What’s not to love about the world-famous island in the Aegen sea – Santorini?
The Greek island is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations worldwide. It is also known for its breathtaking caldera, the indigenous grape varieties that make for some extraordinary wines, and -what else- its magnificent sunsets.
You’ve most likely heard about the latter but you probably don’t know where exactly in Santorini you should go to experience those sunsets. Hopefully, this guide will shed some light on the issue and help you make the most out of your late afternoons, and early evenings, on the island.
Before we move to the 7 best places to watch the sunset in Santorini, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- Tip #1: you should check sunset times early on. The whole sunset experience doesn’t last for more than 15-20 minutes. To know exactly what time the sun sets every day, just Google “Santorini sunset”.
- Tip #2: if you are looking to watch the sunset from a restaurant or a winery, it’s highly advised to book early. Even 2 or 3 weeks before is considered normal, given the high demand. Also, don’t forget to confirm your reservation a couple of days in advance and arrive on time.
Now let’s move on with the list of the best spots for sunset in Santorini!
1. Oia – Sunset in Santorini
The famous Oia sunset. No top-sunsets list is complete without Oia. You will find Oia in pretty much every such list, like in National Geographic’s Top 10 Summer Sunsets in The World – and rightfully so. In Oia, the sunsets are like an enormous cart postal.
Oia is located 11 kilometers away from the island’s capital, Fira, and you can get there by car or bus. Oia’s main spot for the sunset is the Oia Castle. But there’s a second, less known -and less crowded- option, which is the three blues domes of Oia.
If your time on Oia is limited, and you haven’t planned to spend more than a day there, you can visit both the Oia castle and the blue domes in the same afternoon. The more crowded Oia is, the harder it will be to find a better spot, however, walking from the castle to the domes takes about 10 minutes. So, you can start with taking some photos from the castle, then make a short hike, and continue your sunset-viewing from the domes.
2. Fira
Fira, also known as Thira, is the capital of Santorini. The village is built around the caldera which creates a unique view as the houses are built on the edge of 400 meters. The white-washed houses in combination with the volcanic vertical rocks that emerge from the bottom are on par with the sunset view from the caldera.
In Fira, you will also find a number of cafés, restaurants, bars, and clubs. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera are located there as well.
3. Pyrgos / Profitis Ilias
Amongst the many graphic settlements and villages in Santorini, Pyrgos stands out for its medieval castle and town planning. The village’s houses are built amphitheatrically around the castle, offering a unique view.
Pyrgos, which means Castle in greek, is located about 10 km from Fira and it used to be the island’s capital, until 1800. This is where you will also find the highest point of the island, Profitis Ilias. Constructed in the 10th century, Profitis Ilias is one of the oldest churches in Santorini. And that’s the place from where you will have the chance to witness a magic sunset.
4. Akrotiri Lighthouse
On the southwest part of the island, 18 kilometers away from Fira, there is the Akrotiri Lighthouse. Being on the edge, surrounded by sea, Akrotiri Lighthouse is an excellent spot for sunset in Santorini.
You can easily access the lighthouse from Akrotiri village. The route between the lighthouse and the village won’t disappoint you nor your camera.
5. Sunset Cruise
Granted, a sunset from high up is wonderful, but have you ever watched one from sea level? Santorini offers a number of cruises from which you can enjoy the magnificent sunset like never before.
If you aren’t looking for all-day cruises and you are looking specifically for a cruise to enjoy the sunset, there are cruises that begin specifically in the afternoon. And a few of them offer onboard dining, too!
6. Therasia
Technically speaking, Therasia is not on Santorini, it is a small island that belongs to the volcanic island group of Santorini. Located at the west of Santorini, Therasia has a hilltop from which you can see Oia and the rest coastal villages and, of course, the sunset.
There are three ways to get to Therasia from Santorini. If you want to go there in your vehicle, you should take the ferry boat from Athinios, Santorini’s main port. Otherwise, you can get there by boat, either from Ammoudi, Oia’s port, or from the old port of Fira.
7. Your Luxury Villa
The Mediterranean island is a very popular destination, both for Greeks and foreigners, and has been receiving more and more attention in recent years. So the truth is the best spots for watching the sunset in Santorini tend to get overcrowded. If you are looking for an idyllic sunset but without hundreds of people -and their smartphones- being all around you, then you should consider doing so from a villa.
Santorini is home to some of the most prestigious villas in the world. Like Paros villas, the luxury villa that you can find in Santorini offer plenty of amenities and are the ideal place to relax. When you rent a Santorini villa, you have the chance to combine the most beautiful sunsets with the privacy and luxury that a villa comes with. So, if you are looking for the perfect sunset, maybe you won’t have to go as far as you may think!
