Finding the Blue Domed Church in Santorini…We’ll Show You WHERE!
Finding the Blue Domed Church in Oia
If you’ve ever looked at an advertisement for the island of Santorini Greece, chances are you’ve seen it. The iconic blue domed church that perfectly matches the blue sky with a backdrop of Santorini’s caldera in the Aegean Sea. You know the one. For most people, viewing that picture brings delightful visions of an idyllic Greek vacation, dressed in a pressed linen dress, sipping wine with a handsome stranger. For me, seeing this picture brings on murderous thoughts of tossing my favorite digital camera into the wind and never taking another picture again. Finding the blue domed church in Santorini eluded me for many years!
You see, I’ve always wanted to take “that picture” myself. The blue domed church in Oia, Santorini would be my photographic masterpiece. I was certain of it. The blue domed church photo would be the piΓ¨ce d’rΓ©sistance of the thousands of photos I’ve ever taken…my most famous Instagram moment…my profile picture on Facebook. This one picture meant everything.
Disappointment in Santorini
We’d only visited Santorini once before in 2009 on a cruise stopover for a few hours. One of the cruise excursions included a Greek Photography walk around the island of Santorini. I was SO excited. This was it. I was going to get “THE SHOT”. I think I even dreamed about finding the blue domed church the night before we landed in Santorini.
Our photography walk took us to some gorgeous places. Greek island churches where the sun played beautifully with cheerfully tolling bells. Doors that led to nowhere. Skies so blue it hurt the eyes. So much incredible loveliness…but I barely saw it. I was looking for the iconic blue domed church from all of the travel brochures.
With great sadness, our photography tour guide told us the blue domed church I yearned for was in another town, far away and we wouldn’t be seeing it that day. I was totally devastated. The wine didn’t taste good that night and all of those wonderful pictures I’d taken that day seemed dull and unappealing. We headed back home to the United States and every single time I’d see that beautiful picture of the blue domed church in brochures or on other travel sites, I’d feel the same stab of disappointment because I hadn’t gotten THE SHOT.
Obsessed with Finding the Blue Domed Church
Fast forward to early October, 2014. We’ve come to Greece early for the Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference in Athens. We have a few weeks to spend visiting the Greek Islands of Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Santorini and catching up with friends. Woo HOO!!
My island nemesis is on the list and this time I’m not taking ANY chances. We booked for a week at a gorgeous (and not very expensive) home we found in Santorini on AirBnB and I brought all of my cameras, so I’ll have plenty of options to capture the perfect shot.

Our AirBnB in Santorini!
I’m researching online to find exactly where the blue domed church in Santorini is located. And I’m coming up with nothing concrete…nothing helpful at all. I found several blogs detailing hikes and best spots for a romantic evening, but not exactly where to find the blue domed church. Fira town? Imerovigli? Pyrgos? Oia village?
The Church is in Oia Greece!
Finding the blue domed church had become an obsession. I’d almost given up. Perhaps it just wasn’t my destiny to get this particular picture. Finally, I find a post that points me to Oia Greece.
We’re exploring the village of Oia, on the northwest side of Santorini. I see blue domed churches everywhere! However, the angle isn’t right. All the domes I can see are high up with no way to shoot down on them. So my friends and I start looking. Turning down alley after alley. It’s now become a competition. Throngs of tourists must be looking at us as though we’ve lost our minds. “No, it’s not down there. Let’s try the next one!” We’d run from alley to alley.
Then the incredible happens. I hear a shout from down an alley I almost didn’t bother going down. “I think I found it! Come look!” It was right there! “THE SHOT!” The blue domed church on Santorini on a picture-perfect day! Wow! What luck!
Did I charge my batteries? Yes! Bring the right filters? No, those I left on the nightstand. Nevermind, we were there! I must have taken 100 shots. I wanted every single nuance of the moment to be captured forever. This was my happy place. I’d found it at last!
