Is White Beach Santorini The Island's Best Kept Secret?
Everyone and their grandmother want to visit Santorini. The island has been a hot spot for tourism for many years now, due to its beautiful weather and remarkable scenery, and is known for its iconic blue and white buildings, and many, many steps.
White Beach, Santorini is a small but greatly loved hidden gem on the island, which is difficult to get to, but those who take the trip there often rate it as the best beach on Santorini.
In this post we'll be exploring the charm of White Beach, where it is, how to get there, and what you can expect from this rare secluded spot on the busy island (hint, the sand isn't white!)
About White Beach, Santorini
Unlike its name suggests, White Beach is not full of white sand. In fact, similarly to most other beaches in Santorini, the beach is made up of black pebbles, formed by volcanic rock millions of years ago. It gets its name from the white cliffs surrounding the beach which are vast and the contrast of the white cliffs, black beach, and clear blue waters is a sight to behold. Locals call this beach "Lefki Ammos" which means "white sand", or "Lefki Paralia" meaning "White Beach".
Unlike some other beaches that are surrounded by limestone cliffs, the waters at White Beach are not at all cloudy, in fact it is crystal clear, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
The beach is small, which is probably one of the reasons it has remained off the radar, and as such you won't find any amenities there, so be sure to pack water, sunscreen, and an excellent picnic, as you won't want to leave in a hurry.
Although there are no bars or shops, you can rent umbrellas and sun loungers here. If you choose not to, the only other shade you may be able to find is from the cliffs, if you time your visit just right. A good tip is to bring flip flops or easy to remove sandals with you as the stones of the beach can be sharp and hot.
Where is White Beach?
White Beach is located on the southwest coast of Santorini in the village of Akrotiri, which is 14 km/ 8.6 miles away from Fira. It is next to the more popular Red Beach which most tourists know of.
How To Get To White Beach, Santorini
You have 2 options when it comes to making your way to White Beach, and neither of them are by car. You can only access the beach by foot or by boat, which helps to keep the spot private and tranquil.
Boat is the easiest way to get to White Beach, and you can choose to hop on a water taxi at either Akrotiri or Perissa. At Akrotiri, the boat leaves from the archaeological site and costs €5. The boats leave every 15 minutes until 6 pm.
There's no dock at the beach so you will need to jump off the boat into the shallow water when you get to White Beach.
There is also a ferry which takes you to 3 different beaches - Red Beach, White Beach, and Black Beach. The best place to park is at Red Beach as it departs from around 200 meters before the end of the road parking lot there.
Those who are up for a challenge may choose to walk to White Beach from neighbouring Red Beach, just be warned that the path is tricky and the hike can take some time. You will also need to hold your belongings above your head at some points, so don't pack the kitchen sink! Interested in attempting this challenge with a friend or want to get a few tips from ladies who have completed the hike? Join our community and find beach lovers like you!
5 More Amazing Beaches On Santorini
While White Beach may be one of the most spectacular on the island, there are plenty more beaches in Santorini that are undeniably exquisite.
Red Beach
We couldn't leave White Beach's next door neighbour off the list. As its name suggests, Red Beach is…well…red. It is one of the most famous beaches on Santorini due to its colour, and the rocks that form it are volcanic.
There are parts of the beach that are inaccessible due to landslides, which are common in the area.
The unique features of this beach make it a hit with tourists, although that does mean it can get quite busy, especially considering its small size.
There are plenty of rock formations that you must see under the water, so be sure to bring your snorkel and dive in.
There are sun loungers and umbrellas available for purchase at the beach, but no other amenities so be sure to pack lots of water.
Perissa Beach
Like many other beaches on the island of Santorini, Perissa is a black sand beach. This is due to volcanic activity and makes the beach look striking and unusual, especially next to the vivid hues of the ocean.
While it is a popular, and therefore busy beach, Perissa is one of the longest beaches on the island, meaning there's plenty of room for everyone.
Perissa Beach has received the blue flag, which means it has passed a series of criteria to ensure it's one of the most clean, safe, and accessible beaches around.
If you're looking for a beach with great amenities, Perissa is a good choice for you. Not only are there sun loungers and umbrellas to hire, there are also lifeguards on duty, showers, and plenty of beach side cafes and bars.
Katharos Beach
If you head to the Northern part of the island, you'll find Katharos Beach, just 1 km / 0.6 miles outside of Oia.
The beach looks like it's jumped straight off the screen of Jurassic Park, with mountain views, dramatic black rocks, a jagged coastline, and vast ocean as far as the eye can see. But don't worry, there are no dinosaurs to nibble on your toes as you take a swim.
If the sight of an umbrella or sun loungers turns you off, Katharos Beach may be for you, as it's been left as wild and natural as the day it was created. It can get a little windy, so bear that in mind.
There are no amenities at the beach. There was one meze bar close to the beach, but we hear it has closed down recently.
Final Thoughts On White Beach, Santorini
Although White Beach may trick you with its name, it's a beautiful, peaceful spot to relax. Whether you choose to sunbathe on its hot, black shores, or take a dip into the serene turquoise waters, you won't be disappointed by White Beach, Santorini.
If you’re interested in Greece, check out this post on the best beaches in Peloponnese.