Kamari Santorini is a great option if you want to enjoy the island’s black-sand beaches while having plenty of restaurants, shopping, and activities within walking distance.
Located on Santorini’s southeastern coast, Kamari is especially convenient for travelers who want to explore the island during the day but return to a more relaxed beach town in the evenings.
We stayed in Kamari during our Santorini trip, and it ended up being one of my biggest surprises. Here’s what you need to know about visiting, including the beach, restaurants, nearby attractions, and whether it’s a good area to stay.
Kamari is located on the southeastern side of Santorini, along the Aegean Sea. The village sits at the base of Mesa Vouno Mountain, where you’ll find the archaeological site of Ancient Thera high above the coastline.
The area is best known for Kamari Beach, a long stretch of black volcanic sand lined with restaurants, cafés, shops, and beach bars.
Unlike Oia and Fira, which are famous for their dramatic caldera views and cliffside buildings, Kamari is a beachfront village with a relatively flat layout.
Greece’s official tourism website describes Kamari as one of Santorini’s most well-serviced and cosmopolitan beaches, and I would agree. You have practically everything you need within a relatively small area.
I LOVED it. Honestly, more than I expected to.
Before our trip, Oia and Fira were obviously the areas I’d heard the most about. And while Oia is absolutely beautiful, I LOOOOOVED coming back to Kamari at the end of the day.
It felt like the complete opposite.
We spent our days driving around Santorini, visiting Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, Akrotiri, and other parts of the island. Then we’d return to Kamari, park the car, and spend the rest of the evening doing whatever we felt like.
Instead of squeezing through crowded streets, we could wander along the beach, browse shops, or find somewhere to eat.
Kamari still had plenty going on, but it never felt as shoulder-to-shoulder crowded as some of Santorini’s more famous villages.
For me, it was the best of both worlds.
If you’re planning to visit Oia during your trip, my One Day in Oia Santorini: The Perfect Itinerary explains how to see the village’s famous sights without spending your entire vacation there.
Very! One of my favorite things about staying in Kamari was how easy it was to get around without a car.
From our hotel, Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort, we could walk to Kamari Beach in about five minutes. Once we reached the waterfront, we had the entire pedestrian promenade in front of us.
Most of the restaurants, shops, cafés, and beach bars were close enough that we could walk wherever we wanted to go. And after spending the day navigating Santorini’s narrow roads and parking lots, I was very happy to give the car a break.
Another bonus is that Kamari is considerably flatter than villages like Oia and Fira. After climbing approximately 7 billion stairs everywhere else on Santorini, your legs may appreciate that.
You don’t need a car to enjoy Kamari itself, but I’d recommend considering one if you plan to explore different parts of Santorini.
We rented a car during our trip, which made it easier to visit villages, beaches, and attractions outside Kamari without having to coordinate transportation for every stop.
Kamari Beach is one of Santorini’s most famous black volcanic beaches, and it’s quite different from the soft, white-sand beaches you might picture when planning a Greek island vacation.
The shoreline is made up of dark volcanic sand mixed with pebbles, with Mesa Vouno Mountain rising dramatically at one end.
You’ll find rows of lounge chairs and umbrellas along the beach, making it easy to spend several hours relaxing beside the Aegean Sea.
Technically, yes. But don’t expect fluffy Caribbean sand. Kamari Beach has a mixture of black volcanic sand and pebbles, and there’s something important you should know before visiting.
That black sand gets HOT.
Very hot.
Some of the pebbles can also be uncomfortable under your feet, particularly when you’re getting in and out of the water.
I’d definitely recommend bringing water shoes if you’re planning to swim. Your feet will thank you.
And if you’re spending time on Kamari Beach, just hope the “angel” offering massages finds you. The massage was heavenly.
Seriously.
You’re already lying beside the Aegean Sea in Santorini, and then someone appears offering you a beach massage?
Yes. Take my money.
You don’t need to pack a ton of things for a beach day in Kamari, especially with restaurants and cafés so close to the water.
But there are a few things I’d want with me, particularly if I planned to spend several hours swimming and relaxing.
