Akrotiri and the Red Beach, Santorini Island

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It is a quiet village and enjoyable to wander around in. There is an old fortress at the top of the town which was destroyed during the earthquake in 1956. This was the site of the town and instead of restoring it they rebuilt the town below the fortress. You can still go up and wander around. From the top of the village you can see the caldera of the volcano and miles of grapes. In fact you can see most of the island.

Akrotiri has the two best beaches (Red Beach and Vlichada), some of the best (and cheapest) tavernas, and is close enough to the popular Perissa beach too.

Santorini is considered to be an ideal location for filmings and shootings... Parts of movies like the "Summer Lovers", "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life", "Santorini Blue" and the "Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" and its sequel were filmed here.

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Santorini is an absolutely spectacular location to visit just for its views, however, is not a place famous for its beaches. Here you can not find golden sand beaches, but you find the strangest beaches you have ever seen.

One of them is Kokkini, the Red Beach located on the eastern shore just like the others, because the west side of the island is occupied by the caldera.

Our intention was to visit Santorini's top archaeological site in Akrotiri, but currently closed for restoration, and looks unlikely to reopen before next years. So we have decided to look around Red Beach.

The access is not so easy by climbing over a very rocky trail, far away from villages, but people want to see its terracotta-coloured cliffs! Kokkini in Greek means red and here everything is red. Red pebbles, red cliffs, even red tourists but the water is chrystal-clear.
However, the first few meters of the water near the shore are quite gravelly!!
If you are not a very good swimmer watch out as the water is deep and there are usually strong waves.

It is a well organized beach, you get everything you might need, from sun beds and umbrellas (7 Euro) to snacks and drinks. The eateries built into the caves seem to have neither electricity nor running water, so if you eat or use the washrooms there, use some kind of hand sanitizer!

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It's not what we normally uderstand by "beach", has red pumice and stones in the water. But it is worth a visit. It's not crowdy and up to 12.00-12.30 you can find a little shadow. Cristal water. Boats are coming and they can take you to the White Beach.

During our stay in Santorini we decided to take a trip by car to the lighthouse at Akrotiri which takes around 25 minutes to get there from Fira, it was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and the views from the cliff top were breathtaking. A must see.

A busy, small, beautiful, beach with plenty of good swimming and excellent for snorkelling, located near the archaeological site in Akrotiri, approx 8km southwest of Fira, famous for its fine red and black volcanic sand and rocks.

We travelled here by car, followed by a good 10-15 minute walk to the beach, down a rather tricky, steep path, so please be careful and wear decent footwear!!! You can also get to the beach via boat.

Umbrellas and beach chairs can be rented for approx 6 Euros.

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The lighthouse is located south-west, after Akrotiri village, and it is worth visiting because of the wonderful view you can get on the caldera.
The lighthouse cannot be entered because it is property of the Greek navy.
Close to the lighthouse there is a small church.

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The Red Beach is located near the village and ancient site of Akrotiri and it can be reached either by boat (there are several boats connecting Red Beach with Perissa and Akrotiri) or by foot.
The sand and the surrounding rocks are red because of the colour of the lava erupted in this area, and the sunlight makes it look like Mars.
There are several loungers, and a couple of bars where you can have a drink and a greek salad after swimming in the crystal waters of this unusual paradise.
We found a lot of seaweeds covering the beach, but we were told it is not common. Since it was the beginning of June, the beach was almost desert, but it is famous to be very crowded (also because it is a very small beach). I suggest to go there as early as you can in the morning.
From the Read Beach, it is possible to reach the White Beach by boat only.

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If you feel the need to take your top off and get that all-over suntan, then get down to Red Beach. This applies to ladies as well. Just follow the road to Akrotiri and then Red Beach signs from there. The road ends and you get climbing. Red Beach is just that, Red. And the place on the island for consenting adults to get better tanning options than the cruise ship or family hotel you may be staying in.

**** PLEASE NOTE – TOPLESS SUBATHING TAKES PLACE ON THIS BEACH****

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A must see, my first trip I went to the Red Beach three times. That was in Sept. and it was packed so if you go in July or Aug. try to get there early. You need to hike for about ten mins and it's a bit of a steep trail but the place is great.

This is a sight to be seen! If you are into sun bathing, this is the place to go. It's all set up for you with umbrellas and beach chaises. The red sand is a sight to behold. It's easy to see where it all comes from. The water is just so clear and beautiful. Located at the southern end of Santorini just south of the Akrotiri Escavations.