Santorini is an island known most for its stunning towns, though you don’t hear all that much about its beaches. And yet, you can find some real gems there. As such, to give credit where it’s due, we’ll be taking a look at the ten best beaches of Santorini today.
Santorini Hot Springs
The volcanic hot springs on Nea Kameni
First, a non-traditional beach – the hot springs on Nea Kameni, near Santorini. You can get here by boat. Nea Kameni also has its own volcano which hasn’t erupted in decades – you can take a trip there for about €20.
Red Beach
Santorini’s red sands
This one needs no explanation, as all’s in the name. The beach is snuggled under a massive red cliffside – the coast itself is a mix of sand and pebbles and you may find some sand to be reddish-black. You can also find a cafe and a sunbed rental nearby. The Red Beach is a 20-minute drive south of Fira.
Kamari Beach
One of the most popular beaches of Santorini
Kamari is probably the second most popular beach on Santorini – it’s long, wide and dark. Its main advantage is the beautiful view of the Mesa Vuono mountain and the multitude of restaurants and cafes next to it, as it’s right next to the centre of the town of Kamari. There’s also a large car park on the southern side of the beach. If you don’t have a car, you can get here by bus, as the bus stop is right next to the beach too. We highly recommend also climbing the mountain itself, as it offers magnificent views.
Monolithos
The best beach on Santorini?
Another eastern beach with black sand, this time cleaner and finer than the Kamari Beach. It offers equipment rentals, including umbrellas and sun loungers, while bars and cafes are right across the street. Thanks to the soft sands, it’s both more pleasant for regular strolls along the beach and more children-friendly.
Paralia Koloumpo
A quiet beach on Santorini
Paralia Koloumpo is a secluded beach 8 miles north of Fira. There’s not much infrastructure beyond the car park and a sun lounger rental. It is, however, much less popular than the rest, hence why you can find some peace and quiet here. Though it’s not formally a nudist beach, don’t be surprised to see a butt or two, as nudists sometimes visit it due to its secluded nature.
Ammoudi Bay
The best swimming spot in Santorini?
The Ammoudi Bay is located on the north-western shore of the island, next to the beautiful town of Oia. It’s not so much a beach but rather a bay for swimming, and a beautiful one at that. You get the wonderful backdrop of red cliffs overlooking the shore and adorable little buildings eyeing you from above. You can find a restaurant, cafes and a car park right by the bay, though you can also just walk there from Oia.
Perissa and Perivolos
A popular beach on Santorini
Perissa is a sister beach to Kamari’s located on the other side of Mesa Vuono – it’s just as wide, popular and full of infrastructure. It also connects to Perivolos Beach, making one massive beach, about 2 miles long. It’s full of restaurants, cafes and clubs. A great spot for an evening stroll.
Vlychada
The most beautiful beach on Santorini?
Vlychada is a stunning beach on Santorini. It’s located in the southern part of the island, next to its namesake village. The beach is hidden under a long volcanic cliff and the coast itself is covered in thick black sand. There’s a car park, a restaurant and sun loungers at the entrance to the beach. The further you go from there, though, the more secluded it becomes. It’s one of our favourite beaches on Santorini mainly due to the tranquillity you can find here. We also included it on the list of the best beaches in all of Greece.
Aspri Paralia / White Beach
White beach on Santorini
Aspri Paralia is located on the southern part of the island, though it’s only reachable by boat. It’s a tiny beach with a beautiful white cliffside towering over the rocky shore. You won’t find any infrastructure here.
Nudist beaches on Santorini
Are there nudist beaches on Santorini?
Though the main popular beaches on Santorini are a tad too full for naturists not to be pushed off them. There are, however, a few beaches or at least sections that are suitable. Main examples being: Koloumpo, Katharos and sections of Vlychada.
If you’d like a more comfortable nudist experience, maybe pay Costa Blanca a visit?
Map of the best beaches on Santorini
Where will you find them?
1) Red Beach 2) Kamari beach 3) Perissa and Perivolos 4) Vlychada 5) White Beach 6) Ammoudi Bay 7) Monolithos beach 8) Koloumpo 9) Hot Springs
What to take with you?
Your to-bring list
Most beaches are well equipped and even have their own tiny shops in case you forgot the essentials, but they tend to be pricier than just bringing your own stuff. As such, make sure to pack:
- sunscreen
- water
- a hat!
- a comfortable thick towel
- beach shoes
- swimsuit (unless you’re going to a nudist beach 🙂 )
If you prefer traditional sandy beaches, we’d recommend paying a visit to Crete or Rhodes!
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