The best photo locations in Santorini can be found on the top of the caldera. In the morning, you get spectacular views looking down the island’s slopes towards the nearby island of Anafi. In the evening, you get equally spectacular views of the setting sun in the west, with Thirasia in the frame on the other side of the former volcano. Breathtaking sunrises, breathtaking sunsets – what is not to love?
Sunrise photos can be taken in peace and tranquillity, but get a spot early for sunset, as the masses will join you!
There are many other excellent photo locations on this unique Greek Island, which I love to find by exploring on foot, getting me away from the masses.
Where is Santorini?
Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece. It is part of the Cyclades group of islands, which also include Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos, Delos, Tinos, Ios and Syros.
Here it is on a map. It is where the red tag is.
As I mentioned earlier, this is what it looks like, and where neighbouring Anafi is.
Why take photos from the famous Santorini caldera?
Why? Because the views are fantastic. You will find an endless number of best spots to take photos from, picturesque setting after picturesque setting. From the top of the caldera, you get to see one of the unique things that makes Santorini what it is. I am talking about all those white-painted buildings perched on top of the caldera – such a wonderful sight that you really need to go to appreciate.
I thought I knew what I was going to experience when I got to Santorini, but walking through Imerovigli, Fira and Oia was a genuinely unique experience – the white walls of the buildings are so striking in that bright Greek sunlight. This was my first time in Santorini, and I have been back once since.
From the top of the Santorini caldera, you get sunrise views to the east and sunset views to the west. You also get the wonderful sight of the warm orange sun to the east and the cold blue light to the west, where the sun’s rays have not yet reached beyond the caldera.
From the top of the caldera, you get great views to the north and the south, up and down the island.
From the top of the caldera, you can look down at that magical morning cloud that appears every now and then.
The caldera is one of the best places to take photos on the wonderful Greek Island of Santorini.
In this post, I will discuss the various aspects of taking photos on caldera on the wonderful Greek Island of Santorini, an excellent place for any photographer to visit and well just wander around!
What about sunrise?
Sunrise is the best time for me to take photos. The sunrise on Santorini can be different each day, giving a fantastic range of weather conditions to photograph.
In my 5 days taking photographs from the top of the caldera, I had clouds forming below the level of the caldera, mornings with clear blue skies and also changeable weather with rapidly moving clouds, giving a virtually endless variety of image capture opportunities.
Taking photos of sunrises is my favourite thing to do when I am on holiday. I love the feeling of getting out and about before the start of a new day.
Most sunrises find me all on my own – there was one notable exception, though! And this is it.
Yes, it was a coach party of Japanese tourists who I stumbled across on one sunrise shoot! I don’t think they saw me, as they were engrossed with the view to the east, and quite rightly so – much more interesting than me! This was not the most popular spot to take photos; it was just a place on the main road where the coach could pull in and give these travellers a very lovely sunrise treat, a beautiful view that they just got off the coach to photograph then get back in and they were on their way!
Apart from this one time, I was completely alone during every sunrise. I don’t think the coach party stayed long – not as long as me, for sure, as I was out for four hours that morning!
I walked everywhere, and used my photographic superpowers of walking and looking.
The sea is on either side!
Another thing you can see from the top of the caldera is the contrasting sea states on either side of the island. One morning, the sea had a surreal effect to the east, almost looking artificial, whilst, to the west, the sea was flat blue with lovely, gentle, rippling waves. And this is at the same time!
Talking of the seas on either side – what about the light on either side?
Yes, look at the lighting. Cold blue pre-morning sunrise light to the right. Golden warm light to the left. This is the moment when sunrise casts its golden glow over the island – you can actually see this happening in this photo! The golden glow of sunset to the left, the cold blue pre-sunset morning flight to the right – amazing!
What about photographing the sunsets?
I did not take as many photos of Santorini sunsets as sunrises. Sunset is an anti-social time for me to take photos. After all, the bars and restaurants are open!!! That is why I photograph sunrises more than sunsets, if I am frank with you.
All the sunset photographs I took were taken from the western side of the caldera, looking straight into the setting sun.
