Santorini is one of the most popular photo spots on the planet, and for a good reason. With its hanging cliff towns, the iconic Cycladic white and blue architecture, the fuchsia Bougainvillea flowers popping out from every corner and the renowned Oia sunsets, all on a backdrop of an ancient volcano rising from the sparkling Aegean waters, this is one of the best places in the world to take mesmerizing photos!
But to get the best photos in Santorini amongst the hundreds of labyrinth-like streets, under a blazing Greek sun and the myriads of tourist crowds are flooding every corner, is tricky. The Ultimate Santorini Photo Guide will provide you all the insider tips you need to take the best photos in Santorini.
The Ultimate Santorini Photo Guide will tell you everything you need to know before and during your Santorini photoshoots. From preparation advice, location guides, weather information, sunlight reports, and tips on avoiding the crowds. It will save you time, recourses, research, and help you take the most impressive photos.
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Why another “Santorini photo guide” blog post?
There are hundreds of articles with tips on visiting Santorini and getting those memorable photos. Still, in all honesty, I’ve seen only a few where the information is cohesive, on point, with the specific map locations of the best photo spots.
I first visited Santorini with my high school sweetheart when I was 18. It was our first romantic trip away alone together, and we were incredibly excited. We had the most fantastic time. Even though we didn’t end up together in the long run, my love-at-first-sight relationship with Santorini would endure the passing of time. Since then, I have visited the island 15 times and will continue going back every chance I get.
After all these years, it all comes naturally to me when I am in Santorini. I know where the crowds are, what times they are denser, which months are best to visit, what the weather is like throughout the summer months, what time of day the light is best in each location, and how to get around.
I put together this Santorini photo guide to accompany my 20 Best Instagramable photo spots in Santorini, sharing all the information you need to prepare for your Santorini photoshoot efficiently. The following tips will save you time recourses and help you take the most memorable Santorini photos.
Contents:
1. What is the best time of year to visit Santorini?
2. What is the Santorini Caldera?
3. Which Santorini towns have the best photo spots?
4. How do I avoid the crowds in Santorini?
5. What time of day will I get the best light for my photos?
6. What should I be mindful of when visiting the best photo spots in Santorini?
1. What is the best time of year to visit Santorini?
Being one of the most popular international tourist destinations, Santorini has a more extended tourist season than most Greek islands. The summit of the Greek summer is between June and August, and most island businesses remain open for the season from mid-May to Mid September. However, in islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, the season lasts from early May to late October. The peak “crazy crowded” months are between June 15th and the first week of September.
Avoiding the Santorini crowds
From June 15th – to September 7th, the crowds in Santorini are in the thousands. For a small Cycladic island, as you can understand, many people are! In 2021 the Greek Travel Pages Headlines reported that “Santorini exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic passenger figures by 17,000, welcoming 97,038 international visitors on 815 direct flights.” We expect those numbers to rise during the summer of 2022. Add the hundreds of cruise ships that roam the Cycladic islands and disembark hundreds of passengers daily. The narrow streets of Santorini can turn into a dense, unflowing mesh of people struggling to get by. Imagine Rockefeller plaza during Christmas day, and then add a little. Yes, it gets that bad, and it is not fun! Trust me.
The benefits of visiting Santorini off-peak
The best time of year to visit Santorini are:
- Mid May to Mid June.
- Mid September to Mid October
The benefits of visiting Santorini during the off-peak season are:
- 30-40% fewer tourists. The crowds are still dense but considerably less than during peak season.
- The weather is not as hot as it is in the peak months of Greek summer (July, August).
- 30%-40% lower accommodation & transportation prices.
- Did I mention fewer crowds? Which makes it more Covid safe and responsible.
2. What is the Santorini Caldera?
A caldera is defined as a significant depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses. One of the most impressive ones in the world is the crescent-shaped Caldera of Santorini. The current shape of the island formed over 3500 years ago, when a volcano in the middle of the island erupted, altering the Mediterranean topography for good.
The 1646 BC Santorini eruption was said to be the largest volcano irruption ever witnessed by humanity, the equivalent of 40 atomic bombs. It blew out the island’s interior, causing it to partly cave into the sea, forming a lagoon creating the crescent-shaped caldera cliffs on the West side of Santorini. In addition, it made a ring of islands surrounding the central tip of the volcano, which now pokes out of the Aegean Sea and is visible from the caldera.
The caldera comprises steep rocks and massive cliffs where the picturesque towns of Thera, Imerovigli, and Oia have been constructed throughout the centuries. As a result, they have become one of the world’s most amazing photographed locations! The Santorini Caldera has an elevation that varies from 150 to 350 meters, spamming 18km (11m).
