Looking for the best luxury hotels in Santorini? Santorini consists of two inhabited islands and several islets. Most visitors spend their time on Thira (the largest island), which is home to Santorini’s major towns, including Fira and Oia. Sleepy Thirassia makes for a relaxing day trip too. And don’t count out the quieter islands: Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni are worth exploring.
In Santorini – the colorful beaches – the black and red sands make for a memorable visit. You can also indulge in the archaeological sight, Ancient Akrotiri or hike to Ancient Thera to see the ruins of three empires, including the Romans. From there, catch a breathtaking view of the caldera, a brilliant turquoise pool of water. To see all Santorini has to offer, you’ll need a few days to a week. Find all of your beach essentials here for your Santorini vacation. You can also visit our Cyclades Travel Guide for information on all the best Cyclades Islands.
Santorini Weather (When to Visit)
The best time to visit Santorini is from September to October and April to May when the weather is warm and the crowds have thinned out. Like all of the Cyclades, Santorini welcomes the most visitors during the summer, so you’ll need to make your reservations months in advance if you plan on visiting anytime from June through August. If you’re looking for a bargain, try vacationing here in the winter, when room rates tend to plummet. Keep in mind that the average highs only reach the 50s and you’ll see plenty of precipitation. However, all that rain does make for a very flowery (and warm) spring season. Crowds will be at a low in the spring as well, though crowds will begin to build come May.
Best Santorini Beaches
Kamari Beach
Kamari Beach is one of the most famous and easily accessible beaches of Santorini. It’s upscale and touristy, and a great beach with awesome diving opportunities from the rock that overlooks the beach. You’ll find all sorts of beach bars, tavernas, restaurants and cafes.
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Perissa Beach
Perissa is at the end of the long black sand beach of Perivolos. Crystal clear waters, black pebbles, amazing atmosphere, relaxing couches, lounge music and lots of sun-beds where you can relax for the whole day.
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Perivolos Beach
Perivolos beach is the extension of Perissa beach and it’s part of the famous long black beach of Santorini. It can be slightly more quiet and relaxing than Perissa Beach since it is a bit further away from the crowds of beach bars and restaurants of Perissa. You’ll find a beautiful wide black sand beach with crystal clear waters and lots of sun beds.
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Red Beach
Red Beach is one of the most famous and unique beaches in Santorini. The volcanic lava red rocks, red pebbles and red sand that surround the crystal clear sea waters, create an amazing scenery that you cannot find anywhere in the world. However, it’s a very narrow beach and if you will be there in July or August expect it to be crowded.
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Monolithos Beach
Monolithos Beach is a very kids and family-friendly beach with sunbeds and umbrellas. The sand at Monolithos beach is possibly the best on the island and it is pretty similar to what you find in Kamari. There is plenty of water sports and kite surfing at this beach.
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Best Santorini Restaurants
Metaxi Mas $11 – 30
Metaxi Mas is a Cretan restaurant hailed by many as the best restaurant in Santorini. The restaurant offers a focused menu of Cretan and Santorinian dishes like fava, roasted white eggplant, and boneless pork chops. Reservations are advised. Telephone: 30 22860 31323 Web: Metaxi Mas
Tavern Tzanakis Under $10
Tzanakis is a family-run Greek restaurant serving classic Santorini staples like fava, ntomatokeftedes (cherry tomato fritters), and grilled white eggplant. Tzanakis offers simple but delicious home-cooked Greek food. Telephone: 30 2286 081929 Web: Tavern Tzanakis
Geromanolis Under $10
Geromanolis is another traditional restaurant serving simple but delicious Greek food. Popular with locals, it’s tucked away deep inside Megalochori and offers an extensive menu of seafood. Telephone: 30 2286 082892 Web: Geromanolis
Lucky’s Souvlakis Under $10
Lucky’s Souvlakis is a popular place so be prepared to stand while eating. It isn’t very big either, consisting of a bar and just a couple of tables. If you want a proper souvlaki or gyro, then you need to go to a place like this and not some sit-down restaurant. Telephone: 30 2286 022003 Web: Lucky’s Souvlakis
Pitogyros Traditional Grill House $11 & Under
They are proud of there pita gyros, souvlaki, kebab and handmade sausages. For a reason! You can also taste a variety of meats roasted on charcoal. Draught cold beer, wine, local beverage etc. Menu also for vegeterians. Telephone: 30 22860 71119 Web: pitoGyros Traditional Grill House
Best Santorini Beach Bars
Tranquilo Beach Bar
Tranquilo is a great chill out bar right on the beach. Sunbeds are on one side and the bar is just across the street. Tranquilo is famous for its cocktails. Their mojito to be the best one on the island…by far. Telephone: 30 2286 085230 Web: Tranquilo Beach Bar
JOJO Beach Bar
JOJO is one of the most famous beach bars in Santorini, especially known for the parties they host so be sure to check what is on when you visit. With a beautiful relaxed setting, you can choose the sunbeds on the beach or the pool area across the street. Loud tunes, big swimming pool, big crowds. Telephone: 30 694 244 4564 Web: JOJO Beach Bar
