Where to see the sunset in Santorini

There’s something about the mix of white buildings perched on the cliffside, pink bougainvillea, the caldera, and the sun slowly making its way into the blue Aegean Sea. Yes, the sunset in Santorini is one of the main tourist attractions. And I bet the locals don’t take it for granted either. 

With that in mind, it is easy to understand why you will have to plan in advance for this special time of the day. Hundreds of people make their way every day to some of the most popular spots on the island for watching the sunset. And because you will want to catch a good spot and have a great time, there are a few things to have in mind. 

Here you’ll find the places from where to see the sunset in Santorini – popular, off the beaten track, and stunning.

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But before we start, here are a few useful travel information you will need for your ultimate Santorini vacation. 

Skyscanner – I always use this tool when I search for plane tickets. It works best if I look way in advance, and it is one of the best aggregators you’ll find out there. Get the best tickets here!

 

Discover Cars is a great aggregator that will help you find and book the best option for renting a car during your trip, helping you save up to 70% on your car rental. They have a pretty good Cancellation policy that would give you options in case your flight or travel plans change. You will most probably need a car to get to most of these places, especially if you want to keep a schedule. Get your offers here!

 

Travel insurance – If there’s one thing we learned in recent times, is that we don’t want to make travel plans without insurance. My go-to travel insurance is Aardy.com – by using them, you will get the best possible prices on travel insurance because they compare prices from over 30 providers, and give you the best. Get the best deal for your travel insurance here!

Where to see the sunset in Santorini

Oia

Yes, one of the top things to do in Oia is to see the sunset. That being said, you can imagine how crowded this place gets around this time of day (and you can see from my picture above). 

Restaurants get packed with people, streets as well, the Byzantine Castle – the hot spot everyone flocks to – swarms with people stepping on each other’s feet. If you want to see the sunset from this point, you will have to either book a table at one of the restaurants around very much in advance (not on the same day or not even one day before) or come real early prepared for some waiting. 

Everywhere you’ll turn to in Oia around sunset time you will see crowds of people. 

Tip: wander around a bit further away from the main area where most people gather. It will be easy to find better spots just outside of Oia, or on the hills behind it. 

Fira

Although Fira is Santorini’s capital, it is not as crowded as its more famous neighbor. However, that doesn’t mean that Fira doesn’t offer stunning views for sunset. Quite to the contrary. 

Maybe also because you won’t have to fight your way to find a good spot, or because booking a restaurant with a stunning view won’t be such a challenge, Fira is a better place to go for sunset in my opinion. 

We managed to book a delicious restaurant only one day ahead from where we not only enjoyed a breathtaking view, but we also had a delicious meal and made some friends. 

Akrotiri Lighthouse

Set in the southernmost part of the island, this is quite a hidden gem when it comes to watching the sunset from Santorini. 

The lighthouse will offer a perfect background for some special pictures, not something you see everywhere on the internet. Particularly for the sunset. 

There’s also an “Akrotiri Sunset View” point if you search for it on Google Maps, which will make it even easier for you to find the perfect place to go to. 

A sunset cruise

Sail around the island and watch the charming natural show onboard a luxury boat. 

By booking a sunset cruise, you will most likely get the perfect spot without having to fight for it. Because there’s no better place to be than on the sea. 

You will have the stunning cliffs with white cave houses on one side, and the caldera on the other. On top of that, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and some local wine. 

Check out some great cruise available options here and book in advance to get the best price and choose your date and time!

Sunset wine tasting

Many people might not know this about Santorini, but here they make some great wine. 

Because of the way the vineyards grow on this volcanic rocky island, with lots of sun and not too much water, the Santorini wines are strong and sweet. 

And with plenty of wineries to choose from on the island, many offering stunning caldera views, it would be a pity not to go on a sunset wine tasting tour. 

No matter if you spend 2 days or 3 days on Santorini island, or even more, make sure not to skip this activity. 

Here are a few options you’ll want to book for your trip: 

• A private guided winery tour
• 4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour
• Check out this full list of food and wine tours of Santorini and choose the one that better suits your needs

From the privacy of your own terrace

When you choose the right accommodation, you won’t have to wander around looking for the best spot for sunset in Santorini. That’s because you will have the sunset spot exactly where you live. 

Booking the right hotel or villa in Santorini, one that offers caldera views and thus direct access to the sunset, shouldn’t be hard no matter what budget you have. 

Check out my guides that will help you make the best choice for your budget and desires: 

• Top 10 luxury hotels in Santorini with private pool and a stunning view
• Cheap hotels with caldera views
• The most comprehensive guide for where to stay in Santorini
• Where to stay in Santorini on a budget
• Should you stay in Fira or Oia?

Other Santorini useful guides

• 1 day in Santorini
• Santorini or Crete – which one is best for you?
• Plan your ultimate Santorini honeymoon
• What to wear in Santorini

 

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