The Santorini sunset over Oia

The view from Imerovigli

Oia, at the northern tip of Santorini, is the island’s best-known place to watch the sun go down. This timelapse was filmed from the other side of the bay, in Imerovigli, high on the rim of the caldera about 5 km to the southeast. From there Oia is part of the picture instead of the place you are standing.

The clip is 22 seconds long and plays here at a quarter of normal speed, so the whole evening passes in about a minute and a half.

What happens in the clip

1. The sun drops towards the ridge beyond Oia and slips behind it.
2. A band of gold settles on the horizon, and the white houses of Oia show along the clifftop.
3. Blue hour: the sea turns blue, a red line holds on the horizon, and the first lights come on in Oia.
4. Night. What is left are the lights of Oia and, fainter, the lights of Thirasia to the left.