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How to visit the Red Beach (Santorini) – Tips + Photos

Last updated on February 12, 2020 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Red Beach Santorini is one of the most famous places on the island. The unique landscape of the red cliffs dropping into the deep blue of the sea is mesmerizing. Below is a guide to help you plan your visit and decide if you want to get to the beach (as it is dangerous).

Red Beach Santorini Travel Pin3
Quick Navigation
Why visit the Red Beach in Santorini?
Planning Tips - Red Beach Santorini
Red Beach Church - Saint Nikolaos 
Walk to Red Beach (Kokkini Beach)
Santorini's Red Beach Viewpoint 
Why is Red Beach in Santorini red?
Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 
Red Beach by boat

Navigate back to the complete Santorini Travel Guide

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Why visit the Red Beach in Santorini?

The Red Beach (Kokkini Beach) is quite a unique sight to enjoy on the island.
The South Coast of Santorini varies a lot with tortuous cliffs (such as at Vlichada), White cliffs, black cliffs and... red cliffs. This is where Red Beach is, probably the most famous beach in Santorini.
This is quite a rare sight (although not unique in the World as some write). The tall red volcanic cliffs plunge into the beautiful blue of the Aegean Sea. The contrast is fascinating!

Red Beach in Santorini

Red Beach, Santorini

Why not visit the Red Beach?

The Red beach is dangerous. The cliffs are not stable and there are frequent rockslides.
You can reach the viewpoint safely, but going to the beach itself is dangerous.


Planning Tips - Red Beach Santorini

Location of Red Beach on Santorini - Map

  • Below is my overview map of Santorini where you can see Red beach on the South Coast
  • Just South of Akrotiri
  • You can combine with a visit to the Akrotiri archaeological site.
  • Oia to Red Beach - 50min drive
  • Thera (Fira) to Red Beach - 30min drive
  • Perissa to Red Beach - 25min drive
  • Kamari to Red Beach - 30min drive
Best views in Santorini map Landscapes

Red Beach with the GPS coordinates of the carpark, is included in my eBook to help you plan your trip:

Small Santorini eBook Cover
  • 6 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 40 scenic locations and photo stops to consider for your itinerary
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • GPS coordinates for peace of mind
  • 90+ photos to help you select where to go

LEARN MORE

Red Beach Bus tours and Boat Tours

If you don't want to drive, a visit to the viewpoint over Red Beach is often included in day trips around Santorini.
See options

You can also see it by catamaran (see photos at the end of this article) - I opted for this tour and the views were magnificent (learn more)

Santorini Red Beach bus tours

Bus tours to Red Beach

Visiting Red Beach - Tips

  • Arrive as early as possible as the bus tours start arriving after 9am... or visit late ! There is not much space at the viewpoint and it gets crowded quickly
  • Only a couple of months of the year is the sun alignement interesting. 
  • Early morning you might not see the red as vibrant, since the sun is not hitting the cliffs yet
  • No facilities but vendors do sell drinks and food around the carpark and trail
  • Drive is on paved road all the way to carpark - you can easily drive to the Red Beach
  • 2 min walk from carpark to viewpoint
  • And less than 10 minutes walk to the beach
  • You can swim at red beach but know that the sand is not nice under your feet
  • If you want to stay in the area, many Akrotiri accommodations offer wonderful views of the caldera - Check out the best rated accommodations
Santorini Red Beach carpark

Red Beach carpark


Wondering where to stay in Santorini?
Check out my article to find the best areas depending on your criteria and discover inspiring accommodation suggestions


Red Beach Church - Saint Nikolaos 

At the carpark, before starting on the trail, you can already admire the Red Beach church of Saint Nikolaos.
The contrast of the traditional white of the building against the red cliff is beautiful.
Saint Nikolaos is the patron Saint of the seafarers.

Santorini Red Beach Church - Saint Nikolaos

Red Beach Church - Saint Nikolaos 


Walk to Red Beach (Kokkini Beach)

Then you can walk towards the Red Beach. It is on the hiking route 12 towards the Akrotiri lighthouse.

Access to Red Beach - Walk 1

It is only a 2 min walk to the viewpoint, the path is not difficult, you just have to pay attention where you place your feet because of rocks. Below are 2 pictures taken on the track to Red Beach.

Access to Red Beach - Walk 2
Access to Red Beach 3

Santorini's Red Beach Viewpoint 

After those 2 minutes you reach a viewpoint over Red Beach.
As you can see below, if you arrive too early, the cliffs might not look as red as on other pictures, since the sun is not yet hitting them.
To your right are the red cliffs of Red Beach, while in front of you the cliffs are whiter. Kambia beach as well as white beach are on the other side.

Santorini's Red Beach Viewpoint 1
Santorini's Red Beach Viewpoint 2

Why is Red Beach in Santorini red?

That is the big question... why is it red?

The cliffs are made of volcanic rock rich in iron. The oxidation of iron turns it red.

Kokkini Red Beach lies in the center of an eroded cinder cone (around a volcanic vent). There you can see lava that rapidly cooled down and solidified. The volcanic lava is rich in iron. When iron is open to the air, it rustd (oxidies) and turns red.

Why is Red Beach in Santorini red 1
Why is Red Beach in Santorini red 2

Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 

From the viewpoint you can continue walking to the beach.
However please note that it is dangerous. The cliffs are not stable, rocks are often falling (and can hit you on your head) and it is also prone to landslides (there was a huge one in 2013 which luckily was during the night, so no one got hurt).

Like any hikes in the mountains, please be aware of the risks and take your own decision. 

Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 1

I walked just first section and decided to walk back up. I had a busy day ahead of me.
The track is slippery with some big rocky steps.
The red color is quite impressive. One of the most famous places to see in Santorini

Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 2
Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 3
Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 4

The beach is not big. Someone is renting sunlounges during Summer.

Access to Red Beach - dangerous & closed 5

Red Beach by boat

Another option is to enjoy the impressive red cliffs from a catamaran.
You can stay onboard and be amazed by the red color or jump in the water and swim in this rare environnement.

Plus if you opt for a catamaran cruise in Santorini (my favorite activity), you will also see the white cliffs, the black cliffs and the center of the caldera with a hot spring.

Check out the program of the one I chose and Book

Red Beach by boat
Red Beach by boat 2

Swimming at Red Beach, Santorini

Red Beach by boat 3

And as you leave Red Beach to go back to the Vlichada Marina, you will also see the Saint Nikolaos church standing out against the dark cliffs.

Red Beach by boat 4

Water taxis to Red Beach

In Summer, you can find water-taxis or water shuttles taking you from Perissa to Red Beach or from Akrotiri to Red Beach.
You will have to get off the boat in the water.
Timetable may vary.


Want to see more of Santorini?

PREVIOUS: 

Vlichada Beach Santorini

NEXT: 

Village of Emporio, Santorini

Tourism Santorini Travel Guide

Do you love red landscapes as much as I do?

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Red Beach Santorini Travel
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