The beaches at Santorini are not exactly something they can be proud of. They’re black sand and not white sand like most beach goers are used to. However, they look great because of how they’re made of volcanic sand and pebbles. There are a lot of things tourists can do at Santorini aside from the beaches. There are many more activities to do like checking out the incredible views, joining a wine tour, drinking cocktails at bars and eating wonderful local food. Good thing, you can do all that while staying at one of the nice beach hotels at Perivolos, Perissa and Kamari. The sand in the beaches make them perfect for taking a dip. For the best beaches for swimming, go to the beaches at Perivolos and Perissa.
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The beaches that impressed me the most are the ones in Perivolos, Perissa and Kamari. Not only are there many places to grab a bit, there are many beach chairs to rent so you can relax while people watching. You won’t find a shortage of beach resorts here too.
The sand in the beaches at Santorini gets really hot during daytime because they’re composed of dark volcanic sand. Hence, it is best not to walk on them barefoot. Remember to always bring your sandals and water shoes.
There are a lot of things Santorini is known for but the beaches aren’t one of them. Even if you’ve seen nice pictures on the Internet, don’t expect them to be just as good in person. However, a lot of people love the natural beaches there anyway. Besides, there are more things to love other than the beaches there including wonderful views.
It is idea to stay either along the caldera or one of the beaches so you won’t have to travel far. It depends on what type of person you are. If you like beaches, better stay at the southeast side. If you’re fond of breathtaking views, the west coast part is ideal.
If you want to party until the sun rises, Fira would be the best option because that is where all the good nightclubs are in Santorini. You’ll also experience amazing caldera views there and the beaches are just a bus ride away. However, there are bars anyway at the beaches in Perivolos, Perissa and Kamari.
- Red Beach
From the name itself, the color of the sand is red. Also, better watch out for falling rocks whenever you’re at the beach. Therefore, it would be better to not walk by the beach anymore. If you want to take pictures for your social media accounts, you can just take a selfie while a few meters away from it. You’ll certainly be tempted to take many pictures because of the amazing backdrop. Additionally, it is not that far from Fira as it will only take you 20 minutes to get there via car.
- Perivolos Beach
It’s a black beach with an abundance of beach resorts and great food finds. At night, the place comes alive with loud music from various bars. While walking down the beach, you will notice the name of the beach changes but that will hardly matter as long as you’re having a great time. It is possible you’ll be alone in some parts of the beach due to how less populated it tends to be during some parts of the year.
- Kamari Beach
Perhaps, one of the most popular beaches in Santorini is this stunning beach near Fira. There is a reason why a lot of tourists go here. If you got stressed during the day, just take a stroll during the night and you’ll feel relaxed again. There are a ton of options in terms of restaurants and all of them are worth visiting. In fact, you’re probably going to have a hard time deciding among the choices there. Additionally, it is pretty close to the airport but you won’t have to worry about getting disturbed by the sounds of the airplanes.
- Perissa Beach
Perissa Beach is actually a continuation of Perivolos beach. There are a lot of tourists and party goes in this area which explains the abundance of restaurants and hotels. There is nothing like going here and getting a tan. The beach is so long that you can also play beach volleyball.
- Ammoudi Bay
It is the best place in Santorini to swim. However, it is not a beach but it is easy to get here anyway. All you need to do is to park near the restsaurants along wateris edge. Some tourists may not know this but there is a small island that is so near that it is possible to swim to it. When you get there, be sure you took your camera with you because it provides a great view of the volcanos. While there, be sure to watch out for some falling rocks as some people reported that they got hurt by those things.
- Monolithos
If you brought the entire family with you, this is the best beach to take them too. Kids would love the beach as you will notice that there are a lot of sandcastles there the moment you get there. There’s quite a few restaurants but the ones there offer great food. It’s very quiet too so it is perfect for those who want some soul-searching. Additionally, parents can relax while their kids play at the play area. It would be best to go here for a day trip.