My friends practically had to drag me away. Only the promise of a glass of wine overlooking the caldera could entice me away. But as I walked away, I clutched my camera very close, because the camera held the precious pictures. I couldn’t stop smiling…and looking at the pictures on the viewfinder over and over.
The blue domed church photo is synonymous with a perfect Greek vacation. SOOOO, would anyone else be interested in EXACTLY where to get this particular shot? I’ll share the details, because if the picture makes you half as happy as it did me, then that’s a great thing!
Finding the Blue Domed Church, Step by Step…
Oia, Santorini. From Oia’sΒ main square take the wide walking path – facing the caldera – on the famous Gold Street. Duck into the alley beside the Minerali jewelry store.

The shot from the other side!

The Alley for the Blue Domed Church Photo!
It doesn’t look like anything but an alley, but keep walking a few yards…and you’re there! GPS coordinates…
Latitude: 36.461465 Longitude: 25.375176
Plan Your Trip To Oia, Santorini
Where to Stay in Santorini
Finding a place to stay in Santorini, or any of the Greek Islands, takes a little planning. There are jaw-dropping hillside hotels where the bell-staff grabs your bags from street level and lugs them down to your room and there are quaint Mom and Pop motels where you’ll share your space with the local Greek cats. So many choices of where to stay – start your search here!
One of our favorite things to do when traveling is use AirBnB to find an entire house to use as a “home base” while we’re visiting the island. We found this beauty for much less than the cost of a hotel room for 4 of us. And yes, there were a few cats in the neighborhood!
It had a gorgeous pool and was only steps from the beach! Use this link for $40 off your first booking with AirBnB!

Our AirBnB in Santorini!

Santorini AirBnB visitor
Tours in Santorini
There is SO much to see on the Greek Islands – and on Santorini in particular. Taking a tour from a reputable company is a great way to see attractions and places you might not be able to see on your own. We have used Get Your Guide in the past and can highly recommend them for their selection of tours. Here are just a few to choose from…
Books to Read Before Your Vacation to the Greek Islands
If you’re anything at all like me, you enjoy reading up on a destination before you visit. From ancient history of the Greek Islands to luscious guidebooks on where to find the best baklava – books are an excellent way to plan and prepare for your Greek Island vacation! Do you have a favorite book on the Greek Islands?
ENJOY SANTORINI!
Have you found the Blue Domed Church during your travels?Β Please let us know below!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any extra cost to you.
Some of the links above are affiliate links to products we use, enjoy, and highly recommend. We may make small commissions on these products, but there is no additional cost to you!
wohoooooo! Delighted you got ‘the shot’ ( or about 300 probably)! We can’t wait to visit …. Thanks for saving us some leg work! Xx
At least 300 of them for sure! LOL! We’ll be happy to share lots of tips for visiting these Greek Islands…you and Shay will love it here! Please give Shay and Jack our love! π
I’m going to Greece for the second time at the end of this month and sadly won’t make it to Santorini (again!) What beautiful pictures you have and great advice for anyone seeking out this scene!
I’m sure anywhere in Greece that you’re visiting will be just magical! It’s certainly a special place π
Wonderful photos- make me feel like I’m in Greece.
I also got a chance to see the famous blue-domed church when I was in Santorini and it was just as lovely as portrayed in the pictures! π
That blue! In the sky, in the sea, it’s magic.
fabulous photos. Santorini is on my wishlist and has been now for a couple of years. Next year maybe?
It was so fun to follow you along on Facebook on this quest. Your happiness is so infectious! It makes me think of other iconic shots I’ve wanted and then been distracted from getting them. Never again! Love that you put the GPS coordinates in. I will definitely use them when we get to Greece. And we will, someday. π
Thanks so much Betsy! It was a really fun quest (obsession?) lol! And you definitely need to visit Greece, someday soon…it is such a beautiful and unique place.
Your perseverance paid off but really I’m totally impressed with all the shots you got and can’t get over the colour of blue at sea level. I’d understand it high in the mountains but this blue is absolutely out of this world.
