Want to enjoy the beach in Santorini but can't decide on which one? Will Perissa or Kamari be the best option for you?
Below is my comparison guide to help you decide where to stay or where to visit, depending on what you are looking for: beach, location, village, hotels...
Before all my tips + photos, let me share my favorites to plan your Santorini trip:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Santorini: Discovercars
My favorite boat tour: full-day catamaran to see the colorful cliffs - very impressive!
My favorite day trip to explore Santorini: Highlights Tour with a little bit of everything!
My favorite places to stay to explore the island:
- In Oia, the most famous area on the cliffs: Marizan Caves
- In Fira, the most central to explore by bus: Keti Hotel
- In Kamari for a stay by the beach: Hotel Sunshine
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Perissa or Kamari - where to go on Santorini? (short answer)
If you don't want to read the whole article with explanations and photos, below are my short answers depending on what you are looking for:
- For a day at the beach - Perissa (longer beach, less crowded)
- To stay for several days - Kamari (choice of restaurants)
- To explore Santorini - both offer bus and are easily accessed by car - Perissa is better for the South coast exploration
- For families - Perissa (quieter at the moment, especially if you go further to Perivolos)
- For a quiet holiday - none are a great option in Summer as they are the 2 main beaches of Santorini - check out Vlichada beach
Great accommodation options at both villages -
Perissa or Kamari, where to go?
If you are not sure if you want to stay by the beach, check out my article about the best areas to stay in Santorini.
Perissa Beach vs Kamari Beach
OK, Let's start by talking beaches.
If you want to spend your holiday relaxing at the beach or if you are staying on the west coast and are planning a beach day, you want to know the quality of the beaches.
Perissa Beach
- Crowds - Perissa beach is the longer beach, as it continues on Perivolos beach which becomes wider. Because of that, there is a lot of space and it feels a lot less crowded.
- Views - In terms of views, I prefer the Perissa side of Mesa Vouno
- Equipements - both have sunbeds and umbrellas for rent and are close to tavernas and bars
- Sand quality - both beaches are of volcanic origin - there is a mix of black sand and small black rocks - and it gets really hot in Summer!
- Lifeguard - there are lifeguards at both
- Swimming - similar
- Diving - both villages have diving centers
Kamari Beach
Getting around Santorini - Kamari vs Perissa
Kamari and Perissa Locations - Map
Both Kamari and Perrisa are on the South East coast of Santorini.
There are located on either sides of the mountain Mesa Vouno on top of which the ruins of Ancient Thera are located.
You can see them both on the map below.
Need to rent a car in Santorini?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer (prefer a compact car for the narrow village roads)
- Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Getting from Kamari to Perissa or the opposite
There is no road allowing you to go directly from Perissa to Kamari over the mountain.
You have to drive all the way inland before you can turn. The drive between both takes around 25 minutes.
Another solution is to take the "shuttle-boat" for an easy transfer between both beaches. It operates normally between 10am and 5:30pm but stops in case of strong winds.
Boat from Kamari to Perissa
Access to the rest of Santorini
The best things to do in Santorini are spread all over the island. Because of the mountains in between:
- Kamari has easier access to the attractions to the North: Oia, Fira...
- While Perissa offers easier access to the attractions on the South Coast: Red beach, White beach Vlichada beach... (you can even reach some by boat)
- However, if you are driving a car, it just adds 15min more on your travels one way or the other
If you want to base yourself at one of those beaches, and explore the island, check out my eBook to help you plan your itinerary:
Be overwhelmed by the Beauty, not the Planning!
- 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
Perissa vs Kamari - seafront experience & villages
Perissa and Kamari are 2 villages set up around the beaches.
Kamari feels at the moment more upscale than Perissa but developers are hard at work...
In terms of atmosphere, in my opinion, Perissa felt more traditional while Kamari felt more resort-like.
Seafront at Perissa
- Walking around - Perissa is more spread out, whereas in Kamari you can quickly walk everywhere your need to.
- Restaurants - There is a large choice at both villages - I have not tested many but in my research, it did not seem that one was better than the other
- Shops - Both villages have shops and cafés (don't forget to try the ice-cream...) - you can find a supermarket and souvenir shops for all your needs
Seefront at Kamari
Choice of Activities in Perissa and Kamari
- In Kamari you can enjoy - water skiing, kite boarding, banana boat rides, biking, mini-golf
- In Perissa - small water park, jetskis from Perivolos, biking
- Kamari has an open air cinema just outside the village with movies in English
- Kamari has an Escape Game
- Perissa has the Minerals and Fossils museum
- Perissa has 'the fun train' you can book to explore Perissa or head to other locations
I don't drink coffee
But I like other drinks and foods!
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Perissa hotels vs Kamari hotels
Both villages have a great choices of accommodations : rentals, hotels, traditional houses - with or without pools.
Perissa is more spread out. Close to the center around the main church, most accommodations don't have pools. They are further down along the beach.
Accommodations in Kamari
Check out all the best rated accommodations in Kamari
or consider these suggestions (based on research):
- HOTEL - The Hippocampus Hotel, modern and elegant, right on the beach - check out photos and availability
- 5 STAR RESORT - The Santorini Kastelli Hotel close to the beach, with lush gardens - check out photos and availability
- APARTHOTEL - Blue waves Suites and Apartments have kitchenette, for those who don't want to go to the restaurant all the time - check out photos and availability
- FAMILY RUN HOTEL - Chez Sophie, if you are looking for a more personalized experience - check out photos and availability
Accommodations in Perissa
Check out all the best rated accommodations in Perissa
or consider these suggestions (based on research):
- HOTEL - Kouros Village hotel (Adults only) with beautiful decor and peaceful atmosphere - check out photos and availability
- 5 STAR RESORT - Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa with its pure white decor - check out photos and availability
- APARTHOTEL - Margarenia Studios, 1km from the center, close to the beach and with a beautiful swimming pool - check out photos and availability
- FAMILY RUN HOTEL - Santa Barbara for good value for money - check out photos and availability
- HOSTEL - not many hostel - Youth Hostel Anna is 400m from the beach - check out photos and availability
Other criteria to consider - Kamari or Perissa
After all those main criteria, I am just going to mention a couple of other points that can help tip the balance towards Kamari or Perissa:
- Kamari is close to the airport, so airplanes may fly very low above the village and town.
There are not that many per day, but it is quite noisy when they land.
Airplanes over Kamari
- Perissa has a beautiful church close to the beach with several blue domes and a stunning bell tower.
You can admire it from many angles.
So if you are looking not just for a day at beach, Perissa offers more than just the beach...
Church in Perissa
Want to see more of the best Santorini has to offer?
- The 12 best beaches in Santorini - read article
- 25 inspiring pictures of the best Santorini landscapes to capture - read article
- My selection of the most amazing boat tours around Santorini - read article
- The best things to do in Oia - read article
- My tips on driving around Santorini - read article
- My Santorini itinerary suggestions for 1, 2, 3 days or more - read article
Planning a trip to Santorini?
Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan:
Be overwhelmed by the Beauty, not the Planning!
- 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
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