Santorini beaches guide · Greece
9 standout Santorini beaches, from the black-sand resort strips of Kamari and Perivolos to the red and white volcanic coves of the south — grouped by coast, with honest swimming and access notes.
Curated by the Beach Atlas team · Updated June 2026
Santorini is a volcano, and its beaches show it. There is no white sand or shallow turquoise lagoon here — the shores are black, red or grey volcanic sand and pebble, the water often deepens fast, and on most of them the scenery is the main event rather than the swimming. The long organized strips sit on the gentler southeast coast: black-sand Kamari under the Mesa Vouno cliff, and the beach-club stretch of Perivolos and Black Beach toward Perissa. The south and southwest hold the photogenic volcanic coves — Red Beach, the lunar Vlychada, and quieter Mesa Pigadia, White Beach and Gialos near Akrotiri. Browse every verified beach on the island in Santorini.
This is a curated best-of rather than the full list. If you want comfort and a full day in the sun, head for the organized southeast; if you want the dramatic volcanic colours, come for the coves and treat the swim as a bonus. A car or scooter makes the south and southwest far easier — some of the best coves sit at the end of a rough track. Pick a coast below, then check each beach page for access detail before you go.
This is where Santorini's beach days happen. Kamari is a long black volcanic beach below the dramatic Mesa Vouno mountain, with a paved café-and-bar promenade running its length — it is Blue Flag, fully organized and one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. A few kilometres south, Perivolos is the island's stylish, lively black-sand strip between Perissa and Agios Georgios, mixing loud beach-club zones with calmer stretches further along, and it is Blue Flag too. Adjoining it, Black Beach near Perissa is one of the iconic dark lava-sand shores, with seaside tavernas and shallows that deepen quickly — comfortable sunbathing and swimming on its mix of black sand and pebbles.
These are the beaches you come to look at. Red Beach sits below towering red volcanic cliffs on Santorini's southern coast, one of the island's most photogenic spots — swimming is generally calm, but the entry is rocky and uneven, so it suits scenery over a long swim. Vlychada is the strangest of all: a long shore of grey sand and pebble beneath wind-sculpted white cliffs that give it a lunar, almost surreal feel, quieter than the resort beaches, with water that deepens fast. For a peaceful, quiet day, Gialos is a sheltered pebbly bay in the Akrotiri area, framed by cliffs and wild scenery for visitors who want sun and nature over crowds.
Santorini still has genuinely peaceful corners if you are willing to work for them. Mesa Pigadia is a quiet black-sand and volcanic-pebble cove on the southwest coast, tucked under cliffs for a sheltered, intimate feel — it is reached by a rough dirt road and buses don't run all the way, so come by car or on foot. White Beach is a small secluded cove near Akrotiri, framed by tall white cliffs against a pebble-and-black-sand shore, with clear shallow water that is good for a swim and a snorkel; it has no road parking, so it takes real effort to reach. On the far north coast near Oia, over-a-kilometre-long Baxedes is a less-developed black-sand stretch backed by cliffs that throw natural shade — quiet and natural, though the water can get choppy when winds pick up.
Showing #1 – #9 of 9 beaches
Why go: Kamari is a well-known resort village on the southeastern coast of Santorini.
Kamari is a well-known resort village on the southeastern coast of Santorini. Its beach is a long black volcanic beach / pebbly sand beach, formed by Santorini’s volcanic geology. The shore lies under the foot of the Mesa Vouno mountain, adding dramatic backdrop.
Why go: Perivolos Beach (Παραλία Περβολός) lies on the southeastern coast of Santorini, extending between Perissa and Agios Georgios.
Perivolos Beach (Παραλία Περβολός) lies on the southeastern coast of Santorini, extending between Perissa and Agios Georgios. It’s known for its black volcanic sand / pebbly-volcanic shore and stylish, lively beach club scene. Because it is long and well organized, Perivolos offers both social, activity-rich zones…
Why go: Baxedes (also spelled “Baxédes”, sometimes extended as “Baxedes & Paradisos”) is a more secluded northern-coast beach of Santorini, located east of Cape Mavropetra and near Oia / Finikia.
Baxedes (also spelled “Baxédes”, sometimes extended as “Baxedes & Paradisos”) is a more secluded northern-coast beach of Santorini, located east of Cape Mavropetra and near Oia / Finikia.
Why go: One of Santorini’s iconic black sand beaches — formed from volcanic lava and minerals — Black Beach lies near Perissa / Akrotiri.
One of Santorini’s iconic black sand beaches — formed from volcanic lava and minerals — Black Beach lies near Perissa / Akrotiri. With its striking dark shore, clear Aegean waters, and cliff-backdrop, it’s ideal for both relaxation and more active beach-days.
Why go: Mesa Pigadia is a quieter, lesser-known black-sand / volcanic pebble beach located on the southwest coast of Santorini near Akrotiri.
Mesa Pigadia is a quieter, lesser-known black-sand / volcanic pebble beach located on the southwest coast of Santorini near Akrotiri. The beach lies in a small cove backed by cliffs, giving it a sheltered and intimate feel.
Why go: Below towering red volcanic cliffs, Red Beach is a dramatic, photogenic stretch of sand and pebbles on Santorini’s southern coast.
Below towering red volcanic cliffs, Red Beach is a dramatic, photogenic stretch of sand and pebbles on Santorini’s southern coast. The high red rocks create a striking contrast with the deep blue of the Aegean.
Why go: Vlychada Beach lies on the southern coast of Santorini, about 13-14 km from Fira.
Vlychada Beach lies on the southern coast of Santorini, about 13-14 km from Fira. The beach is known for its dramatic volcanic geology: towering white cliffs sculpted by wind and sea, a long shoreline of gray sand mixed with pebbles, and deep, clear waters.
Why go: Paralia Gialos is a peaceful pebbly beach on the southwest coast of Santorini, in the Akrotiri area.
Paralia Gialos is a peaceful pebbly beach on the southwest coast of Santorini, in the Akrotiri area. Sheltered within a bay near the inactive Kokkinopetra volcano, the beach offers dramatic views of cliffs, natural vegetation, and wild scenery. The sea bed is a mix of sand, small pebbles and gravel.
Why go: A small secluded cove on the southwestern coast near Akrotiri, White Beach is framed by tall, dramatic white cliffs that give the place its name.
A small secluded cove on the southwestern coast near Akrotiri, White Beach is framed by tall, dramatic white cliffs that give the place its name. Though the cliffs are pale, the shore consists of pebbles and grey/black volcanic sand, creating a striking contrast with the turquoise sea.
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