Santorini Sunsets: How and Where to View the World's Most Famous Sunset (2023 Guide)
The magical Santorini sunset needs no introduction - it’s world-famous for a reason! Our guide covers the best Santorini & Oia sunset spots, from Oia Castle to less-crowded gems, plus a few essential travel tips so you can relax and enjoy the show!
Whether viewed shoulder-to-shoulder at the Oia Castle, from the infinity pool of your bougie hotel, or from the deck of your romantic sunset cruise, Santorini's sunset is world-famous for a reason: it's pretty bloody spectacular.
The obvious choice for many is in Oia, the view that made sunset synonymous with Santorini and where the white-washed, blue-domed town and dramatic caldera cliffs are illuminated by pink, purple, and gold pastel tones. It’s a breathtaking experience, even if you do have to share the magic with what feels like a million other people.
However, while the island’s most famous main drawcard is truly beautiful, it, like many of the world's most famous tourist spots, is also by no means the only beautiful place to watch Santorini's most famous show from.
If you're looking for a more unique sunset experience on the island, or the thought of jostling with thousands of others simply gives you the heebies (we don't blame you), we've put together this guide to the best Santorini sunset locations.
Here, you'll find everything from the famous Oia Castle to lesser-known, but equally epic, spots, plus a few tips to help you make the most of the experience.
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SANTORINI SUNSET LOCATION SNAPSHOT
THE OBVIOUS LOCATION | Oia Castle sunset
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME | A sunset sailing cruise
THE HIDDEN GEM | Pyrgos Castle
IF YOU HAVE TIME | Akrotiri Lighthouse
YOU COULD MISS IT | Fira
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST SANTORINI SUNSET VIEWPOINTS
SUNSET SPOTS IN OIA: THE MOST FAMOUS SANTORINI SUNSET LOCATION
The clifftop town of Oia is the most famous place on Santorini, and perhaps in the whole world, for sunset.
The sight of the whitewashed town cascading down the caldera, speckled with blue-domed churches and ancient windmills, all glowing rosé and splendid gold as the sun drops into the sea is truly a pinch-me moment for anyone who witnesses it. We definitely had a pinch-me moment when witnessing it finally for ourselves!
The most common location for sunset watching in Oia is, of course, the Oia Castle (more on that below) — but its popularity means it does also come with a side of discomfort due to the insane crowds, especially during peak season.
Here are our tips for epic Santorini sunset viewing in Oia, plus a few suggestions for how to see it without the crowds:
OIA CASTLE
You wouldn't know it to look at it now, but the ruins of the Oia Castle (Castle of Agios Nikolaos) are all that remains of a 15th-century Venetian castle watchtower that stood guard against marauding pirates in the area. The castle was ruined in an earthquake in 1956, and these days the only 'pirates' who breach the walls are the thousands of tourists who flock here to watch the sunset each day.
And what a sunset it is! From here, you have pretty much 360-views of Santorini, from the orange-hued town and windmills of Oia to the endless sea and caldera below. There’s definitely a reason that this is Santorini’s most famous sunset spot.
Be prepared to get there early to stake your place, take some water (or a beer!), and chat with those around you as you wait!
We have to be super honest and say that having done both Oia Castle at sunset and exploring the town at sunrise, we much preferred sunrise in Oia, both for the soft morning light and the absence of crowds. If you have the option, we'd recommend also visiting in the wee hours to enjoy the peace and quiet!
Alternatively, instead of heading up to the Oia Castle watchtower with everyone else, follow the path down past the famous Kastro Oia House and along the old castle walls.
Here, you’ll get a similar view (albeit lower, obviously!), but with a fraction of the people found at the top.
THE DETAILS
Where | Oia Castle
Tip | Get there a few hours before, with some snacks, water, and a sundowner to stake your place!
AROUND THE ‘BLUE DOME’ CHURCHES IN OIA
Prefacing this one with a caution to please not trespass around the famous Santorini 'Blue Domed Churches' (aka Agios Spiridonas and Agios Anastasis) - much of the area around here is private property and is marked as such, so please respect the signs.
Same goes for wandering on the rooftops of the churches here too!
