Santorini Beaches: The 15 Best Days on the Sand

1.Santorini Horse Riding to Black Sandy Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,010 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102Our pick

Meet Barbara, Manos, or their team at Efippos near Vlychada for a 90-minute horseback ride through volcanic terrain to Eros Beach. You’ll receive a riding lesson, helmet, half-chaps, water, and digital photos taken on your device. Beginners are welcome, but moderate fitness is required.

“We had a great time riding the horses on the beach. They even arranged for transportation to pick us up at the port. The island was beautiful and the people are friendly.”

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2.Guided Horseback Riding Day Trip to a Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 477 reviews · 1 hour · from $88

Ride a well-trained horse from Akrotiri through vineyards and local trails to Vlychada Beach. Guides such as Thanasis, Minas, Giota, and Raffaela help beginners feel safe, stop for photos, and share island stories. Small groups, sunset timing, and optional hotel transfers make this a personal Santorini outing.

“It was fantastic! We enjoyed our horse riding on the beach during the sunset. Thank you for the instructors Thanasis, Minas, and Giota!”

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3.Greek Show, Buffet Dinner, and Drinks at Dimitris

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 474 reviews · 3 hours · from $71

Spend three hours at Dimitris restaurant in Kamari with a Greek buffet, unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Watch musicians and dancers perform zorba and syrtaki, then join the dancing and smash a plate for good luck. Seating is first come, first served.

“It was a fun evening with great choices for food and drinks. The entertainment was a lot of fun, and I took a joy in breaking a plate”

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4.Sun-Bed Experience FortyOne Bar Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 449 reviews · 1 day

Book a sunbed or cabana at FortyOne Bar Restaurant on Perivolos Beach, then swim in the clear waters of nearby Agios Georgios, order lunch at your lounger, and enjoy cocktails or a package with sushi, fruit, and drinks. Staff members such as Elias, Andreas, and Zeta are noted for attentive service.

“Great location. Great service by Elias. Great drinks and yummy food. Hummus and pita was good, as were the rolls and poke. Loved every minute. Relaxing day”

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5.Santorini in 5 hours: Oia, Traditional Villages & Black Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 282 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $95

This five-hour Santorini tour links the island’s famous caldera views with quieter village streets and black-sand Perivolos Beach. You’ll travel by air-conditioned minibus with a local guide such as George, Chris, Christos, or Spiros, with free time for photos, shopping, lunch, and swimming.

“We had a private tour and he took us all over explaining everything there was to see. He was excellent! Highly recommend this tour to everyone!”

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6.Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 280 reviews · 7 hours · from $57Best value

Spend seven hours touring Santorini by air-conditioned bus with guides such as Tania, visiting Prophet Elias, Megalochori, Akrotiri Excavations, Red Beach, and Perissa or Perivolos Beach. Expect history, village time, volcanic scenery, and a separate guide inside Akrotiri.

“What a fantastic day out. Many thanks to Tanya and Dimitris. Great commentary and information and a really good mix of activities. Bad weather but the brilliant guide Tanya made up for this.”

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7.Self-Drive License-Free Boat Rental in Santorini from Vlichada

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 174 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Take a five-hour, license-free boat rental from Vlichada with a safety briefing, GPS, shade, cooler, water, and snacks. You choose the route around Santorini and Thirasia, with time for Red Beach, White Beach, Black Beach, swimming, or a sunset cruise. Skipper and transport cost extra.

“We were not given clear enough details regarding the tender to port and the fact that we needed to take a cable car to the top BEFORE taking a simple 15 min taxi ride. We were able to get on the 4th tender but then had to stand in line for at least 90 minutes to take the cable car (we are both over 50, so walking or donkeys were not an option). Our excursion was set to start at 3pm and we didn't get up top until almost 5 pm. We ended up getting Gelato, and walking around for about an hour. At this point we saw the line…”

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8.Horseback Riding Tour on the Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 171 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $112

Ride for 1.5 hours from the Akrotiri area through vineyards, volcanic scenery, local paths, and along a beach. English- and Greek-speaking guides match the pace to your ability, take photos, and help first-time riders feel at ease. Transport from Fira or elsewhere costs extra.

