Content
You can either start from Fira and end up in Oia to watch the sunset or vice versa. The hike from Oia to Fira is the most popular route due to its amazing views. Several hotels are available in the area near the castle. The famous Venetian Castle is a major landmark of the village. Discover a map of Oia with information about the best things to see and do, parking areas, and more. From there, you will be able to reach Thirassia island by boat or spend some time in Ammoudi, gazing at the sea and the fishing boats while tasting fresh fish at one of the local taverns. Below the village and the cliffs, you can espy the tiny settlement of Ammoudi, which, in fact, is the port of Oia.
Even if you’re not looking to buy much, it’s fun to pop into a few shops while you’re walking through the village. Come sunset, you’ll be spoiled with a full buffet dinner and unlimited white wine! Another great way to enjoy the famous Santorini sunsets without the crowds is by taking a sunset cruise. Once you’re down at the port, you’ll see a few restaurants and fishing boats (more on that later). Oia is known around the world for its sunsets, but what most people don’t realize is that sunrise can actually be the better time for photos. (Luckily, our amazing hotel owner carried both of our giant checked bags for us!!!). Staying in a hotel where you can escape the crowds and still enjoy the dreamy views is one of my top tips for visiting Oia!
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.
Standing at a relatively short distance from the main island town and the airport, the hotel oversees the famous Caldera … One of the most popular attractions in the town is sunset viewing. Personally, I think staying in Oia is totally worth it, especially if you want to enjoy the early mornings and late evenings without the day-trip crowds. No matter which you choose, don’t miss the chance to try the local wine when visiting Oia. Or, if you want to visit an actual winery, there’s Domaine Sigalas, located just 10-minutes outside of Oia. Right off the main walkway, this tiny, independently owned bookstore is worth popping into when you’re strolling the streets of Oia.
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 different local wineries throughout Santorini, as well as transportation, entrance fees, and snacks!
A lot of people only visit Oia for a few hours to catch the sunset, or see it during the middle of the day in the peak of cruise crowds. They are located directly opposite the Londsa Castle and from here you can enjoy a no less spectacular sunset. Onwards, more and more people flock to the small town, including many cruise tourists and it is difficult to find a free parking space around Oia. Alternatively, you can switch to the low season, because from October to April far fewer people make the pilgrimage to the village of 500 inhabitants. You may leave your vehicle there and enjoy long walks along the village's paths. A car parking area at the entrance makes the village easy to approach. The village's diverse culinary scene features restaurants at a scenic location, where you can savor a gourmet dinner on a terrace while gazing at the sea and the sunset.
#3 Oia Sunset At Kastro
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.
A set of 300 steps allows you to get to Ammoudi directly from Oia's Castle, although the village can also be reached by car. Straight out of a postcard, Oia is certainly the most picturesque village in Santorini – some may even claim it is the prettiest one in Greece! Hundreds of people gather every evening to watch the sun setting above the Aegean Sea and capture the most beautiful sunset in Greece. Oia, pronounced Ia, is the most visited village in Santorini and the second largest after Fira, the island's capital town. At this time the town is crowded with people to watch the spectacle, when the white houses and the caldera catch all the colours of the setting sun for a few seconds. Also traded in the town are agricultural products like honey, wine, capers, and fava beans.
(For other swim spots, you’ll want to check out the beaches of Milos!). We visited in late afternoon (about 3 hours before sunset), and it was perfect! If you don’t want to partake in cliff jumping, you can just swim in the sea and enjoy the beautiful waters of the Aegean. If you don’t want to walk back up, taxis are available, but they’re a bit expensive. Some people opt to ride donkeys down, but I don’t personally recommend it. To get there, you’ll walk down a long set of steep steps that start near the castle ruins. It’s important to know that there will be lines of people at the most popular photo spots. It was still a little busy, but nothing compared to the mob of people that show up at sunset.
In 1976 the town was included in adrian portelli pokies the programme for preservation and development of traditional settlements of the Greek National Tourism Organisation under Aris Konstantinidis. There is a ferry connection to Therasia from the harbour village of Ormos Ammoudi (Όρμος Αμμουδιού; also spelled Amoudi) to the west. The small fishing village of Ormos Armeni (Όρμος Αρμένης) lies below Oia to the south and is reached via steps. Oia is a scenic village on the north west edge of the Santorini island within the Cyclades. The epicentre of the strongest aftershock (magnitude 7.2) was located off the northern coast of Santorini.
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«.
If you don’t get there early enough, however, you can expect to wait up to two hours for a selfie. The churches are located directly on the crater rim and especially at sunrise and in the late afternoon hours they offer a terrific photo motif! In summer, the tourist rush to Oia is correspondingly large and you will only find tranquility in the early morning hours. Therefore, if you pay a visit in July or August, it is recommended to park your car at the very beginning of the village. However, note that it might be hard to find a parking spot during the high season. It offers the opportunity to walk alongside massive volcanic cliffs and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and the caldera. Its location is the reason it constitutes one of the most popular places to watch the sunset in the entire Aegean Sea.