Santorini Beaches
Due to the volcanic
nature of the island there are beaches with 2 different kinds of sand or pebbles;
black and yellow. Black is far hotter on the feet! Bring your rubber sandals
or flip flops or buy some here!
All beaches are accessible
by bus. Red beach doesn't have red sand, its the cliffs behind the beach which
are reddish that give it its name. Beaches are kind of boring on Santorini,
the water is clean. Most beaches are long but you cant see into the waters for any
depth, I guess because of the black sand shallows. The idea of a nice walk on
the beach is always appealing but please leave behind the umbrellas and other trappings
of commercialism.
Anyway, if with
companion, I prefer a pool on the cliffs at my traditional apartment-plex, not
because I am a snob but because of the views and ambiance. Its quiet, the views
are incredible. If you can afford it DO IT! Greece has plenty of other islands with amazing beaches. Once you have seen one black sand beach, you have seen them all! What I am saying is: sure go to the beach but don't come to Santorini for the beaches come for the view!
Once at the beach, the ubiquitous beach umbrellas
and beach chairs are rented by the hour by enterprising licensed Greek entrepreneurs.
Well worth it and inexpensive. It is very, very, hot! Flip-flops mandatory!!
Eastern and southern Santorini beaches
Karterados has a quiet black-sand beach and is closest to Fira.
Kamares (right) and Avis Beach: 5 km of black pebbles, not
sand. Wading is difficult. It has clubs at night and water sports during the day. This is a very built up area and the
most popular beach.
Perissa
Beach: second most popular beach, farther
away, more casual, black sand, extremely hot. It has tavernas,
water sports, clubs at night.
 Akrotiri
Red Beach is smaller with yellow
sand. It's quieter and there's a nude area at the end. It's more isolated and a short trek
after the bus stops, nevertheless, it gets crowded. It's small and the shore is rocky
in spots. Visit the dig then the beach. I don't know what all the fuss is about as a beach except you can take your clothes off due to its isolation.
Tip: Monolithos
Beach: is where the locals go, wider,
sandier, less expensive food. Yellow sand. ;)
Perivolos,
Aghios Georgos Beach are
quieter but with facilities for water sports, rooms to let, bars and tavernas.
Vlihada Beach near
Perivolos is quiet and nice!
Beaches in the north of the island
Oia Area Beaches:
Ammoudi Beach is situated directly below Oia: 214
steps below it, to be exact. There are a few charming houses and the old Venetian
castle protects you from pirates.
Armeni Beach is 286
steps also below, with a tavern and occasional volcanic pumice floating on the
water; a great free gift or souvenir also good for keeping feet soft.
Baxedes Beach is shady beach 3 km from Oia with coarse blackish sand and few crowds.
It's on the bus route from Oia.
Here's a nice map of the major beach areas.
Other Santorini Pages:
Around Santorini | Santorini Beaches | Historic Santorini | Useful Facts | About Santorini
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