Perissa on Santorini: Beach and History

Perissa combines a stretch of black sand beach and water sports with the history of the Basilica of Agia Irini. The town thus brings together two distinct themes for a trip to Santorini: activities on the water and a specific cultural and historical site.

Beach and Water Sports in Perissa

Perissa, Perivolos and Agios Georgios together form a five-kilometre stretch of black sand and beach bars. Water sports are available at Perissa Beach; water skiing, windsurfing and scuba diving are available along the shared stretch. Diving centres operate in Perissa. The town’s beach experience therefore includes both its coastal setting and specific activities on the water.

Agia Irini: Construction History and the Island’s Name

Agia Irini is considered Santorini’s most important Early Byzantine monument. The basilica was probably first built in the 6th century AD as a three-aisled structure with a wooden roof and galleries. Three-aisled refers to a layout divided into three naves. The basilica gave the island its name: Thera became Santa Irini, now Santorini. In Perissa, the architectural features of an Early Byzantine basilica meet the story of the island’s name.

Santorini in the Wider Context

Santorini is the southernmost island of the Cyclades. The caldera was formed by a massive eruption around 1600 BC; the island group is defined by a landscape of active volcanoes. At Akrotiri, remarkably well-preserved Minoan frescoes and buildings can be found, buried beneath volcanic ash. Vlychada Beach is also part of this regional landscape: its wild, pale cliffs create a distinctive lunar landscape.

On Santorini, walking trails connect Pyrgos with Profitis Ilias, Emporio and Ancient Thera. A path along the caldera rim leads from Imerovigli to Oia, with views of the sea, the caldera and the volcano. Activities involving sailing, kite sports and parasailing are available on Santorini’s southeast coast, where there are also views of the Aegean.

Culture and Cuisine on Santorini

Pyrgos was designated a protected settlement in 1995. The ecclesiastical collection of Pyrgos opened as a permanent exhibition at the Profitis Ilias Monastery in August 1997. These historic sites complement the Early Byzantine history of Agia Irini with other distinct themes of the Santorini destination.

The cuisine also offers regional specialities. Santorini Fava is a PDO product made from the cotyledons of the legume Lathyrus clymenum L.; it grows exclusively in the volcanic soil of Thera. The Santorini tomato is also a PDO product and has been cultivated since the early 19th century. Local chefs prepare tomato fritters called Tomatokeftedes with PDO cherry tomatoes. Chloro is a creamy goat’s cheese produced in very limited quantities on Santorini. The white Santorini aubergine has a sweet aroma and juicy flesh that does not absorb oil when fried.

The Ifestia Festival takes place on the third Saturday in September and features a re-enactment of the volcanic eruption with fireworks. Check the event dates for the year of your trip if you would like to include it in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Vourvoulos, Ano Meria, Megalochori, Vlychada, Emporio, Íos, Vothonas, Oía

For the main travel overview: Santorini.