Hotels near Red Beach

Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia) is a small cove backed by towering red and black volcanic cliffs on Santorini's southern coast, about 800 metres south of the Akrotiri archaeological site. The beach gets its colour from iron-rich volcanic rock eroded from the cliff face, creating a mix of red pebbles and coarse dark sand. Set against the deep blue Aegean, the colour contrast is extraordinary and makes this one of the most photographed places to visit in Santorini.

Access is via a 10-minute walk from the Akrotiri site car park, ending with a short scramble over rocks to reach the beach. The path skirts the cliff edge - wear proper footwear, not flip-flops. The beach itself is small and gets crowded by midday in summer. There are no permanent facilities, though a seasonal canteen sometimes operates. Important safety note: the cliffs above Red Beach are unstable and rockfalls have occurred - do not sit directly beneath the cliff face.

Pro Tip: Arrive before 10:00 to claim a spot and have the beach largely to yourself. Bring water and shade (there is almost none). For a different perspective, take a water taxi from Akrotiri port or Kamari - boats run in summer and pass White Beach and Black Mesa on the way. Check locally whether the access path is open, as authorities occasionally close it after rockfall events.