Tour of Santorini's most beautiful beaches

The seaside resort of Kamari, on Santorini's east coast, is one of the island's busiest, as it is also the closest to the airport. Budget travellers will appreciate Kamari, where there are many hotels at more affordable rates than in Oia and Fira.

Long and covered in black volcanic sand, Kamari beach offers an idyllic setting for those lucky enough to have booked a Santorini holiday in this part of the island. Sun loungers and parasols are available for visitors, who can enjoy a drink or lunch in the nearby bars and restaurants.

Kamari beach is ideal for young couples or families, who will appreciate the lively resort life, the quality of the bathing water (Blue Flag) and the children's playground.

😍 We like: the splendid view of the cliffs.

👎 We disliked: a little too many people in July/August.

The famous Red Beach or Kokkini Beach is located near the ancient village of Akrotiri, in the south-western part of Santorini. This beach is known as one of the most beautiful in Santorini and also one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. The special feature of this small beach is its reddish-black sand, which comes from the volcanic rocks on the cliffs just behind it.

It's a ten-minute walk from the car park along a stony path. On the beach, deckchairs are available for hire, as it can be a little uncomfortable to lie on the sand with its large stones.

There is a viewpoint from which you can see the whole beach. Be careful not to go too early in the day, otherwise the cliffs won't be as red as they are when hit by the sun's rays.

😍 We like: the striking contrast between the turquoise water and the reddish rock.

👎 We don't like: victim of its success, the beach, which isn't large, fills up quickly at peak times. Come either early or late in the day.

Ammoudi is not a beach as such, as there is no sand on which to lay your towel. It's a small fishing port to the west of Oia, nestling at the foot of the red cliffs, where the boats seem to float on the water. The sea is incredibly transparent.

But Ammoudi Bay has to be earned: to get there, you have to climb down 300 long stone steps along the rock face. At the bottom, the reward is this little corner of Greek paradise where octopus are drying on the taverna terraces, facing the few boats moored in the translucent water.

The best part? Wait until sunset to marvel at the water's edge.

A word of advice: if you're not too sporty and the climb up the steps scares you, you can descend by car or scooter via a road on the right-hand side of the bay.

😍 What we really like: the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea as you make your way down to the little port.

👎 What we don't like: leaving this fabulous spot and climbing the 300 steps on the way back! Donkeys are on hand to help tourists who abandon this perilous journey, but we'd advise you to spare them the effort and take several breaks along the way instead.

Another popular beach on Santorini, not far from the Red Beach, is the White Beach. Around fifteen kilometres from the capital, Fira, this secluded beach owes its name to the huge white rocks that surround it.

The beach is small and wild and can only be reached by boat. The beach comes in surprising shades of black, white and grey.

But it's the whiteness of the cliffs plunging into the turquoise sea that makes it unique. As it is not very accessible, the seabed is exceptional and lush. It's ideal for diving and snorkelling.

😍 We like: there are lots of little caves and coves to explore.

👎 We don't like it so much: the sand is made up of large pebbles, making it hard to put your towel down.

It is also known as the black beach. Perissa beach is 3 kilometres long and is covered in small pebbles and volcanic sand, which makes it original and almost supernatural. It lies to the south-east of Santorini, near the seaside resort of Perissa, with its hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Perissa is not the postcard image of Santorini you might imagine (no white houses on the cliffs), but its beach is a real attraction for its surprising black sand.

Adjacent to Perissa, the black sandy beach of Perivolos is also worth a visit for the quality of its water.

😍 We like: the beautiful panorama of Mesa Vouno mountain in the background.

👎 We don't like: in summer, lots of young holidaymakers come to party, which can be a disadvantage for those who just want to relax.

Caldeira beach is very popular with Santorini's inhabitants. Located on the west coast of the island, it offers a splendid view of the caldera, the crescent-shaped bay formed by the ancient volcano. Easy to reach by car, this small, wild cove combines black sand and pebbles, offering a peaceful swim away from the crowded beaches of eastern Santorini.

Here you have the feeling of being at the end of the world, no noisy tavernas or bars, just the soothing music of the sea and the wind.

😍 We like: climbing, scrambling, venturing onto the large rocks surrounding the beach.

👎 We like it less: beach shoes are almost compulsory as it's difficult to walk in the water with the pebbles, but it's more or less the same on all the beaches of Santorini.

This beach in the south of the island is nicknamed Moon Beach because of its strange rock formations, reminiscent of a lunar landscape. These yellowish cliffs, sculpted into supernatural shapes by the wind and the sea, are a veritable work of art.

The beach at Vlychada is long, covered in grey volcanic sand and small pebbles, with a few parasols and sun loungers for relaxing.

At the northern end, part of the beach is reserved for naturists, but the beach is so big that it's impossible to get in the way.

😍 We like: the small port of Vlychada with its marina, its tavernas where you can eat excellent grilled fish.

👎 We disliked: the wind and currents.

The final beach is Paralia Katharos, Santorini's most northerly. Just above Oia and its hilltop villas, this small, secluded pebble beach offers the perfect cool break on a hot summer's day. The water is crystal clear and the beach is not very busy.

To get away from the crowds of Oia and appreciate the island's natural side, this is the right spot.

😍 Our favourite spot: the Katharos Lounge restaurant, where the sunset is sublime. 👎 Our least favourite spot: this is surely the most isolated beach on the island and therefore difficult to access.