Tip: If you want to get those iconic Santorini views for your photos, you must be in a town on the Caldera cliffs. The inland or beach towns and villages on the East side of the island do not have Caldera views. When searching for a hotel to stay, keep this in mind and always check the location on google maps to check where exactly it is located. I have often seen hotels promote themselves as having fabulous views, showcasing photos of the Caldera and the sunset. In reality, they are located further inland and offer no views. So it is always best to make sure!
Another way to tell what kind of view a hotel offers is by the price. Usually, the prices of hotels on the iconic caldera are as high as 6-10 times more than inland or beachfront hotels.
3. Which Santorini towns have the best photo spots?
The three principal towns to get the best Santorini photos are Thera, Imerovigli, and Oia. They are along the cliffs of the Caldera. They have stunning views, beautiful Cycladic architecture and many unique Instagramable photo spots.
Taking photos in Thera AKA Fira
Thera, also known as Fira is the principal town of Santorini and the closest one to the airport and the port. Thera or Fira is in the middle of the caldera and is the first town out of the three. Firostefani is a smaller town next to Thera, which is exquisite and worth exploring. The views from Thera are stunning: you get a full view of the volcano and of the cliff to Firostefani. If you are looking for the best photo spots in Santorini that showcase the tiny white houses hanging on the cliff in the background, then Thera is the best place to get them! However, you do not get a clear view of the sunset from this town because of the massive rock extension between Thera and Imerovigli, which blocks the sun as it dips into the Aegean sea.
Thera is the capital of Santorini. Hence, here you will find the most shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and services. It is worth taking a morning to explore the many shops in Thera. Although many are mainstream and have lost their traditional identity, some have remained true to the culture and history of the island. You can find handmade, traditional items inspired by Cycladic art that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Taking photos in Imerovigli
Imerovigli is the “quietest” of the three principal towns of Santorini and my favorite! It stands on the caldera, only 2.6km/1.6m away from Thera. There is a beautiful path on the Caldera cliff that takes you from Thera through Firostefani, all the way to Imerovigli. It is the most stunning 40min walk you will experience! After you pass Firostefani, the path trails by the cliff lead you through trees, rock formations, and remote places. It is definitely worth venturing on, offering panoramic views of the caldera, Thera, Oia, the volcano, and the Aegean Sea horizon.
If you decide to take the walk, bring plenty of water, wear a hat, and put on some chemical-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free sunscreen. I would suggest either early in the morning or during sunset hours to avoid the scolding hot sun. In addition, there are many photo ops on the path to Imerovigli, so bring your camera.
Imerovigli is mainly composed of luxury boutique hotels and a few restaurants. This makes it a quieter and less crowded location than Thera and Oia. There are some restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars, but much fewer than in Oia or Fira, making it less crowded. It is the most “exclusive” town on the caldera and offers fantastic photo ops! I prefer the Santorini sunset views from Imerovigli than to Oia. It is higher than Oia -350m as opposed to 130m altitude- and you get a more panoramic view.
Keep in mind that a vast cliff-rock extends into the water called the Sharos Rock in the middle of Imerovigli. Suppose you are on the Southside of Imerovigli. In that case, you will have limited sunset views because of this rock, so you will have to make your way up towards the Northside of town to get total sunset views. The walk is short, but it gets crowded toward sunset, so best to make your way early and find a spot before they are all taken.
Taking photos in Oia
Oia is the last town on the North tip of Santorini and one of the most Instagramable photos spots globally. Most of the best photos that you see in Santorini are in Oia. It is known worldwide for the stunning unobstructed views of the Santorini sunset and its immaculate Cycladic white and blue architecture. It is approximately 14.5km/ 9ml away from Thera, so you definitely need a car to get to Oia.
If you are feeling adventurous, the walking trail that runs from Thera to Imerovigli continues all the way to Oia, and walking it will give you another perspective of the island. The trail goes through the wild nature of the Santorini, through its cliffs, caldera rock formations, and small settlements, over caldera rocks, by traditional mountainside chapels, untouched wild nature, and all with a view of the cliffs, the sea, and the surrounding Caldera towns. Known as “The Fira to Oia Hike”, it is 10.5km/6.5 miles long and it takes 2-3 hours to complete. Choose a time of day when the sun isn’t at its peak. If you are in decent shape and have water with you, it will be one of the best hikes you have ever done in your life!
Oia is a much smaller town than Thera. Small enough to walk from one end to the other on the main path in 15-20min, depending on foot traffic. I would recommend trailing off the main streets, venturing out to the cobbled paths below, and exploring. Every corner is a photo op in Oia and you can always discover something new spots to take amazing photos!
