Perissa beach
Perissa is the largest, most comfortable and crowded beach in Santorini, not only by tourists but also by local residents come here. It got its name from the nearby village of the same name, whose inhabitants became famous for fishing. Now it is one of the most popular resorts on the island, and the beach is almost the only place in Santorini, which is just perfect for families with children. You can relax here as comfortably and safely as possible, which attracts many vacationers.
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Beach description
The Perissa beach is located on the southeast of the island, on the opposite end of Thera (just 12 km away) and Oia, at the base of the resort of the same name. Its length is almost 7 km, the shoreline is quite stretched. The beach's location close to mountains makes it perfect for a calm vacation. Some low hills protect the beach from high winds and waves, and getting to the shore isn't complicated at all.
The main features of Perissa are:
- it's almost never windy here which is a rarity in Greece.
- The shore and the sea bottom are sandy, with gray and black volcanic sand mixed with pebbles of the same color occasionally.
- Some patches of the sea bottom are covered in stones, so be careful during swimming so as to not injure yourself.
- When the water is calm it's very clear which makes for a good exploration of the underwater world and allows to snorkel.
- The beach was awarded the Blue Flag multiple times, proving its cleanliness.
The descent is smooth along the majority of the shoreline, deep waters are a few meters away from the shore. The smoothest descent can be found in the north of the beach, near the mountain that separates it from Kamari Beach. This makes Perissa a perfect place for families with young children. This beach is also popular among couples and young tourists, just like the neighboring Perivolos which isn't separated with Perissa at all.
When is the best time to go?
Greece - a country with a long length from north to south, so the recommendations will vary depending on the place where you are going. The holiday season begins in May and reaches a peak in July-August: there are too many tourists, and the temperature on the southern islands reaches 40 degrees, which may still not play a role on the beach, but certainly not suitable for sightseeing. So the best time to relax in Greece is the end of spring-beginning of summer or September-October.
Video: Beach Perissa
Infrastructure
In the hot season (from July to September) Perissa pleases vacationers with well developed infrastructure. The beach is well equipped despite its length. There are shower and changing rooms, during season rescuers work there. Sunbeds and umbrellas usually are given in those cafes that are located nearby.
Among beach activities it is possible to note:
- a small water park and several dive centers (diving is very popular here);
- there is the opportunity to rent a variety of equipment for water activities during the season, from bananas and catamarans to windsurfing boards;
- car and bicycle rental services
In the village are located many different shops, along the promenade are located various cafes, restaurants and taverns. There is a lot of nightclubs. There are many people in the evenings on the promenade, where discos work, and incendiary music sounds in taverns.
There is a lot of small hotels close to Perissa beach. Here you can find a decent and relatively affordable housing on the island to stay for a couple of days. Apartments for rent are available close to the sea.
Nearby there is a good budget hotel option – Smaragdi Hotel. It is decorated in the traditional Cycladic style, it means that here vacationers are offered separate snow-white houses with all necessary amenities.Windmill Bella VistaYou will enjoy a beautiful pool with sea views and comfortable rooms. Four star Astra Verina may offer excellent service and additionally it is located close to restaurants and pubs.
Weather in Perissa
Best hotels of Perissa
All hotels of PerissaUseful information
You can get to the resort of Perissa by bus or taxi. It is worth considering that in the heat you can walk on the sand only in shoes.
From the beach just a stone's throw to the ruins of ancient Thira, so you can walk to this historic attraction at your leisure. Near the northern outskirts of the beach is a small snow-white church with five turquoise domes - Timiu Stavru.
The end of August - September is the time of traditional festivals. It is worth visiting here during their period. On August 29, they celebrate St. Yannis Day, and in September – the traditional “panigiri”. These days there are mass celebrations, so you can admire the colorful parades and theatrical performances.