Over 20 Santorini Instagram Spots to Photograph During Your Greek Islands Vacation
One of the world’s most bucket-worthy places to visit is the Greek Island of Santorini. Right off the mainland of Greece there are literally thousands of small islands, and of those a little more than 200 are inhabited. But the single most scenic and iconic village is Oia which is the crown jewel of the Santorini island.
No doubt you’ve seen photos of the famous whitewashed buildings with the blue dome rooftops. While this style of architecture can be found all over Greece, the village of Oia has the most vibrant and preserved buildings situated right next to each other. The natural way the locals built their community right along the edge of the caldera turned out to be the most picturesque and photogenic layout. Very Instagrammable to say the least!
In this guide I will breakdown all the best Insta-worthy spots in Oia, Santorini and also other hidden gem photo spots around the island of Santorini. If you’ve booked a stay of few days in Oia, you’ll have plenty of time to cover all the classic Instagram photo spots in Oia and then take day trips to other parts of the island.
Some Important Things to Note Before Taking Photos in Santorini
The Challenges of Finding Exact Locations in the Greek Islands
Before I get into the nitty gritty details of the exact Instagram photo spots in Santorini, there’s a bit of a disclaimer I need to explain. Many of the roads and streets on the Greek Islands have no formal name and come up as “Unnamed Road” in Google Maps.
So I will be directing you to the general area where you can start walking on foot. There’s usually a hotel next to all the scenic spots so I will often give you the hotel name and link to find the address. Most people walk everywhere on the islands and this is truly the best way to see the sights.
Do Not Stand on the Churches in Oia, Santorini
On the caldera in Oia, all the buildings are positioned close together on a very vertical slope. Which means that sometimes your best view may be from standing on top of the roof of another building (this will make sense when you see it in person). There’s several active churches located right in the heart of the blue domes and they are not obviously a religious building when standing from a point above them.
Tourists have made a habit of taking Instagram photos while standing on top of churches because they often give you the best photography shot. This has become a hot topic among the local community who believe it to be disrespectful to their beliefs. You will now see many roofs of buildings marked as “Church - Do Not Stand” with bold letters. Please be a responsible and courteous tourist and refrain from standing on top of a known church.
Browse these Instagrammable Oia Hotels
Instagrammable Photo Spots in Oia, Santorini
The Famous Blue Domes
The blue domes of Oia are the most recognizable landmarks of Santorini. There’s several photography vantage points along the main road Nikolaou Nomikou which you can easily walk. Along this road you’ll see the Oia Blue Dome Viewpoint (this is what Google Maps calls the lookout spot).
Hotels with the Best Views in Oia, Santorini
One of the best ways to ensure amazing photos of Oia, Santorini is by booking your hotel in a prime spot. Some of the best vantage points are located on private hotel property which is only available to guests. You won’t have to worry about a bunch of tourists being in the background of your photos either.
Staying in a hotel located in the caldera is also an easy way to avoid the hassle of finding transportation to the blue domes if your hotel is located further away. In the Greek islands there’s limited cars and busses available and the schedules are unpredictable.
Top 5 Hotels with the Best Views in Oia, Santorini:
Oia Spirit Boutique Hotel - This hotel is located right next to the biggest blue dome church in Oia and you can literally take pictures of you sitting in a private pool with the blue domes right in the background. Instagram goals for sure!
Katikies Kirini Santorini - The Kirini Hotel has the most bright and clean white washed walls with panoramic ocean views. They have rooms with private pools and gorgeous backdrops. Pretty much any photo you take at this hotel, both inside and outside on the terrace, is going to be amazing.
Onar Villas - The Onar Villas sit right at the edge of the caldera and their hotel hits all the marks for Insta-worthy photos including white washed walls, private pools out on the terrace and sweeping ocean views.
Caldera Premium Villas - The Caldera Villas have a slightly different vibe as far as aesthetics from the more traditional Oia look, but are still very in keeping with the vibes of the Greek islands. I picked this hotel for this list because not only are there amazing views, but this hotel has so many Insta-worthy angles to shoot stunning photos.
