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 how does one find the best photo spots in Santorini, amongst the hundreds of labyrinth-like streets, under a blazing Greek sun and in the myriad tourist crowds are flooding every corner?
Don’t fret. There is a way… and I have it laid all out for you. In this blog post, I share the 20 Best Instagram Photo Spots in Santorini with exact map coordinates. In addition, I included all the information you need to get to each spot and take the most memorable Santorini photos, down to the last detail! Details like where to stand, where your photographer should stand and how to frame your photo.
💙 To better prepare for your Santorini photoshoots read The Ultimate Santorini Photo Guide
Why another “Best photo spots in Santorini” blog post?
There are hundreds of blog posts with tips and tricks 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, and somewhat close to reality.
It surprised me that most blog posts that share the best photo spots in Santorini offer no specific info on the location and don’t tell you how to find it. They just have a general description like “Oia Cliffs” or “Famous Blue Domes” accompanied with some photos. Meanwhile, you’re left wondering, Ok, so now what? What am I supposed to do with “Famous Blue Domes”? Walk around the town all day until I find some Blue Domes and figure out where the photo’s angle is?
In this blog post, I have created a map and pinned it to ALL the locations on the list of “Best Instagram photo spots in Santorini,” including specific mapped pins under each spot with information on where to stand to get the perfect shot, including tips and directions for each location!
💙 Under each spot you will find a map with the exact pinned location
💙 At the end of this post you will find a complete map with all the best PHOTO SPOTS IN SANTORINI!
The Best Instagram photo spots in Santorini
Contents:
1. The best Instagram photo spots in Thera
2. The best Instagram photo spots in Imerovigli
3. The best Instagram photo spots in Oia
4. The best Beach photo spot in Santorini
The best Instagram photo spots in Thera
Thera, also known as Fira, is the principal town of Santorini and the closest one to the airport and the port. 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 Caldera cliffs to Firostefani. If you are looking for the best photo spots in Santorini that showcase the little 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.
1. The “Love” rooftop in Thera
One of the few rooftops in Santorini that you can climb on without getting yelled at. The views to the North are gorgeous. You can see the Aegean waters, the volcano, and all the cliffs of Thera and Firostefani in the background. The graffiti on the wall reads Nik – Love, but I took out the word “Nik” and added a heart (See before and after pics below). I don’t know if the inscription will still be here in the years to come. Still, graffiti or no graffiti is one of the most stunning places to take photos of in Thera, and few people know about it, so the crowds won’t bother you here. Just be mindful because hotels surround it, and once you climb on the roof, you might get a view of a private jacuzzi or suite, so try to be discreet and quiet as to not bother the guests.
It is the rooftop of Naoussa Restaurant, which opens at 12:30 pm on weekdays and weekends. Avoid shooting here during peak hours (lunch and dinner time).
⬇️ Exact map coordinates
2. A perfect view of Firostefani
This spot is perfect if you would rather skip climbing up steep walls and rooftops to get those caldera views! It is right on the top of the road that leads to #1 Best Instagram Photo Spot in Thera from above. I picked three spots in this area to share with you – #1, #2, and #3 on the list-. Not only for the stunning location, views, and versatility but also because this street is quite secluded from the main shopping area of Thera, and it doesn’t get overwhelmingly crowded. So you can bring three different outfits with you and shoot all three locations without moving.
I love this spot because you get to see the whole small town of Firostefani in the back and the beautiful cactus plants that frame the picture. Hopefully, they will be there for years to come.
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3. A picturesque Cycladic street with Oia views
These uniquely Cycladic traditional carved stairs are right between spot #1 and spot #2 on the list. Have your photographer stand at the top of the street and take a photo of you in the middle of the stairs. Then, if you are patient, you can wait for a boat or ship to float by in the background. They often do so, and they create a beautiful white stream of foamy waves on the blue sea backdrop.
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4. The Orthodox Holy Church of St. John the Theologian
This gorgeous abandoned Church with its bureaux details and beautiful surrounding trees with yellow blossoms was one of my favorite places to take photos. I won’t lie. It is challenging to climb up the dome. The friend who was with me couldn’t follow, so please tread with caution. Better to be safe than to hurt yourself and ruin your trip to Santorini. If you cannot climb up, you can always take photos that are just as stunning standing next to the Church and looking out to the water. If you get up to the dome, ask your photographer to climb up to the stairs leading to the Church. They will shoot you from a high angle, and the result will be spectacular.
⬇️ Exact map coordinates
5. The Church of Aghios Minas in Thera
The Church of Agios Minas in Thera, Santorini, is a beautiful, picturesque little Church located right on the cliff. Its large terrace offers stunning views of the surrounding cliffs, the Aegean Sea, Firostefani village, the immense volcanic Skaros Rock and Oia in the background. The Church of Agios Minas is one of the few Churches in Santorini that allow visitors to enter their courtyard and take photos. The personnel is amicable, and they let us take pictures and videos without complaining. However, please dress respectfully and avoid showing up in a revealing outfit or a bathing suit.
