Greece › Santorini › Perissa Hotels
By Santorini Dave
Istoria – The best beach hotel in Santorini.
Staying in Perissa and Perivolos
Perissa is a fun coastal town and one of the best Santorini beaches. It has plenty of good restaurants, several low-key bars, and a small party scene (beach-style, not clubby). This strip of black sand beach spreads along three or four kms, peppered with hotels and restaurants – at some indistinct point it turns into Perivolos and then into Agios Georgios, but it all feels like one long spread. The south end at Agios Georgios Beach is home to a cluster of fine dining restaurants and luxury beach clubs. The sand in Perissa is much finer than you’ll find in pebbly Kamari, just up the coast. And it gets sandier as you move south towards Perivolos and Agios Georgios. The swimming is excellent. Perissa and Perivolos are also farther from Fira and Oia than Kamari Beach, which makes visiting the caldera a bit more of an outing.
Map of Perissa and Perivolos
Hotels on Map: Meltemi Village Hotel • Sellada Beach Hotel • Veggera • Aqua Blue Hotel • Anastasia Princess • Black Rose Beach Suites • Smaragdi Hotel • Istoria • Sea Breeze Beach Resort • Sea Sound White Katikies • Orabel Suites Santorini
5 Best Hotels in Perissa and Perivolos
1. Istoria Hotel – Perivolos
The most luxurious beachfront hotel (and our favorite beach choice for couples) in Santorini, Istoria boasts an infinity pool with an attached jacuzzi, a holistic spa, and friendly, attentive service. Most of their well-appointed suites have private, outdoor jacuzzis or pools. Food and drinks are incredible at their signature restaurant Mr. E and the all-day pool bar. The hotel also offers a serviced, private beach area. Well located on Perivolos Beach, just steps from great dining and beach clubs.2. Sea Breeze Beach Resort – Exomitis, near Perivolos
Our favorite beach hotel for families. Sea Breeze sits directly on the black, volcanic sand in Exomitis, about a 20-minute walk south of Perivolos and Vlychada Beaches. In addition to a private, serviced beach, Sea Breeze has four outdoor pools (two for adults, two for children), a contemporary Greek-Mediterranean restaurant, and an indoor/outdoor wellness center. All rooms, suites, and duplexes have a hot tub, heated plunge pool, or heated swimming pool on their private balconies or terraces. Accommodations offer king or queen-sized beds, complimentary minibars (restocked daily), walk-in showers, and free water shoes (the black sand is hot, and parts of the beach are rocky). The largest rooms (the King Master Suite with Pool and the Two-Bedroom Duplex Suite with Pool) sleep up to six. Gorgeous location with clear night skies (we saw the Milky Way during our stay), but may feel a little isolated for some. Renting a car is recommended for stays here.3. Orabel Suites – Perivolos
Adults-only boutique hotel with beautiful modern suites just five minutes from the beach. Orabel boasts two pools (the main pool and an endless current pool) with a lovely poolside bar. Suites feature sea or pool views, and all include either indoor or outdoor jacuzzis. The two-bedroom/two-bathroom Master Suite is the largest onsite and sleeps up to four.4. Aqua Blue Hotel – Perissa
Steps from Perissa’s black sand beach, Aqua Blue offers a private beach area with bar service reserved for hotel guests. The two pools are beautiful, both surrounded by double sun loungers and one with an extra kids pool. Rooms and suites are modern and spacious. The Family Rooms (two connected Double Rooms) and Maisonettes sleep up to five. Studios and Maisonettes offer kitchenettes. Wonderful food at the restaurant and pool bar.5. Meltemi Village Hotel – Perissa
Friendly, affordable, boutique hotel with bright, traditional-style rooms and suites. Suites feature private outdoor jacuzzis, while the villa has a full kitchen and can accommodate six guests. Mature palm trees give the large, lovely pool area a tropical feel. Their popular cocktail bar and restaurant serve casual food and drinks in a lively setting. Located in a quiet neighborhood about a five-minute walk to Perissa Beach.Perissa and Perivolos Beaches Information
- Location: Southeast coast of the island with Perissa to the north and Perivolos to the south. About 12 km from the port, 13 km from the airport, 12 km from Fira, and 24 km from Oia.
- Parking: There is a large free public parking lot located in Perivolos. There is another free public parking lot available as you come into Perissa heading north on the main road by the final bus stop. There’s also free public parking all along the beach road if you’re lucky enough to find a space.