“The horse riding was an absolute dream ! I really recommend everyone to do this activity. The horse are really loved and well treated. We will definitely come back !!”

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9.Archaeological Bus Tour to Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend 6 to 7 hours exploring southern Santorini with guide Tania or another English-speaking escort. Visit the 4,000-year-old Akrotiri excavations, Prophet Elias, Megalochori, Red Beach, and Perissa’s black-sand shore. Transfers are included, but the Akrotiri entrance fee and meals cost extra.

“Good day. Enjoyed all the stops. Very interesting. Tour guide was friendly. Pickup was easy. I liked seeing the typical Grecian town.”

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10.Horse Riding to the Black Sandy Beach (Eros beach)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Ride from the Megalochori stables through vineyards and volcanic ravines to Eros Beach. Expect helmets, saddlebags, guide-taken photos, and a short beach stop. Guides including Muhammad and Ahmed work with first-time riders, though beach riding time and pace can vary.

“Incredible sunset trip, stops by the beach for photos, and beautiful horses. Very well behaved and fun experience for beginners or advanced riders.”

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11.Santorini ATV Highlights Tour: Oia, Viewpoints & Volcanic Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $184

Ride a 350cc ATV with a small group and English-speaking guide Nelly or her family team. Visit Oia, Pyrgos, Profitis Ilias, Perissa Black Sand Beach, Emporio’s windmills, and Red Beach in about three and a half hours. You drive on paved roads, not off-road trails.

“This was truly one of the best tours I’ve ever taken! I originally considered booking through the cruise line, but I’m so glad I chose to venture out on my own instead. It was absolutely worth it. Our guide was incredibly responsive and always prompt. She met us right at the end of the cable car and helped us get set up with our ATVs. Before we hit the road, she gave us a quick and insightful history lesson, which really set the tone for the day. From there, she guided us all around the island, something that definitely wouldn’t have been possible if we’d gone without a guide. Thank…”

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12.Secluded Black Beach Horseback Riding Tour in Santorini

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Ride from Santorini Lover Horse Rider near Karterados to Monolithos Beach with a guide such as Vangelis. Expect black sand, sea views, vineyards, volcanic ravines, photo stops, and homemade wine with grapes afterward. Groups are limited to six riders.

“Great experience. Horses were well behaved and taken care of. The owner was stern but very nice and knowledgeable. He gave us a tasting of his homemade wine and grapes after our ride. Highly recommend this horse tour.”

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13.Perivolos Beach Jet Ski Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 61 reviews

Meet the English- or Greek-speaking team at Extreme Water Sports on Perivolos Beach. After a short safety briefing, you’ll ride a Yamaha Sport jet ski along Santorini’s black-sand coast for 20 minutes, with equipment, a life jacket, and insurance included.

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14.Parasailing Flight Experience at Black Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews

Let a professional English- or Greek-speaking crew lift you 300 feet above Santorini’s Black Beach from a speedboat. Your 10-minute parasail needs no training or jumping, and two people may fly together if their combined weight is no more than 150 kilograms. Photos cost extra.

“That they took 124 pictures and it only cost 20 euros to have all of them.”

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15.Guided Island Day Trip with Beach Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 34 reviews · 10 hours · from $82

Spend 10 hours touring Santorini by bus with an English-speaking guide. Visit Prophet Elias, Pyrgos, Akrotiri, Red Beach, Fira, and Oia. Guides may include Nicholas, Tanya, or George, and the day combines ancient ruins, village streets, sea views, and sunset photos.

“Highlight was the sunset in Ohia and seeing the iconic buildings! Nicolas and George were the perfect pair as guide and bus driver. Nicholas was so informative and funny. Throughly enjoyed my trip”

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