That said, there are many lovely public laneways around these two famous churches that make for great vantage points as the sun sets into the ocean. Head here early and have a wander around to find your perfect vantage spot!
THE DETAILS
Where | Blue Domed Churches of Oia
ON A SANTORINI SUNSET SAILING TRIP
There aren't many things better than a Santorini sunset.... except maybe taking a sunset cruise and watching the show over Oia from the deck of your own catamaran!
It's a pretty romantic option for those looking for their sunset view with a side of salty air too, and is made even better by the fact you’ll have prime position for the show without having to rub shoulders with thousands of others at the same time.
Most sailing tours on Santorini go for 5-6 hours, have an open bar and cook up a tasty traditional Greek grill feast too, so relax with your glass of bubbles and get ready for the memory of a lifetime.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | Santorini sunset sail
THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH SUNSET IN IMEROVIGLI
Smack in the middle of the caldera ridge and with the sun setting into the ocean directly in front of you, the town of Imerovigli has some of the best sunset views of the dramatic Santorini landscape and sea beyond.
Better yet, there are almost no crowds here, making it probably the greatest sunset spot on the whole of Santorini.
While you can pick a comfy spot anywhere along the Fira to Oia hike promenade, here are a few more of our recommendations for the perfect sunset spot in Imerovigli:
THE WINE BAR, IMEROVIGLI
Personally, we think the view is best served with a cocktail at one of the many bars along the caldera — our pick of the bunch is The Wine Bar. This natural cave has seen previous lives first as a stable, then a wine cellar, and now as an atmospheric wine bar.
During summer, the Wine Bar's terrace is the place to be when it comes to sunset viewing with a local wine or one of their celebrated cocktails in hand. And if you visit during winter, the wine cellar is perfect for a cosy wine night with your loved one.
Be sure to book your spot on the terrace well in advance, especially during the current circumstances. You can find more information here.
THE DETAILS
Where | The Wine Bar, Imerovigli
SKAROS ROCK
The jagged promontory jutting out from the sea in front of Imerovigli makes for some pretty epic scenery at the best of times, but especially during those long golden Santorini afternoons.
Timing your hike to Skaros Rock (check out our guide to the hike here) for the late afternoon and sunset means you're guaranteed a front row seat to the island's best show. The sun sets pretty much directly in front of you, while the views over Oia and the rest of the island are basically unmatched.
We'd recommend hiking down to the little Chapel (take the left path that weaves along the side of the outcrop) and enjoying the last hours of light from the sun-soaked terrace.
Personally we avoided climbing to the top of Skaros Rock as it looked pretty sketchy, but plenty of people do — especially for sunset!
THE DETAILS
Where | Skaros Rock
YOUR HOTEL TERRACE
It's not often that we recommend actually staying in at your hotel on your travels, but Santorini is literally known for it's incredible selection of boutique hotels and their epic terraces and pools with caldera (and therefore sunset!) views.
Imerovigli is where, in our opinion, you’ll find the more special of these hotels. So it would be somewhat remiss of us to not include it here!
Plus the view of the caldera from the terrace at our own hotel, Remezzo Villas, a converted vineyard and cellar from the 1800s, was amongst the best that we saw during our time on the island!
Santorini is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime destination for so many travellers — if you decide to splurge on a cool hotel while you're there, we recommend spending one of those nights relaxing with a sundowner on your own balcony.
THE DETAILS
BOOK | Remezzo Villas
PYRGOS | OUR FAVOURITE SUNSET SPOT ON SANTORINI
We raced towards Pyrgos during golden hour, in the hope of witnessing an epic sunset from Santorini's highest village — and we certainly weren't disappointed.
Medieval Pyrgos is charmingly authentic, beautifully preserved, and so far from the touristy and sometimes-Disneyland vibe of some of Santorini's other towns. Our favourite sunset spot was the Kastelli, but we also recommend Franco's Bar if you're looking for more of a vibe.
More details below!
THE PYRGOS KASTELLI | OUR FAVOURITE SUNSET SPOT
Built in 1580, the Pyrgos Kastelli (Castle) is the 'youngest' of the five castles on the island, and in our opinion, the best place to watch the whole of Santorini and the vast Aegean Sea unfolding right before your eyes.
