The 23 best Santorini instagram spots
The beauty of Santorini is unreal, on the one hand the immensity of the caldera and on the other the unique architecture compose a splendid landscape for photos. If your eye is sharp and you can improvise you will find infinite places to be photographed and take amazing shots.
The best spots are in Fira and Oia, in Fira I like the colours while in Oia the quaint little streets with small houses with domes. So I strolled around and here are the best spots for photos whether it's for Instagram or your collection.
In the end of the article I have made a Google map for you to locate all the spots.
1. View of the caldera from Ipapanti church
A central point in Fira and one of the best to take pictures with the caldera in the background. What makes it more special is that you can put in the frama Agios Minas, the small church whose white dome stands out on the left, but also below, the dome of Agios Ioannis. However for a view of the caldera, you can literally take a picture anywhere, even in a cafe or a restaurant. One of the best hours to take pictures with the caldera in the background is in the afternoon when the sun is reflected on the sea and makes the shot even more impressive.
2. View at Porto Fira Suites
A few meters and steps below the church of Ipapanti I spotted an amazing spot in front of Agios Ioannis Theologos church. There you can make a wonderful frame and take great photos with Firostefani rising above Fira and with Skaros rock in the background, the view reaches as far as Oia. As the name suggests, Firostefani crowns Fira, so take advantage to take this amazing photo. The best hour is from morning to noon because in the afternoon the sun goes against. To get there from Ipapanti follow the alley with the steps going down from Palia Kameni bar.
3. Porto Fira Suites entrance
A few steps past the above point is the entrance of Porto Fira Suites, there is no way you won't see it. Here the frame is pretty impressive while it combines the caldera as far as Oia, Skaros rock and a bit of Thirasia. As above the best hour is from morning to noon because in the afternoon the sun comes out against.
4. Fira panorama
Another spot that stands out is at the cable car station, at the point where the promenade juts out and creates an unobstructed view towards Fira. There you literally watch Fira in all its glory. You can easily take a picture with yourself with Fira in the background.
5. The three bells of Fira
A popular spot on the caldera promenade on the boundary between Fira and Firostefani. For a better view you have to go up to the upper street. To get there follow the alley to Mama Thira tavern until you reach the street and turn right there. In a few meters the view with the three bells and the caldera opens up in front of you.
6. Agios Ioannis Theologos at Fira
An elegant church with distinctive red accents where you can improvise several shots, with the church or Fira in the background. It is located at Porto Fira Suites. To get there from the church of Ipapanti go down the stairs from Palia Kameni bar.
7. Agios Stylianos
One more elegant chapel on the promenade of the caldera in Fira with beautiful colours, you can improvise several shots, with the caldera, Fira or Firostefani as a background.
8. View of Oia
After Nomikou Square with the three churches, walk a few meters along the pedestrian street to Santorini Secret. There the view opens up and creates a very nice frame for you to be photographed with Oia or the caldera in the background.
9. Any alley in Oia
Oia has many opportunities for photos, if you stroll through its labyrinthine alleys you will spontaneously discover many spots. It is more worthwhile to pose near one of the many houses with the domes.
10. The blue domes in Oia
It is probably the most famous spot in Greece for photographs. Starting from Panagia you walk through Oia from the pedestrian street. At the first church with the blue dome turn left into the alley to see a close-up of the blue domes. Return then to the pedestrian street and turn at the next alley at Melenio's confectionery for another view. The third and most popular spot of view will be found in the alley where the Minerali souvenir shop is located. As you see the churches the first is of the Resurrection and the second of Agios Spyridon.
The alleys do not connect to each other because they lead to private properties for this you have to return to the pedestrian street each time. Due to the fact they are very popular spots there is quite a lot of people and queues for photos. The best hour to avoid the crowds is in the morning.
Read more: Tips for avoiding the crowds in Santorini
11. Assumption of Mary and Agios Georgios
The elegant churches of Oia at the beginning of the pedestrian street are a very nice background for photos. So stand in the square in front of them and improvise.
12. Church of Panagia
The central church of Oia, elegant with a blue dome and an impressive bell tower. The most popular shot is the pose on the pebbled mosaic of the square.
13. Kastro Oia Houses
A rather popular spot and not without reason. The point most chosen by tourists is the entrance with the bougainvillea, if it is in bloom even better. A nice shot is also on the stairs.
14. The windmill of Oia
After the blue domes it is the second most popular spot in Oia. It is private and you are not allowed to approach it but still the shot is very nice. The best hour to be photographed there is at sunset with the sun sinking into the Aegean Sea. Follow the pedestrian street of Oia and as soon as you reach the junction follow the right alley towards Thalassia restaurant. This is called the Sunset Boulevard. Follow it to the end, where it ends you continue to the right and as you go you will notice the windmill.
15. The view from Oia's castle
The castle is the most popular spot in Santorini for sunset but it is also well-known for the impressive view towards Oia and Ammoudi. To get there follow the pedestrian street of Oia and once you reach the junction follow the left alley where Meteor cafe, the colorful building, is located.
16. Bell tower of Agios Ioannis in Oia
After Panagia you continue along the pedestrian street and at the church with the blue dome turn left into the alley. Continue straight until you see the impressive view of the bell towers on the domes.
17. The bell tower of Zoodochos Pigi
A taste of authentic Santorini in Megalochori with the bell tower with the 6 bells of the church of Zoodochos Pigi hanging over the alley. A picturesque spot in a village with white cube-like houses. I consider that along with the Transfiguration of the Savior in Pyrgos they are the best spots outside the caldera.
18. Bell tower of Agios Nikolaos in Megalochori
Beautiful bell towers overlooking the caldera are not only in Fira and Oia. In Megalochori you can visit Agios Nikolaos to photograph the caldera from this angle as well. Of course you have to go down some stairs. Before descending you will see the heart, another popular spot which is a heart-shaped hole dug into the soft volcanic rock overlooking the caldera.
19. The lighthouse in Akrotiri
At the southwest end of the island where the eye gaze the Aegean, the lighthouse dominates, it is one of the most well-known pictures of the island. The best hour to photograph it is at sunset.
20. Transfiguration of the Savior in Pyrgos
An impressive church that dominates the village and you can use it as a background, there are many good spots, the best are the steps and the alley leading to the church.
21. Presentation of Mary church
It is the church that dominates on the top of Pyrgos and is not particularly known as a photo spot.
22. Ammoudi
One of the most impressive spots in Santorini with the red rocks rising high and Oia hanging over them. The best spots are the steps that have a view of the bay, while from the taverns you can take pictures with the view of the rocks.
23. Red Beach
The Red Beach with the impressive red cliffs is also a popular spot.
A Google map follows with all the locations.
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