Oia is the most picturesque and famous village on the island of Santorini. Surely you will have seen it on television or in a postcard, being the most photographed. The churches with their characteristic blue domes, winding streets and white houses seem to belong to a fairy tale.
Built on the top of the Caldera, Oia offers a breathtaking view of the bay, the typical blue and white houses and the volcano.
Oia is located right on top of the cliffs on the west coast of the island of Santorini.
It is easily reached by bus from Fira, the capital of the island of Santorini, which is about 10 km away. But to admire every little detail we suggest you reach on foot, following a very suggestive and panoramic path. With a pleasant walk of about a couple of hours, you can enjoy the splendid panorama of the caldera, passing through all the villages perched on the edge of the cliff.
The current name, Oia, dates back to the early 1900s, previously called Ano Meria, in fact many of its inhabitants still use this name.
Oia was one of the richest and most populous towns not only of the island of Santorini, but of all the Cyclades: about a century ago it reached 10,000 inhabitants, thanks to the naval trade that was its main activity. The officers and captains lived in beautiful cliff-top dwellings, called kapetanospita, while sailors and the poor lived in modest rock-cut dwellings, the iposkafa, similar to caves with stone and straw ceilings.
If you want to learn more about the thriving maritime trade of the island of Santorini, don't miss the Maritime Museum, which houses models and watercolors of ancient and modern ships, tools and drawings, books and documents, photos and vintage maps.
Over time, due to the decline of the ship trade and the 1956 earthquake, most of the population moved to the Greek mainland or abroad. Today the village has a few hundred residents, all employed in tourism or in activities connected to it.
Today Oia is a town of rare beauty, with its white and blue houses and bougainvillea of a deep pink that contrasts with the typical colors of the houses, the churches with their shining blue domes and windmills, looks like a painting. Without forgetting the well-kept shops, the pretty museums, the numerous art galleries and the ruins of the Venetian fortress, which make this village a unique and fascinating place.
Don't miss the fantastic sunset of Oia. Thanks to its position from here you can admire the most beautiful sunset on the island of Santorini, which will also be one of the most beautiful you will ever see. But you arrive a couple of hours before sunset, because, owing to its fame, Oia usually becomes quite crowded in those hours, whether it is April or 15 August. In the meantime, you can relax in one of the bars in the area, such as the Lioyerma Lounge Cafe, or the Sun Spirit Cocktail Bar which both enjoy a perfect location to watch the sunset. Carve out a secluded corner and enjoy the most beautiful sunset on the island of Santorini!
If you want to take a dip in the sea before sunset, go down the staircase that leads to the two city ports, Ammoudi and Armeni. In both marinas you will not find beaches, but rock or concrete platforms on which you can lay the towel and bathe. The seabed of these two harbors is one of the most beautiful on the island of Santorini, ideal for snorkeling too.
Near Oia there is also a beach, Katharos. To reach it you have to go down in the direction of Ammoudi and turn as soon as you see the indication. It is made of black sand with some large, smooth boulders, both on the shore and in the water. It is not equipped but it is very quiet.
The village of Oia will not cease to amaze you even in the evening, with its clubs and restaurants with panoramic views. If you want to taste good fish try the 1800-Floga Restaurant and admire the breathtaking view. After dinner we recommend a stroll through the romantic streets of Oia, it will be an experience to remember. Many small lights that light up the individual streets, typical shops and small boutiques will surround one of the most suggestive spots that the island of Santorini has to offer.