Planning a trip to Santorini? Perissa is the beach you absolutely must visit if you want to have the most memorable vacation.
Santorini is yet another gorgeous Greek island worshipped by many tourists around the world. From the mesmerizing blue waters to perfectly-organized beaches and top-notch accommodation, Santorini is one of the best places to spend your vacation or honeymoon in Greece. If you choose precisely this island to be your holiday getaway, you must take time to go to one of Santorini’s most beautiful and biggest beaches – Perissa Beach.
Description
Only 13 km away from Fira, lies Perissa beach. The gorgeous stretch of black sand amazes tourists from around the world each year. Extending for 7 km on the southeastern side of Santorini, Perissa has the most crystalline waters alongside an array of beach facilities. You’ll be left in awe once you see an enormous rock called Mesa Vouno rising from the sea. The stunning view of the rock will take your breath away, even more so when it shines in the dark. You’ll find Perissa beach lying at the base of Mesa Vouno Mountain that separates Perissa from Kamari. This beach is a characteristic sight of the volcanic island. A fully organized, cosmopolitan beach with a full spectrum of lounging chairs, umbrellas, and other amenities, will offer you the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation. You’ll be sure that nothing will happen to you during your swim because trained lifeguards will be keeping their eye out for potential emergencies. With showers and a playground on the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy an entire day of sunbathing and unwinding without having to go to the hotel to refresh. Perissa beach also has the Blue Flag award for being a very clean and tidy beach.
Getting There
The airport is 13.3 km / 8.2 miles away from Perissa, while the port and Fira are 11.2 km / 6.9 miles and 11.7 km / 7.2 miles away respectively.
Private transfers
When you decide to reach the beach, you can get a private transfer and pre-book it online. They offer transfer by taxi, minibus or private VIP car. You can even arrange a pickup directly from the port, airport or your hotel.
Car rental
As on any island, renting a car is the best option for those who like to explore the island when they feel like it, without looking at bus schedules. For 14.5 euros per day, you can rent a decent vehicle and pick it up directly from the airport, port or your hotel.
Public transfers
In Perissa village, you’ll find the terminal stop of the bus route Fira > Perissa. The central bus station of the island is located precisely in Fira. There, you’ll find bus connections between that bus station and a variety of other areas of the island. Busses to Perissa arrive about every 1.5 hours.
If you’re going to the beach straight from the airport, you can hop on a bus at a bus station that you’ll find at the airport. It is located between the arrivals and departures buildings. The buses departing from that stop will take you to the main bus station in Fira village. Busses from Santorini airport to Fira go approximately every hour. From Fira, you can take another bus to reach Perissa, following the route Fira > Perissa.
If you’re travelling through Santorini port (Athinios) to Perissa, take the bus from the bus station at the port of Santorini. Take a bus to Fira Central bus station, and from Fira, take another bus to reach Perissa, following the route Fira > Perissa.
Things to Do
Sightseeing
Santorini Panagia Katefiani
On the hillside above Perissa beach lies the famous Church of Panagia Katefiani. The beautiful tiny chapel is built on the slopes of Mesa Vouno Mountain, 200 meters above sea level. Are you looking for the best location to take unforgettable photos? Climb up the hill and reach that fabulous location overlooking Perissa and the south coastline of Santorini. You’ll never experience such an awe-inspiring view of the Aegean Sea as you will once you reach the top of the hillside.
The Church of Holy Cross
The church is located in the central square of Perissa. It is among the largest churches in Santorini, originally constructed in 1835-1840. However, once the severe earthquake hit the island in 1956, the church needed to be reconstructed. During the reconstruction, they revealed the foundations of two three-aisled basilicas. Those were proof that the original church was constructed on top of them. Today, the church of the Holy Cross is distinguished by its magnificent bell tower, a blue dome, and spectacular size.
Diving and Water sports
You cannot visit Santorini without trying scuba diving. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, a highly trained diving crew at some of Santorini’s diving centres, who can speak several European languages, will be your best trainers. They’ll offer you only the latest range of scuba equipment and provide the ultimate diving experience. You can take a course for both certified divers as well as non-divers, depending on your level of expertise. If you’re a certified diver, you’ll love the option of going on a wall dive, volcano dive, wreck and cave diving.
Aside from scuba diving, in Santorini you can also engage in a variety of other water activities. Try windsurfing and parasailing, or go jet skiing. Feel free to test your canoeing and banana boat skills and have an unforgettable adventure in Santorini.
Where to Stay
Anny Studios
Being almost at the very beach of Perissa, Anny Studios in Santorini is the perfect option for your vacation. The modern complex that kept its traditional Cycladic style offers fully equipped studios for the most relaxing vacation. The studios can accommodate 2-4 persons, as well as large families of up to 6 people. Every studio offers an array of facilities such as air conditioning, satellite TV, a well-equipped kitchenette, and cosy balconies with views to the hotel pool and the village of Perissa. Free wi-fi connection, a large swimming pool, with a well-stocked poolside bar, self-service laundry facilities will all be at the guests’ disposal.
Veggera Hotel
Veggera luxurious hotel in Santorini lies right next to the Perissa beach, offering astounding views over the sea and the mountain range. Veggera hotel has 72 comfortable rooms with all the necessary amenities. You can choose between single and double rooms, maisonettes and luxury suites. All rooms come with air conditioning, satellite TV, a private bathroom, a cosy sitting area, and a balcony overlooking the Aegean Sea, the mountain or the hotel’s swimming pool. Veggera Hotel offers a 24-hour reception service, two swimming pools for adults and one for kids, a pool bar, and a Pergola Restaurant. There’s also a jacuzzi and a gym. You can enjoy an indoor café and a lounge room while your kids have fun at the playground. They also offer babysitting services at extra cost.
Where and What to Eat
Porto Castello
You’ll find Porto Castello Restaurant right on the beachfront. The restaurant offers more than 70 sunbeds and shades on the beachfront, alongside three terraces for dining with a seating capacity of 350 persons. The restaurant’s 12-page menu is diverse, offering an astounding variety of delectable meals. Castello specialities include a wide choice of fresh seafood grilled or cooked in the traditional way, such as fresh prawns with shells, garlic and homemade chips with lettuce and tomato. Be sure to taste their pasta too. l
Mezedaki
Mezedaki is located at Perissa Beach, and it is an ideal place to relax after a swim in the sea. At this restaurant, you’ll find a rich selection of vegetarian-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free food for everyone’s tastes. Their cod roe salad, fresh sea bass and Greek salad are absolutely delicious. Don’t miss out on Tzatziki with pita, salmon, the lamb chops, hummus, crispy zucchini, mussels and seafood risotto. You’ll have some of the best food in Santorini precisely at this lovely establishment.
Final Thoughts
A trip to Santorini can never be boring. No matter where you decide to stay and eat, you’ll have the best time because the island is absolutely magical. However, make sure you visit Perissa beach and experience the most memorable trip in your life.