Guide to Kamari

'A beautiful black sand beach make Kamari a favourite place to hang loose, lie back and chill under the hot, hot sun.'

Ten kilometres away from Thira, Kamari stretches languidly along the coast. The whole town was rebuilt after the 1956 earthquake. And nowadays the road along the back of the beach is pedestrianised for easy strolling between the many restaurants and eateries here. You'll find some great, traditional tavernas both on the main drag and on streets running inland. Tuck into platefuls of moussaka, kebabs cooked over wood-burning stoves and char-grilled fish. After you've eaten, the open-air cinema shows recent release films every night, and there's an annual jazz festival here too, frequented by Greek and foreign artists. In August and September, you can even catch one of the local church festivals which are gaily celebrated in style by locals. If you've got serious sightseeing in mind, take the switchback road up the headland of Mesa Vouno to visit the ruins of Ancient Thira, where the remains of temples, houses, an agora and a theatre are spread across a site which must have been chosen for its fabulous sea views. The walk takes about an hour, and it's best to set off early before it gets too hot. But the reward is well worth the effort. Just outside Kamari, Art Space is a wonderfully unusual art gallery, with paintings and sculptures hung in old wine cellars. The owner may well offer you a glass of his local vinsanto wine, which can only add to your appreciation of the art.

Find the cheapest late deals to Kamari leaving in the next six weeks.

Recommended Kamari hotels and apartments

Maria Preka Studios

Kastelli Resort

Hotel Kamari Beach

Kamari hotels and apartments

Our hotels and apartments in Kamari include Acqua Vatos, Aparthotel Fomithea, Bellonias Villas, Estia Studios, Hermes Hotel, Hotel Aegean Plaza, Hotel Anastasia Studios And Apartments, Hotel Anemones, Hotel Kamari Beach, Kastelli Resort, Maria Preka Studios, Poseidon, Rivari Hotel And Studios, Santellini, Tamarix Del Mar Suites, Thalassa Sea Side and Villa Roditis.

More Santorini holiday destinations

Looking for holidays in Santorini? Our Santorini holiday destinations include Imerovigli, Kamari, Megalocori, Oia, Perissa, Perivolos, Pyrgos, Santorini and Thira.

Beaches

Kamari's clean and quiet black beach is the perfect place to lie back, relax and soak up hot rays from the beaming Greek sun. To cool off after all that sunbathing, enjoy a quick dip in the gorgeous blue waves as they gently pulse through the bay. The Volcano Diving School is based on Kamari beach and offers good value diving courses and trips - experience an underwater paradise teeming with colourful fish life and exotic corals. If you prefer to be above sea level, there are plenty of exciting watersports to keep you entertained.

Eating out

Eating here shouldn't be a problem with a diversity of dishes on offer from feta salads to fajitas and many other varied dishes. Most of the restaurants are based behind the beach and tend to cater very well for European tastes. If you prefer to get away from the mainstream international restaurants, take a short walk into Kamari village where you'll be welcomed by some wonderful little candle-lit restaurants and tavernas.

Nightlife

There's plenty to do in Kamari after the sun goes down - nightlife centres around the beachside road which is choc-a-block with bars, tavernas and discos. There's also an excellent open-air cinema showing recently released international films, so you can watch the hottest stars on film beneath the brightest stars in Europe.

Shopping

You can easily get all the grocery shopping and practical goods that you may need in Kamari, however, for a more diverse choice and the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs, it is worth taking a trip to Fira.

Local information

During the day, when you're not making the most of Kamari's delightful beach, there is plenty of fascinating sighteeing to be enjoyed. Being one island among many there are dozens of boat trips on offer, either around the stunning coastline or to one of Santorini's interesting neighbours. Visit Oia - a beautiful town in the north of the island, famous for explosive sunsets and cave houses. You could also venture inland to explore natural beauty created by a volcanic past.