As one of the most idyllic of the Greek Islands, Santorini is world-famous for its cliffside views of the expansive, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, breathtaking sunsets, unique domed architecture, and rich cultural history.
There’s no wonder it’s hailed as a picturesque destination for travellers. Witnessing the beauty is a special experience, and capturing it is a must for anyone visiting Santorini.
We’ve compiled this list of the top 10 places to take photos in Santorini. Of course, there are many more places to discover, but you’ll definitely want to make sure you check out these amazing views in your exploration of this island paradise.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. A sunrise view of Oia Village in Santorini.
1. Oia Cliffs
Situated on the caldera cliffs, the settlement of Oia was built overlooking the ocean, where the white-washed houses and buildings glow in the sunset rays every day. Three places for pictures in the Oia village, including the Oia castle and the blue-domed churches, made it to the list.
Anyone dreaming of the Greek Isles will have the image of these cliffs in mind with cascading white houses and windmills in the distance. If you’re taking a picture from afar, with these cliff buildings as the backdrop for your next set of Instagram photos, be sure to wait long enough for the white walls to turn orange as the sunset unfolds.
You can situate yourself midway up the maze-like streets on some steps in the village so that the background shows the various levels of the cliff settlement behind you. If you’re having pictures taken of yourself higher up in the cliffs, with the vast ocean view in the background, then position yourself so that the glow is bathing you.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Ayezza and their partner capture memories on a trip to Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
2. Oia Castle
The famous view from the castle of Agios Nikolaos will reveal the sparkling Aegean sea, the impressive volcano, and the clear blue horizon. The best view from the Oia Castle for witnessing the changing colors of the landscape as the sunset unfolds is said to be over Amoudi Bay. This gives you the backdrop of the Oia buildings along the cliff.
A pro tip here is to sit near the way of the castle facing toward the bay and get into your spot before sunset. When evening approaches, crowds of people start to gather for their own photo-ops.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Kim and their partner capture memories on a trip to Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
3. Famous Blue Domes
The blue dome church buildings of Oia are stunning photo locations. There is one in particular that is most famous in the outlook of the dome set against the blue ocean, and you’ll find a space to stand in the foreground of the spectacular view.
There are many more around the town, though for this iconic church, walk down the famous Gold Street alleyway of Oia town, and you’ll eventually find this outlook of the church. The golden hour before the iconic Santorini sunset gives off a gorgeous light to capture a snap. Wait too long and it will be more difficult to get a picture as there may be some shadows in the composition.
Be sure to arrive at most of these church locations early as many people flock to these places around sunset to get their own pictures.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Kim and their partner capture memories on a trip to Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
4. Pyrgos Village
South of the well-known Santorini town of Fira is the quaint village of Pyrgos. At the foot of Mount Profítis Ilías, the panoramic views of green rolling hills and rocky cliffs make for a little more natural and relaxed experience than the growing cosmopolitan areas of Santorini.
A special setting for unique and beautiful photos is the Pyrgos Kasteli, which is a medieval castle that is one of the most revered places of worship for the local community. It’s the best preserved of the 5 castles from this era, across the whole island. The worn, white-washed walls of the ancient architecture offer artistic views, and with plenty of areas to sit, stand, and walk around, there are definitely photo opportunities for capturing this rich history.
Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Kerri and their family capture memories in Santorini with a family photoshoot.
5. Fira Village
Fira town is on the western edge of the island and has a little more happening in the way of a cosmopolitan social lifestyle. The abundance of cafes, retail stores, and varieties of accommodations draw people in.
There are two cathedrals in Fira that are worth the visit for the cultural experience. And the gorgeous architecture and outlook make for some great photos.
The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist overlooks the ocean, and the views outside the building where it is situated are breathtaking. The grey and cream walls provide a different kind of backdrop for pictures as they are less focused on the natural landscape and capture more of the cultural feel.
Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Molly and their partner celebrate their honeymoon in Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
6. Imerovigli Village
On top of a cliff overlooking the caldera islands and the turquoise Sea of Crete sits the stunning upscale Santorini village of Imerovigli.
