Guide to the Mysterious and Fiery Santorini Red Beach

If visiting unique landscapes and breathtaking beaches is your idea of the perfect vacation, look no further than Santorini’s Red Beach. Also known as Kokkini Beach, it looks like it was sliced straight from Mars and dropped on Greece’s most popular island.

About Red Beach and Santorini

Wondering where is Santorini?

It is one of the Cyclades Islands, in the Aegean Sea, southeast of the Athens peninsula and halfway to Rhodes. 

The island was shaped by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE. It completely destroyed the ancient civilization that lived there. 

Today you will find that Santorini is a rugged island with soaring cliffs, stunning azure seas, and a massive underwater caldera, or crater.

Red Beach is on the southwestern end of Santorini, near the village of Akrotiri. It is a short distance from the town of Fira and an easy day trip from most areas of Santorini. 

Its mind-blowing landscape has attracted countless visitors to the island, and it is one of the coolest and most distinctive beaches in the entire world.

Like Santorini’s black sand beaches, Red Beach was created by that infamous volcanic eruption. The red sand and soil, as well as the red and black pebbles that dot the beach, are pulverized volcanic rock that traps the heat, so it’s a few degrees warmer here than on the rest of the island. 

If you decide to swim here, and you should, you may notice that streams of warm water offer a shock from the refreshing Aegean Sea. This is due to underground thermal springs near the caldera.

The result of the eruption is an out-of-this-world, alien landscape that should be at the top of any traveler’s bucket list.

Best Things to Do at Santorini’s Red Beach

Explore the Beach

Kokkini is the only red-sand beach Santorini has to offer. The otherworldly landscape is any professional or amateur photographer’s dream, and there really isn’t anything like it anywhere else in Europe. It doesn’t hurt that the area is surrounded by immense cliffs and crystal-clear azure water laps the shore.

Whether you get there by car or boat, you should walk around the pebble and sand beach to snap a few photos and soak up the mesmerizing atmosphere. 

There are a few sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, but the beach is small. There is not a ton of space to set up your own blanket, especially during the summer months. Go early to get a spot if you plan to set up camp for the day.

The area has two small coffee shops offering snacks and water. Make sure you stop in to stock up for the afternoon.

Once settled, you can rent a sea bike or canoe and explore the surrounding area. 

Red Beach also happens to be nudist-friendly. If you want to soak up some sun without the bother of tan lines, you’re in luck!

You should note that authorities have started to advise against visiting Red Beach. Erosion in the area has caused landslides, so explore at your own risk. However, despite the suggestion and the sign in the parking lot, throngs of visitors continue to enjoy the beach all the time. 

Go for a Swim and Snorkel

The water at the Red Beach of Santorini is cool, calm, and refreshing. There is nothing better than going for a dip after working on your tan. 

The ocean is clear, and because of the rich volcanic soil, there is also an abundance of fascinating marine life, making Red Beach a great place to snorkel. Bring your own gear or rent it from a nearby beach, like Kambia, and take in the underwater world. 

If you are a confident swimmer, you can swim to Kokkini from nearby Kambia Beach, snorkeling along the way.

If you start at Kambia, walk as far left down the beach as possible. You’ll notice some stunning views immediately, so have your camera or GoPro handy. From here, you can hop into the water and snorkel past the rock formations and into Red Beach.

Pro tip: The seafloor is rocky here, so bring waterproof shoes to protect your feet. 

Visit the Akrotiri Archaeological Site

If you drive, you will park your car at the Akrotiri Archaeological Museum. Why not kill two birds with one stone and visit the site and learn about ancient Greek history while you are here?

The village of Akrotiri was a Cycladic Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed by the eruption of the Thera volcano. The eruption buried the entire town in volcanic ash, preserving artwork, frescoes, and archeological artifacts, similar to what happened in Pompeii. 

You can tour the prehistoric town, learn about the locals’ daily lives, and marvel at the well-preserved tilework and city walls.

Hop on a Boat Tour

One of the best ways to take in Red Beach is from the ocean. 

Catamaran tours offer a way to capture the captivating view, with the soaring cliffs as the backdrop to the impressive red sand below. 

These tours also often take you to the nearby Black Beach and White Beach of Santorini, two impressive areas shaped by the volcanic eruption. You can enjoy a day on the water, stopping to snorkel and hop off the boat to walk around a few of these stunning ocean fronts.

No matter what you do, Red Beach simply cannot be missed. 

Weather in Santorini

Plan your trip to Santorini Red Beach sometime between May to October. It’s when the weather is the most pleasant, and the water is the perfect temperature for swimming. 

Late April to early June and September to early October is the most ideal, though, as the weather is warm and there are fewer crowds than in the height of tourist season. Temperatures hover around 20℃ (68℉), and there is limited rain.

July and August are peak tourist season. Temperatures average around 25℃ (77℉), and there is hardly any rain. You can anticipate it being very crowded at Red Beach during these months, just like the rest of Santorini. However, if you are planning your trip based on swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the vibrant nightlife, this is the best time to visit.

Off-season lasts from November to March. While many hotels and restaurants may be closed, it’s also a great time to visit Red Beach because it will be far less crowded. The entire island of Santorini will be quieter and more relaxed, so you can catch a glimpse of authentic life on the island. Temperatures are mild and range between 10-15℃ (50-60 ℉), but expect rain, especially in December and January. 

Oia and Fira are the most active places on the island during these months. Plan to stay there and make a trip out to Red Beach. 

Packing List Essentials for Santorini

When you’re planning your trip to Santorini Red Beach, bring the following:

• Sunscreen
• Hat/sunglasses
• Bathing suit
• Cover up/rash guard to protect from the sun
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Waterproof shoes to protect your feet
• GoPro or waterproof camera
• Cash to rent a sun lounger or a beach mat to sit on
• Snorkel gear

Map of Red Beach and More

So, where exactly is this famous Red Beach? Check this map for all the details. 

How to Get to Red Beach, Santorini

Getting to Red Beach is pretty straightforward. You have three options:

Drive

If you choose to drive, make your way to the village of Akrotiri. You’ll drive past the archaeological site and turn right into a free parking area. If you see Saint Nikolas Chapel, you’re in the right spot. 

From the parking area, it is about a 5-10 minute walk down to the beach. Be sure to have proper shoes on! While the hike is not steep, it is very rocky. Shoes will help protect your feet. 

Pro tip: Unfortunately, this path is not wheelchair accessible.

Taxi Boat

You can grab a taxi boat from Akrotiri, Kamari, or Perissa, all nearby villages. These taxi boats drop off and pick up passengers about every thirty minutes. They also stop at the White and Black Beach—this would be a great way to see all three.

Pro tip: This is the only option that does not require walking down the rocky path.

Bus

Public buses, or Ktel buses, will take you directly to Akrotiri. Taking the bus from Fira town takes about 20 minutes and will drop you at the same parking lot as if you were driving. 

Getting around Santorini is easy, thanks to reliable public transportation. 

However, if you are coming from other parts of Greece, there are plenty of options available to help you reach the island so you can explore Red Beach. 

For example, ferries operate daily from Mykonos and from Paros to Santorini. These trips take about two hours. 

There are also very affordable daily, non-stop flights from Athens. 

Final Thoughts on Santorini’s Red Beach

There are a lot of reasons to travel to Santorini. Red Beach is just one of them, and it’s one of the most captivating places to visit in Greece. Be sure to add it to your list of must-sees when visiting the island. 

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