Santorini Beaches of Kamari and Perissa

The beaches of Santorini show the signs of volcanic activity 3,500 years ago.

Santorini has unique beaches with white, red, or black sand, and pebbles.

The most popular beaches in Santorini are the black sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa on the east side of the island. (Most popular perhaps because you don't have to climb hundreds of steps.)

Be very careful though, in the warm weather the black sand gets so hot that you'll have to have a grass mat, and you'll need to have something on your feet to make it from your mat to the waters edge. I'm not kidding, it's steaming hot!

Kamari is the main resort area of Santorini, and is located below the ruins of Ancient Thera to the north.

The long black beach at Kamari is a mixture of stone and black volcanic sand. The beach is lined with bars, tavernas, apartments, and hotels.


There are all sorts of water sports equipment available for hire, and plenty of tavernas and places to stay.

The beach at Perissa is 5 miles of black volcanic sand. There is a wide range of water sports available, and a campsite. A modern church stands on the site of the Byzantine chapel for Saint Irene, patron saint of the island.

One of my favourite beaches is the very dramatic Red Beach, or Kokkini Paralia, near Akrotiri. The majestic red lava cliffs make a dramatic picture against the clear turquoise waters.

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A little further up the coast is Monolithos beach which is less crowded. For even more privacy, carry on farther north.