Oia, not to miss...
Oia is certainly the most photographed village in Greece. The subjects are endless - sunset, moonrise, blue domed chapels, views of the sea, caldera & volcano; marble paths & volcanic stone stairs, cave houses, sea captain's mansions, resident cats & dogs, the one donkey taxi, Oia's maritime museum, colorful shops - cafes - tavernas & restaurants, vineyards outside the village, hotel terraces hanging off the cliff, local crafts & artwork, a cruise ship far below the village, colorful fishermen's boats in the port.
They all await your discovery. Use our website for a unique presentation to the many features of Oia. Here you can plan your future visit or share your past trip.
The museum was established in 1951 by Captain Antonis Dakoronias and today it is housed in a very beautiful and well-preserved kapetanospito (captain's residence). The maritime history of Oia during its development and flourishing in the 19th century is fully documented here.
There are all kinds of dispalys featuring documents, priceless objects of great ship owners, rich photographic material and a library that present the big contribution of the locals to the glorious history of the Greek Navy.
Religion on the island of Santorini has included both the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic followers. Today Oia, as an Orthodox village, has the picturesque blue domed chapels, pristine white bell towers and volcanic stone trimmed church doorways dotted all along the caldera cliffs. Each chapel is of course named after the Saint it honors and was built by a local family, many to pray for the safe return of the seafaring members of the family. These are closed to the public except on the Saint's Name Day when the owning family sponsors a small celebration complete with wine and local specialties. It's a fine reason for a social event attended by the locals and invited island visitors.
Armeni is the second small port of Oia, which in 19th century was used for commercial purposes - to load ships and wine for export.
Today it is not that popular among the tourists despite the peacefulness and the breathtaking views that it offers. There is only one taverna left and it could be reached by walking down the 300 steps from Oia. The way back to the village could present quite a challenge and it's one of the reasons the port doesn't get so many visitors.
Once the commercial port of Santorini, today this tiny bay, located right below the village of Oia, is a favorite spot for the tourists. There may not be sunbathing comforts but diving from the small beach with the red and black rocks, or even better - from 6 meters high from the beautiful islet with the chapel of Agios Nikolaos, and swimming below the Caldera, is an experience that the ambitious swimmers will not forget.
Those who prefer to spend their afternoon quietly, enjoying the local culture and food, will be happy to discover the absolute definition of fish tavern here - a few casual restaurants right by the sea, serving fresh fish and sea dishes and offering a warm and friendly atmosphere. As a bonus, the specific location of the bay guarantees you an amazing view of the famous Oia sunset with the longest sunset duration!
The sunset of Santorini with the Burnt Islands in the foreground, the islet of Thirasia behind, Sikinos and Folegandros further off are among the most exciting aesthetic experiences that the Aegean can provide.
The village of Oia, located on the highest northern tip of the island, offers the most spectacular view of the sunset with its magical purple colours. Therefore it is a must, especially if you are visiting Santorini with your significant other, to make your way to the Venetian Castle at the edge of the cliff, and cuddled into each other to say goodbye to the sun, gradually dropping down and diving into the sea.
