The Greek Island of Santorini offers some of the best sunsets in the world. As someone who can enjoy pretty sunsets every day of the week, I was looking forward to the magical sunsets of Santorini. One of the most popular pastimes here is to watch the sun dip into the Aegean from the cliff-top villages.
It is an event to which tourists flock in droves - some of them start looking for the best vantage points an hour or so before the sunset. As the minutes tick by, the excitement is palpable among the crowds and the last few moments before the "special time" is when most people start talking in hushed tones. Gradually, the place becomes very still and quiet. This silence is occasionally broken by the oohs and aahs of people who cannot control themselves while watching this spectacular nature show. Once the ball of fire slips behind the mountains or is gobbled up by the blue sea waters, everyone in the cliff-top arena breaks into spontaneous applause. They take a moment or two to reflect on what they have just seen and then, the inevitable clear-out happens as tourist make their way into the town looking for their next fix or adventure. I always like to take my time and linger around for a few more minutes to get my breath back and thank my lucky stars that I have witnessed such incredible beauty in life. This cycle is repeated every day in Greece - some things in life can be enjoyed daily and what's more, moments like these come without a price tag! There are two spots which can compete for the best location to view a sunset in Santorini. So, I will try and give my take on this spectacular sunset showdown in Santorini - Oia vs Fira!
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. The famous photos with all those windmills and blue-domed churches that you see on postcards is from Oia.
Fira is the largest town on Santorini, and is also the first introduction many travelers get to this Greek island. Santorini's ferry & cruise ports are located in Fira, along with many hotels and restaurants. One can catch some pretty great sunsets from this end of the island.
Getting There - Fira is the best place in Santorini in terms of accessibility and that's one of the reasons many people choose to stay here. Therefore, getting to a sunset spot here is quite easy. One can just walk to the top of the donkey trail (through the narrow and twisty streets) and then simply find a spot along the low wall. Whereas, to get to Oia's best viewpoints, a bus or rental car is required (plus a bit of walking). The drive will take roughly half an hour from Fira. As we rushed towards the cliff-top, we were a bit worried that we are cutting it quite thin. As people start gathering quite early to find the best vantage point, it is important to arrive early and pick the best available spot. Accessibility wise, Fira is far more convenient.
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. However, the crowds in Fira are a lot smaller and it is easier to find a good spot here. Remember not to enter private property! Jostling for position wise, Fira is better.
The Views - 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. The sunset here makes the cliffs and even the buildings look like they are on fire. In Fira, the views are good but when you compare it with Oia, they come second best. Oia is the clear winner here, as you simply can't beat those views.
Verdict - Fira scores when it comes to accessibility and getting a good sunset view without the crowds. But, I would recommend braving those crowds to witness an Oia sunset. It is such a popular bucket-list-type experience that I wouldn't suggest anyone to skip it because of the crowds. There's a reason that these sunsets are world-famous, they truly are breathtaking. And of course, it is always better to stay another hour or so to enjoy the lights that appear on the cliffside after sunset.
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