Beach days on the black volcanic sand

Santorini's beaches are unlike anywhere else: dramatic black and red volcanic sand and pebbles, a legacy of the island's fiery past. Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari on the eastern side have long stretches of black sand with beach bars and easy bus access, while the striking Red Beach near Akrotiri is worth the short scramble to reach. They're free to enjoy, you'll only pay if you want a sunbed. We'll suggest which beaches suit swimming, which suit lounging, and how to reach them cheaply by bus.