I can’t believe the blues either…it almost hurts your eyes! But in a good way π Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for taking me along! If I ever get to Santorini, I’ll know what to do.
The blue and white in the Greek Ilses is so gorgeous, and you captured it wonderfully!
So fun reading about your quest…and thank you for the “map!”
Happy to provide the map! If it makes just one person as happy as it made me, then my job is done, LOL! π
Wonderful photos, great article!
Thanks so much! It was quite fun getting those π
This is so funny – Following your quest – But gosh, it paid off – You captured its beauty to be able to share your treasure with us – Stunning π
I’m heading over to TBEX – So will maybe even meet you soon!
Yes, I hope we can connect at TBEX! I really enjoy reading you blog – it will be nice to meet you in person! π
What a grand adventure! I hope to make it to Santorini one day. My partner is Greek and she talks about it all the time. Love that you shared the GPS coordinates. π
Awww – the adventure and sheer fun of the quest and what a prize! Blue is now officially my favorite color and Greece, which has long been on our travel list, has climbed over several other countries and is close to the top. Absolutely gorgeous photos that have me panting to get there!
Beautiful, Beautiful photos.
Glad you found THE blue-domed church! We think we found that one too – and have some of our own photos of it. Santorini is so beautiful, though, that there are many fabulous photos one can take :-).
I so agree! It is truly a photographers dream…so many shades of blue…
So glad you found it! Hope I find it one day, too:-)
Hah – that is the ONE most posted destination on my Facebook page! Each time I see this I post it… and no, I haven’t been, and I had no idea it would be difficult to find, so thank you! I LOVE this church!
What a great story Lisa, so glad it had a happy ending for you! It’s a great capture and i’m sure will bring you endless enjoyment thinking of what you went through to get the perfect shot.
I was probably one of those who took the most common view of those blue domes. I was there for a weekend when I lived in Athens and must have taken hundreds of pictures just in Oia. Loved the old marble paths and the donkey taxi up from the harbour.
It’s such an awesome place to take photos! I loved Oia π
Hi, I just came from Santorini 4 days ago, I wish I read your write up about the best place to take those magical shots. No worries, I shall be going back soon. Any advice on what time of the day is best for the shots? What time did you take those pictures? Thanks. Ameze
Your photography is stunning! I can’t stop looking at the sky!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m going to be going to Greece and I have dreamed of seeing this church. I appreciate this information!
Have a wonderful time! It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen – and now you know exactly where to go to get that special shot! LOL! π
Thank you for the info Lisa. It helps a lot π
I will be in Santorini in the next two weeks. and i will stay in Oia π
We are in Santorini right now, I was looking everywhere for this church, thank you, we will go on sunday, marvellous photos xx
Did you find it?? π
Going this afternoon so we can view the sunset, reputed to be one of the worlds finest points to view it, at the same time xx
We found it exactly where you said it would be. I know why you found it hard to locate, so many similar churches spread all over Oia. Thanks for your guidance, will try to put the pictures up when we get home. Thanks again π xx By the way, sunset pictures not good, was cloudy, will try again later in the week x
This makes me SO happy that you found it!! And you will get that sunset picture as well! Have a great time π
I din’t know finding these would be so tough! And on reading your article, I can totally understand how great a feat it must have felt. Thanks a lot for sharing the roadmap of the same.
Looking fwd to visit Greece. Can you tell what month would be the best to go there? I will be in Europe from Novemeber till March.
I know you’ll love your time in Greece! Unfortunately, many places close down for tourists starting in late October through the first quarter of the year. I’d check specifically for the islands you’re planning on visiting and see what they may have available. I’m sure it will be nice traveling when there aren’t so many tourists about π
I hope the same π that I can enjoy my time without much tourists around. But I too was apprenhensive about the places being closed in the spread of the winter that I am going in.. π
If I am not wrong, Thera is the name of the island where Santorini and Oia are. This is the only island I am planning for this time as the blue domes have really caught my eye.. and heart subsequently!
