Perissa Beach: Black Sand Bliss & Leisure

Santorini isn’t renowned for its beaches, yet it can be the perfect spot for a relaxing beach holiday.

Read this article to find out where to stay in Santorini for beach. Perissa is only one of the nice black sand beaches on the island.

Perissa Beach is the place to be if you want to swim, sunbathe, sleep, eat and repeat. In addition, you can always book an organized tour of the island, in order to enjoy the beautiful caldera, the wine tasting events, and various interesting activities.

The beaches of Perissa and Perivolos provide the perfect island beach experience with dark volcanic sands contrasting the bright blue Aegean waters.

Located along Santorini’s southeast coast, its vibrant beach town scene offers both tranquility and lively bars to suit travelers seeking relaxation or nightlife vibes.

Where Is Perissa Beach

Perissa Beach is located over 4 kilometers down Santorini’s southeast coast about a 15 minute drive from Fira. It sits just south of the Mesa Vouno mountain rising high above the black sand.

This long stripe of black sand comprises two beaches: Perissa, just by the foot of Mesa Vouno, and Perivolos, stretching alongside the beach promenade for 1.5 km or so.

How To Get to Perissa Beach

Several transportation options easily connect visitors to laid-back Perissa from various Santorini villages and towns.

From Fira

Local buses run regularly from the Fira public bus station taking about 30 minutes along scenic coastal routes dropping visitors at the Perissa bus terminus.

Also read this article about buses in Santorini to learn how to use them efficiently.

Taxis and rental cars provide faster private transport of 15-20 minutes duration.

From Oia

Visitors starting in Oia can take local buses or arrange taxis to Fira first, followed by a bus change or second taxi ride to Perissa.

Total journey time: about 1 hour.

Rental cars make the drive from Oia to Perissa faster at only 35 minutes duration.

From Santorini Airport

Taxis offer the fastest connections from Santorini Airport to Perissa at only 20 minutes travel time.

Alternatively, take the local bus from the airport to Fira, followed by a second bus out to the beach. Total public transit duration runs around 1 hour depending on connections.

Accommodations in Perissa

With its laidback vibes and stretch of sea-front bars and tavernas, Perissa offers many accommodation choices across various budgets.

The area near the beach provides smaller boutique hotels, rental apartments and budget-friendly hostels in an ideal location.

Aqua Blue Beach Hotel

Aqua Blue Hotel is located right on Perissa Beach. It features a private beach space with sun beds and umbrellas.

It offers 3 outdoor pools, including a kids’ pool.

Rooms at Aqua Blue are bright and modernly furnished with air conditioning, a satellite, flat-screen TV, free WiFi, fridge, private bathroom, balcony or veranda, double-glazed windows and safety boxes.

The property has a buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner, as well as a lounge bar serving drinks by the pool.

There is 24-hour front-desk service. while at the reception you will also find computers with paid Internet access. Trips and car rentals can be arranged, and there is also laundry, ironing and towels service.

Click here to see more details and to book your room.

This hotel scores very high on Booking, featuring raving reviews from many guests.

Santo Mangata Boutique Hotel

This is another excellent choice of five-star accommodation in Perissa.

If you want a room or a suite with outdoor jetted tub, you definitely want to take a closer look at Santo Mangata Boutique Hotel, here.

The hotel features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, fitness room, steam room, and hot tub. Additional services include a 24-hour front desk, concierge, and free bicycles.

 

Best Time to Visit Perissa Beach

The length of beach season runs from mid-April until October when businesses reopen for the new season.

In April – May the sea would probably be too cold to swim. The first part of June would be perfect for swimming, as well as for taking long walks or even hiking.

July through September sees peak crowds and prices during summer holiday season. May-June or September-October provide a better balance with decent weather and fewer tourists.

Dining in Perissa

Of Perissa’s sprawling restaurant offerings, visitors will find plenty of local Greek cuisine right alongside almost any international flavors. Pick a table at a rustic beachside taverna for fresh Greek salads and grilled seafood. At night, visitors flock to the area’s casual bars perfect for drinking cold cocktails and soaking in beachfront sunsets beside the iconic Mesa Vouno peak.

Nearby Attractions

Perissa provides the ultimate homebase location to explore Santorini’s southeast attractions like the Ancient Thira ruins sitting high above town.

Visit Vlychada or drive the winery loop through Megalochori village inland.

Visitors can also hike various sections of the route traversing the rocky landscape of nearby Mesa Vouno crossed with ancient footpaths linking ancient Thera to points across Santorini.

With relaxation or exploration close at hand, Perissa Beach offers the complete package for an unforgettable sunny escape on the magical island of Santorini.