Sunset at Oia

The character-filled town of Oia stands at the north-western tip of Santorini’s own little archipelago, with postcard-perfect views west and south. At sunset, the soft pinks and pumice-grey strata of the caldera walls turn to deep crimson and pewter, with the sea beneath deepening from shimmering azure to a dark indigo abyss.

Regrettably, Oia’s main street becomes shoulder-to-shoulder crowded, so come early and walk to the westernmost point and the rocky promontory further beyond. Later arrivals will act as a natural barrier, and your gaze will remain relatively unencumbered.

Another option is to book at a restaurant or café (with views) beforehand. The best place is the King Neptune restaurant, whose terrace stands above the throngs below. It’s a good-value family taverna with traditional staples such as moussaka, and its sunset location can’t be matched.