Kastro Oia Houses - I wanted to include a pink hotel for those ladies who love a colorful feed. The Kastro Hotel has stunning ocean views and very unique private pools which would be great for shooting TikTok and Instagram Reel travel videos. The sunset is truly amazing from their terraces and as an extra bonus this hotel is a bit more budget-friendly.
Oia Church Bell Towers
Walking along the main strip and central square of Oia you’ll see a handful of ornate church bell towers. One of them is ground level and you can easily take photos walking by it or standing next to it. Scroll through the photos in this blog post to see photo examples.
Right next to the Aspaki by Art Maisons Hotel you’ll find a public walkway which leads to a pair of the most Insta-worthy bell towers (click here to see which ones I’m talking about). Walking down this path adjacent to the hotel you can get some great shots.
You’ll see multiple 3-tier bell chapels throughout Oia, there’s a couple white ones and a pastel pink one. From certain vantage points it’s easy to photograph them without any other people in your photos. As you walk along the cobblestone side paths from Nikolaou Nomikou you’ll easily see them because they immediately stand out.
The Doors of Oia
As you’re walking through the cobblestone streets of Oia, you will notice a lot of ornate and colorful doors that seem to lead to nowhere. This is because they usually lead to a staircase that goes down the mountain to a residence or hotel. These whimsical doors make for fun Instagram photos.
Windmill of Oia
During our trip my husband and I never found the Windmill of Oia which I am pretty bummed about. These ancient windmills are iconic symbols of Greece and look amazing in photos.
It wasn’t until I did further research after we got home that I discovered that the Charisma Hotel is right next to it.
The Thetis Cave Vacation House Rentals are also very close to the windmill. Using these addresses is probably the easiest way to find it.
Lolita’s Gelato Shop
As my husband and I walked through the narrow streets of Oia, we stumbled across Lolita’s Gelato Shop. This super cute ice cream shop is very Insta-worthy with cute pink logo and a shaded outdoor patio. They have colorful gelato cups and shakes for some foodie photos.
Take Photos Walking Down the Main Street of Nikolaou Nomikou
As you walk around Nikolaou Nomikou in Oia, there’s just so many cute and picturesque corners that make for great photo ops. Keep your eyes open for colorful doors, curved pathways, blooming flowers, white washed walls and even photogenic cafes and restaurants.
Bougainvillea Flowers
The magenta pink flowers you see blooming all over Greece are called bougainvillea. These beautiful flowers start blooming in June and the blooms last until November. These flowers have a vine-like structure and tends to be found around doorways, walls and arches, making the perfect natural frame for a photo. Keep your eyes open for some bougainvillea in full bloom for photos.
Oia Castle Sunset Spot
The Oia Castle was once a Renaissance era watchtower for pirates, but in modern times it is much more like ruins. Instagrammers love this spot because it’s located right at the tip of the mountain and you’ll have panoramic sunset views.
My husband and I didn’t even attempt to take sunset photos here because it was insanely crowded with other tourists also trying to get sunset photos. In my opinion, you’re much better off booking a hotel with a private terrace so you can enjoy the sunset in peace. There’s actually a hotel right next to the ruins called the Old Castle Oia Hotel.
Take Insta-Worthy Couples Photos in Oia with a Professional Photographer
One drawback to traveling alone with your significant other is that you can’t easily get quality photos of you two together. Because Oia is such a popular place for taking photos, there’s many tours led by professional photographers who can capture very sweet couples portraits with stunning backgrounds. The photographer will also know all the best photo spots so you won’t have to look for them yourself. Win win! Book an Oia photography tour here.
More Intagrammable Places on the Island of Santorini
Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tours in Santorini
You may be surprised to learn that there’s a thriving wine culture on the island of Santorini and you can take a day trip to vineyard for a tour and tasting. Many of the wineries are located on top of mountains so you can enjoy scenic views while enjoying a glass of locally made wine. Book a Santorini wine tour here.
Greek Foodie Instagram Photos
In my Instagram feed you’ll find plenty of mouth watering foodie posts because I love to try new foods when traveling. I have written an entirely separate guide to all the best Greek foods to try while on vacation in Greece. If you’re not sure how to get started on taste testing the local cuisine, I suggest you book a fun Greek food tour!
