Kamari
Seafront promenades, volcanic beaches and relaxed resort charm — perfect for families and couples seeking easy Santorini stays.
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Kamari, located on the southeast coast of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, is around a 4-hour flight from the UK followed by a 10-minute transfer from the airport. Known for its long black pebble beach and lively promenade, Kamari offers a convenient and well-developed resort experience. The Mediterranean climate brings hot summers and warm evenings, ideal for beach days and dining outdoors. Nearby areas such as Perissa, Pyrgos and Fira provide cultural and scenic variety. Kamari holidays are popular with UK travellers looking for a relaxed beach base with easy access, good facilities and better value than Santorini’s caldera-side resorts.
✨ Why Visit Kamari
- Prime beach location — Kamari Beach stretches over 2km with volcanic pebbles and clear water.
- Short airport transfer — just 10 minutes from Santorini Airport, making arrival quick and easy.
- Lively promenade — wide seafront packed with restaurants, bars and shops.
- Affordable Santorini stay — better value accommodation compared to Oia and Fira.
- Family-friendly environment — calm waters and organised beach facilities.
- Easy island access — regular buses connect Kamari to Fira and other key areas.
🌴 What Makes It Special
Unlike Santorini’s cliffside villages such as Oia or Imerovigli, Kamari offers direct beachfront access with a fully developed promenade. While Perissa provides a quieter, more laid-back vibe, Kamari delivers a more organised and convenient resort feel with a wider choice of dining and entertainment. Compared to the caldera side, it offers significantly better value while still giving access to Santorini’s iconic sights. This makes Kamari holidays ideal for travellers who want comfort, accessibility and beach-focused relaxation.
📍 Key Areas to Explore
- Kamari Beachfront — long promenade with restaurants, bars and sunbed-lined shoreline.
- Mesa Vouno Mountain — dramatic backdrop separating Kamari from Perissa.
- Perissa Beach — neighbouring resort with black sand and a quieter atmosphere.
- Pyrgos Village — traditional hilltop village with panoramic views and historic charm.
Fira Town — island capital offering nightlife, shopping and caldera views.
Explore beyond the beach with a mix of activities and experiences.
🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Hike to Ancient Thera (Mesa Vouno) — explore ruins overlooking both Kamari and Perissa.
- Walk coastal routes between Kamari and Monolithos — quieter scenic paths.
- Visit Profitis Ilias Mountain — highest point on the island with monastery views.
- Explore Emporio Village surroundings — traditional streets and hidden corners.
🏖️ Beaches
- Relax at Kamari Beach — organised beach with sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports.
- Visit Perissa Beach — black sand stretch with more space and quieter zones.
- Swim at Monolithos Beach — shallow waters ideal for families.
- Explore Vlychada Beach — unique cliffs and quieter atmosphere.
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Try Souvlaki — grilled meat skewers served across Kamari restaurants.
- Sample Tomatokeftedes — Santorini’s famous tomato fritters.
- Taste Assyrtiko wine — crisp local white wine unique to the island.
- Dine at To Pinakio (Kamari) — well-known for traditional Greek dishes.
🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment
- Enjoy bars along Kamari Promenade — relaxed nightlife with sea views.
- Visit Cinema Kamari — outdoor cinema experience under the stars.
- Explore nightlife in Fira Town — clubs and late-night venues.
- Attend live music events in local beach bars.
📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots
- Kamari Beach with Mesa Vouno backdrop — dramatic contrast of sea and mountain.
- Ancient Thera ruins — historic site with panoramic views.
- Pyrgos village streets — whitewashed alleys and scenic viewpoints.
Vlychada Beach cliffs — striking rock formations shaped by wind and sea.
Best Value Deals
🌴 All-Inclusive Holidays
Kamari offers a growing range of all-inclusive hotels, although not as extensive as mainland Spain or Turkey. Deals typically start from around £419pp including flights from the UK in shoulder season. Many hotels provide buffet dining, drinks and entertainment, but visitors often choose half-board to explore the wide selection of restaurants along the promenade, which offer excellent value compared to Santorini’s luxury hotspots.
👨👩👧👦 Family Holidays
Kamari is one of the most family-friendly resorts in Santorini, thanks to its organised beach, short airport transfer and wide promenade. Monolithos Beach nearby offers shallow waters ideal for children, while many hotels provide pools and family rooms. The resort’s relaxed pace and easy transport links make it a practical and comfortable choice for families.
💎 Luxury Holidays
Luxury stays in Kamari focus on boutique beachfront hotels offering stylish rooms, pools and sea views. While not as exclusive as Oia or Imerovigli, Kamari provides access to luxury dining and experiences across the island, allowing travellers to enjoy Santorini’s premium side while staying in a more convenient and cost-effective location.
⚡ Last-Minute Deals
Kamari offers strong last-minute value due to its larger number of mid-range hotels and frequent flights. Travellers booking 4–6 weeks before departure can often secure competitive deals, particularly in May, June and September. Peak summer months still see high demand, but occasional offers appear due to flight availability.
Why book with us
💷 Low deposits from £49pp
🔄 Flexible booking & payment options
🛡️ ATOL Protected holidays
📞 UK-based support team (8am–11pm daily)
✅ Competitive Kamari package deals
📅 Best Time to Visit Kamari
The best time to visit Kamari is from May to October. Summer months (July–August) see temperatures reaching 30–32°C with lively beach activity. Shoulder months (May, June and September) offer warm weather around 24–28°C with fewer crowds and better value. Evenings remain warm, ideal for outdoor dining along the promenade.
🏨 Where to Stay
- Families: Kamari Beachfront, Monolithos
- Couples: Kamari centre, Pyrgos
- Luxury seekers: boutique hotels along Kamari promenade
- First-timers & convenience: central Kamari
- Quiet escapes: Emporio, Pyrgos
🚗 Getting Around
Car hire costs around €30–€50 per day and is the easiest way to explore Santorini. Public buses connect Kamari to Fira and other parts of the island, with fares typically €2–€4. Taxis are limited, so pre-booking is recommended, especially in peak season.
💡 Travel Tips
- Bring beach shoes — pebbles can be uncomfortable and heat up in summer.
- Book restaurants early during peak months.
- Use buses for easy travel to Fira and Oia.
- Carry cash for smaller cafés and shops.
- Explore early morning or evening to avoid midday heat.
Map Of Kamari
Top Experiences
Kamari Beach Promenade Walk
Stroll the 2km seafront lined with restaurants, cafés and bars, ideal for evening dining by the sea.
Ancient Thera Hike
2–3 hour hike up Mesa Vouno mountain to explore ancient ruins with panoramic views over Kamari and Perissa.
Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour
Half-day boat trip including a walk on Nea Kameni volcano and swimming in warm sulphur springs.
Open-Air Cinema Experience
Watch films under the stars at Cinema Kamari, one of Greece’s most unique outdoor cinema
Wine Tasting Tour
Sample Assyrtiko wines at traditional wineries shaped by Santorini’s volcanic soil.
Sunset Trip to Oia
Evening excursion to Santorini’s most famous sunset viewpoint overlooking the caldera.
Explore more of Santorini
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Kamari.