💙 Click HERE to see the 20 Best Instagram spots in Santorini with map coordinates
Thera town gets very crowded during the morning/afternoon hours from 10:30ish am to 2 pm, when most people head either to the beach or their hotel pools to cool off. From 2 pm to 6 pm, the crowds seem to dissipate a little. After 6 pm, people storm in again for some shopping, early drinks, coffee, or dinner, exploring the Santorini streets or catching the sunset colors.
4. How do I avoid the crowds of Santorini?
How do I avoid the crowds in Thera
Thera town gets very crowded during the morning/afternoon hours from 10:30ish am to 2 pm, when most people head either to the beach or to their hotel pools to cool off. From 2 pm to 6 pm the crowds seem to dissipate a little. After 6 pm people storm in again for some shopping, early drinks, coffee, or dinner, and to explore the Santorini streets or catch the sunset colors.
In conclusion, the best time of day to avoid the crowds at Thera is:
- Early morning before 10 am (please click here to see the light restrictions during these hours)
- Late afternoon between 2 pm and 6 pm
- For nighttime photos, after 12 am
How do I avoid the crowds in Imerovigli
As I mentioned above, Imerovigli is the less crowded out of the three principal towns on the Caldera. However, the Northside of town with direct sunset views gets pretty packed during sunset hours. The part of Imerovigli with sunset views is not huge, so if you are looking to catch the world-renowned phenomenon, arrive in town early and search for a spot to “reserve.” Once you find your location, set up and wait for the sunset. If you leave, chances are that someone else will grab it.
Another great option to take the best sunset photos in Imerovigli is booking a table at one of the restaurants with direct sunset views and combining the photoshoot with dinner. My all-time favorite sunset restaurant for Sunset views in Imerovigli is the poolside restaurant of the Honeymoon Petra Suites. Perched on a huge volcanic rock surface on the outskirts of Imerovigli, Honeymoon Petra Villas is a captivating complex. Besides the hotel suites and villas, it offers multiple levels of a pool, bar, restaurant, and generous garden spaces to unwind and take in this breathtaking location. With unobstructed magical views of the caldera, this is one of the very few locations in Santorini where you can see Thera, Imerovigli, Oia, and the glorious Santorini sunset. You will definitely get some fantastic Santorini photos here.
Taking daytime photos in Imerovigli is much less complicated than doing so at Thera or Oia. Most of the visitors in this town usually spend the day by their hotel pools or at the beach. Foot traffic isn’t dense since there are very few shopping or restaurant options in this town, as mentioned above.
In conclusion, the best time of day to avoid the crowds at Imerovigli is:
- Before 5 pm (please click here to see the light restrictions during early morning hours)
- For sunset photos, get there 1 hour before sunset time to find and “reserve” your spot
- For nighttime photos, after 9:30 pm
How do I avoid the crowds in Oia
The worst crowd time in Oia is close to sunset hours when hundreds of visitors from all over Santorini come to see this worldwide famous phenomenon. Hundreds, even thousands, storm into Oia to catch a good “sunset spot” during these hours. Besides that, cruise ships sometimes visit multiple times a day, so don’t be surprised if hundreds of people flood in the narrow streets, appearing literally out of the blue. It means a cruise ship has docked.
Most people try to get a spot at the old abandoned Castle of Oia, which is on top of a small cliff on the Caldera, midway through the town of Oia. The Castle is one of the tallest spots in Oia and offers panoramic views of the whole town, the Caldera, and the sunset.
However, I wouldn’t recommend going anywhere near the castle during sunset hours, especially during Covid times. It gets incredibly crowded, and when the sunset is over, everyone heads out in a mass, filling and blocking the narrow streets. As I mentioned above, imagine Rockefeller Center on Christmas Day… you can be stuck there for a while.
Do you want to get the best photos of the Santorini sunset in Oia? In that case, I recommend making a reservation in one of the beautiful, idyllic restaurants on the Caldera cliff and enjoying it over a glass of Greek wine. One of my favorites is the restaurant of Fanari Villas, on the tip of Oia. You can take beautiful photos there and enjoy the world-famous sunset over a yummy meal and a delicious glass of Greek wine. Reserve in advance because most excellent restaurants are boutique and don’t take a lot of guests.
In conclusion, the best time of day to avoid the crowds in Oia is:
- Before 2 pm (please click here to see the light restrictions during early morning hours)
- For sunset photos, make a dinner reservation in a restaurant that has direct sunset views
- For nighttime photos, after 9:30 pm
5. What time of day will I get the best light for my photos in Santorini?
The Caldera is on the West side of the island. Unfortunately, the sun is on the other side of the island during morning hours, and the Caldera doesn’t get any direct sunlight. I tried to take photos early in the morning to avoid the crowds, but the whole Caldera was dipped into shadow cast by the cliffs.
