In 1976 the town was included in 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.
Below is a map of Oia to help you get better acquainted with the town and the spots on this list of things to do! I still think Oia is worth visiting despite the crowds, but more on that later! Its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and narrow walkways perched along the edge of the caldera have made it one of the most iconic spots in all of Greece. As mentioned, Oia sits at the northern tip of Santorini (see map below) and is hands-down the most photographed town on the island. So what is there actually to do in Oia besides take in the incredible views of the sea and pretend you’re in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? But don’t let the size fool you, Oia is packed with charm and more things to do than you’d expect!
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.
#7 Beaches Near Oia
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.
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.
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«.
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 adrian games 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.
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!
Bus Tour Around The Island (best Sights)
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.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or even the host or hotel to Oia. The village centre is considered a traffic-calmed zone. You should definitely refrain from wild parking on the side of the road, yellow lines are barrier lines. By the way, the big car rental companies such as Hertz, Europcar & Co. are also represented at Santorini Airport. The latter is recommended during rush hour before sunset. Oia is located on the northwestern tip of Santorini.