At a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| What it is | Warm iron-rich sulphur springs off a volcanic islet in the caldera |
| From Perissa | By boat only — cruises leave from the caldera ports, not Perissa's beach |
| Getting there | Book a cruise with hotel pickup, or KTEL bus to Fira's Old Port |
| Paired with | The Nea Kameni crater climb (same volcano cruise) |
| Season | May–October (spring/autumn cooler, less crowded) |
| Best for | Hot springs, swimming, boat tour |
| Time needed | Half-day |
The warm springs of the caldera
Off the older volcanic islet of Palea Kameni ("old burnt island"), at the centre of Santorini's flooded caldera, a small cove is fed by warm, iron-rich sulphur springs — the classic swim stop on the island's volcano boat cruise, paired with the crater climb on neighbouring Nea Kameni.
The boat anchors offshore and you swim into the cove: the water is a cloudy greenish-ochre and noticeably warmer than the open sea, though not hot-tub hot. The iron can stain light swimwear, so wear something you do not mind discolouring, and because you swim the short distance from the boat to the springs, it helps to be a confident swimmer. Many longer cruises then continue to the little island of Thirassia for lunch or a swim, and the full-day catamaran trips usually finish by watching the sunset from the water off Oia.
Getting there from Perissa
Like the whole volcano cruise, the hot springs are reached only by boat, and the boats do not leave from Perissa's beach. They depart from the caldera ports on the far side of the island — mainly Fira's Old Port, plus Athinios, Vlychada and Ammoudi. Two ways to do it:
- Book a cruise with hotel pickup — many catamaran trips include a minibus transfer from Perissa or Perivolos to the departure port (often Athinios or Vlychada) and back.
- Make your own way to Fira Old Port — KTEL bus from Perissa to Fira (~25 min,
€2.70), then the cable car (€10, 2025 fare — sold one-way only, no return ticket) or the roughly 588 steps down to the port. Vlychada, on the southwest coast, is the closest departure port if you drive or take a taxi.
Bring swimwear you do not mind staining, a towel, water shoes, sunscreen and a hat. The tour runs May to October, with spring and autumn the coolest and least crowded. For how the cruises work and what they cost see our volcano boat tour and catamaran cruise guides.
