BEACHES OF SANTORINI

 

•    ORGANIZED BEACHES

 

Vlyhada

Vlyhada is located near Perivolos and is probably the most quiet beach. There  a lot of sailboats and fishing boats stop.

 

Exo Gialos

A quiet beach with a combination of sand and pebbles is 4km. away from Karterado. There is a canteen and a tavern.

 

Kamari - Avis Beach

The beach of Kamari village in Saantorini lies to the east of the island, extending over five miles and is unusual because of its black sand. It has access to many restaurants, taverns, beach bars, hotels, souvenir shops etc. Moreover, there you can do water sports like water skiing, wind surfing, rowing. To get there take the bus from Fira. Near Kamari is the beach Avis, which has facilities for sports and beach bars.

 

Kambia

Kambia beach is located between the Red and White Beach on the southwestern side of Santorini.

It is a small beach, quiet with pebbles and crystal clear waters. The best spot to swim is the right side, in front of the house located there. After the swim you can enjoy your meal in the tavern on the beach overlooking the Red beach that is within walking distance.

To go to the beach Kambia you should follow the road toAkrotiri and just before you enter the village, turn right at the sign for Kambia. After about 1500 meters there is another sign where you should turn left towards the beach. From this point begins the road that leads to the beach after about 2.1 miles.

 

Red Beach - Akrotiri

Red Beach is located near the archaeological site of Akrotiri and is a unique sight as the red lava hills are jumping through the black sandy beach. The water is crystal clear blue. Near the beach there is a hotel where you can have lunch at noon or in the evening or just have a drink.

*   On the southwestern coast of Akrotiri there are boats that travel around the island and take you to different beaches.

 

 

Monolithos

Monolithos beach has shallow waters, black sand, umbrellas and sunbeds. Located in the northern part of Kamari, it is the most popular family beach of Santorini. There is a lifeguard tower and wooden toys for children near the sea. Also, basketball, beach volley courts etc. There are taverns, some hotels, cafes, mini markets etc. The landmark of the beach is the old tomato factory of Nomikos.

 

Perivolos - Agios Georgios

This beach is located in the south of the island and is another quiet place with relaxing beach bars, taverns and small restaurants, hotels and rooms with sea view. Here you can find water sports, too.

 

Perissa

Perissa is located on the southeastern coast of the island. It, also, has black sand because of the volcano. It is fully organized with seafront taverns, hotels, camping sites, while the more active ones can do water sports like water skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving or just enjoy the water park. Like Kamari, it has a Blue Flag because of its clean water.

 

•    NOT ORGANIZED BEACHES

 

Agia Paraskevi

Very close to the airport of the island, between Monolithos and Kamari, lies Agia Paraskevi, which is a fairly secluded beach with black sand.

 

Almyra

The beach that is near Vlyhada with the volcanic background, carved rocks and salt water, will give you moments of enjoyment and serenity. However, it is not easily accessible by car.

 

Ammoudi

The picturesque Ammoudi, Oia’s harbour, is a tiny cove with beautiful view of the high perched village with its many taverns. It has crystal blue-green waters and it is an attraction for tourists. It is accessible by car through the old pumice stone mines or by foot or you can get there with mules.

 

Armeni

From the port of Armeni, a small creek behind Ammoudi, you can enjoy a lovely view across the island of Thirasia. If you do not want to climb and descend the 286 steps that connect it with Oia, you have to use a donkey or take a boat from Ammoudi. The action fans will also find a diving center in Armeni.

 

White Beach

From the red beach you can go by boat to the equally famous White Beach, a small beach with crystal clear waters, black sand, pumice and white-gray pebbles in the shade of a tall white rock. However, there is a (difficult) path by Kambia. Swim along the coast to the Red beach and encounter small caves for private enjoyable dives.

 

Vourvoulos

The wild landscape consists of impressive rocks carved by the waves, the black sand, volcanic rocks, beech trees and fishing boats anchored in this small picturesque harbor. It has many pebbles both inside and out of the water.

 

Thermi

Thermi is a secluded beach near Megalohori and is only accessible by a path that passes through chapels. It has scattered hot springs, like those near the volcano.

 

Katharos

The black pebbles and tall rocks compose a landscape of wild beauty on the beach of Katharos, which is 1km. away from Oia and is the most secluded beach on the island overlooking Thirasia.

 

Koloumbo

Koloumbo, a long strip of black-gray sand (nudist beach), is an ideal choice., located after Emporio in the northeast of the island, near Oia. However, it is not organized enough to provide shade during the day. Note that the beach has taken its name from the active submarine volcano 'Koloumbo' at the site.

*   It is advisable to avoid this beach when the wind is north.

 

Mesa Pigadia

Mesa Pigadia reminds of Vlyhada with pebbles and is an ideal choice when the wind is blowing. To get there, follow the dirt road towards the lighthouse.

 

Baxedes

Baxedes beach is usually preferred by locals and tourists who want to avoid the crowds. Although, it is not organized it does not give the impression of an isolated or neglected beach.

 

Paradise

This beach is located in the east part of the island and is a billowy beach with crystal clear waters. The sand is more gray, rather than black with a lot of pumice.

 

Plaka

Plaka resembles of Thermi but is more isolated as you could only go there on foot.

 

Pori

Close Koloumbo is Pori. It is preferred by the locals and is a beach without sun beds and umbrellas.

 

 

 

*   Finally, some remarks for lovers of water sports:

• The best places for diving: the cape Tripiti at Thirassia and the wreck of the Old Kameni. The reef area at Adiavati region (within the caldera, south, near Akrotiri) is, also, offered for diving and if you want to discover caves, you must dive in Mesa Pigadia and the Indian rock. Other areas offered are Armenia (for wall dive), Ammoudi and Aspronisi.

• You will find diving centers at Ammoudi, Kamari, Perissa and Oia.

• Equipment for water skiing and wind surfing is provided at the beaches of Kamari, Perissa and Avis.

•    Sailing / yachting: Thira is one of the islands that sailors love. Those who own a boat will stop at the port of Athinios or at the marina of Vlyhada, at the southern tip of the island. You can, also, stop at in Gialos, the old port of Fira. Futhermore, safe is the port of Nea Kameni and Armeni at Oia.