Perissa Beach Santorini: What It’s Really Like

Perissa Beach is the longest black sand beach in Santorini. It is located on the island’s southeast coast, right beneath the steep mountain of Mesa Vouno. While Santorini’s west coast is famous for its postcard-perfect views of the caldera, the southeast coast is a more laid-back beach area. Here, you can find long stretches of black sand and a promenade with plenty of tavernas and bars. The beach is calm with gentle water, unaffected by the wind due to the high mountain right behind it.

In this guide you will find information on what this black sandy beach looks like in reality, how it compares to its neighbour Kamari, activities and the sunsets on Perissa Beach. Finally, we also talk about the cost for a day on Perissa, so you can compare and plan before your visit.

What Perissa Beach Is Actually Like

Perissa Beach in Santorini is a beautiful volcanic sandy 3km long beach. The last part of it joins up to Perivolos beach. The volcanic sand is pure black, not the sort of grey-brown mixture that you might find on other beaches on Santorini. The sand gets hot during the day, but during the summer season there are wooden boardwalks that run from the sunbeds down to the sea. Still, flip-flops are a must even.

The beach stretches beneath the foot of Mesa Vouno, a huge mountain, which separates Perissa from Kamari on the other side of the island. This location has a special significance, as the mountain blocks the northern winds. The result is a beach with calmer waters than all the other exposed shores of the island. The sea floor is made of sand and access to the water is gradual. This makes it an ideal beach for a pleasant swim, and not just for sunbathing.

The beach is fully organized with lots of umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as lifeguard stations (in peak season) and facilities for changing and showering. It has a Blue Flag, which means that the water is regularly tested to ensure that it meets the EU standards for clean water. Behind the beach there is a pedestrian zone, with restaurants, mini-markets and shops that offer all sorts of water sports and activities.

It’s worth noting that Perissa Beach can be divided into two sections. A quieter northern section closer to Mesa Vouno and the island’s main bus station, and a more lively southern section that borders the beach of Perivolos. This part has a variety of beach bars playing music by mid-afternoon.

Is Perissa Beach Worth Visiting?

Perissa Beach is definitely worth a visit. It is Santorini’s longest black sand beach, backed by the dramatic Mesa Vouno cliff and it has Blue Flag awarded water. Part of Perissa is organized with plenty of sunbeds, local tavernas and bars.

Perissa Beach is surrounded by fantastic scenery, with dramatic mountain cliffs rising up from the beach. This creates a beautiful setting and the sheltered waters mean that there are mostly calm swimming conditions. Even better, there is a promenade, where you can find a range of restaurants and bars to enjoy throughout the day and into the night. As such, it is a great place to base yourself for a beach-based holiday. You can also take day trips to other parts of the island and explore its many other delights.

The honest caveat: Perissa Beach won’t provide you with the famous whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches of Santorini’s caldera village scenes. That’s what you’ll find in Fira and Oia, but a beach with black sand is an entirely different experience. If that’s what you’re looking for, then Perissa Beach is the perfect place to base yourself. Many visitors to Santorini do base themselves at this beach and then head off to Fira and Oia for their caldera views and sunsets. It’s also a good spot to access other Santorini beaches in the south of the island as well.

Perissa vs. Kamari: The Real Difference

Perissa and Kamari are two beautiful black sand beaches on opposite sides of Mesa Vouno. They look very similar in photos. However, each one is better for different types of beach day.

The main difference between the two is the sand. The fine grain on Perissa Beach is comfortable to walk on once you get past the initial heat. The coarser mix of sand on Kamari Beach though, brushes off easily but can be rough on the feet. As for the water, Perissa is much calmer thanks to Mesa Vouno. This is one of the reasons why Perissa works well for family travel in Greece, alongside its calmer, sheltered water.

Kamari Beach is more polished. It has a wider promenade, more parking and generally higher class restaurants. If you are looking for a more organized, low-key beach experience in the evening, Kamari is the better choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a beach with a lively crowd and more nightlife, then Perissa is the clearer pick. In any case, the two beaches are very close to each other. You can manage to visit both in one day by following the hiking trail that goes over Ancient Thera from Perissa to Kamari.

