When we were there, we made the call to skip the sunset crowds one evening and instead wake up early the next day to take our photos at sunrise. You’ll start to notice where the prettiest viewpoints are, which shops you want to come back to, and which cafes or restaurants you might want to try later in your trip. This is my personal favorite way to start any trip, by exploring the neighborhood around your hotel. One of the best ways to start your time in Oia is by simply walking through the village! We were central enough to most restaurants and photo spots but still far enough away from the crowds around the castle. Those moments are what made me really appreciate Oia (not elbowing my way through crowds after sunset). And yes, that popularity has led to crowds, and a lot of them. Keep reading to discover why this postcard village should be on your Greek Islands bucket list!
Nomikos Street, the settlement's main commercial street and busiest spot. Many of them are located at the pedestrian N. Hosting almost as many pools as the number of available units in it, Andronis Luxury Suites complex appears as a small independent citadel inside the traditional village of Oia. Aspaki Exclusive Hotel is located in the center of the picturesque settlement of Oia. We offer the best prices and our service is rated Rent your car with us The village is situated above an impressive cliff overlooking the volcano and the island of Thirassia. The town also has numerous restored churches, including Panagia church; some were built in memory of sailors. In defiance, in Oia, they painted their entire housing complex in white with domes, giving the village an effective white perspective and elegance.
Unda Food Concept – Small restaurant located on the northern edge of the village with newly interpreted Greek dishes at star level. Cocoon Bar– Trendy restaurant-snack bar not far from the Oia main car park. Many an artist and freelancer has already emigrated from Oia, completely unnerved, and moved to Thirassia’s main town Manolas resettled. In summer, you can stop at one of the taverns or walk along the pier. Once you’ve made it through the narrow alleys filled with crowds, you’ll be able to marvel at three white windmills. If you stop by in the morning hours or for a siesta, you can enjoy the panorama relatively undisturbed.
Prohibition signs in many places warn that Oia is not an amusement park and that the privacy of the locals should be respected. You should plan about 2-3 hours for your visit, great photo opportunities are waiting for you on every corner. Ideally, you should start your walk from the east and make your way through the long Nikolaou Nomikou Alley (Mainstreet of Oia) to the west. The natural spectacle knows how to inspire and so Oia is rightly one of the most popular things to do in Greece. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Oia every year to discover the unique Sunset of Santorini . Sometimes even vacationers from other islands (including Crete) travel to Santorini for just one day to catch a glimpse of the village. Using a car allows visitors to discover Oia and many other places of interest at their own pace. When visiting the village, don't miss the opportunity to have an unforgettable dining experience in one of the most romantic settings.
#6 Take A Sunset Cruise
Two of the neat mills are located right next to each other, the third is about 50 m behind them, all are privately owned. Remember that in summer there is a pilgrimage atmosphere in the alleys! Thirty years ago, the first tourists arrived and the village was successively rebuilt. It was not until the severe earthquake of 1956 that the castle was almost completely destroyed and large parts of the village were reduced to rubble. The popular Santorini Photo Spot you reach through the inconspicuous alley just before the Restaurant Pelekanos on the left. The Places of Worship »Resurrection of the Holy Lord« and »Agios Spyridon« are located in the Monastiri district, but are not easy to find. In the middle of the maze of alleys are the probably most popular churches in Greece, the so-called Oia Blue Domes, which have made Santorini and Oia famous worldwide. The main alley leads past a small park to the central plaza with the magnificent church »Panagia Akathistos Hymn«.
The island of Santorini is known for its volcanic soil and dry, windy climate, which creates bold, crisp wines, especially the local white variety Assyrtiko. Another fun thing to do in Oia that most people miss is a wine tasting! It’s a quiet break from the crowds and a fun way to support a local business! You’ll spend 3 hours preparing and eating a 4-course Greek meal, which includes appetizers, salad, a main course, and dessert. Plan to start first thing in the morning (I recommend around 8-9am) so you’ll beat the heat and the crowds. Having this option is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery without having to deal with the crowds! It’s also the perfect pick-me-up when you’re walking around in the heat or need a little caffeine before dinner.
It’s also a nice way to break up your day if you’re not in the mood for sightseeing or hiking. There are also plenty of art galleries and boutique clothing stores if you’re looking for something more unique than a fridge magnet. You’ll find everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to locally made beauty products, olive oils, and textiles. Oia might be small, but there are tons of shops on every corner to check out. P.S. You can read more about the different hotel options in my guide on Where to Stay in Santorini! If you’re trying to decide whether it’s worth the extra money, my vote is yes. Caldera-view rooms sell out fast, especially in peak season.
