6 beaches, churches and ancient sights around Perissa — from the long black-sand shore to Ancient Thera on the ridge above the village, almost all within easy reach.
Perissa's sights are a mix of the natural and the ancient — a long black-sand beach at the foot of Mesa Vouno, the blue-domed Church of the Holy Cross at the village entrance, and the Greco-Roman ruins of Ancient Thera high on the ridge above. Most are an easy walk or a short climb from the beach road. First time here? Start with these three.
The long stretch of black volcanic sand at the foot of Mesa Vouno — the reason most people come.
Don't missThe Greco-Roman city on the ridge above the village, with terraces, temples and sweeping Aegean views.
Don't missThe big blue-domed church at the entrance to Perissa — the village's most recognisable landmark.
Ancient Thera, the Greco-Roman city that crowns the Mesa Vouno ridge high above Perissa, with terraces, temples and agora ruins looking out over the Aegean.
Whitewashed churches and chapels, led by the big blue-domed Church of the Holy Cross at the entrance to Perissa.
The Church of the Holy Cross is the largest church on Santorini — a big whitewashed, four-blue-domed church that marks the entrance to Perissa, with a tall arcaded bell tower that rises above the village.
Panagia Katefiani is a tiny whitewashed chapel built into a hollow in the sheer rock face of Mesa Vouno, high above Perissa with a sweeping view over the village and the sea. Built between 1537 and 1650, its name comes from the word katefygio, meaning a place of refuge — villagers hid up here from pirate raids, and its lofty perch helped it survive. A small cave with a spring, said to have healing waters, lies behind the sanctuary.
Perissa's long stretch of black volcanic sand and the beach road behind it, running south into Perivolos and Agios Georgios.
Mesa Vouno, the mountain that separates Perissa from Kamari, and the hiking paths and viewpoints along its flanks.
The coast beyond the village — the dark-sand beaches, the clear water, and the walk over the mountain to Kamari.
Combine the sights with the village's tavernas and a day trip or two — Oia, Fira, or a caldera cruise to the volcano.
Start with Perissa Beach itself — a long stretch of black volcanic sand at the foot of Mesa Vouno — and the big blue-domed Church of the Holy Cross at the entrance to the village. From there, hike up the mountain to Ancient Thera, the Greco-Roman city on the ridge, or walk south along the shore into Perivolos and Agios Georgios.
Ancient Thera is the ruined Greco-Roman city that sits high on the Mesa Vouno ridge above Perissa and Kamari. Founded in antiquity and lived in through Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times, it has terraces, temples, an agora and rock-cut tombs, with sweeping views over the southeast coast. You can reach it on foot up the mountain path or by road.
Yes. Perissa sits on Santorini's volcanic southeast coast, and its beach is dark grey-to-black sand and fine pebble — the same volcanic shore that continues south into Perivolos and Agios Georgios and, over Mesa Vouno, into Kamari.
A day or two covers the village and its beaches easily, all on foot along the flat shore. Add another day for the climb to Ancient Thera or the walk over Mesa Vouno to Kamari, and more if you plan day trips to Fira, Oia or a caldera cruise.
The Church of the Holy Cross (Timiou Stavrou, also known locally as Panagia Katefiani) is the large blue-domed church at the entrance to Perissa — one of the most recognisable buildings in the village and an easy landmark to orient yourself by.
The ruins of Ancient Thera, the black-sand beaches, the climb up Mesa Vouno, and the stories behind the village's landmarks.
A guide to the best beaches around Perissa on Santorini — the black volcanic sand of Perissa and Perivolos, the run to Agios Georgios, and Kamari.
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The best day trips from Perissa on Santorini — Oia and its sunset, the caldera capital Fira, a volcano-and-hot-springs cruise, and Minoan Akrotiri.
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When to visit Perissa on Santorini — why late spring and early autumn are the sweet spot, what peak summer is like, and how quiet the off season gets.
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