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Perissa Beach vs Kamari Beach: Choose calm black sand or the easier beach base

Reviewed by TheOneToGo Editorial · Updated July 13, 2026

The verdict

Choose Kamari for convenience and amenities, choose Perissa for a longer and calmer beach day.

Pick Kamari Beach if you want the easier, more developed beach base with a proper promenade. Pick Perissa Beach if you want a longer, more relaxed black-sand strip that usually feels a little less polished.

white and brown concrete houses on mountain near sea during daytimePhoto by James Ting on Unsplash

Perissa and Kamari are the two obvious black-sand choices on Santorini’s southeast coast. Mesa Vouno separates them, so they feel like neighbouring rivals even though they serve slightly different trips.

Neither is a hidden beach. Both are organised, both have places to eat and drink, and both have volcanic sand or pebbles that get brutally hot in summer. Bring water shoes or sandals you can actually wear to the shoreline.

Perissa BeachKamari Beach
Best for A longer, more laid-back beach day with a slightly easier budget feel. A more convenient base with a promenade, more restaurants, bars, shops, and easy evening energy.
Beach setup Organised black-sand beach with food, drink, and water-sports options along the Perissa and Perivolos stretch. Organised black-sand beach with strong tourist infrastructure, plenty of cafes and restaurants, and a more built-up resort feel.
Location South side of Mesa Vouno, farther from the airport and slightly more spread out. North side of Mesa Vouno, closer to the airport and convenient for Ancient Thera access.
Vibe Relaxed and roomy, especially if you keep walking along the longer beach strip. Busier, more polished, and better if you want choice without walking far.
Watch-outs The black sand gets very hot, and sunbed pricing depends on the operator or attached bar. The black sand gets very hot here too, and the more developed setup means more crowds in peak season.
The verdict

Pick Perissa Beach if

  • You want a more relaxed beach strip.
  • You are watching costs and do not need the busiest promenade.
  • You want room to spread out along a longer shoreline.
Perissa Beach guide

Pick Kamari Beach if

  • You want more bars, restaurants, and shops close together.
  • You want the easier base near the airport side of the island.
  • You plan to pair the beach with Ancient Thera or a livelier evening.
Kamari Beach guide

FAQs

Yes. Both are volcanic black-sand or black-pebble beaches on Santorini’s southeast coast.

Kamari is usually the easier base because it is more developed and compact. Perissa also works by bus, but it feels more spread out.

Yes, or at least sturdy sandals. The black sand gets extremely hot in summer, and the entry can be pebbly.

The beach itself is free. Sunbeds, umbrellas, drinks, and beach-club setups vary by operator, season, and spend requirement.

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