Caldera Beach

Situated on the island's western side, this tranquil beach provides a stunning view of the Caldera, and the famous volcano. Here is everything you should know about this tranquil beach getaway.

A tranquil escape beneath Akrotiri

Caldera Beach which is located on the west coast of Santorini, is easily accessible by car. It provides an excellent spot to see the volcano and is located beneath the village of Akrotiri. Just before you get to Akrotiri, you would turn at the Caldera Beach sign, to reach the beach.

For those seeking a more tranquil, easygoing vacation, Caldera Beach is the perfect alternative to Santorini's crowded, tourist-heavy beaches. Since it is not overly crowded, visitors may truly unwind and enjoy the scenery at this beach. The beach is still largely unspoiled and peaceful.

Caldera Beach near Akrotiri: Black sands, clear waters, and iconic Santorini caldera views (credit: Josemi)

The unique Caldera Beach experience

Overall, Caldera Beach is popular for its pebbles and black sand. It's perfect for swimming or just taking in the scenery due to its clean waters and shallow sea bottom. This beach's natural beauty is nearly flawless; it wonderfully captures the island's volcanic nature.

Caldera Beach has excellent views of the active volcano and is situated directly on the caldera's shoreline, in contrast to the majority of Santorini's other beaches. Although Santorini has several stunning beaches, most of them are found around the island's north, east, and south shores, where the terrain is flatter and better suited for beaches.

However, due to the towering cliffs, it is much harder to locate beaches in the caldera. One exception is this beach, which offers a great view of the caldera and is easily accessible.

Getting to Caldera Beach

Taking a local bus or driving there is an easy way to get there. Just a brief detour off the major access route from Fira to Akrotiri, it is located on the northern side of the Akrotiri peninsula. About 100 meters before the intersection in Akrotiri, where the buses to the lighthouse and Black Beach in Santorini split off, is the route to the beach on the right.

If you are feeling adventurous, it's possible to take a short walk down to the beach. You may walk with fantastic views of the caldera along the less than ten-minute descent. However, the route that leads to the beach is steep, a little uneven, and full of large potholes.

Caldera Beach is divided into two sections: a harbor area and a larger, more spacious area shaded by trees (credit: menka sharma)

A two-part beach

Caldera Beach is divided into two sections. The first is a little "harbour" area where a few pleasure boats can moor. This beach is quite peaceful and a great spot to unwind while taking in the scenery. A few local homes with nautical themes can also be found here, as well as the Santorini Dive Center, from which diving excursions are frequently departed.

On the right side of the harbor area is the second section of the beach. It is larger than the first one and offers ample space. The beach is obscured by trees further down the slope and as such the trees here provide some shade from the sun, therefore, it's also beneficial for those who prefer some shade.

The nearby attractions of the Red Beach & the Akrotiri archaeological site

It is easy to combine a visit to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and the neighboring Red Beach which is not far, and it is well-known for its reddish cliffs and glistening waves that beckon swimmers and beach lovers.

Explore history later on at the Akrotiri archaeological site, where you will learn about the ancient Minoan city remnants that have been preserved by volcanic ash. When you combine history and environment, you can have a day of adventure in Akrotiri that will never be forgotten.

Location & area

Location of Caldera Beach

Nearby POIs Google Maps

Caldera Beach is located in Akrotiri village