I hope this list has been helpful for planning your trip to Oia and beyond. I can absolutely see why it’s captured so much on postcards and screensavers! Even if you don’t stay in Oia, it’s absolutely worth visiting for at least a day to experience its charm. For such a tiny town, Oia certainly packs a punch when it comes to all the different activities! You’ll also find cafes and restaurants around every corner. There are a few small mini markets and bakeries scattered around the village where you can grab drinks, snacks, or simple breakfast items.
The two-story captains' houses built on the highest part of the village are a reminder of the village's former affluence. The Ancient Greek Oia was one of the two harbours of ancient Thera and was located in the southeast of the island, where Kamari is now. This name still occurs locally as Pano Meria, and the inhabitants are still called Apanomerites (Απανωμερίτες). Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been part of the municipality of Santorini, of which it is a municipal unit. I hope you find some inspiration for your next trip on my page! Lana is on a mission to show people you can still travel the world and cross items off your bucket list while working a traditional 9-5 job. Now that you know all the incredible things to do in Oia, make sure to check out my guide on How to Get to Milos to continue planning your Greek Island vacation!
Things To Do In Oia, Santorini For First-time Visitors
Make sure to check out my post on How Many Days in Santorini for a full breakdown of what to plan based on your travel style. Some areas I highly recommend checking out are the black sand beaches, Kamari and Perissa, the red sand beach, Akrotiri Lighthouse, and Santo Wines! Some places may ask for an international driver’s permit, depending on what you’re renting. There are several little gelato shops tucked along the main paths. Lastly, those wanting to visit several wineries in one day should visit a winery tour like this one. This award-winning winery has both an indoor tasting room and an outdoor patio where you can sample delicious Greek wine. (You can also do this on Milos if you don’t have time in Santorini). Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s worth stopping in just to soak up the vibe.
Not going to lie, it was pretty scary once I got up there, but I was so glad I did it! After about 5 minutes, you’ll reach a flatter platform that leads to a calm swimming area tucked along the coastline. To reach the swimming spot, turn left and walk through Ammoudi Sunset Tavern until you reach the rocky pathway along the water. It’s a steep but short walk down (maybe 10 to 15 minutes), but keep in mind that the climb back up is intense, especially in the heat. One of our favorite experiences in Oia (and honestly our entire Greece trip) was swimming in Ammoudi Bay, a small fishing port tucked at the bottom of the cliffs. We were able to move around freely, take our time, and actually enjoy the process instead of feeling rushed or overwhelmed. While most people opt for sneakers, I love my waterproof Reef sandals! It’s easy to see why they print postcards of this place.
Oia is a pedestrian-only village, so you won’t be driving inside the town. While most people pair Mykonos and Santorini, I recommend checking out a lesser-known island like Milos or Paros. However, if you are staying in Oia, you’ll be able to tackle most of the things on this list over the course of a few days while still enjoying other parts of the island too. This will give you time to wander through the town, have lunch with a view, and then make your way down to Ammoudi Bay for swimming and dinner at sunset! If you’re not staying in Oia, you should dedicate at least one full day to exploring the entire village. Most rental shops are located in Fira, but you’ll also find a few in Oia. While it is a bit pricey, this private winery tour includes tastings at 3 adrian casino different local wineries throughout Santorini, as well as transportation, entrance fees, and snacks!
#3 Oia Sunset At Kastro
The economy of the town declined in the early 20th century on account of wars, economic depression, and overexploitation of fish resources. However, the arrival of steam and the concentration of shipping at Piraeus caused the town's seagoing trade to collapse, and agriculture also diminished as increasing emigration took place, especially to Piraeus and Laurium. Excellent wine was produced in quantity in the hinterland and exported to France, amongst other places. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town was a mariners' town that flourished as a result of seaborne trade throughout the Mediterranean, particularly as part of the trade route between Russia and Alexandria. However, Santorini remained under the Crispo family until 1566, passing then to Joseph Nasi and after he died in 1579 to the Ottoman Empire. Its residential keep, Goulas, is now in the oldest part of the town, on its southwestern edge. Under the da Corogna family, Agios Nikolaos Kastell (Καστέλι του Αγίου Νικολάου), also called Apanomeria (Απανωμερία), was one of five local citadels.