Find Your Perfect Beach in Santorini

Kamari is a long black volcanic beach on Santorini’s southeast coast, set below the steep Mesa Vouno headland. Its shore combines dark sand with fine black pebbles, and the surface can become hot in strong sun, so footwear is useful. A paved promenade runs behind the beach with cafés, restaurants, shops and bars, making Kamari one of the island’s most fully organised choices. Confirmed facilities include sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, lifeguard coverage, food, beach bars, tavernas and water sports. A large parking area is recorded, though summer demand can still affect capacity. Typical conditions are classified as calm, but the seabed can deepen and wind can change the sea state. Kamari 1 and Kamari 2 both appear on Santorini’s official 2026 Blue Flag list, supporting the page’s current certification status.

Perivolos forms part of Santorini’s long southeast volcanic shore, continuing between Perissa and Agios Georgios. Its surface is black volcanic sand mixed with fine pebbles, and the dark material can become hot under strong midday sun. This is one of the island’s most developed beach-day options: organised sections provide sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets and lifeguard coverage, while beach bars, tavernas, food, music and water-sports operators line the coast. The beach is long enough to include both lively club zones and quieter stretches away from the busiest venues. A large parking area and road access are recorded, although summer demand can still fill spaces. Typical conditions are classified as calm, but check the day’s wind. Perivolos appears in the official 2026 Blue Flag list for Santorini.

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. The sea entry is somewhat rocky and steep in places, so it’s more suitable for those who are okay with uneven terrain. Swimming is generally calm.

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. It is over 1 km long, with black volcanic sand + small pebbles, and backed by cliffs / escarpments that offer natural shade in some parts. Because it is less developed, it retains a more natural, quiet character compared to Santorini’s busy beach zones.

Santorini’s Black Beach is the name also used for Mesa Pigadia, a quieter cove near Akrotiri and the island’s lighthouse. Its shore combines dark volcanic sand, pebbles and rock beneath pale cliffs, with traditional cave-like fishermen’s buildings adding character to the setting. Clear water and rocky edges make the cove useful for snorkelling, while its southwest position is distinct from the long Perissa and Perivolos resort strip. The beach can be reached by boat or by a rough final road section; only a small parking area is recorded, so access is less straightforward than at Santorini’s main resort beaches. Seasonal sunbeds, umbrellas, food and a beach venue are listed, but live opening and prices are not stored. The seabed can be uneven, and moderate conditions are recorded, so assess the sea before entering.

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. It is often described as a “hidden gem” for people seeking a more peaceful beach experience away from the busy beaches of Santorini. Mesa Pigadia is accessible via a rough / dirt road from the main road; public buses don’t come all the way — walking from nearby stops or driving is typical.

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. Its lunar-like landscape gives it a peaceful, almost surreal vibe, making it ideal for those seeking something scenic and less crowded than the more tourist-heavy beaches. The water close to shore is relatively shallow to begin with, but deepens quickly.

Exomitis lies on the southern coast / tip of Santorini (on the southeastern stretch), forming part of the long continuous black-sand coastline from Perissa toward the cape. The beach is relatively quiet / secluded / less visited compared to more touristy beaches. The stretch is part of an extended beach that includes more organized zones nearer other beaches, but Exomitis itself is more rustic / low infrastructure.

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. It’s quieter than many of the more famous beaches, making it ideal for visitors who want relaxation, sun, sea and nature rather than large crowds.