Even if you’re not planning to spend much time lying on Kamari Beach, I’d still recommend coming here to walk along the promenade.
This ended up being one of my favorite things to do in Kamari Santorini.
The pedestrian waterfront follows the beach, and we especially enjoyed walking here in the evenings when the restaurants were filling up, shops were busy, and people were out enjoying the cooler temperatures.
You could hear music coming from different restaurants and beach bars, but it never felt like a giant party destination. There was plenty happening without the atmosphere feeling overwhelming.
We loved being able to walk along the water and decide where to stop without having an actual plan.
My favorite kind of evening.
One of the best things about Kamari is the sheer number of restaurants.
You’ll find everything from traditional Greek tavernas and casual beachfront restaurants to Italian food, pizza, cafés, and nicer sit-down dining options.
There are plenty of Greek staples, including souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad, grilled meats, and Santorini specialties.
And there’s definitely no shortage of seafood, although obviously that part is not exciting me. Ha.
If you’re looking for Kamari restaurants, here are three highly rated options I’d consider.
Almira is a beachfront Greek and Mediterranean restaurant directly along the Kamari promenade. It has more than 4,000 reviews, with diners frequently praising the location, service, and food.
This would be a good option if you want to eat along the waterfront.
Fistikies is located slightly away from the beachfront and serves Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
I’d consider this restaurant if you want a quieter setting away from the busiest part of the promenade.
Captain’s Corner is a family-run Greek taverna known for traditional dishes and a more classic Greek restaurant atmosphere.
This would be a good choice if you’re looking for a traditional taverna experience rather than a beachfront restaurant.
All three restaurants were sitting at 4.7/5 when I checked in October 2026, so these aren’t suggestions based on one random five-star review.
Kamari has a LOT of restaurant competition.
These are highly rated restaurants to research rather than places we personally ate. Ratings can change, so check recent reviews before visiting.
One thing I liked about Kamari was the range of dining options at different price points.
You can certainly find nicer waterfront restaurants, but there are also casual cafés, tavernas, pizza places, and more inexpensive choices.
In general, I found Kamari better for having options at different budgets than the famous caldera villages, where you’re often paying a premium for THE VIEW.
And listen.
I love THE VIEW.
But sometimes I’d also like dinner without feeling like I’m paying rent on the cliff.
If you enjoy wandering through little shops when you travel, Kamari is fun for that too. Along the promenade and nearby streets, you’ll find souvenir stores, beachwear boutiques, jewelry shops, clothing, sandals, pottery, handmade gifts, and plenty of typical Santorini souvenirs.
It isn’t quite the same upscale boutique-shopping experience you’ll find in Oia, but there are still plenty of great things to buy. And honestly, I liked how casual it felt.
We especially enjoyed combining shopping with our evening walks. We’d grab dinner, browse a few stores, walk along the beach, stop in a few more shops, and maybe find somewhere for dessert. No real plan, just wandering around and seeing what caught our attention.
This is probably the biggest thing Kamari does NOT give you. Because Kamari sits on the eastern side of Santorini, you won’t get those famous caldera sunsets from the beach or your hotel. You will still see a beautiful sunset just not over the caldera.
If watching the Santorini sunset from your private balcony every evening is THE dream, I’d recommend staying in Oia, Imerovigli, or Firostefani instead.
For us, it wasn’t a dealbreaker.
We planned sunset stops around the island and returned to Kamari afterward. And although you don’t get the famous sunset views, the waterfront is still really pretty once the restaurants and shops light up at night.
Although the beach and promenade are the main attractions in Kamari itself, there are several nearby places that are easy to combine with your visit.
On the opposite side of Mesa Vouno Mountain is Perissa Beach, another of Santorini’s famous black-sand beaches.
If you’re renting a car, you can drive around the mountain to reach Perissa.
During the operating season, small boats also connect the beach areas around Mesa Vouno, providing another way to visit.
Greece’s official tourism website groups Perissa, Perivolos, and Agios Georgios into approximately five kilometers of black-sand coastline with beach services and water activities.