- Bus: Perissa and Perivolos beaches are both accessible via the Fira-Perissa route. The Perissa bus stop is at the north end of the beach. Perivolos’ bus stop is outside Mera Beach Bar. General bus information and public bus schedule.
- Dining: Many lovely cafes, tavernas, and beach bars line the main road along the beach. Our favorites include Tranquilo, Afros, Fougaro Beach, Fretzeskos, 41 Forty One, and Savvas Popeye.
- Shopping: Some small boutiques and souvenir shops are along the main road. Good bets: Riga Clothes and Accessories, Meltemi Gold and Silver, Studio Leather Zafiropoulos.
More Great Perissa and Perivolos Hotels
Sellada Beach Hotel – Perissa
Set right on Perissa Beach with a well-maintained pool (that never gets too crowded) and beachfront bar service. Rooms, studios, and apartments (some split-level for up to five guests) are fresh and clean with modern bathrooms. Apartments and studios include kitchenettes.Veggera – Perissa
Elegantly, traditionally furnished, and great for families. Suites and maisonettes sleep up to four, and apartments sleep five. Central sundeck with two adults’ pools and one kids’ pool. Located just opposite the beach (with a private area for guests) and with a good selection of shops and restaurants nearby.Anastasia Princess Hotel – Perissa
Adults-only, all-suite resort with two pools just a two-minute walk from the beach. Suites, Apartments, and Studios all include kitchenettes and private terraces; Suites include private, outdoor jacuzzis or plunge pools. The fantastic pool bar serves light bites and an especially great breakfast.
Black Rose Beach Suites – Perivolos
Elegant small hotel with six spacious suites spread over eight acres of gardens, an Olympic-size pool with sea views, and a wonderful location directly across from Perissa Beach. All suites include private terraces, and all but one have private pools with built-in jacuzzis. Breakfast is included in the room rates and delivered to each suite daily. Excellent beachfront location with a private beach area.
Sea Sound White Katikies – Exomitis
Cycladic-style houses and suites with private beach access. All have kitchenettes and sea views. The villa can sleep up to eight guests. Lovely shared pool and gardens. Located in Exomitis, near Perivolos, almost in Vlychada (perhaps too isolated for some).
Atlantis Beach Villa – Perivolos
Beachfront boutique hotel with a private beach area, pool and kids’ pool, and massage services. Rooms and studios sleep up to three, all with private balconies. All studios have kitchenettes, and three studios have private, outdoor jacuzzis. A buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, and the pool bar serves light bites and cocktails throughout the day. Wonderful location in Perivolos near several restaurants and beach clubs.Smaragdi Hotel – Perivolos
The best budget hotel in Perissa/Perivolos, Smaragdi sits just a few meters from the beach (a less-than-a-minute walk). The lovely pool and hot tub are served by the all-day poolside bar, which offers cocktails and light fare. The hotel offers an huge variety of rooms and suites, all spacious, from the entry-level standard room (26 sqm) to the luxury one-bedroom Master Suite (42 sqm). Two-story maisonettes are the best family options, sleeping up to five over two floors. Suites include private indoor or outdoor jacuzzis. Great location near restaurants, bars, and a small supermarket.Staying at Perissa and Perivolos Beaches – Things to Know
The road along the beach that includes both Perissa and Perivolos.
Typical taverna seating on the beach side.
Many restaurants straddle the road, with tables in the sand and a dining space with open facade across the road.
Perissa and Perivolos together make one long beautiful beach.
Clear delicious waters.
The sand gets too hot to walk on in the middle of the day during summer months.
Limited natural shade underneath the trees on parts of the beach.
Looking toward Perissa.
Playing in the sand.
Many beach beds for rent.
Lifeguard station.
Tavernas and restaurants line the road along the beach.
Afros Taverna has excellent food.
A typical restaurant menu.
Water sports rentals on the beach.
Public bus stop on Perivolos in front of Mera Beach Bar.
The road connecting town to the beach.
Public parking along the beach road.
Rentable beach bed and umbrellas on the beach.
Free public parking lot. Parking is plentiful and easy to find in Perissa.
The incredible pool at Istoria Hotel on Perivolos Beach.
Summary: Our Favorite Beach Hotels
• Perissa: Aqua Blue
• Perivolos: Istoria
• Kamari: Kastelli
• Perissa/Perivolos for Families: Sea Breeze
• Perissa/Perivolos for Couples: Istoria
• Perissa/Perivolos Midrange: Meltemi Village
• Perissa/Perivolos Cheap: Smaragdi
About Santorini Dave