Wet Stories Beach Bar
This is another one of the famous beach bars in Santorini. There are lounge chairs, sunbeds and giant bean bags you can choose from to chill out on the beach. You can also play beach volley or you can go to the bar across the streets if you want to party. Telephone: 30 2286 082990 Web: Wet Stories Beach Bar
Chilli Beach Bar
Chilli is right next to Wave Sports, so you could go for a drink after your jet ski ride. You will discover a very interesting cocktail list. It will surely intrigue you. Try their own “Hot Chilli” cocktail. Telephone: 30 2286 082790 Web: Chilli Beach Bar
SeaSide Santorini Beach Bar
Seaside Santorini is a restaurant, but it has a super romantic setting for you to enjoy and they make amazing cocktails. They update their cocktail list every year, but for sure you can find something you like on there. Enjoy a huge lounge chair by the sea. Perfect place if you want to start off your night with something quiet. Telephone: 30 2286 082801 Web: SeaSide Santorini Beach Bar
Best Santorini Hotels
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Wow, there are lots of fascinating and breathe taking places in Santorini, Greece. I’m glad that you included a video of Santorini. I love the buildings and environment. It seems like a place of rest and relaxation. I’ve heard a lot about Greece especially their archaeological site but not been there. I think that my next vacation with my family will be in Santorini. Thank you for putting this together.
You’re welcome Leon. I am glad you enjoyed. Greece has always been a favorite of mine. So much history, culture, great food and amazing beaches. I hope you can experience Santorini soon!
Many thanks to you for sharing such an excellent article with us .Travel is very dear to me I love to travel and I have been traveling one more time before your travel guide and I love your travel guide.Santorini is a beautiful island for traveling to Greece.And the beaches that I have to take Santorini have made me very attractive.Besides, the restaurants in Santorini are very nice and very good restaurants.In the meantime I ate at a restaurant called Geromanolis and there I was. The quality of this food is very good and the food is very delicious.The restaurant distributor is very nice.Finally, thank you again because after reading this article, everyone will be thinking about Santorini and to know about restaurants and beach bars from your article.
That’s right Shariful. I am glad you enjoyed and hope I have inspired you to visit Santorini. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Thanks for the great summary on Satorini. It sounds like it is an ideal place to visit. Would you say it was family friendly? The activities look great, but wondered if there was enough to keep the children entertained?
Or would you say it would be more suited to a couple going on holiday? Either way it does look like a great place to holiday
thanks
Hi John and great questions. Yes it is suitable for a family, as well as for couples. As far as taking the family, really it would be about playing at the beach, and if old enough and interested, checking out the history. I tend to think though that Santorini might not keep kids entertained enough and they might get bored. My kids love the beach (we live on the beach) and they would never get bored. It is definitely a great place for couples and romance 🙂
Hello there,thanks allot for this awesome article it would be of great help to the public as it has been of help to me.i must tell you I have been to Santorini Greece a quiet few Times although it was on business trips but I would want to go there some other time on vacation and this guide would really help me,one problem we have had over the years during vacation is lack of background knowledge of the particular place because there was proper guide to study.thank once more
You are very welcome. How nice to have been there so many times on business. I can understand that you probably didn’t get the time to enjoy Santorini as a tourist. Sounds like you might enjoy it even more 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Many thanks to you for sharing such a wonderful article with us and I love traveling .As a traveler I would say that this is a great travel guide .You deserve a compliment because you did a great job providing all the information for a great vacation planning .I planned to leave for my next vacation to Greece but I didn’t know the details of everything I could find through your article. I intend to visit in September and through your article I learned that this time is well worth a go .I really want to eat sights, beaches, traditional cities, restaurants and traditional food. And seeing what I’ve seen in your travel guides has made me want to go .At the same time I have heard about the Santorini Greece Guide it is very commendable .And the benefit that I get the most from travel guides is that in terms of money and linguistics.
I keep this article in your collection for the future and I will be sharing my new experience with you soon.
Thanks Shanta. I am glad you enjoyed visiting beach travel destinations and learning more about Santorini Greece before your upcoming trip. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Hey thank you for the awesome review! Santorini Greece looks like such a beautiful place honestly! I really like how much they have to offer there and I believe it would be a great place to go with my family! I also like the sound of the Tavern Tzanakis! Cheap food that is family owned would be a good way to help the community too!