If you have extra time, I’d consider visiting both Kamari and Perissa to see which beach you prefer.
If you’re staying in Kamari, Ancient Thera is one of the easiest archaeological attractions to visit. The ruins sit high on Mesa Vouno Mountain directly above Kamari, with incredible views of the coastline below. I would recommend visiting first thing in the morning before the temperature climbs.
Just know that getting there involves driving up a mountain road with approximately 23 hairpin turns. And yes, some people WALK or even RUN up them.
Running.
Uphill.
On vacation.
I’ll be in the car.
I have an entire Ancient Thera Santorini: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit guide explaining the drive, parking, walking, ruins, and everything I wish people knew before tackling that mountain.
Pyrgos was another village I really enjoyed exploring during our Santorini trip. It’s located inland and has narrow winding streets, traditional Cycladic buildings, churches, and elevated views across the island.
The atmosphere is completely different from Kamari’s beachfront setting, which makes the two an interesting combination. You could explore Pyrgos earlier in the day and return to Kamari for some beach time or dinner.
One activity I think would be especially fun is watching a movie outside in Santorini. Kamari Open Air Cinema, also called Cine Kamari, is a seasonal outdoor movie theater set in a garden near the entrance to Kamari.
You’re literally watching a movie under the stars in Santorini.
When I researched it, Cine Kamari had a 4.8/5 rating from more than 1,400 reviews, with visitors consistently mentioning the atmosphere as a highlight.
We didn’t make it here during our trip, but it’s something I’d consider for a future visit. If you’ve already spent several evenings chasing sunsets and sightseeing, an outdoor movie would be a fun change of pace.
Check the seasonal schedule and screening times before making plans.
If you’re staying in Kamari without a rental car, a guided tour is another way to visit attractions around the island.
You can look for tours that include several villages, archaeological sites, or scenic stops, depending on what you’d most like to see.
I think Kamari is a GREAT option, especially if you’re renting a car and planning to explore different parts of Santorini.
We stayed at Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort, and I loved being able to spend an entire day relaxing at the resort when we weren’t out sightseeing.
Kamari also has a variety of accommodation options, including hotels and resorts with swimming pools and beach access. It’s particularly appealing if you want some resort time without feeling like you have to stay on the property every evening.
If you’re interested in the resort where we stayed, my Radisson Blu Zaffron Resort Santorini Review: Is It Worth It? covers our experience with the rooms, pools, beach access, and food.
I’d especially recommend staying in Kamari for:
The biggest advantage, though, was being able to explore Santorini all day and come back somewhere that felt easy.
There are a few trade-offs to consider. You won’t have Oia’s famous whitewashed buildings cascading down the cliff right outside your door, and you’ll need transportation to reach many of Santorini’s major attractions.
So if your dream trip involves waking up, walking onto your private terrace, and staring directly into the caldera…Stay on the caldera. Kamari can’t give you that.
If I were planning another Santorini trip, I’d honestly make Kamari my home base for most of the trip and then spend a few nights in Oia. That way, you get to experience both sides of the island without spending your entire vacation in the busiest areas.
You can easily spend an entire day enjoying Kamari, especially if you combine the beach with a visit to Ancient Thera.
Here’s how I’d plan it.
Absolutely. And I wouldn’t only visit it. I’d seriously consider staying here.
Kamari doesn’t give you the Santorini postcard experience most people picture when they think of Oia. But for me, having somewhere to genuinely relax after spending the day exploring made a big difference.
If I were planning another Santorini trip tomorrow, Kamari would absolutely be part of it.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
A café, bakery, market, and wine shop all in one Phoenix stop 🍊
At La Grande Orange, order the crepes first, they’re the thing I’d go back for. The chicken salad sandwich is perfect if someone wants lunch while you’re still on breakfast, and the red velvet mini cupcake and a chai latte round it out. The sea salt chocolate chip cookie is heartier than gooey, so it’s best for dunkers. It’s counter service with easy parking, and the market has quirky gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Leave time to browse, because you’ll stay longer than planned.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ☀️
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