Visit Oia: discover the most beautiful village of Santorini

Oia is a small town in the north of the island of Santorini, located on a cliff overlooking the crater of the Caldera. Famous worldwide for its sunsets that are teeming on Instagram, Oia gathers a concentration of small souvenir stores, great restaurants, bars and taverns, all in a postcard atmosphere. Oia is one of the main reasons for the success of the island of Santorini, in the Cyclades, and has been made famous all over the world on Instagram especially for its breathtaking sunsets and sea view like nowhere else! What to do on site? Where to sleep? Crete Autrement tells you everything!

How to get there?

Flight France – Santorini

Oia is located on the northern part of the island of Santorini, about 10 kilometers from the island’s capital, Fira.

To get to Santorini by plane, you will land in Fira (Thira), capital of the island. From the England, you can fly from :

• London Gatwick (LGW),
• Heathrow (LHR),
• London City (LCY),
• Newcastle (NCL),
• Manchester (MAN),
• Bristol (BRS)
• and Birmingham (BHX)

How to get to Oia

Arriving on the island of Cyclades then, you can go to Oia by bus or cab:

• By bus, count about ten euros for a round trip.
• By cab, count about thirty euros for a round trip.

You can also hire the services of this type of shuttle with drivers in advance.

How to reach Santorini from Crete

Our beloved island of Crete is located not far from Santorini. So, to go from Heraklion to Fira (or the opposite) take the ferry, it’s very easy!

• Frequency of departures : Every day
• First ferry : 08:00
• Last ferry : 09:20
• Average duration: 1h 21m
• Price range: 47.90 € – 84.00 €.

Where to sleep in Oia?

Find a hotel

To sleep in dream conditions in Oia, in a room with private pool or jacuzzi and sea view, go to this Booking map and start organizing your stay:

Some people choose to spend the night near Oia, in order to wake up in the heart of the city, and enjoy the dawn. However, it is possible to come only for the day, in order to enjoy the sunset, and then go to your hotel in Santorini, Fira, or a village near Oia.

Find a cheap hotel in Oia

A very select destination in Greece, the prices of hotels and rooms can sometimes go crazy in Oia. So, to help you get the best deals, check out the latest Booking promotions below:

Rent a villa with pool

If you want to go to Santorini as a lover, you might as well do it right until the end, right? For those who have the budget, there are of course beautiful villas for rent in Oia :

POOL, SEA VIEW : FIND YOUR VILLA HERE

What to do in Oia?

1. See the most beautiful sunset of your life

Oia is the most famous place on the island of Santorini. It is often described as a fairy village, with its colorful houses, blue-roofed churches and the views it offers. It is especially known for its sunset, which is one of the most beautiful in the world.

In Oia, tourists often come to marvel at its splendid sunset. We advise you to settle down a little in advance, on one of the stone benches that are located a little before the main viewpoint (at the exit of the village).

A little extra tip: go watch the sunset with a good glass at the hotel Canaves Oia Epitome:

CANAVES OIA EPITOME

2. Enjoy the nature of Santorini

It is a very touristy city and very popular for its warm climate. There is hiking and walking along the cliffs. You can also enjoy the view by scuba diving.

For snorkeling in the clear blue waters of Oia, try :

• Atlantis Oia Dive Center
• Sunset Oia
• My Blue Cruises

3. A magical boat trip

Greece, the Cyclades and Santorini are perfect places for boat cruises. We all dream about it and it is very easy to find something to sail for a day. By catamaran or sailboat, here are some ideas of excursions organized for you:

4. Discover the local culture

The Greek culture being of a crazy richness, whether it is modern or especially ancient, you can visit :

• the Maritime Museum,
• the Ancient Theatre
• or the Archaeological Museum!

5. Open air cinema !

If you have rented a car during your stay on the Greek island, then don’t hesitate to drive half an hour in the direction of Kamari to see a movie at the Kamari cinema, in the open air!

6. Go shopping

Shopping in the many art stores of the Greek village:

• Mnemossyne Gallery,
• Oia Treasures Art Gallery
• or Kyrkos Art Gallery.

7. Go to the spa

On the spot, as a couple like many tourists on the spot, we want to take care of ourselves. So for a memorable spa experience, here are our 2 favorite addresses:

• Caldera Massage Studio & Spa
• Evaxia Spa

8. Discover the local architecture

Like many Greek villages, Oia is of course famous for its beautiful Orthodox churches and its white and blue houses. A unity of colors that can be found throughout Greece, but which, in these high places, in the bay of Oia, take on a divine dimension.

Lose yourself in the streets of the village and take the most beautiful pictures of your life!

Where to go out in Oia?

To finish your evening, you can go to one of the bars of the village. As Oia has become a very trendy destination in the world and in Greece, you will find both select and more affordable places.

To taste delicious cocktails:

1. Fino Cocktail Bar Restaurant – Oia
2. Marykay’s Bar aka Hassapiko Bar – Oia

For the most romantic bar, go to Hassapiko or Lioyerma to name a few!

Keep in mind that Fira is THE place to party in Santorini. Oia is more discreet, subdued and romantic.

Where to eat in Oia?

Once the visit to the village is over, and before heading back to your hotel, you can stop at one of the many bars and restaurants that line the cliff path. The sunsets are unforgettable, but the restaurants are no less delicious.

It would be a shame not to enjoy the local gastronomy and eat fast food. You can find fish and seafood restaurants, but also fresh fruits and vegetables, accompanied by feta and black olives. Don’t forget to try the local specialties, such as catfish with tomato sauce or cheese pie.

After dark, you can return to the village to eat in one of the many restaurants. It is possible to eat for a reasonable price (about 30 euros per person). A must do :

• Melitini (tapas, Oia 847 02)
• Roka (Greek cuisine, m.Mpotsari 6, Oía 847 02)
• Kyprida (Greek cuisine, Oia, Thira 847 02)

What is the weather like in Oia all year round?