JoJo Beach Bar

JoJo Beach Bar sits directly on Perivolos, one of the longest stretches of black volcanic sand on Santorini's southern coast. The bar operates daily from 10am through midnight, which makes it one of the few beach setups on the island where you can move seamlessly from a sunbed afternoon into an evening drink without changing venue.

Perivolos itself is a wide, open beach that runs adjacent to Perissa — separated only by the rocky headland of Mesa Vouno. The two beaches share the same black sand but draw slightly different crowds: Perissa tends to attract families and backpackers, while Perivolos skews toward a slightly older, more relaxed clientele. JoJo sits toward the Perivolos end and has built a steady following over multiple seasons, accumulating over 1,200 reviews on Google with a 4.1 rating.

The venue is listed both as a beach bar and a restaurant, so the offering goes beyond cocktails and beers — expect a food menu alongside the drinks, though the exact menu changes seasonally and is best confirmed on arrival or by calling ahead.

What to Expect

The beach at Perivolos is wide enough that even in peak August the water's edge doesn't feel crushed. The sand is fine volcanic black grit — it absorbs heat quickly, so flip-flops are advisable for the midday walk from sunbed to water. The Aegean here is calm by Santorini standards, without the northerly meltemi winds that batter the island's western side, and the water tends to be clear and warm through July and August.

JoJo's setup follows the established Perivolos beach-bar format: sun loungers and umbrellas arranged in rows facing the sea, with the bar and kitchen set back from the waterline. The bar area handles everything from morning coffee and fresh juice through to cocktails and wine as the evening arrives. The restaurant element means you can stay for a proper lunch — grilled fish, Greek salads, and mezze-style dishes are the kind of fare typical of the area's beach restaurants.

The atmosphere shifts across the day. Mornings are quiet, sunbed-focused, and good for swimming. By early afternoon the music is up and the bar gets busier. From sunset onward, the crowd thins slightly as day-trippers leave, and the remaining guests tend to settle in for the long haul toward midnight closing.

With over 1,200 Google reviews, this is not a small or obscure operation — it has consistent foot traffic and the kind of professional service structure that comes with running a large beach venue for multiple seasons.

How to Get There

Perivolos is on the southeastern coast of Santorini, roughly 10 km south of Fira. By car or scooter, take the main road south from Fira toward Perissa, then follow signs for Perivolos — the beach road runs parallel to the shoreline and you'll see beach bar signage before you reach the sand. Parking along the Perivolos road is generally available, though it fills quickly on peak summer days; arriving before midday gives you the best chance of a spot close to the beach.

From Fira, a taxi to Perivolos typically takes 15–20 minutes depending on traffic. The local KTEL bus runs between Fira and Perissa with reasonable frequency in summer, and Perissa is a short walk along the beach road from the Perivolos bars. Check current KTEL timetables before relying on buses for an evening return, as late-night services can be limited.

There is no direct boat access to Perivolos — the beach has no natural harbour. If you're staying in Oia or Imerovigli, factor in a longer transfer; the southern coast is essentially the opposite end of the island from those villages.

Best Time to Visit

JoJo is open across the summer season. The beach at Perivolos is best from late May through early October, with July and August being peak months for both crowds and sea temperature. The black sand stores heat intensely in August — midday temperatures underfoot can be uncomfortable, so mornings before 11am and late afternoons after 4pm are the most pleasant times for beach-going.

Perivolos faces southeast, so it doesn't benefit from Santorini's famous caldera sunsets. For a sunset drink, the western-facing cliff-top bars in Fira or Oia are the classic choice. What the southern beaches offer instead is calmer water and more beach space than the island's western coast, which has no beaches to speak of.

Shoulder season — late May, early June, and September — offers warm water, fewer crowds, and easier parking. September in particular is often the best month: sea temperatures peak, the main summer rush has eased, and Perivolos's long beach feels spacious again.

Tips for Visiting

• Book or arrive early for sunbeds. In July and August, the sunbed rows fill by late morning. If you want a front-row spot near the water, aim to arrive before 11am.
• Bring footwear to the waterline. Black volcanic sand heats to uncomfortable temperatures by midday. Reef shoes or flip-flops you can leave at the water's edge make the experience more comfortable.
• Call ahead if you're planning a meal. The phone number is +30 694 244 4564. Confirming the kitchen is open and whether a table reservation is needed can save you a wasted trip, especially outside peak season.
• The beach runs toward Perissa. If JoJo is full, several other beach bars operate along the same strip; walking five minutes in either direction usually turns up an alternative with available sunbeds.
• Plan your return transport in advance. If you're staying in Fira or Oia, a taxi at midnight is the safest option — order through your accommodation in advance rather than trying to flag one down on the road.
• Stay for the evening shift. The bar's midnight closing gives you the option to watch the southern end of the island quiet down while remaining at the beach — something the busier bars around Perissa don't always allow past 10pm.
• Check social media before visiting. JoJo maintains active Facebook and Instagram accounts (facebook.com/jojobeachbar and instagram.com/jojobeach_santorini) where event nights and seasonal updates are typically posted.
• Sun protection is essential. The black sand and open aspect of Perivolos mean there's significant reflected heat and UV exposure; the shade from umbrellas is worth the sunbed fee.

Activities and Facilities

The core offering at JoJo is straightforward: sunbeds with umbrella hire, bar service, and a food menu. The beach itself is the main activity — swimming in the relatively calm southeastern Aegean, with clear water that warms quickly over the black sand sea floor.

Several water sports operators work along the Perivolos–Perissa beach strip, typically offering pedalo hire, stand-up paddleboarding, and occasionally jet-ski sessions. These are generally independent operators rather than beach-bar specific, so check what's available on arrival. The flat, open sea conditions at Perivolos make it better suited to paddle sports than windsurfing; the wind protection offered by Mesa Vouno keeps the water calmer here than on the island's northern and western shores.

For those who want to explore beyond the beach, the archaeological site of Ancient Thera is built onto the ridge of Mesa Vouno directly above Perissa, reachable by a walking track or road. It's a legitimate half-day add-on if you're already spending time on the southern coast.