Perissa (Santorini)

Perissa is, along with Kamari, one of the two large and well-known beach resorts on the island of Santorini. The several kilometer-long beach with almost black sand is lined with hotels, bars, restaurants and tourist shops. Perissa is a fully developed seaside resort for package tourists and backpackers. The place has been built quickly in recent years and is certainly not the prettiest place on Santorini. Nevertheless, Perissa is a good place for a beach holiday and a good base for exploring Santorini.

By Κλέαρχος Π. Καπούτσης, Attribution, Link

The sand on the beach is very dark because Santorini is a volcanic island that consists largely of lava. In summer, the sand is so black that it burns your feet after just a few steps without shoes. There is a road behind the beach. On the other side are the shops and beach bars. Further away, in the second parallel street from the shore, are most of the restaurants and hotels.

Our articles about Santorini
Santorini Overview	Thira Santorini
Persissa Santorini	Kamari Santorini
Oia Santorini	Akrotiri Satorini

The atmosphere is more relaxed than in Kamari. Young backpackers and dropouts mingle with the package tourists. Prices are rather high, but there are many cheap deals (happy hour). If you go further away from the beach, prices drop significantly.

Great Day Tours Santorini Many tourists take day trips to Santorini. There is a lot to see in and around the volcanic island. We have selected some very good offers for you with a link to the booking website with further information. The following offers have been rated positively by previous participants of the tour. 1. The Santorini classic: tour by boat to hot springs and the neighboring island of Therassia, pick-up from the hotel:  >>> More information and booking 2. Big sailing tour with a catamaran with barbecue and much more:  >>> More information and booking 3. Big tour of Santorini (10 hours) with sunset in Oia:  >>> More information and booking 4. Big luxury boat tour with smaller island, hot springs and dinner etc. (6 hours):  >>> More information and booking

Great short film about Perissa Santorini

Overnight stay in Perissa Santorini

Perissa is home to the cheaper of the two youth hostels in Santorini. In the good Anna Hostel you can get a bed for around 10 euros. The new owner, Michalis (since 2009), also rents out cheap single and double rooms, which cost around 25 euros in the low season, for example. This is about 200 meters from the hostel. He stands at the harbor with a sign saying “Anna Hostel” at almost every ferry arrival and takes guests to the youth hostel free of charge. In the cheap and good Atlas restaurant opposite the Anna Hostel, guests of the hostel get a 15% discount. This information is a few years old. We will update the prices etc. on our next visit to Santorini.

Tip: Our favorite guesthouse on Santorini: Onar Perissa

No hotel on Santorini yet? There are several hundred hotels on Santorini. In our opinion, the best overview is available on Booking.com. Here you can sort the accommodations by price or only display accommodations in a specific part of the island. Hotels can be booked quickly and easily on Booking.com, and there are also many great holiday apartments.

Of course, there are other private rooms and hotels that you can book online in Germany. Our favorite among the many guesthouses and hotels is Villa Valvis. The location between the beach and the main road in a rather quiet area of ​​Perissa is excellent. There is free internet and a nice pool. There is a small bakery nearby. The bus to Thira is just a few minutes’ walk away.

More than 80 other accommodations in Perissa can be found on Booking.com.

Map Perissa (Santorini, Cyclades, Greece)

If you want to go from Perissa to the neighboring Kamari, you have to take a big detour by car or bus because there is a high mountain between the two places. The panorama from Oia on the crater is magnificent.

Buses Perissa

There are bus connections from the town center to Thira, the capital of Santorini. The bus costs 2.20 euros (2024) and runs approximately every hour. In the season there is also a bus to and from the port when a larger ferry arrives or departs.

Bus timetable Thira – Perissa 2025 (No guarantee)
From  Thira	From Perissa
7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00.	7:30, 9:10, 10:40, 11:40, 12:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40, 17:40, 18:40, 19:40, 20:40, 21:20, 22:20.
Travel time varies depending on the route, around 20-35 minutes. In the season (summer) there are more buses. There are no direct buses to the port or airport. You always have to change in Thira. In Perissa there are several stops on the main road (second road parallel to the beach). The final stop in Perissa is almost on the beach at the very end, not far from the big mountain. In Thira there is a stop at the central bus station, relatively central, with transfer options to Kamari, Oia, the airport and the ferry port, among others. The fare is around €2.20 one way. Tickets can be bought in Thira at the bus station, en route and from the driver in Perissa. This timetable is for all days of the week (Monday to Sunday). All information, like everything on this website, is provided without guarantee.

The black sand on Perissa beach

What to do on holiday in Perissa?

Enjoy Perissa Beach

Perissa’s black sand beach stretches for several kilometres and is perfect for sunbathing and swimming. There are plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas to rent, as well as water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddling.

Water sports and diving

In addition to snorkelling, you can book diving courses in Perissa. The volcanic underwater landscapes offer fascinating insights into the underwater world. There are several diving centres in the area.

Visit Ancient Thera

From Perissa you can hike up the Mesa Vouno mountain to visit the ancient city of Ancient Thera. The ruins offer an insight into the island’s history as well as fantastic views of Perissa and Kamari.

Timios Stavros Church

This church is one of Perissa’s landmarks. With its impressive white façade and location right on the beach, it makes a lovely photo opportunity and a quiet place for a short break.

Take boat trips

Boat trips are often offered from Perissa beach, for example to Kamari, the Caldera or the hot springs of Nea Kameni.

Relax in beach bars and restaurants

Perissa has many trendy beach bars and cozy restaurants. You can enjoy local specialties such as tomato keftedes, Santorini wines and fresh fish right by the sea. Popular locations include Tranquilo or “Jojo Beach Bar”.

Visit Santorini Water Park

Perfect for families or for a fun afternoon: Santorini Water Park in Perissa offers pools, slides and other water attractions.

Hike to Emporio

The traditional village of Emporio is just a few kilometers from Perissa. You can stroll through the narrow streets, visit the well-preserved Venetian fortress and enjoy the authentic atmosphere.

Cinema under the stars

If you’re looking for a special activity, visit Kamari’s open-air cinema, just a short drive away.

Experience the sunrise

Similar to Kamari, Perissa offers stunning sunrises. Take advantage of the peaceful morning atmosphere for a walk or a swim in the sea.

Yoga and wellness

Many hotels and providers in Perissa offer yoga classes and wellness programs right on the beach – perfect for relaxing.

Nightlife in Perissa

In the evening, there are several bars in Perissa that offer a relaxed nightlife, such as Dorian’s Pub or smaller beach bars with live music.

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