterranean dishes, with great chicken fillets
• Koutouki the Rakomelo: traditional local specialties and amazing homemade desserts
• Restaurant Alexander: live Greek music, friendly service and great food
• Meli & Thymari: excellent, authentic food in a friendly atmosphere

Monolithos Beach

Monolithos is a top family beach with some of the best sand on the island. It's one of the only beaches where you can build a sandcastle.

Find Monolithos Beach on Google Maps

Highlights

• The most child-friendly beach, with a playground and a gentle slope into the sea
• Real sand rather than volcanic sand and pebbles
• A fairly large beach with plenty of space
• Peaceful and relaxing, away from the crowds

Kick off your shoes and dig your toes into some of the only real sand on Santorini. Bring the children to build sandcastles or play volleyball. You can enjoy the refreshing water here without worrying about the steep drop-offs found elsewhere on the island.

If you want to do more than build sandcastles and swim, here are things to do and places to eat.

Things to do

• Relax on a rented sun lounger
• Spend time with the children at the playground
• Play beach volleyball or basketball on the courts
• Go sightseeing at nearby Monolithos Castle

Places to eat

• Mario No 1: a high-end restaurant with delicious fresh seafood
• Galini Taverna: a cozy spot with great local dishes
• Captain Loizos Fish: fresh seafood and generous portions
• Taverna Skaramagkas: great for lunch, with tasty Greek dishes
• Taverna Beall Napoli: family-friendly, with good pizza

Vlychada Beach

With a landscape that will make you feel you're on another planet, Vlychada is a must-see spot with a relaxing atmosphere.

Find Vlychada Beach on Google Maps

Highlights

• Stunning scenery, with unique volcanic rock formations and cliffs
• A relaxed atmosphere, away from the crowds and busy sights
• Clothing-optional areas
• Fairly shallow water

Look around at cliffs and rock formations unlike anywhere else in the world, and you'll feel transported to another planet. Relax in the sun, splash in the water and enjoy the beach without the crowds and development of the busier resorts.

If you want more than the scenery and the aquamarine water, here are things to do and places to eat.

Things to do

• Relax on a rented sunbed under an umbrella
• Bring your camera to capture the amazing scenery and rock formations
• Head to the nearby marina for a boat trip
• See the Emporio windmills nearby

Places to eat

• To Psaraki: excellent fresh seafood and a great view
• Theros Wave Bar: on the beach, with Greek food and drinks
• Taverna Dimitris Vlichada: a great location, with fresh salads and seafood
• Meroula Restaurant: traditional local favorites and friendly service
• Taverna Limanaki Vlychada: on the beach, with fresh fish, on the pricier side

Bonus beach: Red Beach

We wouldn't recommend Santorini's famous Red Beach for a typical beach day, but you should definitely see it while you're on the island. Its volcanic scenery is simply not to be missed: striking red cliffs and sand stand out against the aqua-blue sea, creating an otherworldly scene. The beach itself is very narrow, with little space for sunbathing, and there have been reports of rockfalls from the cliffs in places, so follow any warning signs.

Bonus beach: White Beach

White Beach is another must-see in Santorini. It can be reached only from the sea, for example on a catamaran trip, and has black sand set against striking white cliffs and the deep blue Aegean. Getting there is an adventure in itself. Relax on a catamaran sailing cruise, swim and snorkel, and enjoy a beach so secluded you'll feel you're on your own private island.