Santorini offers some of the finest beaches in the Aegean Sea. Most of Santorini beaches have the famous black volcanic sand and deep blue waters that any visitor to the island remembers. Some beaches have red or white sand with pebbles. Everywhere you visit, you will see spectacular rock formations. The best way to explore these beaches is by car! For Greece car rentals, I recommend Discover Car Hire.
Here’s a list of the Top 10 best Beaches Santorini which represent unique environmental jewels.
Santorini Red Sand Beach (Red Beach)
Red Santorini Beach is 12 km south west of Fira in the Akrotiri area, and one of the most beautiful and famous beaches of Santorini.  It is well known for the unique color of the sand and the hill behind it. Soaring red lava cliffs which drop right to the sandy shore and into the clear blue sea, make for a majestic setting and one to enjoy. The beach can be reached either by boat (there are several connecting Red Beach with Perissa and Akrotiri) or by foot (10 minutes walk from Akrotiri).  You can drive and park next to the Agios Nikolaos church in Akrotiri.
Kamari Beach
The beach resort of Kamari is situated on the southern part of Santorini, right next to Perissa, with the enormous rock called Mesa Vouno between them. Â This beach is in a prime location for watching the sunset and the sunrise. It is also a very nice beach with lots of restaurants along the beachwalk. FYI, it has black sand that is more like black rocks. It is difficult to walk barefoot, so beach shoes are a must!
Perissa – Black Sand Santorini Beach
Perissa is a tourist resort that gets very crowded in summer. Perissa has black sand on its shore. The remains of Ancient Thera are close by.
Agios Georgios
Agios Georgios is another black beach just 3 km from Perissa, on the southern part of Santorini. Agios Georgios is one of the most tourism-friendly beaches on Santorini.  Numerous facilities are available such as umbrellas and seats for rent, hotels and bars that fit every budget. Visitors can choose among a variety of activities in the water or out at the beach. A large number of restaurants and taverns are gathered along the waterfront, covering all tastes. The beach is a haven for water sport enthusiasts, offering them a wide range of water activities to choose from, including Jet- skiing, scuba-diving, windsurfing, paddle boats and banana boats.
Cape Columbo – Wild and Most Isolated Santorini Beach
Cape Columbo beach is one of the most isolate and quiet beaches on Santorini.  It’s located 12 km north east of Fira. Surrounded by a wild landscape, Cape Columbo often gets windy. In fact, it is the wind and the waves that have formated the wild rocks of Columbo. Just beware of the falling rocks from the cliff.  Don’t sit or lay directly under it them. But since it’s a quieter beach, this might be a fun place to bring some bigger water toys – check out these unique options featuring the best inflatable docks.
Monolithos Beach
Monolithos Beach, situated close to the airport on the East of Santorini, next to Kamari Beach, is a peaceful fine black sandy beach, popular with locals and perfect for families with children as it’s organized with many facilities, such as children play areas, sun beds, umbrellas for rent, water sports and many restaurants.
Perivolos Beach
Located 10 km south of Fira, Perivolos is the longest black sand of Santorini. This wonderful beach is surrounded by these strange rock and sand formations, making it look like a space landscape.
Vlychada Beach
Vlychada beach is on the south coast of the Santorini, around 13 km from Fira the capital. Vlychada is a charming fishing village, where visitors can relax at seaside taverns and cafes. Imposing rocks  stand right above the beach, creating a lunar landscape for a relaxing day on the beach. There is also a beach bar perched on the rocks for delicious food and drink. This is one of the beaches in Santorini you should definitely visit. It has a small port where fishing boats and yachts moor in summer.
Vourvoulos Beach
Location: 4 km north east of Fira Description: Vourvoulos is a beautiful beach but the strong wind that blows frequently makes it uncomfortable for swimming. Sometimes, waves can be huge.
Santorini White Beach
The cove right next to the Red beach is known as the White beach. It is very similar to the Red beach, with black pebbles on the shore. They contrast with the surrounding cliffs which are white.  White beach can only be reach by boat.
Which one is your favorite?
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Fairlie
November 29, 2014 at 1:43 amWow! So many fabulous looking beaches. Hard to pick a favourite…but I think White Beach looks spectacular.
Carmen
November 29, 2014 at 2:48 amHi Fairlie,
The white cliffs in the White Beach are beautiful in the background. You can only get there by boat, which runs every half hour. It’s great to go by boat because you can enjoy the coastal scenery.
Lauren
November 29, 2014 at 10:04 pmGorgeous! I would be happy to be relaxing at any one of them right now.
Carmen
November 30, 2014 at 12:39 amHi Lauren,
Take your pick, which one is your favorite? I think the Red Beach was mine. The color of the rocks and cliffs were breathtaking.
Hanna
November 30, 2014 at 7:29 amI love beaches, however, I don’t feel comfortable in the crowd so I believe that mostly I’d enjoy the White Beach and the Cape Columbo. But I like also the Red Beach, because of colours. I love beaches of Greek Islands, been to Corfu and Crete already, but during high season the organised tours make me annoyed… So I’ll remember to visit Santorini before or just after Summer! 🙂
Carmen
November 30, 2014 at 2:22 pmHi Hanna,
I’m not a fan of overcrowded beaches either. I prefer going to beaches where not too many people go. September is a great time to go to Greece.
