Oia is the beautiful white village that is the northern tip of the crescent bay shaped island. Most of the picturesque white village pictures on a rugged coast of the Aegean sea you have seen are from Oia. This city is filled with magenta bougainvillea blooming against white cliffside houses and corridors filled with cute shops, homes, hotels, cafes, restaurants and beautiful cliffside pools and hot tubs. Oia is filled with beautiful small orthodox churches that are picturesque in the village and overlooking the sea. There is lots of history, as well as Oia Castle and some Byzantine ruins to see.
How to get there
Oia is about a 25 minute drive north from central Thera and about a 25 minute drive from the airport as well. The airport is closer in by Thera in the central part of the island. There are three main ways to travel in Greece, renting ATVs, renting a car, and taking the public bus (very unreliable and difficult as well as not running on a trustworthy schedule think island time). Most people rent ATVs on a budget or cars if money is not an issue for your trip. There is limited parking in Greece and parking ATVs will always be easier than parking cars. There is a taxi service running from the airport to your hotel and you can arrange a taxi from your hotel to bring you to the airport. Taxis are not a manageable choice price wise of seeing the island day to day nor really accessible most places besides the airport.
Taxi from airport to Oia
There is a taxi stand right outside the front of the tiny airport on Santorini. You get in line and you are given the next taxi that arrives. There are quite a few taxis that are coming and going and you don’t wait long. A taxi to Oia from the airport cost about 30 euro. The local bus does come to the airport and only costs 1.5 euro per person but it goes into Fira not Oia.
Things to do
Explore the White Village
Oia is the most picturesque white village on Santorini Island found on the northern tip about a 25 minute drive outside Thera in the central part of the island. If you rent ATVS the drive will be a bit longer. This is a highly trafficked area for people to see the sunset so the traffic coming into the town or out around sunset time is crazy and be prepared for longer waits. The sunsets are just as gorgeous on the caldera in Thera and way less people and crowds however Oia really is the crown gem of beauty on the island. This is a town you must visit to walk through and take pictures of the white village like all the pictures you have seen of Greece. This is the picturesque village experience. There are lots of beautiful shops, book stores, clothing and jewelry stores and restaurants to try. Thera or Fira has more bars and restaurants facing the ocean and has a larger night life. Oia has more shopping and beautiful village for pictures.
Atlantis Books
Atlantis Books was opened by a group of friends in 2004. I remember reading about this unique cave bookstore on the coast of Greece in Santorini and falling in love with it not knowing that a few years later I would be there reading overlooking the sea. It is an independent bookstore with a collection of fiction and non-fiction books in several European languages (including Greek, English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and even Dutch) as well as a charming rooftop terrace. This truly is a gem of Oia and the island especially for a book lover and reader. There is seating they have on top of their roof with more bookshelves to look, read and overlook the ocean for an afternoon. There is a convenient wall chargers up there as well to charge your cell phone.
Ammoudi Beach
This is not a sand beach for laying out but is a rocky gorgeous coastline on the bright blue Aegean sea. This is more of a boating area where you can take boat tours out to see the island and other beaches as well as go sailing for a day. Ammoudi bay is a gorgeous tip of Oia and a great place to have drinks overlooking the water or one of the restaurants for dinner.
Byzantine Castle Ruins
The Famous Blue Roof Church
This is the most picturesque beautiful church on the island. This is the church from all the postcards you have seen with its white cross. The church is off the main path Nik Nomikou before you get to Atlantis Books on the shopping street stretch. This is a great viewpoint in Oia with some of the best views and a great spot for pictures of what is referred to as the three blue domes. When the bougainvillea are blooming as well there is a large bush near the stairs where you can take one of the best pictures with the flowers in the shot as well. The church location is found on the map below.
Panagia Platsani Church
This is another gorgeous church with the Greek flag blowing in the wind and a beautiful courtyard and church to explore. The churches offer some of the greatest history, art and beauty to the islands as well as pictures. This is another highly photographed blue dome in the island I think the second most known blue dome.
Agia Ekaterini Church
This was one of my personal favorite churches that had a gorgeous ocean view with a beautiful bell and a big courtyard with seating for when you are tired from shopping and exploring the passageways of the city. This spot is great for a drink or rest and amazing views.
Santorini Souvenirs in Oia
God’s eye jewelry
Where to buy: Mnemossyne Gallery & Hellenistic Flavors
Address: In the main shopping street of Oia
Price: $
Mnemossyne Gallery is a gorgeous store that is home decor and local jewelry and especially the God’s eye which is local to Greece culture, beliefs and jewelry. This is an interesting thing to take home. Hellenistic Flavors is the main tourist trap junk store of Oia be warned, however there is also beautiful pottery and art sold there that is generic items tourist normally look for.
Painted wood and ceramics of the white village houses
Where to buy: Epilekton (ceramic art pieces) & kalimera ia (wooden gorgeous paintings)
Address: In the main shopping street of Oia
Website: Epilektonart.com
Price: $$-$$$
There is lots of paintings, art and memoirs of the beautiful white picturesque village. There are photographs, paintings, wooden paintings and white ceramic houses that are artistic pieces that could be a great memory of your trip. There are so many amazing local artists here and their craft is amazing.
