11 Hidden Beaches in Santorini Accessible During Your Cruise Stop

Last Updated on: 19 May 2025

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It was my third time dropping anchor off Santorini, and I swore I’d never be lured back into the postcard-perfect mayhem of Oia’s whitewashed streets elbow-to-elbow with tourists fresh off the same ship as me. Beautiful? Absolutely. Peaceful? About as zen as a Black Friday sale. So on this particular stop, I quietly slipped away.

I had a plan.

Armed with a day pack, my ever-trusty reef shoes, and a possibly too-generous application of SPF 50, I set off in search of Santorini’s secret side. I wanted those hidden beaches you only hear about in whispers over ouzo in a back-alley taverna.

And oh, what I found.

Today, I’m going to let you in on 11 hidden Santorini beaches that are not only stunning, but totally doable during your cruise stop. No multi-hour treks or helicopter rides required—just a sense of adventure, a little planning, and perhaps a healthy disdain for tourist traps.

Let’s get sandy.

1. Koloumbos Beach – The Wild One

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If Santorini’s beaches were a high school clique, Koloumbos would be the artsy kid reading poetry in the corner. Just a 15-minute taxi from Fira (where your tender boat drops you), Koloumbos is blissfully bare: no loungers, no cocktails with tiny umbrellas—just soft, reddish-brown sand and a volcanic cliff at your back.

Insider Tip: There’s a section of Koloumbos unofficially embraced by naturists. If birthday suits aren’t your thing, a polite wave and a towel moved 50 yards left usually does the trick.

2. Vlychada Beach – The Moon’s Backyard

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This beach looks like Mars met Mykonos. Tall, wind-carved cliffs tower above warm, dark sand and aquamarine waves. Despite its otherworldly beauty, Vlychada remains under the radar.

How to Get There: Hire a local driver for the day—it’s about 25–30 minutes from the port. Better yet, ask them to “show you the real Santorini.” You’ll be surprised where that can lead.

3. Eros Beach – For Lovers (and Lovers of Quiet)

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Reached via a winding dusty road that feels equal parts thrilling and chaotic (is that a goat?!) lies Eros Beach. There’s a cheeky little beach bar called Theros Wave Bar with shaded beds available for rent—practically a rarity among off-the-beaten-path spots.

Cruise Pro Tip: Agree on your taxi fare before the drive. Not all cabs have meters, and there’s nothing romantic about arguing over euros with sand still in your ears.

4. Mesa Pigadia – The Fisherman’s Secret

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Just around the corner from the more famous White Beach, Mesa Pigadia is where locals escape. The road is narrow—almost surgically so—and ends in a gravel lot. Hike down a short trail and you’ll find crystal-clear water and a traditional taverna selling grilled octopus that could make you weep with joy.

Little-Known Fact: Those brightly painted curved-doored boathouses lining the cliffs? They’re called “syrmata” and were traditionally used to pull boats into during storms. Now, some double as seasonal rentals.

5. Katharos Beach – The Sunset Whisperer

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While everyone else is jostling for selfies in the famed Oia sunset crowds, you’ll be sipping a chilled assyrtiko at a stone table by the sea on Katharos Beach. Bonus: zero elbows in the frame.

Accessibility Tip: Bring beach shoes—this one’s more pebbly than sandy, but oh, the serenity.

6. Armeni Bay – The Descent into Beauty

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This one’s special. You’ll descend a zigzagging staircase of about 300 steps from Oia (wear flat shoes unless you fancy a dramatic tumble), but the reward is intimate: fishing boats bobbing gently, tavernas serving just-caught seafood, and ocean so clear you’ll rethink your definition of “blue.”

Cruise-Clock Warning: Don’t lose track of time down here—you’ll still have to hike back up unless you charm a fisherman into giving you a lift to Ammoudi Bay. And you can—with the right smile.

7. Pori Beach – The Northern Gem

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Up near the wind-kissed village of Imerovigli, Pori is a favorite of local winemakers and chefs who’d rather swim than sign autographs. You won’t find shops or signs. Bring your own snacks, and don’t tell anyone I told you.

Bonus Tip: Grab a bottle of wine from nearby Domaine Sigalas (open for tastings!), and sip it as the sun begins its slow descent.

8. White Beach – No, Not That Kind

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It’s not Tahiti-white, it’s more like powdered ash—we’re still on a volcano after all—but it’s breathtaking. Accessible only by boat (water taxis from Red Beach or from Akrotiri), White Beach is hemmed in by towering chalk cliffs and lapis waves.

Cruise Insider Hack: Some local cruise excursions will try and sell you a three-beach package including Red, White, and Black Beach. Politely decline and grab a private boat instead so you aren’t herded like continental cattle.

9. Pachia Ammos – The Rock Garden

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This one takes some effort—a 30-minute jaunt from Akrotiri followed by a short trek—but the volcanic rock formations make it feel like you’ve landed on someone else’s planet.

Off-the-Radar Detail: You’ll likely be completely alone here, save for a few feral cats who’ll accept fish scraps and praise in equal parts.

10. Agios Georgios – For the Umbrella Skeptics

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While technically connected to the popular Perivolos, this southern end remains uncrowded. It’s perfect for a quick dip before returning to port, and there’s a line of low-key beach bars with surprisingly decent moussaka.

Practical Advice: The beach bars here rent beds by the hour—in case you fancy a nap without commitment.

11. Kampia Beach – Where the Path Less Traveled Ends

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Tucked near Red Beach but completely devoid of its crowds, Kampia faces a small cove with incredible snorkeling. It’s where locals go to escape the crush, and where I once watched an old Greek man wade into the sea in denim jeans like a mythological boss.

Comfort Note: No amenities here. Bring water, maybe some feta-stuffed olives, and a towel to sit on.

Bonus Tips from a Cruise Pro Who’s Burned Her Feet (More Than Once)

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• Time Is Tidal: Your ship might only be in port for 7–10 hours. Plan to be back aboard an hour early to avoid unceremonious shouting-from-a-speedboat situations. I’ve seen it. It’s not pretty.
• Tendering Chaos: If your ship is tendered offshore (which is common in Santorini), allow extra time for those little shuttle boats. Early disembarkation tickets = more beach time.
• Pack Smart: You’ll want water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, portable phone chargers, and correct plug adapters if you plan to post Instagram stories over lunch.
• Cash Rules: Many beach tavernas and watermelon-sellers operate off the grid. Having €20 tucked in your swimsuit might just buy you the best grilled sardines of your life.
• Ask the Crew: Ship staff who’ve done multiple loops through the Med have the best local knowledge. They’ll 100% steer you to beaches even Google hasn’t heard of—especially if you bring cookies.

Final Thoughts: The Real Santorini Is Sun-Warmed and Salt-Kissed

Cruise stops don’t need to be rinse-and-repeat souvenir hunts. They can be tiny adventures written in sand and salt, found down goat paths and remembered long after the tan fades.

Sure, you’ll see the caldera views. Probably snag that iconic blue dome photo (you’ll be boxed out by selfie sticks, but make do). But you don’t really know Santorini until you’ve wrapped yourself in a beach towel still damp from the Aegean and scraped volcanic sand from your toes while watching a fisherman mend his net.

So next time your ship docks in dreamy Santorini, skip the crowds.

Find yourself a hidden beach. A tucked-away taverna. A secret slice of paradise.

And if you see a sunburned woman in reef shoes chasing down a runaway beach hat, that’s just me. Save me a glass of wine, would you?

See you on the shores.