This was by far our favourite sunset spot on the whole of Santorini; the town below is bathed in gorgeous light as it winds down for the day, while the whole island rolls out before your eyes. It’s just a super beautiful, peaceful sight to see.
The added bonus is that it’s extremely quiet - we had the whole area up here at the ruins entirely to ourselves!
THE DETAILS
Where | Pyrgos Kastelli - we just kept heading up, before turning down a little laneway at the top and coming out at the Kastelli wall!
FRANCO'S CAFE PYRGOS
Not to be confused with the overpriced Franco's Bar in Fira, Franco's Cafe is probably the most famous sunset spot in the traditional village of Pyrgos.
Perched atop the maze of trinket-lined laneways that weave up to the top of the Kastelli, Franco's has become somewhat of an institution when it comes to sunset on Santorini. Just as at the Kastelli, from here you can view the sun setting over the whole island, with the added bonus of a far more intimate, stress-free experience than other parts of the island.
In our view, Pyrgos was the best place for watching sunset on Santorini. Do be aware that Franco's is quite popular, so you'd be wise to book a table for sunset if you want to guarantee to get a spot. Especially during peak season!
THE DETAILS
Where | Franco’s Cafe, Pyrgos
AKROTIRI LIGHTHOUSE | SANTORINI SUNSETS
Towering above the Aegean sea on the southwestern-most cliffs of Santorini and known for its rugged beauty, Akrotiri is one of Greece's oldest lighthouses. It's an idyllic spot throughout the day, but especially magical during the late hours of the day too.
At sunset, when golden light stretches across the ocean and bathes the lighthouse in warm tones, it's a peaceful, romantic spot to watch the show from. You'll also find more locals enjoying the show here, away from the chaos of other Santorini sunset locations.
Don't forget to explore the paths on the hillside behind the lighthouse too, which make for a beautiful perspective of the lighthouse and the golden sea behind! This one's best for those who like their sunsets with a more rugged, natural untamed beauty vibe.
You will need a car for this one as it's about 30 minutes drive (or more, in peak season!) from Fira, and over an hour from Oia. It would make the perfect ending to an afternoon spent exploring the ancient Akrotiri ruins (guide coming soon!).
THE DETAILS
Where | Akrotiri Lighthouse, Akrotiri
THE BEST SUNSET SPOTS IN FIRA
Fira isn't necessarily known for its sunset viewing — at various times of the year, sunset happens earlier here due to the town's location on the caldera and the views just aren't quite as breathtaking as those found in other areas of Santorini. But that's not to say you can't catch a good one from here too!
Lots of guides will tell you to plant yourselves at one of the Caldera-view bars and restaurants here in Fira to watch the sunset, but we have to disagree.
Fira is by far the most disappointing town on Santorini, and the bars and restaurants here, especially those with large sunset-facing terraces, are known for eye-watering prices, pretty terrible service and quality, and an overall tourist-trap approach to things.
Needless to say, you're not going to find a recommendation for a sunset bar here.
That said, there are still a couple of spots here that we recommend if you're keen on a Fira sunset experience:
THE FIRA WALL
The walls along the Fira to Oia path, the pedestrian walk that connects the island capital with Oia, make for a decent sunset spot in Fira, without the price tag of the many bars promising the same view.
Simply settle in anywhere along the promenade wall, and watch as the cliffs around you glow with magical early evening light. Do note that this is a particularly popular way to view the sunset in Fira, so as with Oia castle, you'll need to arrive well before the main event to secure your spot on the wall.
THE DETAILS
Where | Anywhere along the Fira to Oia hike wall!
THREE BELLS OF FIRA
About 15-minutes walk up from the centre of Fira, you'll find the iconic Three Bells of Fira, a beautiful blue-domed church with overlooking the caldera and neighbouring islands.
The Three Bells are one of Fira's most famous and recognisable photography locations; we'd hazard a guess that you've probably already seen a photo of this iconic landmark on a postcard or magazine about the island before.