Leather, Olive Oil & Clothes & sandals
Where to buy: Speira Shop
Address: In the main shopping street of Oia
Price: $$-$$$
Stores similar: Elegy art & more (scarves, jewelry), Phoíbos (linen homemade backpacks, linen fashion kimonos), Andronis (trendy men and womens boutique with trendy clothes and sungalsses), the silk shop
This is a very trendy bohemian boutique that is island style gorgeous local fashion, beach wear, home decor baskets and plants, beautiful minimalistic modern jewelry and leather products/sandals. This is not one of the scam tourist spots with a lot of generic products. They also sell local olive oil and other oil and skin care goodies.
Donkey Milk Products
Where to buy: Chromata & Aromata
Address: In the main shopping street of Oia
Website: Chromata & Aromata
Price: 4 USD
Donkey Milk products in Greece I think are comparable to the movement of goat’s milk soap and other skin care products coming from goats and their milk. Donkeys are everywhere in Greece and are used as pack animals to help in the cities. This is a great local quality product to buy as a souvenir and experience for skin care something new.
Where to eat
PitoGyros is one of the best Souvelaki places in Oia that is budget and delicious. This is the most delicious budget street food that can be found. Lolita’s Gelato is a great spot for an afternoon treat in the heat. Hungry Donkey is known for delicious local crepes and is a frequented spot for breakfast and brunch. Ifeel is a vegan and vegetarian friendly cafe with fresh juices and lots of healthy local options. Taverna Tasos is known as a very authentic Greek tavern with delicious mediterranean food.
Where to stay
I have listed two budget backpacker options, however when I stayed I definitely wanted to splurge a bit for more of the white villa cave experience with a pool overlooking the ocean. This is a great idea for at least one night and you can stay a hostel for more nights to save money in your budget if needed. I have listed medium and expensive options for all budgets.
Budget
Caveland Hostel
This is a gorgeous traditional budget hostel in the traditional white villa cave houses that is modern, new, clean and the most killer deal in Greece for accommodations especially in Oia. If you are looking for a beautiful but budget spot this is the right place. There is the public pool lounge in Oia for free that you can use for the cliffside pool view vibes.
Price: $46USD/night , BOOK HERE
Bedspot Hostel
This is a very bohemian trendy boutique hostel that is so modern and beautiful. This place has dorm bunks that are cheap as well as beautiful double rooms that are perfect privacy for couples. This hostel is in Fira but could be worth it for your stay.
Price: $62USD/night , BOOK HERE
Mid-range
The Arches
The hotel is in a whitewashed building, and 4 minutes on foot from Oia Treasures Art Gallery, and a 13-minute walk from the restaurants along Ammoudi port. The minimalist rooms provide antique furnishings and free Wi-Fi. All rooms have balconies or terraces. A suite offers a lofted sitting area. There’s a rooftop plunge pool featuring a sundeck.
Price: $100USD/night
Aplai Dome
This is another gorgeous hotel on Oia cliffside overlooking the ocean. It is a 13-minute walk from the Byzantine Castle Ruins and 17 km from Santorini Airport. All rooms have access to an outdoor infinity pool, plus furnished verandas or patios that offer sea views. Some have living areas and/or whirlpool tubs. A breakfast buffet is complimentary. There’s a relaxed open-air bar next to the pool, which has massage jets, and a sundeck with shaded loungers. There’s also a gym and spa.
Price: $200USD/night, BOOK HERE
Luxury
Andronas Boutique Hotel /luxury suites
This hotel is a luxury boutique hotel that is modern minimalist white cave suites decorated modern trendy bohemian style with private pools, sun beds and balconies overlooking the sea. There is a public pool private just to the hotel wtih sundeck and loungers as well as private jacuuzis and terraces in each room. They also have suites with beautiful infinity pools and cave pools.
Cost: $500-$1547 USD/night, Book here
Perivolas
This is a gorgeous white villa cave style modern bohemian hotel. They have a gorgeous cave pool as well as in suite Jacuzzis and great sun deck and pool lounges facing the ocean. The hotel is carved into the side of a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, and is 1 km from the village of Oia and 15 km from the Santorini Airport. Suites add sitting areas, steam rooms and/or Jacuzzis; upgraded suites have private pools . Freebies include breakfast, parking and airport transfers, plus champagne and a fruit basket upon arrival. There’s a chic restaurant, a gym, and a terraced garden leading to an infinity pool with sea views.
Price: $755USD/night, Book here
Canaves Oia Suites
This gorgeous hotel is in white cave stone villas on the coast of Oia with Aegean sea views. There are dipping pools public and private on the terraces and central sun deck. The rooms are light and airy with beach bohemian modern decor and a gorgeous sundeck hangout lounge with a cave and regular pool.
Price: $550USD/night , BOOK HERE
Kirini Santorini
Set atop a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, this hotel is 2 km from the Byzantine Castle Ruins. There are private balconies with sea views, the chic, cave-style suites come with free Wi-Fi. Upgraded suites add private pools, separate lounges and/or whirlpool or hot tubs. Breakfast is free. There’s an airy fine-dining restaurant and a terrace cafe/bar, with views of the sea. Other amenities include a serene spa, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a gym, plus wine tastings.
Price: $700USD/night , BOOK HERE