I also took some photos of the sunset from our hotel, the lovely Kasimatis Suites in Imerovigli (next time, we will stop in Oia – much easier to spell!). Imerovigli is on the top of the caldera, by the way.
Check out the pool and the view beyond!
I even managed to include our room in some shots – that is how great a location Kasimatis Suites is, and how also shows what an absolutely excellent job my wife did picking this hotel.
Me and taking photos of Santorini
Santorini is a small island, covering approximately 28 square miles. I like small islands and am looking forward to returning to get to know Thira and Oia better. I loved that I could photograph both coasts in the same shot from high up on the caldera – such a unique thing to do.
This is why Santorini is one of my favourite photography locations and one of my favourite Greek Islands. My short stay there was a truly unforgettable experience.
I love the white buildings and the blue domes, a real Santorini feature and such photogenic gems for a photographer. Yes, even on a Greek Island, I photograph buildings, buildings in nice places, that is.
Where did we stay in Santorini?
For my first trip to Santorini, we stopped in Imerovigli, which is not far north of Santorini’s capital, Thira. We stopped at the Kasimatis Suites – a great hotel where the lovely staff bring breakfast to your room if you want!!! And a one-minute walk to one of the best photos I have ever taken! More on that in another blog post.
And from the hotel, you can sit there all day and watch the sun move across the view into the sunset – you actually do not need to leave the hotel to get fantastic sunsets, which is so cool. You can walk to the main town of Thira or the village of Oia, from where we stopped, which was super handy for me. And I was about 1 minute from a church with a beautiful blue dome.
You will find stopping in Santorini an interesting experience, as many of the hotels overlook the footpaths through the buildings so that you could be lying on a sunlounger on private property but with people walking right past you. – very strange!
What is the Santorini caldera anyway?
According to Wikipedia, “A caldera is a large cauldron-like hollow that forms following the evacuation of a magma chamber/reservoir. When large volumes of magma are erupted over a short time, structural support for the crust above the magma chamber is lost.”
Ok – that is how the incredible topography of Santorini was formed. And that is where you will find the best view – on top of the hill, or caldera to be precise, looking down in any direction, with panoramic views in all directions. How utterly splendid.
Did I ever leave the caldera?
Now, there’s a question. I only left the Santorini caldera when we walked from Imerovigli to Oia. And when we went to the airport on the way back, which is on the other side of the island down at sea level.
Apart from the airport, I never made it down to sea level!
Apart from that, I spent all my time in the caldera. When we return to Santorini, I will explore the rest of the island, including the lovely beaches on both coasts.
I have unfinished business with Santorini, both on the caldera and elsewhere.
Summary
The best photo spots in Santorini where you can take landscape photographs can be found on the top of the caldera, where you will find stunning views. But there are lots more things that I want to go back and look at, including Oia Castle, which I missed, and Amoudi Bay (or Ammoudi Bay – not sure which is the correct spelling). And I want to scale the heights of Skaros Rock again, which I absolutely loved doing. On the top of this rock, I found the perfect spot to take photos, looking back at the caldera with wonderful yellow flowers in the foreground.
I also want to capture the red beach and the black beach, colours coming from the volcanic rocks that form the island.
I have many of them, and it would be a shame not to share more photos.
The best photos were taken during and immediately after sunrise, my favourite time of day to take photos. The time we call golden hour, or as I see it, golden four hours! The sunrise and sunset photos are some of the best I have ever created,
And hopefully, I will return to Santorini and that incredible caldera!
This is a photo of me on that very caldera one early morning doing what I love to do!
Want to know more about me?
I am Rick, a professional photographer based in England. I am the creator of all things at the splendid Photography Explained Podcast. I write about architectural photography, travel photography and landscape photography on my website, Rick McEvoy Photography.
I teach beginner photographers how to learn photography, and I also have a course where I teach how to become a real estate photographer. Check out my courses page for more info.
And I have a YouTube channel where you can find me talking about the podcast and all sorts of other good stuff.
If you want to work with me, or you just want to say hi, email me at sales@rickmcevoyphotography.co.uk.
Rick McEvoy ABIPP – Photographer, writer, podcaster, educator
