The steeply stacked whitewashed cliff-side villages dotted with the iconic sapphire blue domes; along a crescent shaped caldera harbouring the azure blue waters of the Aegean Sea; makes ‘Santorini’ one of the most iconic destinations of all the Greek isles. Add to that the postcard worthy sunsets at Oia and the bougainvillea draped churches and castles. And lo and behold, you have the recipe of a perfect ‘Romantic Elixir’.
A Beach Day Snapshot at Santorini, Beach Courtesy : Perissa Black Sand Beach
While you will never tire yourself from the emerging caldera views from your castle porch. You can also step into some of the most unique beaches in the world for a refreshing dip. Whether you are seeking a secluded swim, a vibrant cosmopolitan resort or more energetic activities; the best beaches in Santorini will not disappoint.
So, let’s dive straight in, shall we?
All the beaches are concentrated towards the southern tip of the island and are easily reachable from the Fira Centrepoint; there are comfortable buses every hour and hardly takes 30 minutes to reach any beach you name. Good news is that you do not need to shell out anything more than 2.2 Euros to reach your favourite beach.
Best Beaches in Santorini
If beach-hopping scores of beaches do not fancy you, we have the exact list of the most beautiful and colourful beaches you just cannot afford to miss. We would rather suggest you take your own sweet time to experience them leisurely than hopping one Beach after another just to tick them off from your checklist.
The Red Beach
Spectacular beaches and dramatic scenery characterize Santorini’s coastline. But this unique volcanic marvel lords over all other beaches. We reached the coveted beach early morning at 9 am and were treated to this grandiose spectacle.
Un-Filtered, Un-Saturated Red Beach! Be wary of the Trek though. . .
“These will go straight into our collections” – Maddy
Me trying to figure out if I should enter the waters. . .Errr
The backdrop of red volcanic rocks not only make for stunning scenery but also offer shelter from the gusty Aegean winds. We trudged through a slightly difficult trek and a slightly scary crossover to reach the beach. We sunbathed on the loungers provided by the nearby tavernas, collected pebbles and made our way to the White Beach.
A Word of Caution: The very short trek from where buses leave you to the Red Beach is a slightly tricky terrain. Do wear comfortable sports shoes and always be on a lookout for Danger Signs.
The White Beach
We hopped on a taxi boat from Red Beach, sailed for 3 minutes and reached this gorgeous White Beach. The dramatic white cliffs that encircle the azure waters created an other-worldly geological backdrop. Swim in the calm of the cove or stretch out on a sunbed at this little slice of paradise.
The Dramatic White Cliffs, White Pebbles and the Azure Blue Waters – ‘Classic White Beach’
When the Dive becomes irresistible, but you still gotta pose for the eager Cameraperson behind you!!!
Aside from a cave canteen, there aren’t any restaurants or extra facilities, so be sure to bring some supplies with you.
Perissa Beach (Black Sand Beach)
We kept a dedicated evening for this beach. This Black Beach is an eloquent sun downer or so we heard. We reached late afternoon and managed to lounge on a sunbed, with a cocktail, while soaking up the idyllic views of this vast beach with black lava sand and pebbles. We rushed to a nearby taverna to grab a local bite and got a cup of Greek Coffee and reached our lounge bed just before sunset.
Lounge Beds under thatched Umbrellas were not the only seats we took!
Just after the ‘Golden Hours’, international DJs at the hip bars nearby swerve the crowds on this Cycladic Island where wine and sign worthy sunsets come as standard. Shake a leg to their tunes and get an early beach side dinner in a local café.
Pro-Tip: You can have your own ‘Rosso Amore’ by the Aegean Sea for a romantic Candlelight Dinner. Contact a Beach Side Casa or Bar for the arrangements well in advance. Rest assured, that could be a perfect set up for a romantic proposal (as you pop the Question), a Honeymoon or a special Anniversary Dinner!
Kamari Beach (Black Sand Beach)
You can just go around a big rock on a sea-boat from Perissa Beach to reach Kamari Beach. But we would suggest that you keep a separate day to experience this gorgeous beach in full bliss. Heck, we spent an entire day – early morning to late afternoon lounging on sunbeds under thatched umbrellas, laying on the sands, playing in the waters of the Aegean Sea and gulping bounties of exotic seafood.
The Air of the ‘Kamari Beach’ was so Calming. . .Unquestionably the most Relaxing Beach in Santorini. . .
Lounging, Relaxing, Feeling the Morning Breeze, Soaking in the Mild Sunrays. . .
Those Long Strolls along the Shores of this Gorgeous Beach. . .
Beach Restaurants with a View!!! Yes Please. . .
Always ‘YYYaaayyyyyy’ for some yummy Greek Delicacies By the Beach!!!
This lively beach will not let you have a dull moment; from massages to an extensive option for eating and drinking – local tavernas, chic beachfront cafes and lively bars, quaint gift shops, you name it, it’s there!
If you have planned for a long stay, you can explore the Perivolos, Vylchada , Monolithos, Eros, Exo Gailos Beach. But truth be told, the other beaches do not hold a candle to the gorgeous beaches we have just mentioned above.
Parting Thoughts
As for us, it was pretty much drifting off under a straw umbrella, taking a dip in the refreshing waters, walking along the pebbly beach, grooving to the ambient music of the beach bars or simply laying hours on the sand with our favourite novel.
Sculpted by ashes and lava, Santorini Beaches are among the wildest and most exotic in the Cyclades. Black Sand and pebbles, pumice cliffs, rough caves and coloured ambience are only some of their geological features.
You know the dialogue from Alice in Wonderland:
Alice: “How Long is Forever?”
Rabbit: “. . .sometimes just one second!”
That’s how we felt on leaving Santorini and its gorgeous beaches. Our tryst with Santorini during late spring was fleeting and got over all too quickly. But it will tug with our heartstrings for a lifetime!!!
1 thought on “Best Beaches in Santorini, Greece for a Perfect Romantic Getaway”
Wow, Love how you put it! The picturesque coloured beaches are surely giving me the beach fever. . .Can’t wait to visit Santorini with my girlfriend next year!!!