Best places to take photos in Santorini, Greece
Here at Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over three million memories worldwide. Today, we asked our local photographers to show us around all the best places to take photos in Santorini. Of course, there are many more places to discover, but you’ll definitely want to make sure you check out these amazing views in your exploration of this island paradise. 🏝
As one of the most idyllic of the Greek Islands, Santorini is world-famous for its cliffside views of the expansive, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, 🌊 breathtaking sunsets, unique domed architecture, and rich cultural history.
There’s no wonder it’s hailed as a picturesque destination for travelers. Witnessing the beauty is a special experience, and capturing it is a must for anyone visiting Santorini.📸
TLDR
(A little sneak peek just for you 😊)
- Imerovigli Village: On top of a cliff overlooking the caldera islands and the turquoise Sea of Crete sits the stunning upscale Santorini village of Imerovigli.
- Big Blue Domes: Over the centuries, the blue domes of Santorini have become iconic symbols of the island.
- Fira Village: On the western edge of the island, this village has a little more happening in the way of a cosmopolitan social lifestyle.
- Firostefani: Nestled on the highest part of the city, the village is gifted with one of the best views of the caldera, the glistening Aegean Sea, and the majestic Santorini volcano.
- Oia Village: The village boasts that quintessential Greek Island allure, with its blue-domed churches and windmills cascading down the caldera cliffs and overlooking the blue Aegean Sea.
- Pyrgos Village: At the foot of Mount Profítis Ilías, the panoramic views of green rolling hills and rocky cliffs make for a more natural and relaxed experience than the growing cosmopolitan areas of Santorini.
- Skaros Rock: This hotspot is a collection of rocks and ruins that serve incredible views of the surrounding Greek islands and ocean.
- The Heart of Santorini: A heart-shaped hole in a rock through which you can see the Aegean Sea, the sky, and the volcano.
- Megalochori Village: An enchanting village that’s a labyrinth of stone alleyways, blue-domed churches, and luscious vineyards right along the Mediterranean Sea.
- Vlychada Beach: Beautifully organized and uniquely serene, simply the perfect spot for a photo shoot.
Photo: Kris in Santorini for Flytographer. Angela and family capture memories in Santorini with a birthday photoshoot in Imerovigli Village.
1. Imerovigli Village
On top of a cliff overlooking the caldera islands and the turquoise Sea of Crete sits the stunning upscale Santorini village of Imerovigli.
Start your day on the Ekklesia Theoskepasti hiking trail and have a photoshoot at the Skaros Venetian Fortress before ending it on one of the many bars and restaurants. 🍻
Imerovigli is one of the best spots for sunset photos 🌞 because of the beautiful views of the sparkling water and lush green mountains from the clifftops. So, after dinner, prepare for an epic photo session during golden hour!
There’s a full day of adventure and Instagrammable locations waiting for you at Imerovigli that you won’t want to miss. No wonder it’s first on our list of the best places to take photos in Santorini.
Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Vincent and partner capture memories in Santorini on a couples photoshoot in Imerovigli Village.
2. Big Blue Domes
Over the centuries, the blue domes of Santorini have become iconic symbols of the island. One of the most outstanding crowns is the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Imerovigli. Besides the dome, the church sits on a hilltop, offering a picturesque setting for capturing classic Santorini photos. 😍
To capture the best angles of the blue dome, you can walk along the path above the church. From there, you’ll have a stunning view of the bell tower in the background and the breathtaking scenery of the caldera. 🔔 The blue dome and its surroundings are adorned with a beautiful bougainvillea, something that’s an excellent addition to every photoshoot!
Photo: Stathis & Christina in Santorini for Flytographer. Stanley and partner celebrate a proposal in Santorini with a proposal photoshoot at the Big Blue domes.
3. Fira Village
Fira town is on the western edge of the island and has a little more happening in the way of a cosmopolitan social lifestyle. The abundance of cafes, ☕️ retail stores, and varieties of accommodations draw people in.
There are two cathedrals in Fira that are worth the visit for the cultural experience. And the gorgeous architecture and outlook make this spot one of the very best places to take photos in Santorini.
The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist overlooks the ocean, and the views outside the building where it is situated are breathtaking. The grey and cream walls provide a different kind of backdrop for pictures as they are less focused on the natural landscape and capture more of the cultural feel. 😊
Photo: Flytographer in Santorini. Courtney and partner celebrate their honeymoon in Santorini with a honeymoon photoshoot in Fira Village.
4. Firostefani Village
Although it’s an extension of Fira, the village of Firostefani is a lot calmer, which makes it a great place to take amazing pictures without lots of people stepping into your frame. Nestled on the highest part of the city, the village is gifted with one of the best views of the caldera, the glistening Aegean Sea, and the majestic Santorini volcano. 🌋
Wander along quaint, narrow paths to find cozy restaurants, charming boutiques housed in typical white houses, and enchanting white–blue churches, all while soaking in mesmerizing views of the island. Everywhere you look, there will be Instagram-worthy spots to take incredible pics. 😉
Another quaint village worth a visit is Ammoudi, a few steps from Oia Castle, where you’ll find superb seafood restaurants with tables laid only inches away from the crystal-clear waters.
Photo: Stathis & Christina in Santorini for Flytographer. Dean and partner celebrate a proposal in Santorini with a proposal photoshoot at Firostefani.