Take Insta-Worthy Photos While Sailing in Santorini
You can really capture those vacation vibes while onboard a sailboat cruising around the Aegean Sea. Get a new photography perspective of the island by taking photos of Oia while standing on a boat. You can book a ticket to sail on the water in Santorini for under $30 and your photos will be totally priceless. Book a Santorini sailing boat cruise here!
Best Hotels with Private Pools and Caldera Ocean Views in Oia
Hidden Gems in Santorini
Most people have heard of the town of Oia because it’s a popular tourist destination. But there’s other scenic villages in Santorini that are much less known, and therefore much less crowded.
Imerovigli Village in Santorini
The village of Imerovigli is located south from Oia on the island of Santorini, it’s about a 20 minute drive. Imerovigli has very similar landscapes and architecture as Oia with blue domes, white washed walls and sweeping ocean views. Imerovigli is much smaller and quieter than Oia, there’s less people and less shops and restaurants.
If you’re looking to escape the summer crowds of Oia, book a stay at one of these stunning Imerovigli hotels with amazing views:
Anastasi Orthodox Church
The other blue domes found in Imerovigli are at the Anastasis Church. Very similar to how you see the scenery in Oia, you can take very up close photos of the domes and horizon ocean views. Because there’s less tourists in this area, you have a better chance of having a more relaxing photoshoot experience without hoards of people waiting in the wings for their own photos.
Transportation from Oia to Imerovigli
If you’re looking for a convenient way to take a day trip from Oia to Imerovigli without having to deal with a car rental, you can book a day trip tour. This will cost you much less than paying to rent a car and will definitely save you the hassle. You’ll also have the benefit of a guide who knows the best photo spots and tips and tricks to avoid other tourist bottlenecks. Book a tour with convenient transportation from Oia to Imerovigli.
Traditional Village of Megalochori
Megalochori is another Oia look-alike village on the island of Santorini. It also has the blue domes, white washed walls and bell towers. But this village offers a more traditional and less touristy experience of the islands.
In this area of Santorini there’s a cluster of wineries that allow tours and tastings for visitors. Megalochori is a 30 minute drive south from Oia and makes for a great day trip.
Fun Things To Do in Megalochori:
The Heart of Santorini
Just outside Megalochori there’s a heart-shaped hole in a rock known as The Heart of Santorini. When you look through the hole you can see ocean views. This is a popular Instagram sunset spot. There’s a tour dedicated to Instagram spots in Santorini and on one of the stops it takes you directly to The Heart of Santorini spot.
Firostefani
Firostefani is a traditional village on the island of Santorini located just a few minutes outside the capital city of Thera (also called Fira). When you look at photos of Firostefani it looks so similar to Oia, you can hardly see the difference. This village also has the white washed walls, blue domes and panoramic views of the ocean and caldera. Because this village is less known, you can avoid the crowds and have a more authentic experience.
Pyrgos
I sound like a broken record because I keep saying that these little villages are just smaller versions of the famous Oia - but it’s true! Pyrgos is a little bit more inland than the other villages, so you might have to drive to get to the coast. But it’s got the white washed walls, blue domes and scenic views because it’s on the side of Mount Profitis. You can find some great budget-friendly hotels in Pyrgos and still enjoy a luxury Greek island vacation.
Akrotiri & the Venetian Castle
All the way at the southern tip of Santorini you’ll find the Akrotiri Village. This small village has a long history which dates back to a Late Neolithic era. History buffs love to explore the ancient sites in Akrotiri which includes The Venetian Castle. Of all the ancient ruins on the island of Santorini, The Venetian Castle is probably the single one that has held up the best and still looks like a castle.
Santorini Volcano Hot Spring Thirasia
In the past couple years natural hot springs have really been having a moment on Instagram and TikTok. The Thirasia Hot Spring does not disappoint with bright turquoise colored waters. This spot will make for an amazing photo and video backdrop. You can swim in this warm water and really enjoy one of the best kept secrets of Santorini. Get the details on how to find the Thirasia Hot Spring here.
