Beaches in Santorini

Santorini has unique places to swim. Some of them are quiet and some of them are –especially during July and August– crowded and well organized with facilities of any kind.

Perissa Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches on the island. The black lava sand, the clear blue sea and many water sports facilities, are the main attraction. Seafront taverns, hotels, camping facilities and many more meet everyone’s needs.

Kamari Beach: The beautiful black sandy beach of Kamari stretches over five miles. It is one of the most popular beaches in Santorini. Along the shore there are taverns, restaurants, hotels, tourist shops and entertainment spots.

Monolithos Beach: Just north of Kamari there is the beach of Monolithos. This is probably the quietest beach of the island. However, it has many facilities, like bungalows offering snacks and meals.

Perivolos Beach: It is a quiet beach with small taverns, rooms to let and sport facilities. It is ideal for children because of the shallow waters.

Vlihada Beach: This beach is located in the Perivolos area and it is a perfect place for those wishing to avoid large crowds.

Oia: There are two beaches in Oia, Ammoudi and Armeni. Ammoudi is located directly below Oia while Armeni is a bit further.

Red Beach: Close to the ancient sites at Akrotiri is the Red Beach. This is relatively a quiet place ideal for relaxation. The beach is surrounded by red lava cliffs which drop right into the black sandy shore creating a magnificent setting.

TOWNS & VILLAGES IN SANTORINI

Fira: is the capital of the island. Perched on the edge of an impressive 260-meter high cliff, it offers a great panorama of the volcano. Fira is also one of the best places to gaze at the sunset. White painted houses, small churches and tasteful balconies with a view to the Aegean compose a unique set. During summertime, the small streets of Fira are crowed and filled with all kinds of shops. Fira is also the capital of the nightlife. Imerovigli and Firostefani are two small villages which are considered to be an extension of Fira. Both villages are beautiful and quiet and offer an excellent view.

Pyrgos: This village was the capital of the island until the early 1800s. The traditional houses of the village are built around the Venetian Castle located on the top of the hill. The village has many churches, the most famous being the Monastery of Profitis Ilias. Although Pyrgos is one of the prettiest places of the island, it is not a tourist attraction, at least yet.