If you’ve seen any picture of Santorini, it was probably taken in Oia. It’s not the capital, but it’s the most famous town and, in our experience, the most crowded.
We wanted to enjoy the sunrise in Oia, so we woke up at 6 am to get there. The streets were empty, and we had all of Oia to ourselves. It was an amazing experience, definitely worth waking up early for.
Oia Castle
We watched the sunrise from Oia Castle, and we can’t recommend it enough. The view encompasses all of Oia’s iconic whitewashed houses. here were only a few other people besides us, and we really loved it. It felt like a private moment.
Kastro Oia Houses
Next, we visited the Kastro Oia Houses, which are beautifully orange-colored. I wore an orange dress because I wanted to match the vibe of the place. We got some great pictures there!
Three Domes Viewpoint
One of the absolute best spots in Oia is the Three Domes Viewpoint, featuring the famous blue-domed churches. You’ll see many churches when visiting Santorini, but this one is definitely the best. . We arrived around 9 am and only had to wait in line for about 10 minutes, which was totally worth it.
Ammoudi Bay
A short 10-minute walk from Oia leads to Ammoudi Bay. It’s a lovely spot to enjoy the sea, although there are no sunbeds since it’s a bay. You can take a refreshing dip, and there’s a fantastic viewpoint that offers a full panorama of the bay. We suggest visiting around lunchtime to enjoy a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants—Sunset Restaurant is our top pick.
Final Notes
All of these spots are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore and capture amazing photos without spending too much time. We highly recommend visiting early in the morning when the streets are still quiet. By noon, the village is extremely crowded, making it challenging to navigate the narrow paths.
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