5. Oia Village
The most popular spot in Santorini, Oia (pronounced “ee-ah”), is replete with beautiful photo locations. The village boasts that quintessential Greek Island allure, with its blue-domed churches and windmills cascading down the caldera cliffs overlooking the blue Aegean Sea. As you explore the narrow cobblestone alleyways, away from the main street, you’ll come across splendid vistas and iconic architectural gems like the Anastasi Church with its famous blue domes — one of the best places to take photos in Santorini with great ocean views. 💙
Are you looking for that perfect Santorini sunset? Look no further. The ruins of the 15th-century Oia Castle are everyone’s favourite during the golden hour. You can see the entire caldera, usually filled with cruise ships, the Cyclades ahead, and the neighbouring volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. It’s simply indescribable to watch a new colour palette be born with each passing moment. This post on the best places to take photos in Santorini would not be complete without including this location!
Friendly reminder: Oia Village is an extremely crowded location. Flytographer customers are encouraged to pick a different spot for their shoot.
Photo: Kris in Santorini for Flytographer. Silvia and partner capture memories in Santorini with a couples photoshoot in Oia Village.
6. Pyrgos Village
South of the well-known Santorini town of Fira is the quaint village of Pyrgos. At the foot of Mount Profítis Ilías, the panoramic views of green rolling hills and rocky cliffs make for a little more natural and relaxed experience than the growing cosmopolitan areas of Santorini.
A special setting for unique and beautiful photos is the Pyrgos Kasteli, which is a medieval castle 🏰 that is one of the most revered places of worship for the local community. It’s the best preserved of the 5 castles from this era, across the whole island. The worn, white-washed walls of the ancient architecture offer artistic views, and with plenty of areas to sit, stand, and walk around, there are definitely photo opportunities for capturing this rich history. 🙌🏼
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Kim and their partner capture memories on a trip to Santorini with a couple photoshoot.
7. Skaros Rock
Also known as Skaros Fortress or Castle Skaros, this hotspot is a collection of rocks 🪨 and ruins that serve incredible views of the surrounding Greek islands and ocean and is most definitely one of the best places to take photos in Santorini.
It’s only a 30-minute hike to Skaros Rock from its starting point, and the journey is full of Instagram-worthy backdrops. 📱 Especially at sunset when the sky is orange and the sun’s multicolored rays sink into the deep sea. These sights are mesmerizing and will have you wondering if you can extend your Greek vacation!
Before setting off on the hike to Skaros Rock, make sure you swap your vacation sandals for some runners 👟 because while it’s not a difficult trail, the last leg of the hike is rocky.
Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer. Brandon proposes to his partner in Santorini with a surprise proposal photoshoot.
8. The Heart of Santorini
Located in Megalochori Village, near the charming little chapel of Agios Nikolaos, is the Heart of Santorini, a heart-shaped hole in a rock through which you can see the Aegean Sea, the sky, and the volcano — talk about a frame! 💙 This is a truly romantic sight that is quickly becoming a famous Santorini attraction for being a perfect spot for epic Instagram photos. It requires a bit of a hike to reach, but it should not take more than 10 minutes on foot by following the main road, and there is a nearby parking lot available as well. As the day comes to a close, the Heart of Santorini transforms into an enchanting sunset haven and an unforgettable experience. 🌅
Photo: Kris in Santorini for Flytographer. Thomas and partner capture memories in Santorini with a vacation photoshoot at The Heart of Santorini.
9. Megalochori Village
If you’re a wine lover, 🍷 Megalochori is the ideal place for you. It’s an enchanting village that’s a labyrinth of stone alleyways, blue-domed churches, and luscious vineyards right along the Mediterranean Sea.
From the gorgeous caldera views to experiencing a Classical Greek concert at Symposion by La Ponta, 🎶 the tiny village of Megalochori is bursting with things to do.
While it’s a popular spot for wine lovers, it’s also a fantastic area for couples to vacation. Create unforgettable memories with your partner and check out the Heart of Santorini (a lookout point that’s carved into a heart shape 💖 in the caldera), luxurious villas, and thermal spas that Megalochori has to offer.
Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Josh and partner capture memories in Santorini on a proposal photoshoot.
10. Vlychada Beach
On the south coast of Santorini, this beach is a true hidden gem. Its black sands are lined with picturesque straw umbrellas, and there are dramatic cliffs that were formed over thousands of years through a natural process involving the volcano, wind, and sea — they look more like the work of a masterful sculptor, though! 👩🎨
Vlychada Beach is both beautifully organized and uniquely serene, simply the perfect spot for a photo shoot, as well as to escape from the world and immerse yourself in the vibes of this Greek island.
If you’re craving even more unique beach experiences in Santorini, make sure to visit the famous Red Beach. Also created by volcanic eruptions, it offers another otherworldly setting that will leave you in awe. 😮
Capturing memories in Santorini
Santorini is an excellent place to live your Mamma Mia dreams or enjoy with your loved one. Let Flytographer help you capture the extraordinary memories you’ll make all over this Greek island by hiring a professional Flytographer in one of the best photo spots! 📸
“Spyros was a delight to work with! He took the time to ask us what we wanted out of the session and went over several posing tips to help the photos pop and look amazing! He was very knowledgeable about the location and knew all the spots for that perfect shot. He used our session time very well and even included several photos of the surrounding landscape in our gallery (which really makes the photos feel complete). At the end, he even had recommendations for us for dinner! ”
Stephanie
“This photoshoot with Kris was absolutely the highlight of our trip to Santorini!! Everything was phenomenal – from the initial communication, directing, locations, conversation, recommendations, and even random facts/info about the island – we loved all of it. Kris was so fun to work with and he made us feel so comfortable during the entire experience. We loved that we were able to capture so many precious moments, especially for our babymoon trip! ”
Jonathan
“Stathis had such great energy and eye as we had our photo shoot in Santorini. Best of all – he was super kind to my 7-year-old daughter and made it fun for her and asked for pose ideas. He also walked us back to our restaurant for dinner even though it was in the opposite direction from his car.”
Vimala
