Sunset off the Grecian Coast: Ancient Magic in Oia

Whenever you open travel magazines or read travel blogs, there’s inevitably the “Most Romantic
Spot to watch the Sunset” article. From what I have read, Oia on the island of Santorini in Greece always makes the cut. So not only did I visit the town, I stayed for four days, just to follow the sun.

I’d like to be able to tell you that Oia is my personal secret, and I’m letting you and your partner in on a hideaway you can enjoy all to yourselves. Far from it. There are many visitors awaiting the sunset from this
amazing cliff high above the blue waters doing the same exact thing you’re doing at precisely the same moment.

Oia is a small town and former community in the South Aegean on the islands of Thira (Santorini). To get there, you’ve got to fly into Santorini, then drive (or in my case, take a cab) to Oia. Its population is normally 1,545 inhabitants, but that swells to more than 5,000 around lunch time when buses of tour groups invade the little town. Luckily, most of them are off to their next destination by 4 p.m. And that’s when you can really soak in the tranquility of watching the sunset from your hotel balcony, an apartment or any restaurant that takes advantage of this incredible view.

When I arrived, there were about 250 people trying to savor every last instant of the Oia sunset — cameras and selfie sticks and tripods all at the ready. But for once, even as an experienced photographer, I have to admit: pictures cant quite capture the amazement of the moment. Well, at least I couldn’t. Who else wants to try?

Enjoy new highlights of travel photographer Edwin Santiago’s journeys each week.