There is a Greek flag flying proudly at the courtyard of Agios Minas Church. You can get a shot with the tip of Firostefani, Skaros Rock, and Oia in the background.
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6. Enigma Cafe in Thera
Enigma Cafe in Thera is an elegant, colorful cafe in one of the highest spots, offering some of the best views in Santorini. The large main terrace extends out to the cliff, and it feels like you are flying over the Aegean sea and the volcano. They decorated the tables with miniature olive trees and oranges. The staff was kind enough to let us move some tables out of the way to get the perfect shot. Once you’re done with your photo shoot, sit at a table on edge and enjoy a mixed fresh, seasonal fruit juice they make on the spot.
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The best Instagram photo spots in Imerovigli
Imerovigli is the “quietest” of the three principal towns of Santorini and my favorite! It is in the middle of the Caldera, 2.6km/1.6m away from Thera. A beautiful path on the Caldera cliff takes you from Thera to Imerovigli. It is the most stunning 40min walk you will experience with many photo ops, so bring your camera.
Imerovigli is mainly composed of luxury boutique hotels and some restaurants. It is the most “exclusive” town on the caldera with many magical photo spots! Even though Oia is the most famous town in Santorini for Sunset views, in my opinion, you get better photos from Imerovigli. The reason is that Imerovigli is at a higher altitude than Oia, 350m instead of 130m.
In the middle of Imerovigli, a colossal cliff-rock extends into the sea called the Skaros Rock, which blocks the sunset view from the Southside of town. For unobstructed sunset views, make your way towards the Northside of village past Skaros Rok. The walk is short, but it gets crowded during sunset. Get there early and give yourself enough time to find your perfect sunset spot before they are all taken.
7. Anna’s secret Sunset photo spot in Imerovigli
Most spots with direct sunset views in Imerogivli get quickly occupied by people storming in from the island every evening to get the perfect sunset photo. This specific spot is hard to find if you don’t have particular map directions. If you follow the map below and get there early enough so you are the only one there. It is at the end of a winding path, down the cliff, and it faces directly down to the sunset. Something extraordinary about this location is that you also view the white houses on the Imerovigli cliff, which turn into shades of gold during the last hours of the sunset.
⬇️ Exact map coordinates
8. Santorini Sunset view from a volcanic rock
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 vast 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 where you can take breathtaking photos. This is one of the very few locations in Santorini where you can see both Thera and the Southside of Imerovigli. You will also get unobstructed views of all caldera sides, including Oia and the glorious Santorini sunset.
The restaurant at Honeymoon Petra Villas is on the top right corner of the premises, where a massive volcanic rock extends down to the sea. There is a little platform where you can stand next to the rock and catch the sun dipping into the sea, framed by volcanic cliffs. Reserve a table in advance, and ask for the one closer to the far top right side of the restaurant, close to the rock.
Exact map coordinates ⬇️
9. A panoramic view of the caldera cliffs
This spot is in the Honeymoon Petra Villa gardens (check the map for specific coordinates). It is a small natural opening in the vast volcanic rock, where you can see the whole coastline of the Caldera all the way down to the Southmost tip of the Island.
⬇️ Exact map coordinates
Two more magical photo spots at Honeymoon Petra Villas
The outer edge of the infinity pool at Honeymoon Petra Villas offers gorgeous views of the towns perched on the Santorini Caldera cliffs.
10. Imerovigli terrace – The best view of the Santorini Volcano
This little terrace is on the Southside of Imerovigli, and it offers the best direct panoramic views of the volcano. Cruise ships often pass by in the background, so it is worth giving yourself some time to wait for one to photo bomb your shot.
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11. Gazing at the endless Santorini blue from a domed roof
A photo on the classic Santorini white-domed rooftops is an absolute must! They perfectly centered this rooftop between the caldera cliff and the volcano. You can clearly see the shape of the lagoon formed 4000 years ago, when the Santorini volcano erupted, causing half of the island to sink into the sea.
💙 Click HERE if you would like to read more about the Santorini Volcano and the formation of the Caldera
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12. A secret fuchsia Bougainvillea cave
If you like your photos framed with flowers and bright colors, this is your spot! This spot is in one entrance of Alexander Villas in Imerovigli, where Bougainvillea trees surround the doorway, forming a dense, magical fuchsia cave. We were there in early June, and this specific entrance was unused, so we could go into the natural flower cave, leave our things, and change outfits. It was our own personal flower dressing room! Ask your photographer to stand behind the branches, placing the camera between the Bougainvillea blossoms while you stand or sit outside.
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The best Instagram photo spots in Oia
Oia is the last town on the Caldera, on the North tip of Santorini. It is one of the most Instagramable photos spots in the entire world. Most of the photos that you see from Santorini are in Oia. It is worldwide acclaimed for the stunning unobstructed views of the Santorini sunset and its immaculate Cycladic white and blue architecture. The following locations are some of the best Instagram photo spots globally!