Do suggest some other islands if you can where we can get such picturesque architechture. Architechture and natural sceneries are what we are looking for as my husband and I are not at all into adventure sports :P.
P.S Loved to see your prompt reply π
You are hilarious! Haha! I am going to Santorini, Greece in August for my wedding anniverary (with my husband obviously) and LITERALLY been searching for the exact spot to take this infamous Santorini post card.
Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so happy you found “The Shot.” π
Regards,
Vanessa (UK)
Thank you very much because of you my dream picture came true God bless you
So glad you found the spot!
Thank you! Followed your tips..I have a very similar picture to share..
Awesome! Glad you found the Blue Domed Church. The whole area is quite picturesque, but this was definitely our goal.
Thanks Cheryl, this is really helpful! I am going to Santorininext month on a cruise and am itching to get ‘the shot’. Been researching for hours on end on how to find it but not getting anywhere. Your pictures are amazing!!! Is it also possible to see the church from the opposite side? Were you able to do this? Like this:
https://www.google.ae/search?q=blue+domed+churches+santorini&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj5yuru5_rNAhVFOBQKHfCSBeoQ_AUICCgB&biw=1920&bih=983#imgrc=2LgoIUVAOe6NNM%3A
Hi Shreena! I hope you get all the pics you’re looking for on your cruise! The other view is from a different location, possibly further down the street and I’m not sure that it’s even the same church. Best advice is to not stick to the main road (it’s always crowded with tourists anyway) but duck into the little alleys along the way. I’m sure you’ll find many more blue domed churches to photograph. Have a wonderful time!
Hi,
We are arriving with a cruise to Santorini on 08 Oct 2016. We were wondering where to find the perfect photo spot and than we found your blog. Excellent description and a beautiful photo. Hope that we can take a same one. Thank you again. Regards, Anita & Gyula
Thanks for sharing… I was out there at Oya and took the same shot in glorious sunshine at about 6pm and then again on a moonlit night about three hour later. It was just glorious.
Thank you! Found in 5 minutes!!! What a beautiful place. Thank you so much for sharing
We hoped it would help people out. We searched a few times over a few visits and were finally able to get “the shot”!
Thanks! The GPS Coordinates worked!! Take the alley just next to Minerali and it is to your left facing down π next to a wooden gate…
SO glad you found it! A great location to take in so much beauty too!
We are staying just below the blue dome churches.
Thank you so much!!
You have no idea about how much I tried to find this location before I found your website. Well, actually I think you do…
Anyway: thanks for the help! It will make my vacation much happier!
While staying at Aris caves close-by, we followed your directions to locate them domes, and after some effort, got a really nice pic while on our honeymoon! – https://instagram.com/p/BWspwf1Bid_/
Thank you! π
Like you, I dreamed of that shot before going to Santorini. Foolishly, I thought all houses had those roofs, not just churches. I only had a brief afternoon in Oia and had been taking photos all over the island all day. Again, foolishly only had the battery in my camera which died just before sunset. I had to catch the sunset with my phone. We spent a glorious week in Santorini and I got sooo many beautiful photos. Just not “the one”.
I loved it so much there and would happily go back, although the highlight of my trip was the Monasteries of Meteora. I’d love to go back there for several days.
Greece and the people of Greece are magical!
Thank you, Lisa! I swear I could have written your post. We are going to Greece for a family vacation at the end of the month because I want to see that view! Dragging 16 YO triplets and my seasick husband from California to Santorini for that photo which I’ve always thought is so beautiful. I’m so happy that you posted the key to finding it.
Wish me luck!
Lisa (your traveling twin)
So very nice to meet a traveling twin! And BEST of luck getting that photo! It’s totally worth it and they’ll have such an awesome time in Santorini! π
WoW
Amazing place.
I’m so happy you posted this! I’m going to Santorini in July and I really want “that shot”!! Thank you Thank you!
Thank u so much for all the helpful info!!! Could you provide a link to the Airbnb u stayed in? Thank you so kindly π
Thank you for sharing the photo location!