Start your day on the Ekklesia Theoskepasti hiking trail and have a photoshoot at the Skaros Venetian Fortress before ending it on one of the many bars and restaurants.
Imerovigli is one of the best spots for sunset photos because of the beautiful views of the sparkling water and lush green mountains from the clifftops. So, after dinner, prepare for an epic photo session during golden hour!
There’s a full day of adventure and Instagrammable locations waiting for you at Imerovigli that you won’t want to miss.
Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Heather and their partner capture memories on a trip to Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
7. Skaros Rock
Also known as Skaros Fortress or Castle Skaros, this hotspot is a collection of rocks and ruins that serve incredible views of the surrounding Greek islands and ocean.
It’s only a 30-minute hike to Skaros Rock from its starting point, and the journey is full of Instagram-worthy backdrops. Especially at sunset when the sky is orange and the sun’s multicolored rays sink into the deep sea. These sights are mesmerizing and will have you wondering if you can extend your Greek vacation!
Before setting off on the hike to Skaros Rock, make sure you swap your vacation sandals for some runners because while it’s not a difficult trail, the last leg of the hike is rocky.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Brandon proposes to his partner in Santorini with a surprise proposal photoshoot.
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8. Akrotiri Lighthouse
The Akrotiri Lighthouse is located on the southwestern tip of Santorini with amazing sights of the Mediterranean Sea.
This lighthouse makes for a great photo spot because of its bright blue backdrops and the historic 19th-century architecture of the white lighthouse, which needs to make it into your Santorini photo album.
It’s an excellent site to spend the afternoon and early evening relaxing on the rock side and watching the sailboats drift by.
Photo: Stathis and Christina in Santorini for Flytographer. Rachel and their partner capture memories in Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
9. The Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is a hidden gem nestled right in the charming and small village of Megalochori.
This remarkable landmark is the ideal setting to snap some pics of you and your family or friends. You can pose in front of the elegant and timeless white architecture or walk along the stone pathways surrounding it.
After you’re done taking photos at this famous Santorini monument, make sure to follow the main road of Megalochori and explore the beautiful village.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Evan and their family capture memories in Santorini with a family photoshoot.
10. Megalochori Village
If you’re a wine lover, Megalochori is the ideal place for you. It’s an enchanting village that’s a labyrinth of stone alleyways, blue-domed churches, and luscious vineyards right along the Mediterranean Sea.
From the gorgeous caldera views to experiencing a Classical Greek concert at Symposion by La Ponta, the tiny village of Megalochori is bursting with things to do.
While it’s a popular spot for wine lovers, it’s also a fantastic area for couples to vacation. Create unforgettable memories with your partner and check out the Heart of Santorini (a lookout point that’s carved into a heart shape in the caldera), luxurious villas, and thermal spas that Megalochori has to offer.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Mackenzie and their partner capture memories on a trip to Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
Capturing memories in Santorini
Santorini is an excellent place to live your Mamma Mia dreams or enjoy with your loved one. Let us help you capture the extraordinary memories you’ll make all over this Greek island by hiring a professional Flytographer in one of the best photo spots!
“Stathis was absolutely amazing! We had a photoshoot in Oia and are blown away with how the photos turned out. Stathis was kind and provided great direction with my husband who was really anxious about taking pictures in front of people. Despite the streets being crowded you would think from the photos we had the village to ourselves! I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for absolutely beautiful photos.”
Katherine
“We loved having Spyros as our photographer while we were visiting Santorini for our vacation. It was our first time there, and we loved how he took us to all of the best spots, and even some lesser known areas. He was very personable and made us feel comfortable right away and since we do not do hire photographers often, we appreciated his direction and love every single one of our photos. We would highly recommend Spyros and we are so happy with how everything turned out.”
Heather
“I had an amazing experience with Christina and Stathis from the planning process all through the proposal. They suggested ideas taking into consideration my expectations and zero knowledge about the city. They updated me promptly as plans changed along the way, they made sure the entire process was discreet as I wanted, they helped us through the photoshoot with exciting ideas and they were relatable. Christina and Stathis showed understanding of what we wanted and executed impeccably. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Cheers!”
Stanley
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