Head up here for sunset and enjoy the changing colours over the sparkling blue sea, and the infinite views over the caldera, volcano, and neighbouring islands. It makes for a magical photography spot — but be prepared to flex your patience during peak season as it can get quite crowded (or come up here for sunrise instead!).
THE DETAILS
Where | The Three Bells of Fira (aka The Catholic Church of the Dormition)
SANTORINI SUNSET TIPS
Before we get into the crux of this guide, there are a few things to know that will make your sunset experience infinitely better on Santorini:
FORGET THE OVERPRICED RESTAURANT VIEWS
Honestly, most restaurants boasting a caldera view (not limited to but especially in Fira) charge more than double just for the view and serve up mediocre limp food.
Avoid these tourist traps like the plague, watch the sunset somewhere else, and spend your money at a more authentic, worthwhile establishment.
GET THERE EARLY, ESPECIALLY IN OIA
Sunset watching in Oia should probably be classed as an Olympic sport — or at least as a contact sport for some tourists!
We'd recommend getting there at least 2-3 hours early (yes, you read that right!), pick your spot on the ledge or along the castle wall, and don't plan to move till the show is over. Don't forget your sunscreen!
BRING DRINKS, SNACKS, BEERS, ETC.
This is especially important for those staking positions early: take a couple of beers or cold drinks along with you to enjoy while you wait for sunset to happen.
It makes waiting for the main show infinitely better, and long-time readers of this blog will also know we're huge supporters of a cheeky sundowner anyway!
SANTORINI TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTORINI
We’ve written an in-depth guide on where to stay on Santorini, including our top hotel recommendations.
We stayed at Remezzo Villas in Imerovigli for the majority of our stay. In our opinion, Imerovigli is by far the best town to stay in on Santorini.
It's the highest of the caldera towns, with sweeping views over the caldera, Skaros Rock, and endless sea. It also provides super-easy access for those wishing to take on the Skaros Rock hike!
READ MORE | Where to stay on Santorini
GREECE PACKING ESSENTIALS
Travelling through Greece comes with a unique set of needs. To help you have a comfortable, happy journey, we recommend bringing the following items with you:
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | THE BEST INVESTMENT WE’VE EVER MADE! We use the Grayl water purification bottles, which allow us to fill up from any water source, anywhere in the world (including train taps!)
A TOTE BAG | The humble tote is a versatile little lifesaver when on the road. They're plastic-free, small, easily foldable, and can pack a surprising amount! Check out this range of beautifully designed, personalisable totes bags here
BIODEGRADABLE WET WIPES | Keep clean without destroying the planet!
HAND SANITISER | This is not something we’d actually recommend normally, but we now live in Covid times... so this can be a bloody great investment
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ADAPTER | You’ll need a European plug to keep your gear going!
POWER BANK | Don’t get caught out without power for your devices
EYE MASK | For those annoyingly early European sunrises!
BIO-FRIENDLY TOILETRIES | Avoid damaging and chemical-heavy products and facial scrubs with microbeads altogether. We recommend Lush solid shampoo, conditioner and bodywash bars, ocean-friendly sunscreen (Stream2Sea), a mooncup is a great investment for “that” week and Lip balm for the sun
READ | check out our eco-friendly packing guide to travel through Greece consciously and comfortably
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN THE GREEK ISLANDS
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
For all travellers | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out of pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
For digital nomads | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
Car Insurance | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO GREECE?
Check out these essential guides, travel tips, and more to help you on your way:
SANTORINI ATTRACTIONS | Our curated Santorini Travel Guide, The best of Santorini, Where to stay in Santorini, A curated guide to Oia, Santorini, A short guide to Ammoudi Bay, Our guide to hiking Skaros Rock, How and where to find the best Santorini sunsets
THE BEST OF NAXOS | Top things to do on Naxos, Things to do in Chora Town, A guide to the pretty town of Halki, A guide to Plaka Beach
EXPLORE PAROS | The best things to do on Paros, A guide to Naoussa town, A guide to Lefkes, A short guide to Parikia Paros, Where to stay on Paros
GREECE SAILING | This is what it’s like to sail the Greek Saronic Islands with Medsailors
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PLAN YOUR GREEK ISLAND HOPPING ADVENTURES HERE
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