The black-sand beaches of Perissa and Perivolos run for kilometres down Santorini's southeast coast, and almost every stretch is lined with organised beach bars renting out sunbeds and umbrellas. So what does a day on the sand actually cost — and is there a way to lie down for free? The honest answer is "it depends," because pricing here is a patchwork: some bars charge a flat rate per lounger set, others hand you the sunbed "free" if you order enough food and drink, and the upscale clubs on Perivolos play a different game entirely. Here's how the money works, why that black sand makes a sunbed close to essential, and what Greece's beach law means for finding a free patch.
Perissa & Perivolos beach costs at a glance
| What you're paying for | Rough cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunbed set (2 loungers + umbrella) | Roughly €10–25 | Varies widely by bar, row and season — always check on the day |
| "Free" sunbed with minimum spend | €0 rental, but a consumption minimum | You order food/drinks from that bar to a set amount instead of paying rental |
| Front-row / upscale beach club | More — often €30–50+ | Perivolos clubs price premium spots higher; back rows cost less |
| The open sand | Free | Greek beaches are public; you can lay a towel on any unmanaged stretch |
| Best value tactic | Walk a little, compare | Prices drop away from the busiest front-row bars |
How beach-bar pricing works on the black sand
There's no single tariff along Perissa and Perivolos — each bar sets its own — but the charges fall into a few recognisable patterns.
The straightforward one is a flat rental for a sunbed set, meaning two loungers and a shared umbrella. Across these beaches that typically lands somewhere in the region of €10–25, but treat that as a loose band rather than a quote: it swings with the season, how close you are to the water, and how fashionable the bar is. Peak-summer weekends sit at the top of the range; a quiet June weekday, lower. Row position matters — the front row facing the sea commands the highest price, and beds set further back cost noticeably less, so if you don't mind being a few metres from the shoreline you'll pay less for the same sun.
The pattern that confuses first-timers is the "free" sunbed with a consumption minimum. Plenty of bars won't charge you a rental fee at all — instead you're expected to order from them to a minimum spend (a set amount per person on drinks, snacks or lunch). If you were going to buy a couple of frappés and a bite anyway, this can be the better deal, since your money buys refreshments rather than just seat rental. The trick is to ask before you settle in: is the sunbed a flat charge, or free with a minimum order — and how much is that minimum? Bars are used to the question.
At the top end, the beach clubs — concentrated along Perivolos — are a different proposition. These are the polished, music-and-cocktails venues with premium front-row loungers, daybeds and table service, and they price accordingly, comfortably above the casual bars. If a stylish full-day scene is what you're after, that's where it lives; if you just want somewhere to park a towel and swim, you don't need to pay club rates. Our Perissa beach bars guide breaks down the range of venues along the strip, and our Perivolos beach guide covers the more upscale southern end in detail.
Because every figure here moves with season and venue, the one reliable rule is to check the current price at the bar itself before committing — a board or a quick word with staff will tell you exactly what you're paying and whether it's rental or minimum-spend.
Why the sunbed isn't just a luxury here
On most beaches a sunbed is optional comfort. On Perissa and Perivolos it's closer to a necessity, and the reason is underfoot: black volcanic sand absorbs heat ferociously. Under the midday Cyclades sun it can get genuinely scorching — too hot to walk on barefoot, and uncomfortable to lie on directly. That physics is a big part of why the sunbed-and-umbrella economy is so entrenched along these beaches: the shade and the raised lounger aren't just about relaxing, they're about not burning your feet or baking on the ground. If you plan to skip the sunbeds and use the free sand, bring flip-flops you can keep on, a thick towel or mat, and your own shade — a day without any of the three is a rough one on black sand in July. Our best beaches near Perissa guide has more on what each stretch of this coast is like.
Can you use the beach for free? Greece's beach law
Yes — and this is worth knowing before anyone waves you toward a paid lounger. Greek beaches are public by law; the foreshore belongs to everyone and you're entitled to lay your towel on any unmanaged stretch of sand for free. The beach bars license a portion of the beach for their sunbeds; they don't own the beach.
That principle was reinforced by Greece's 2024 coastal law, which requires at least 70% of any beach to remain free of sunbeds (rising to 85% in protected areas), mandates a clear zone next to the shoreline, and has been backed by drone-led enforcement against bars that sprawl beyond their permit. In plain terms: there should always be a meaningful amount of open sand you can use without paying, and no bar is entitled to fill the whole beach. If you're happy with a towel, your own umbrella and no table service, you can enjoy Perissa or Perivolos for nothing. The paid sunbeds simply buy you comfort, shade and a bar at your elbow — a fair trade for many, but never the only option. Rules and enforcement can evolve, so it's worth a quick check on the current situation if free space matters to your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sunbed cost on Perissa beach?
A sunbed set — two loungers and an umbrella — typically runs roughly €10–25 on Perissa and Perivolos, though it varies a lot by bar, row and season, so check on the day. Front-row beds cost more than those further back, and some bars skip the rental fee entirely if you meet a minimum food-and-drink spend instead.
Are there free sunbeds on Perissa and Perivolos?
Some bars offer "free" sunbeds in exchange for a minimum consumption — you order drinks or food to a set amount rather than paying rental. It's often good value if you'd buy refreshments anyway. Always ask upfront whether the bed is a flat charge or free with a minimum, and how much that minimum is.
Can you use Perissa beach without paying?
Yes. Greek beaches are public, and Greece's 2024 coastal law requires at least 70% of any beach to stay free of sunbeds. You can lay a towel on any unmanaged stretch for free — just bring your own shade and flip-flops, since the black sand gets extremely hot. Paid sunbeds simply buy comfort and service.
Why is the sand so hot at Perissa?
Perissa and Perivolos have black volcanic sand, which absorbs heat far more than pale sand and can become scorching under the midday sun — too hot for bare feet. That's a big reason sunbeds and umbrellas are so widespread here. If you skip them, wear flip-flops you can keep on and bring a thick mat and your own shade.
Are Perivolos beach clubs expensive?
The upscale beach clubs, mostly along Perivolos, price above the casual bars — premium front-row loungers, daybeds and table service can run noticeably higher, often €30–50 or more. They're worth it for a full-day scene with music and cocktails, but you don't need club rates just to swim; the casual bars and the free public sand are always there.