Things to Do at Perissa Beach

While the beach is the main reason for visiting Perissa, there are many things to see and do within the coast and surrounding hills of the village.

Hike to Ancient Thera

The most overlooked activity to do in Perissa is a hike over Mesa Vouno to the Ancient Thera archaeological site. At the other side of Mesa Vouno there is the beach of Kamari. The hike is around 3.5km one way and it will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, depending on how long you will stay at the site of the ruins. The path is made of loose gravel and therefore it is not suitable for flat walking.

The site of Ancient Thera dates back to the 9th century BC. It contains the remains of temples, a gymnasium and many carved rock inscriptions. From the top of the hill you can see the two beaches and the caldera. The best time to do this hike is either in the early morning or late in the afternoon. The exposed rock gets very hot in the middle of the day.

Waterpark & Watersports

The water park is a great idea for families. It is set within the beach and offers multiple slides and pools. A great way for families to spend the day together and have real fun, without having to worry about getting sand everywhere.

There are a number of water and land sports available such as jet skiing, parasailing, canoeing, banana boat rides, windsurfing and more, which makes this stretch a fun base for group travel with friends who want a mix of activities in one place. There are also dive centers in the area, offering a number of excursions to underwater spots around Mesa Vouno. The calm waters of Perissa beach make it a great place for beginner paddle boarders and kayakers.

Boat to Kamari & the Promenade

A small boat also goes back and forth on a daily basis between the two beaches of Perissa and Kamari. Departure is from the northern end of the beach of Perissa, close to the Church of the Holy Cross. The local bus stop is also there. If days like this sound like your kind of trip, explore our Greece vacation packages or request one built around Santorini and beyond.

The promenade behind Perissa’s beach offers some local charm, including a market and many tavernas and cafes. So for one day it is completely sufficient to stay within this strip for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sunset at Perissa: What to Actually Expect

Perissa beach is facing the southeast, which does not allow for the famous caldera sunset Santorini is well known for. That’s taking place on the west coast. But an evening at Perissa’s beach is definitely worthwhile in a different way. The light softens in the direction of the Mesa Vouno and the beach bars are winding up for the night.

Most visitors go to Perissa by day for a swim and a relaxing time on the beach, then to Fira or Oia in early evening for a caldera sunset, a combination that works nicely for honeymoons in Greece looking to pair a laid-back beach day with a classic Santorini evening. Finally, they return to Perissa for dinner and nightlife. Trying to get both in one place isn’t realistic here.

How Much Does a Day at Perissa Beach Cost?

Is Perissa Beach expensive? Well, not really, especially in comparison to other beaches in Santorini. You can spend a day at the beach with sunbeds, food and a bus ride for approximately €30 – 50 per person. If you do water sports though, it can cost more. 

The main way to keep your expenses down for the day would be the sunbeds. Many of the beach tavernas won’t charge you for the use of sunbeds if you order food and/or drinks. So, a couple having lunch at a beach taverna gets a full day of shade and loungers included in the bill. The water sports and taxis are where costs climb. 

Getting There

Perissa sits about 13km from Fira, in the southeast of Santorini. The cheapest way to get to Perissa is by bus, which goes directly from Fira to Perissa in about 25 minutes and costs around €2.20 – 2.70. The bus runs about every 30-60 minutes in the high season. By car the distance is about the same, but you have more flexibility, which is often the easier option for senior travel in Greece over managing bus schedules. Parking spaces are scattered throughout the area and are easier to find at the northern part of the beach near Mesa Vouno. By taxi the fare is about €25 – 35 one way. Since Santorini taxis don’t have a meter you have to agree on the fare before you depart. 

Conclusion

Perissa Beach has the longest stretch of black sand in Santorini and a long and narrow area of calm water sheltered by Mesa Vouno. The beach is surrounded by lots of restaurants, bars, water sports, a water park and a long promenade, which can keep you busy It is not the place to go for an Oia sunset, but after a day of relaxing at Perissa, a west bound evening trip can complete your Santorini experience.

Let Greece Insiders build you a bespoke Santorini itinerary that balances beach days like this with the caldera villages and sunsets the island is famous for, tailored to how you actually want to travel.