Best Beaches on the Island of Santorini for Instagram Photos
Perissa Black Sand Beach
My husband and I spent a couple days swimming in the ocean at Perissa Black Sand Beach and Perívolos which is just a few minutes south. These are a touristy hot spots with lots of beach sun beds available to rent and beach-side restaurants. The sand is black and comfortable to walk on. The water is clear and warm, you can swim with confidence or float on an inflatable.
Red Sand Beach
From black sand to red sand, the Red Sand Beach is located on the most southern part of the island of Santorini. The high cliffs surrounding this beach are bright red and really make for stunning photos. This spot is much less touristy and requires an adventurous spirit to make a trek down to the beach. You will not find restaurants or shops in this area so you must bring everything you need with you.
Horseback Riding on the Beach in Santorini
If laying out at the beach is not your vibe, you can still have a beach day while riding horses along the shore. During this horseback riding tour you will experience a variety of landscapes including the Santorini mountains, sand dunes and sandy beaches. Book your horseback riding tour here!
Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in Oia, Santorini
The Best Time of Day for Photography in Santorini
Sunrise & Sunset Photos in Santorini
As a general rule of thumb for photography, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day to take photos. During these two times of day the lighting is technically called “diffused lighting.” Diffused lighting is softer, more flattering and has that kind of magical glow we like to capture in Instagram photos. The diffused lighting on the Greek islands in the summer has a special kind of glow which makes it easy to take very Instagrammable pictures.
In the summer in Santorini the sunrise starts at about 6am, which means you’ll want to start planning to arrive at your photo spots around 5am (yep I know that’s early). If you shoot in the morning you will avoid crowds and more easily get photos without other people in them.
The evening “Golden Hour” in the summer in Santorini starts an hour before sunset and can last up to 30 minutes after the sun goes down past the horizon. The summer sunset starts around 8pm, so you should plan to be ready at your photoshoot location by 7pm. Be aware that sunset lookout spots are very popular in Oia so you might have to claim your spot a couple of hours ahead of sunset.
Midday Photos in Santorini
The summer sun is very intense in the Greek islands and photos taken around the midday sun at 12 noon can sometimes be shadowy and have high contrasts of dark and overexposed lighting. It can also be some of the most unflattering lighting for portrait photos.
You generally want to avoid taking photos in full sun, but there’s one exception to this rule. If you want to capture the bright and clear blue and turquoise colors of the ocean waters, I suggest taking the photos while the sun is high. If there’s a person in your photos swimming in the water, get creative with a sunhat and sunglasses. During our trip to Greece we explored some hidden gem Greek islands, see our beach photos as an example.
See Our Top Favorite Santorini Hotels:
Cocoon Suites is a stunning hotel located in the village of Imerovigli. You can expect modern design interiors inside the rooms and private pools with ocean caldera views.
The Kastro Oia Houses is a popular Insta-famous hotel because of the pink walls and light blue doors and details. They have amazing ocean views and very unique private pools inside the rooms.
Image how amazing it would be to take a photo sitting in a white washed private pool with both the ocean and blue domes in the background. The Oia Spirit Hotel is one of the few hotels who can deliver that kind of Instagrammable photo.
Book a Sightseeing Tour in Santorini:
Book a sightseeing tour which caters specifically to us Instagram gals who are on the lookout for Instagrammable spots. A local guide who knows the village best can provide you insider insights and convenient transportation.
Take that classic “I’m on a boat!” Instagram photo when you book a sailing cruise tour in Santorini. Many of them have fine dining included!
Instagrammers always love that classy winery photo with vineyards in the background and your fabulous self holding a glass of wine. Santorini has so many wineries to tour, click to browse the photos!
Shop Summer Essentials for Your Trip:
Now that you’ve figured out your Santorini photo spots, it’s time to shop for those Insta-worthy dresses to wear in your photos.
The summer sun is bright in Greece, and of course you want to look cool in killer sunglasses. Shop all kinds of styles at ASOS.
You’ll need a new bikini or one-piece swimsuit for your vacation to the Greek islands. H&M has a great selection of swim and beachwear year-round.