💙 Click HERE to read more about Oia – How to get there, how to avoid the crowds, getting around Oia, the best time of day to take photos, weather, etc.
13. The Pink Church Bell Tower of Oia
The Church of Agios Nikolaos in Oia is genuinely unique! On the lower streets of the town, it is most famous for its large blue dome and pink church bell tower on the cliff. Most visitors head to the main road by the back of the church to take photos of the Blue dome. That spot gets incredibly crowded, and you don’t get a full view of the pink Church bell. Try going down the alley, wrapping around the right side of the Church premises. You will find a wall lined with tall Fuchsia Bougainvillea flowers, where you get the perfect view of the pink bell tower and Thera in the background.
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14. The three Blue Domes of Oia
The most photographed Churches in Santorini are the churches of Agios Spiridonas (Saint Spyridon) and Anastasios (the Church of the Resurrection). With three blue domes blazing under the Greek sun against a backdrop of the blue, Aegean waters, built right next to each other at the edge of the cliffs. The best spot to take photos here is on the street leading down the ridge on the left side of the churches (see the exact location on the embedded map pin below). It is by the back entrance of Santo Blue Horizon hotel. Have your photographer stand at the top of the alley, pointing the camera down to the right. That way, you can get a shot with the blue domes on the right and the Aegean Sea on the left.
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15. A traditional Cycladic house on the 291 step path to Ammoudi
Ammoudi is a little seaside village on the waterfront of the cliff below Oia. There is a path heading up from Ammoudi, to the heart of Oia town, which comprises 291 steps, marking is till 230. #15 on the list of the best photo spots in Santorini is on the end of that path, right after the 291st step. There you will find a beautiful white cave house carved into the cliff with a blue door and painted details framed by a fuchsia Bougainvillea. The decorative plants and pots give this spot a feeling of a Cycladic Greek home untouched by modern times, with a vintage village, Old-Greek energy reminiscent of the early 1900s.
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16. Kastro Oia Houses, the orange house of Oia
One of the few orange buildings in Santorini and definitively the most famous one is the orange hotel of Kastro Oia Houses. It is on the 288th step of the path leading up from Ammoudi to Oia, and it is one of the most popular locations to take photos in Oia. There are different aspects you can explore to take pictures. The most common way I have seen is the photographer standing higher on the street, leading down to the hotel, and taking the shot at a downward angle. I prefer this aspect, framing the lense with the orange Bougainvillea, which is rare in Santorini. Whichever angle you choose in this location, one thing is for sure… this will be one of the most impressive, colorful, and memorable photos you will have from Santorini.
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17. Blue door, Red Bougamviglia
Located right across the street from Kastro Oia Houses (The best photo spot in Santorini #16) is this gorgeous white building, with stone details and blue doors embraced by a magnificent fuchsia Bougainvillea tree.
⬇️ Exact map coordinates
18. A peach street with stunning views
This narrow, colorful street is right by Melanio Cafe, one of the most famous cafes in Santorini. It made it to my list of 20 Best Instagram photo spots in Santorini because of the colorful walls and flowers surrounding it. As you walk down towards the cliff, there is a traditional large clay amphora attached to the side of the street, planted with a red Bouganvillea that arches over the road. Behind it, a little blue wooden fence frames a garden filled with lavender plants, leading to the cobbled streets below. The combination of Bouganvillea, lavender and the blue sea in the background creates a magical scenery that I have experienced nowhere else before.
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19. Forget me not Flower Shop
Forget Me not Flower shop is a cute, picturesque flower shop in the heart of Oia, with a secret back garden filled with wild Greek, colorful flowers. It is worth visiting, entering the little garden, and exploring all the blossoms and herbs showcased.
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The best Beach photo spot in Santorini
20. The volcanic beach of Kamari
Kamari beach is one of the most popular beaches in Santorini. It is composed of black volcanic sand, formed by solidified lava, spamming 5km long and with cafes, hotels, restaurants, and shopping gathered along its shores. If you would like to spend a day at the beach of Kamari, you can pick from one of the many organized umbrella/lounger vendors that are along its back sands.
My consistent favorite place over the past two decades on Kamari beach is the most Southern spot right by the quaint church of Aghios Nikolaos of Kamari. A large black rock emerges into the sea where fishing boats often pass by, especially during early morning hours, which is a beautiful background for your photos. The sun rises a little before 6 am in the summer months (always check to see specific sunrise times) and comes right over the waters of Kamari. So if you are an early riser, the sunrise over the volcanic sands is definitely an experience to capture.
In conclusion, the best times to take photos at Kamari are:
⬇️ Exact map coordinates
- Surnise hours
- Before 10am. After that, the beach crowds storm in
MAP WITH The 20 BEST INSTAGRAM PHOTO SPOTS IN SANTORINI
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