Published 18 March 2026. Last reviewed 19 May 2026
Ammoudi is not a beach in the usual sense and you should arrive knowing that. It is the small working fishing port directly below Oia, a cluster of red and ochre cliffs falling into deep clear water, with a row of waterside tavernas and a handful of fishing boats tied up against the rock. People come here for two things, a swim off the rocks and a long seafood dinner, and on both counts it delivers.
The swimming is some of the best on the island if you are a confident swimmer. There is no sand and no gentle shelving entry, instead you walk a few minutes past the last taverna along a rough cliffside path to a swimming area where you can slip into deep clear water off the rocks, or carry on to the little island of Agios Nikolaos for the ledge that local teenagers leap from. The water is cool, clean and a remarkable colour against the red stone.
Then there is the food, which is the real reason Ammoudi is famous. The tavernas set their tables right at the water line, so close that a wave can catch your ankles, and they serve the fresh grilled fish and seafood the port has always lived on. It is one of the most atmospheric places to eat anywhere in the Cyclades, especially as the cliffs glow at sunset, so a reservation for the evening sittings is close to essential in summer.
Who it suits: couples after a romantic swim and dinner, strong swimmers who like deep clear water and a bit of cliff jumping, and food lovers who will happily trade a sandy beach for a table at the sea.
Who should skip it: families with toddlers and anyone who wants to lie on sand with an umbrella will be frustrated here, and people who struggle with steep steps should drive down rather than tackle the descent from Oia.
Beach clubs near Ammoudi Bay
Ammoudi has no beach club and no sunbed strip, because it is a fishing port rather than a beach. What it has instead is a line of celebrated waterside fish tavernas where you eat at the sea, and a rock swim past the boats. For organised sunbeds and daybeds you will want the black sand beaches on the south coast. For the current island lineup and to send an enquiry, use our Santorini beach club directory.
Ammoudi Bay, Santorini
Ammoudi sits directly below Oia at the northwest tip of Santorini. The classic approach is the stepped path of roughly 300 steps that drops from near the Oia castle, a steep walk down and a stiff climb back. By car you take the winding road below Oia to the small harbour, where parking is tight in high season. There is no direct bus, so most visitors walk down or drive.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the steps and the rough path to the swimming rocks.
- Book a fish taverna in advance for the evening, especially around sunset.
- Bring water shoes for the rocky entry, as there is no sand to wade from.
Photo: Nathanael Tan via GoogleBook a Beach Club
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Ammoudi Bay questions
Is Ammoudi Bay a sandy beach?
No, Ammoudi is a small fishing port below Oia with red rock and deep water, not a sandy beach. You swim off the rocks rather than wading from sand, and there are no sunbeds or umbrellas, so it suits rock swimmers and diners more than sunbathers.
How do you get down to Ammoudi from Oia?
The traditional route is a stepped path of roughly 300 steps from near the Oia castle, a steep descent and a tougher climb back up. You can also drive down the winding road to the harbour, where parking is limited, but there is no direct bus.
Is Ammoudi Bay good for swimming?
It is excellent for confident swimmers. Past the last taverna a rough path leads to a rocky swimming area with clear deep water, and many people swim out to the islet of Agios Nikolaos. There is no gentle shallow entry, so it is not ideal for small children.
Do you need to book the fish tavernas at Ammoudi?
For the evening and sunset sittings in summer, yes. The waterside tavernas are famous and fill fast, so a reservation is strongly advised. Lunch is usually easier to walk into than dinner.
Is there sand or sunbeds at Ammoudi Bay?
There is neither. Ammoudi is a rock and harbour swim with tavernas at the water, so for organised sunbeds you should head to the black sand beaches such as Perissa, Perivolos or Kamari on the other side of the island.