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Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades, curled around a huge flooded caldera. White villages cling to the cliff and blue domes shine above the sea. Above all, a Santorini sunset over the caldera is the moment everyone remembers.
An island made by a volcano
About 3,600 years ago a giant eruption collapsed the middle of the island and the sea poured in, leaving the caldera we see today. As a result, the villages sit on the rim, high above the water. In the south, at Akrotiri, a Bronze Age town buried by volcanic ash can still be visited.
Where to wander
- Oia. The village most famous for its sunsets. Go early in the morning for quiet lanes and soft light.
- Fira and Firostefani. Fira is the island’s capital. From here, a cliff-top path leads from here along the rim.
- Imerovigli. Quieter, high on the caldera rim, with wide views over the water.
- The beaches. By contrast, Perissa and Kamari have black volcanic sand.
- Food and wine. Look for Assyrtiko wine, Santorini fava and the small sweet local tomatoes.
Where to watch the Santorini sunset
Oia is the most famous place to watch the Santorini sunset. However, the Oia sunset draws big crowds, so arrive at least an hour early in summer. For a quieter view, try Imerovigli or Firostefani on the caldera rim. Alternatively, head to the lighthouse at Akrotiri, near the south-western tip of the island. Below Oia, Ammoudi Bay also has a lovely sunset right by the water.
The blue dome church
The blue dome church is the other picture of Santorini that everyone knows. In Oia, a small viewpoint looks over the famous three blue domes. In addition, you will find blue domes in Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli. These are working churches, so dress modestly if you go inside.
Look beyond the domes
In fact, the details are half the charm: bougainvillea and oleander spilling over whitewashed walls, blue doors and shutters, and steps that wind down towards the sea.
Photographing a Santorini sunset
First of all, light is everything here. For example, early morning gives soft colour and fewer people, and the blue hour after sunset turns the white walls a deep blue. Because the walls are so bright, expose for the highlights and let the shadows fall. For a Santorini sunset, keep shooting for a few minutes after the sun goes down. That is when the sky often turns its deepest orange and pink.
You can read more about the island on Wikipedia.
Take a piece of Santorini home. Our Santorini sunset photo is on the magic mug, the beer mug and the espresso cups. Meanwhile, our blue dome church is on the personalised photo mug.
All photographs in this article © Simov P Store. All rights reserved.
