Red Beach in Santorini

Santorini Beach Day, Santorini

Overview

Explore Santorini's unique volcanic beaches, often surrounded by looming seaside cliffs. Most of the island's banks feature dark volcanic sand in black and red hues, contrasting perfectly with the deep-blue sea and white-washed villages. Enjoy relaxing, swimming, or snorkeling in the surreal scenery, but don't forget your sandals or water shoes as the dark sand becomes incredibly hot in the midday sunshine.

Santorini is home to several beach-day options. Consider your personal preferences and choose from the list below.
  • Kamari Beach: Kamari is the most upscale and touristy of Santorini's beach towns and offers a fun and family-friendly vibe. The beach's black sand and pebbles stretch for over three miles, providing numerous restaurants, cafes, and bars. You'll also find places to rent jet skis or snorkeling and scuba diving equipment. In the evening, the path along the beach is a fun and relaxing place to stroll.

  • Perissa Beach and Perivolos Beach: These two black-sand beaches are essentially one very long stretch of shoreline, catering to the young backpacker crowd. They're famous for their laid-back, beach-style party scene but still offer a wide range of cafes and restaurants for all tastes. In addition, you'll find plenty of places to rent beach equipment or join a boating excursion.

  • Red Beach: Surrounded by hills and volcanic rocks, this small, pebbly shoreline is one of the most scenic beaches on Santorini. Its red sand and cliffs provide a lunar-like atmosphere, and its clear waters are perfect for snorkeling. Try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, especially in the summer months when it's crowded.

  • Monolithos Beach: Home to Santorini's best sand, Monolithos is the most family-friendly beach on the island. It offers a quiet and relaxed vibe with just a small cluster of hotels and restaurants. You can rent umbrellas and loungers and enjoy watching the white-capped waves flow onto the shore.
Once you've decided on the best beach (or beaches) for your tastes, we're happy to help with transportation and other arrangements upon request.

See more things to do on Santorini.

Itineraries with Santorini Beach Day

Santorini & Folegandros - 8 Days

Santorini is the glittering gem of the Cyclades. You'll spend five days exploring this iconic Greek island from top to bottom with beach time, volcano tours, and sunsets that'll take your breath away. Then ferry to neighboring Folegandros to relax on a smaller and lesser-visited (but no less beautiful) island, discovering empty coastline and medieval architecture before returning to Santorini for your departure.

Athens and the Cyclades for Families: Athens, Paros & Santorini - 10 Days

Get out into the Greek islands with your school-age children on this 10-day trip. You'll start with an introduction to some of the country's most famous myths and landmarks in Athens before you head out to sea. Your first island stop is Paros, known for its beaches and open blue waters, then head to the whitewashed architecture and cliffside sunsets of Santorini before you return to Athens.

Athens, the Peloponnese, Delphi & Santorini - 14 Days

Travel across the Peloponnesian peninsula and dive into Greek history with this 14-day itinerary. After a brief stay in Athens, go down to the sea to visit Nafplio, Ancient Olympia, and Delphi. Set sail for the quintessential Greek island of Santorini to end your journey on its stunning caldera.

Family Highlights of Greece: Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Naxos & Santorini - 14 Days

This two-week itinerary will take your whole family to some of Greece's most popular spots on both land and sea. You'll start on the mainland, with a mythology experience in Athens followed by an excursion to the clifftop monasteries in Meteora. Seek Apollo's oracle at the ruins of Delphi, then head out to the islands. Enjoy the island-grown cuisine and beaches of Naxos, then hike the Santorini caldera before you return to Athens to watch the sun set over the Temple of Poseidon.

Culture & Adventure in Athens, Naxos & Santorini - 12 Days

See some of Greece's popular high points and hidden secrets with this itinerary. Start out in Athens, where you'll tour the Acropolis and visit the resort town of Vouliagmeni before you head out to the Cyclades. Your island journey includes Naxos, home to the marble village and a sailboat that will take you out to the neighboring Small Cyclades, followed by Santorini, where you'll explore the iconic caldera and the rest of the island before you return to Athens.