Where to Watch the Sunset in Santorini: Oia vs. Fira

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People often say that the Greek Island of Santorini offers up some of the best sunsets in the world.

And, as someone who can never see enough pretty sunsets, I was looking forward to visiting Santorini for this reason alone.

Watching the sun dip into the Aegean is most popular from the cliff-top village of Oia — the one with all those windmills and blue-domed churches that you see on postcards. But I was curious as to whether this really was the best spot to watch the sun set on Santorini, or if it was simply the one everybody knew about and therefore flocked to.

Sunset in Oia, Santorini
Sunset in Oia, Santorini

And so I give you: my Santorini Sunset Smackdown, in which I will compare watching the sun set in Oia and Fira.

Santorini sunset: Oia vs. Fira

Fira

Fira is the largest town on Santorini, and is also the first introduction many travelers get to this Greek island. Santorini's ferry and cruise ports are located in Fira — along with many hotels and restaurants. Fira isn't known for its sunsets, and yet you can still catch some pretty great ones from this end of the island.

Sunset in Fira, Santorini

Oia

The village of Oia is located on the northwestern end of Santorini. The village is THE place to go if you're looking to snap photos of traditional Greek buildings — especially those blue-domed churches.

Built up on top of Santorini's rust-red cliffs, Oia offers up a perfect vantage point from which to watch the sun set beyond Ammoudi Bay.

Sunset in Oia, Santorini

Getting there

Since many people choose to stay in Fira on Santorini, getting to a sunset spot there is quite easy — you can simply use your feet to get to the best vantage point in town. You'll have to head to the top of the donkey trail (through the narrow and twisty streets) and then simply find a spot along the low wall. If you happen to be staying elsewhere on Santorini, taking a bus is your best bet to get to Fira.

To get to Oia‘s best viewpoints, a bus or rental car is required (and then a bit of walking). The ride/drive will take roughly half an hour from Fira, and you'll have to time it right to make it for sunset.

Oia donkey trail
Pre-sunset in Oia

Smackdown winner: Fira, for the convenience

Tally: Fira — 1          Oia — 0

The sunset crowds

Oia gets quite crowded leading up to the predicted sunset time, and you most likely will have to jockey for position in order to score one of the prime spots. The good news is that as long as you can see the water, you'll still get a fantastic show. I watched the sunset from the Oia donkey trail and thought it was lovely (if perhaps a bit smelly).

Conversely, the crowds in Fira are only a fraction of the size of those you'll find on the other end of the island. I saw a lovely sunset in Fira and only had to compete with perhaps 2 dozen people for my view. This is surprising considering that you basically have the same view out over the ocean in Fira as in Oia.

Oia sunset crowd
Oia sunset crowd

Smackdown winner: Fira, because you don't have to compete so much

Tally: Fira — 2          Oia — 0

The Santorini sunset views

Speaking of the views…

As hinted at above, you really can't go wrong in Oia. Whether you are on the donkey trail, at a terrace restaurant, or standing up by the windmill, you will get a stunning view. Take note of how the sunset here makes the cliffs (and even the buildings) look like they are on fire.

Oia cliffs at sunset
Oia cliffs at sunset

Sunset in Oia, Santorini

In Fira, you won't spot any windmills or blue-domed churches — but you can still look out over the stair-stepped buildings of the town and the volcanic caldera.

Sunset in Fira, Santorini
Sunset in Fira

Sunset in Fira, Santorini

Smackdown winner: Oia, because you just can't beat those views

Tally: Fira — 2          Oia — 1

The Santorini sunset winner

I suppose, based on the numbers, that Fira would actually win in the Sunset Smackdown. You still get great sunset views in this town, but without the huge crowds that gather each evening in Oia.

But, to be honest, I would still suggest braving those crowds to witness an Oia sunset.

Watching a sunset in Oia is such an iconic, bucket-list-type experience that I wouldn't counsel anyone to skip it just because of the crowds. There's a reason that these sunsets are world-famous, after all — they truly are breathtaking.

Sunset in Oia, Santorini
Sunset in Oia

READ NEXT: Greek Islands Guide: Things to Do in Santorini

So tell me — where would YOU rather catch a sunset on Santorini?

 

 

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*Note: I visited Santorini as part of a complimentary Greek Islands tour from Intrepid Travel through my partnership with them. All opinions, though, as always are entirely my own.

"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien

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59 Comments on “Where to Watch the Sunset in Santorini: Oia vs. Fira

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  1. So glad I stumbled across your blog looking for Santorini sunset info. I will be in Santorini on a cruise ship and luckily we are in port until 10 pm. We will see the sunset from Fira only for the convenience of getting back to the ship with time to spare. In all my research I know that I will be back to Santorini some day for a lengthier stay. I look forward to reading more of your travel stories

      Sunset in Fira is still beautiful – enjoy your cruise!

    I agree that you just have to experience both. I actually enjoyed the sunset in Fira a little more. It was redder, rounder and more charming. But Oia’s sunset is undeniably set at Santorini’s most scenic backdrop so it has that as upper hand.

      I would definitely recommend seeing both!

    […] This was at 1PM and I looked at all the cafes on the cliff with the tables and chairs facing west and came to the profound realization that this must be the best place in the world to watch the sunset. How I wish I could stay a little bit longer. A good read on the following link Santorini Sunsets […]

    Hi my cruise ship departs Santorini (Fira) at 8pm on 9th August. Do you think we will be able to see the sunset from the cruise ship as we depart. Do you think it will be as good a view from sea as it is from land?

      Yes, you should be able to see it from the ship! You obviously won’t be able to get all the windmills and buildings in a shot with the setting sun, but it still should be a pretty nice view!

    Love this post 🙂

    I’ve spent a bit of time looking at different view points in Oia but I would definitely love to spend time in Fira to get a different perspective of the sun hitting the white buildings.

    Jess

      It was definitely nice to see it from both places!

    […] Our boat charter ended with watching the sun set opposite Oia. Watching the sunset on this end of Santorini is incredibly popular. You can book places on sunset cruises, as well, if you’d like to kill two birds with one stone. (Though, as I mention in another post, sunsets from other parts of the island are just as pretty.) […]

    We’ll be visiting Santorini this September and after reading your post, I guess we’ll have to chech out the sunset in Oia as well as in Fira 🙂 Looks like both are stunning places…

      It’s definitely worth going to both places if you have the time!

    Just loved ALL your photos! Going to Santorini in September and can’t wait! Can you advise does Fira or Oia have good nightlife and if so which one rocks the most?

      Santorini in September is fantastic!!

      I would assume that both Fira and Oia would have nightlife, but you might find more in Fira. Note, though, that September is getting into “low” season, so some places may be closed already! I’m not much of a partier myself, so I can’t say I checked out the club scene on Santorini at all!

    Great pictures! My favorite place is at Santo Wines, in Pyrgos.

      I’m pretty sure some of the people I was traveling with tried some Santo wine!

    That first photo of the sailboat needs to be hanging on a wall! Beautiful!

      I’m planning to do just that once I have an apartment again, Laura!

    I love your fourth image, Amanda! Interesting to the pros and cons about each location for sunset-worshippers too!

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