Santorini, a beautiful island in Greece, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. While the island is known for its breathtaking views and whitewashed houses, southern Santorini also has a lot to offer. Curious about the highlights of the southern part of the island, including tips, restaurants and accommodations? Read on quickly and discover southern Santorini!
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Exploring Southern Santorini
Overview of Santorini
Before we focus on southern Santorini, let’s briefly take a look at the island as a whole. Santorini is a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea and is known for its unique geography and picturesque villages. The breathtaking sunsets and the famous blue-domed churches have made Santorini a popular destination.
Why visit southern Santorini?
Although northern Santorini gets most of the attention, the south also has a lot to offer travelers. Here you will find beautiful beaches, fascinating archaeological sites and scenic villages. The south is less crowded than the north and offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. There are plenty of hotels (often much cheaper than in the famous north), restaurants (the south has a boulevard with dozens of restaurants) and beautiful beaches. It is perfectly doable by bus to visit the north and then continue to enjoy the Greek sun.
Beautiful beaches in southern Santorini
Southern Santorini is known for its beautiful beaches, each with its own unique charm. Here are some beaches you should not miss:
Kamari Beach
Kamari Beach is another favorite among Santorini visitors. The beach is near ancient Thira and has a bustling boulevard with countless shops, restaurants and bars. Kamari Beach also offers facilities for water sports and a beautiful view of the sea.
Perissa Beach
Perissa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in southern Santorini. The beach stretches for several kilometers and is characterized by black volcanic sand. With its crystal-clear water and lively atmosphere, Perissa Beach is perfect for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts.
Tip: between Kamari & Perissa there is a daily boat service. It is a fun way to get from A to B and discover the other side of the beach. The boat costs a few euros, you have to pay cash.
Red Beach
Red Beach, also known as Kokkini Beach, is a unique beach due to its red cliffs and volcanic sand. It is one of the most photographed beaches on Santorini and a must-see for nature lovers.
Note: due to the steep cliffs, Red Beach is less accessible than other beaches, but the view is definitely worth the effort.
Attractions in southern Santorini
In addition to the beautiful beaches, southern Santorini also offers a range of attractions you should not miss. It is perfectly doable to visit all these villages in one day by renting a car or booking a tour.
Ancient Thira
Ancient Thira is an ancient city located on a hilltop above Perissa. This archaeological site contains remains from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Walk through the ancient streets, admire the well-preserved buildings and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea.
Akrotiri
Akrotiri is an ancient Minoan settlement that was buried under volcanic ash after an eruption around 1600 BC. The archaeological excavations have uncovered well-preserved frescoes, houses and artifacts. It is like a window to the past and offers insight into the ancient civilizations that once existed on Santorini.
Ancient Thera
Ancient Thera is another impressive archaeological site in southern Santorini. It was once an important city that flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Walk through the remains of temples, houses and theaters and experience the history of Santorini.
Perissa
Perissa is a small village with some nice attractions. It is especially worth coming here for a nice lunch with a sea view. You can also rent bikes here and cycle along the coast for a nice ride.
Shopping and dining in southern Santorini
Southern Santorini offers plenty of shopping and dining options where you can enjoy the local culture and cuisine.
Shopping in Perissa and Kamari
The villages of Perissa and Kamari have a wide range of shops where you can find souvenirs, jewelry, clothing and local products. Stroll through the shopping streets and take a piece of Santorini home with you. To be honest: you will find the typical tourist shops here.
Discover the Kamari boulevard: dozens of restaurants
The Kamari boulevard is a bustling and lively destination in southern Santorini. Along this beautiful promenade you will find an abundance of restaurants, cafés, shops and bars offering a variety of flavors and entertainment. Whether you want to enjoy a delicious meal with a sea view or sip a cocktail, the Kamari boulevard offers a lively and cozy atmosphere. It is absolutely recommended to book your hotel or accommodation in Kamari. Then every evening you can just walk onto the boulevard for a nice bite to eat!
Want to eat typically Greek? Try local specialties such as moussaka, souvlaki, fava and fresh seafood. Do not forget to end with a sweet treat like baklava or loukoumades.
Excursions from southern Santorini
Visit Oia – stunning sunset
An excursion to Oia from southern Santorini offers a breathtaking experience due to the stunning sunsets. Oia, located at the northern tip of the island, is known for its picturesque whitewashed houses and narrow streets. As the sun slowly sets, the sky turns into brilliant shades of orange and pink, creating an enchanting view.
It is absolutely worth visiting Oia, but keep in mind the extreme crowds. The streets are narrow, the number of visitors large. I was there in 2021, right in the middle of corona time. Even then it was very crowded. Want to eat in a nice restaurant here? Reserve a spot. You can hardly get in in the evening.
Nice tip: combine your visit to Oia with a day trip through the beautiful villages of the island.
Take a boat trip to the nearby volcanic island & hot springs
A boat trip to the nearby volcanic island and the hot springs of Santorini is a really fun day trip. While sailing over the clear blue water, you quickly reach the volcanic island of Nea Kameni. There you can take a walk to the crater of the volcano and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and the impressive caldera. Then you swim to the natural hot springs of Palea Kameni. You will experience that the sea here is very warm!
In high season it is advisable to book your trip a few days in advance. Keep in mind that they really pack the boat full of tourists.
Rent a car cheaply in Santorini
Prefer to explore on your own and discover all the beauty? Find the cheapest car via a comparison site like Discover Cars. There you can rent a car much cheaper than through your travel agency. It is just a matter of smart planning!
Accommodations in southern Santorini
Southern Santorini offers various accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences.
Luxury hotels and resorts
If you are looking for a luxury stay, there are plenty of five-star hotels and resorts in southern Santorini. Enjoy beautiful pools, spas, restaurants with sea views and first-class service. Some recommended, but expensive options are Strogili Hotel (Adults only) or Amara Suites Santorini.
Budget-friendly options
For travelers on a tighter budget, there are also budget-friendly accommodations available. Choose from cozy guesthouses, hostels or apartments. Some affordable options are Black Sand Apartments (shown in the photo above), Studios Marios and Acqua Vatos Santorini Hotel.
Considering Santorini? Enjoy the south!
Southern Santorini offers everything you look for in a sun holiday. With its beautiful beaches, fascinating attractions, culinary delights and diverse accommodations, southern Santorini is a destination you should not miss. From here you take beautiful excursions, you are not in the much too crowded north and you get much better value for money. Do not forget to relax, enjoy the Greek hospitality and savor the unique beauty of this enchanting island.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the best time to visit southern Santorini? The best time to visit southern Santorini is during spring (May-June) or autumn (September-October) when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are fewer. In summer it is of course also great to enjoy, but very crowded.
- How do I get to southern Santorini from other parts of the island? You can take a taxi, rent a car or use public transport such as buses to travel to southern Santorini. The buses are perfectly fine and you can pay cash on the bus. Keep in mind that you have to change buses in Fira.
- Are there family-friendly activities in southern Santorini? Yes, southern Santorini offers various family-friendly activities, including beaches with shallow water, boat trips and visiting archaeological sites.
- Can I take day trips from southern Santorini to other islands? Yes, it is possible to take day trips from southern Santorini to nearby islands such as Ios or Anafi.