Mike
July 9, 2020 at 9:59 pmMy wife, teen daughters and my Mother-in-Law visited in September 2019. Absolutely loved Santorini, crowds were low-manageable. The black beach (Perivolos, I think) was nice. No crowd at all in late September— Carmen is right. Went to Athens after that.. Weather was near perfect, crowds completely tolerable, considering the destination. It was simply perfect. Really missing it right now. Absolutely loved this trip.
Carmen Edelson
July 21, 2020 at 3:17 amSounds like an amazing trip, Mike!
Inta (CuriousCatExpat)
November 30, 2014 at 10:16 amI didn’t get to explore all of the beaches, but Red Beach was so memorable! Hope to get back one day to experience the others!
Carmen
November 30, 2014 at 2:27 pmHi Inta,
Santorini is a great island. I wouldn’t mind going back again someday. Next time you go take the ferry boat which takes you to some of the beaches for $5 euros.
Rachel
December 6, 2014 at 4:34 pmOne of the things I love about dramatic coastlines is the different rock formations – seeing all the layers and lines slanting and criss-crossing through the rocks. Lovely beaches too!
Carmen
December 8, 2014 at 10:58 pmHi Rachel,
Thanks! I look at all these rock formation layers and lines and only wonder how many years its taken for them to form. The color variations and shapes have always fascinated me.
Tim
December 7, 2014 at 7:09 pmBlack pebbles against a chalk white cliff? Can’t wait to see that contrast when I get to Santorini…!
Carmen
December 8, 2014 at 11:05 pmHi Tim,
The black pebbles are closer to the shore on the White Beach. Santorini is definitely a great place for photographs. Hope you get to go and enjoy the sites. Thanks for stopping by.
Yasmine Hatton-Ashley
July 21, 2015 at 11:22 amHi Carmen,
I have found these pictures extremely useful! I cannot wait to get to Santorini now (1 month tomorrow!)
I think my favourite beach would be the white beach, looks stunning!
Carmen
July 24, 2015 at 4:21 pmI’m glad to hear that you’re heading to Santorini and you found my post helpful. 🙂 You’re going to have an amazing time. It’s such a beautiful island. We stayed in Oia, which is the best place to see the sunsets. Enjoy, and let me know which beach was your favorite!
Kristine
October 21, 2015 at 11:22 pmJust back from Santorini. Our favorite beach was Vlychada. what a beautiful landscape and off the season so quiet and relaxing.
Carmen
October 22, 2015 at 5:29 pmVlychada is a great beach, so glad you enjoyed it. You picked a great time of year to go.
Dina Stathis
January 25, 2017 at 1:58 pmHello Carmen,
Great photos! I have another beach for you, when you visit Santorini next. It is the only beach in the Caldera and it has breathtaking views. I can send you some photos if you like. It is The Beach, a quiet, picturesque restaurant/beach bar in Akrotiri, close to Vlychada on the south side of the island.
Carmen Edelson
January 26, 2017 at 8:41 pmThat sounds fantastic, please send me a few pictures of the beach and I will add it to the list. My email: carmen@carmensluxurytravel.com
Hassan
April 3, 2017 at 12:11 pmSantorini, Greece is indeed a great beach destination. Just seeing those pictures is enough to persuade anyone who loves beaches to pack a towel and a swimsuit and swim from wherever they are to Santorini. I’m exaggerating but I really do think Santorini is that great when it comes to being a travel destination.
I was there in 2013 and enjoyed every second of it. I visited during Summer after high-school and I’ve decided to be a world traveler then and there. It really opened my eyes to all there is in the world and that I unfortunately may have to miss.
Anyway, I highly recommend the city and Croatia in general to anyone looking for a travel destination. I am glad my traveling days started in Santorini. Here is a full travel guide to the city that is really helpful for planning a trip there. https://themediterraneanguide.com/things-to-do-in-greece-santorini-hotels/
I hope you enjoy it.
Carmen Edelson
April 14, 2017 at 10:34 amThanks for your incredible comment! I’ll check that guide out 🙂
Dianne
April 14, 2017 at 1:40 amHi thanks for the tips. Which side of the island would you recommend to stay. We a couple in our 60ties. If we in a hotel on the cliff like in ois how do we get to the beaches. We will be travelling in June
Dont want a beach too noisy . need chairs and umbrellas. Thanks
Maria
January 18, 2018 at 7:13 amThanks for sharing this adventure in Top 10 Best beaches in Santorini, can’t wait to explore the place. I’m making a survey of places for my next travel using href=”qpointsurvey.com”
Carmen Edelson
January 18, 2018 at 11:42 pmYou’re very welcome!
Jenna
November 6, 2019 at 8:52 amLove this! Going to bookmark this page for sure.
Carmen Edelson
November 21, 2019 at 3:18 pmAwesome – glad to hear it!
amari
May 7, 2020 at 11:03 amI visited Santorini some 30 years ago . The Island is so beautiful and the people are so caring. Visited again 2 years ago, unfortunately there are too many tourists now. We go to Kefalonia twice or 3 times a year. Though Kefalonia is not as famous as Santorin, the people have the same caring , welcoming nature, that make you feel right at home. Love Greece
Carmen Edelson
May 8, 2020 at 5:22 amGood to know about Kefalonia, thank you for sharing!