Most photographers would tell you not to take photos when the sun is blazing, and although I agree with that, in most cases, here in Santorini, different rules apply. Because of the white bright streets and houses reflecting the sunlight everywhere, besides the Greek sun, Santorini is probably one of the best places in the world to shoot in terms of light. Your photos will come out golden if you pick the right time during the day! It would really be a shame to miss this amazing brightness, where the colors pop out of the image like they were alive, so avoid taking photos during morning hours on the caldera when there is no direct sunlight.
I loved taking all my photos between 1 pm – 5 pm when the sun has turned from the East and is facing straight on the caldera, kissing it with its golden rays. However, if you go before 12 pm – 1 pm ish (depending on the month), the sun is still on the island’s Eastside. As a result, your photos will lose all that Santorini brightness, so I recommend afternoon to early evening hours to take the best pictures in Santorini in terms of light.
If you are looking to shoot during golden hour, Imerovigli and Oia are the best places since they have direct exposure to the sunset. Unfortunately, Thera is hidden from the last golden hour sunrays by Skaros Rock. Therefore, you can only catch the golden light during the first phases of the sunset before the sun falls behind the rock.
6. What should I be mindful of when taking photos in Santorini?
Be mindful of the surrounding hotels
Be mindful of the surrounding private properties and hotels. Being one of the most popular destinations globally, Santorini is overflowed with hotels. 80% of the structures on the Santorini Caldera in Thera, Imerovigli and Oia are hotels. Most of these hotels have private suites, with private jacuzzis or pools that cost anywhere between $300-$3000/night depending on the hotel, the location, and the season. As you can understand, this is prime luxury tourism. The owners of these hotels are very particular and protective of their guest’s privacy and well-being.
You should be very mindful and aware when taking photos and videos. When climbing up on rooftops or church bells for the perfect shot, it is practically sure that you will get a view of a hotel garden, a private jacuzzi, or a deck. Try to emphasize your discretion by turning the other way and keeping your voice down to avoid disrupting the guests as much as possible. Most hotel owners or security will come out and create a scene if they get a complaint from their guests or notice someone disturbing their privacy. Even if you don’t mean any harm, they are very protective.
Be mindful of climbing on private rooftops
Most of the rooftops in Santorini that are accessible are privately owned. They are fenced or have huge inscriptions on them “PRIVATE/KEEP OUT” because the owners dislike people climbing up on their property and disturbing them to their guests. However, some are easy to walk on, and if you are discreet, quick, and lucky enough, you can get away with taking a few shots and videos. I mention some below.
Be mindful not to Church trespass
Like most cultures, we Greeks are very protective of our Churches. They are part of our history and heritage. Even for not religious people, churches represent a place of sanction and unity embedded in the Greek culture, uniting us with our past and ancestors. That is why you have to be very cautious and respectful when taking photos inside a Church courtyard, around a Church, or trying to climb on one of the multiple little churches on the Santorini Caldera. Also, most churches have been there for hundreds of years, and their artifacts and architecture are priceless.
That is why most Churches put up locks and fences around their courtyard to discard tourists from coming in and taking photos. I guess people were being disrespectful, maybe throwing trash, climbing on various parts of the monuments trying to take the perfect pick, or showing up with “inappropriate attire.”
Please be respectful when trying to take pictures in any church area. Try to wear something that is not too revealing, i.e., don’t show up in a bathing suit or a super mini skirt. Try not to climb up any of the Churches that have closed the areas off with locked fences, even when no one seems to watch. It can be tempting, but it is still not right, and you risk getting a fine. Other than that, you should be ok! There are plenty of places to take photos with these world-renowned Churches without trespassing. I mention them all below on the list of the 20 best Instagram photo spots in Santorini. I include the one Church in Thera that you can climb on, always with great caution and respectfulness.
Safety first
We all take risks for that perfect shot now and then. In the 20 Best Instagram Photo Spots in Santorini, I include locations where you have to climb up a rooftop, a Church dome, or a wall to get that photo you’ve always dreamed of. But please be mindful and assess the situation depending on your physical abilities, your shoes, the day off, and your state of mind. They have covered most surfaces with sleek paint to reflect the sun and create weatherproof insulation, so they are very slippery. Avoid climbing or walking on there with flip-flops or with sandals. You need something sturdy. Once you’re up there, you can change into your desired shoes, but climbing up, you need to wear something not slippery.
The surfaces are very slippery and often steep
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