Yes Jessie, you and your family would enjoy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Hi
You make Santorini sound like a wonderful place to live in, no matter to visit. So many different places to visit and so many things to do. I have been to other Greece islands but never been Santorini. I really enjoyed my time there, especially the food and ouzo. The beaches sound so beautiful that if it was possible I would visit it tomorrow. When I visit a new place I want a good look around, making sure I take in all the sights, smells and views as possible. You have pointed me to the right direction, as it is well worth the visit to your website.
Thanks
Antonio
Great Antonio! Sounds like you need to make another trip to Greece to visit Santorini. I couldn’t agree with you more, that it does have everything to make an amazing vacation. Thanks for stopping by.
Santorini are some famous islands, at least to me in the country. But you have systematically presented these islands: sights, the best beaches, restaurants, bars and hotels. In the video presented, the white color of the buildings and churches is excellent with the blue or green of the doors and windows of these buildings. Everything seems like a dream.
It does seem like a dream Carmen, but Santorini is truly a wonderful destination. Thanks for visiting my Santorini Greece Guide.
Hi Leahrae, It feels so good to be on this blog again reading some beautiful piece of articles by you, I must say I always want to read your review to the very end anytime I stumble d on it.
Santorini is a very popular place in Greece and it will be a wonderful destination for me as a tourist.
I have a lot of places on my list for now but I am full of hopes that in the next couple of years I would be able to visit Santorini.
The hotels, the beaches, the restaurants to name a few are one of the best in the world.
The good weather in the summer is every travelers interest of which the city of Santorini boasts of.
The monolithos beach in Santorini island is the most interesting part for me and it is a wonderful site for picnics for the whole family and friends
Your bucket list sounds like mine LOL Greece has always been a favorite of mine, as well as Italy. I am a beach bum by nature, but I also love historical buildings and artifacts. Both will keep a tourist busy for the duration of their vacation. And as you say, Santorini just has perfect weather, amazing food, wonderful hotels, and lets not forget the beaches. You definitely cannot go wrong. Thanks for visiting my Santorini Greece Guide.
Hello Leahrae. This is very nice indeed. Santorini Greece is such an amazing place and one of those places I would love to travel to someday. There are nice beaches one can explore and are even safe for kids. The restaurants are my favorites: they’re very much affordable with nice food. Thanks for the tips.
You are very welcome. Thank you for visiting beach travel destinations and taking the time to leave me comments.
To be quite honest, it’s always a pleasure to come across your website. You have a knack for describing how attractive tourist spot can be. Your Images are perfect (you probably took them yourself). I had no clue that Greece had so many beautiful beaches. I was browsing the prices of hotels. Some are reasonable, some are pricey. I guess it also depends on the time of year. Thanks for sharing this outstanding article!
Sunny
You are so welcome Sonny! I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to leave me comments. Yes, there is a bit of a mix for hotel prices. Something for everyone!
Hi Leahrae, It feels so good to be on this blog again reading some beautiful piece of articles by you, I must say I always want to read your review to the very end anytime I stumble d on it.
Santorini is a very popular place in Greece and it will be a wonderful destination for me as a tourist.
I have a lot of places on my list for now but I am full of hopes that in the next couple of years I would be able to visit Santorini.
The hotels, the beaches, the restaurants to name a few are one of the best in the world.
The good weather in the summer is every travelers interest of which the city of Santorini boasts of.
Great Carol, I truly believe you would have an amazing vacation in Santorini. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations.
I have always wanted to visit Santorini and also Mykonos as well. Santorini is number one on my list though, it is so beautiful and I just want to go and enjoy the scenery with a really good Mediterranean dish and a glass of wine, I am dreaming. Thank you so much for all the suggestions and where to eat and visit.
Cheers!
No harm in dreaming. Now you just have to plans in motion to make it a reality. No doubt you will have an amazing vacation! Thanks for visiting my Santorini Greece guide.
Thank you so much for sharing with us such a beautiful article. I enjoy while reading your guide on Santorini Greece Guide. I found it is the best travel guide for Santorini Greece. Santorini Greece history, culture, and architecture with a rugged Adriatic setting of traditional villages, beaches, restaurants, and bars. There are so many beaches in this area. Perissa Beach & Perivolos Beach are both awesome beaches to travel. The video is very awesome and I love it. While traveling to Santorini Greece, we will try to visit everything listed by you. Your guide is very helpful for travelers.
I’m glad my guides are helpful 🙂 My whole point is to entice people to take a vacation that will have lasting memories, and personally I love the beach. To get the culture, history, and amazing food as well is just a bonus.