The ultimate list of things to do in Oia, Santorini

Santorini Island is one of the top destinations in Greece, and for good reason. Whether you choose to come here on a day trip from Crete, stay for 2 days, or just come from another area of the island to explore Oia, you will definitely want to know what the best things to do in Oia are.

Oia is an absolutely charming destination for honeymoons, romantic vacations, and everything in between. It will steal your heart from the moment you set foot on its white streets.

Ever since our first trip to Santorini, I have kept dreaming of returning and exploring its beauty again.

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Best things to do in Oia
Visit the Oia Castle
Things to do in Oia at night
Getting to Oia, Santorini

Best things to do in Oia

Take a picture with the famous blue domes

Maybe the most famous church out there, the one with the three blue domes in Santorini, makes for the perfect picture of the town. It is one of the best spots in Oia.

It is unmissable, and the town is not very big, thus you can walk along the main road and you will bump into it for sure.

In addition, there are two other orthodox churches with white walls and pretty tops: Agia Ekaterini and Panagia Platsani.

Another thing I would consider in Oia, in particular, is booking a professional photographer for a photo session that will last forever.

I’ve invested a lot of time and money in my photo gear, and I’m lucky to be able to take some pretty pictures myself. However, not all people have that, and if you want to have a couple of pictures, that is almost impossible without the help of a photographer.

What I love about Flytographer is that you have so many great local photographers to choose from. They know the region and when and where exactly to go for the perfect shot. On top of that, you can see their previous work and choose from different types of packages depending on your budget and desires.

Check it out here and book your Oia photo session!

Make sure you look your best for the photoshoot by reading my post about what to wear in Santorini

Shop for souvenirs and local crafts

Once you get to Oia, you’ll notice there are many small shops selling colorful local crafts.

It was hard for me to avoid entering all of them because you’ll find a lot of beautiful pieces of jewelry, dresses, linen shirts, and other things that would make perfect souvenirs.

Let’s not forget about beauty products with local ingredients like volcanic stone, olive oil, or even donkey milk. Along with local fragrances, these products always make great gifts for loved ones back home.

Watch the sunset in Oia

The ultimate thing to do in Santorini and Oia, particularly, is to stay for sunset.

As the sun makes its way towards the sea, it casts its light on this island’s unique architecture, which many people are charmed by.

In addition, the absolutely unmatched caldera view attracts people from all over the world to this island in the Cyclades.

As you plan to end the day in style in Oia, there are some things you might want to know:

Don’t expect to come here and find a table at a restaurant for sunset. Call and book in advance if you want to enjoy a delicious meal with the sunset as your background.

The Byzantine Castle is the perfect place to see the sunset in Oia. However, it can get really crowded, and even though we came early and found a spot, many people just shoveled and made their way around us.

That’s why you might want to try an alternative spot if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on dinner at one of the restaurants around: the hillside outside of Oia or by the windmills of Oia are also great places for sunset.

Bring a bottle of wine to enjoy such a show!

Other good locations to see the sunset from

Of course, no matter where you watch the sunset from on the Westerner side of the island, you’re in for a show. Here are some other stunning locations you will want to consider:

Skaros Venetian castle in Imerovigli. It is a 10-minute hike to the top, so make sure to bring water;
Akrotiri Lighthouse is one of my favorite places on the island, with a great natural spot;
Santo Winery. Do a wine tasting and admire the sun going to sleep inside the caldera. Alternatively, you can go on a sunset wine tour at three traditional wineries.
A sunset caldera cruise with dinner. Enjoy a delightful evening on the sea with a view.

Visit Atlantis Bookstore

You don’t want to miss Atlantis, a super Instagrammable bookstore on the island.

They don’t offer only books in Greek but also in many other languages, including English, Italian, and French.

A good book from Oia would make a perfect souvenir for someone back home or for yourself—as soon as you open it, you will always remember the marble streets of Oia.

It is open until midnight during summer, and dreams are made of the view from their terrace.

Ammoudi Bay

As you take the few hundred stairs towards the sea, you’ll get to a lovely seafront with traditional local tavernas serving fresh fish.

This is also the place you will need to come to in Oia if you want to go for a swim. Just don’t expect sandy beaches. As a matter of fact, there aren’t sandy beaches on the whole volcanic island.

If you choose to stay in Oia, you will be better off with the hotel’s infinity pool.

One additional thing: please don’t take the donkeys up the hill to return to Oia. Many guides encourage you to do that, but you’ll see they don’t look very happy carrying tourists up a hill under the hot sun.

On top of that, the road is filled with their poop, and at over 30 degrees, it can get nauseating to climb the hill in that smell.

Armeni Bay

A less touristic option to Ammoudi Bay, you’ll still get to climb countless stairs to get to this place by sea.

Armeni used to be Santorini’s old harbor, but today, it is a quieter and more peaceful place to visit, especially if you want to run from the crowds. The area also has a diving center, which you’ll want to check out if you are into water sports.

Discover some of the best Oia attractions

Not everything has to be planned, and Oia is, in fact, such a small place that it will be impossible to get lost.

Wander around up and down the marble streets, pet the local friendly cats, and admire the beautiful white buildings and pink flowers contrasting so charmingly.

Stop for a coffee at one of the many cafes with a view, and allow yourself to be in the now and enjoy this gem in the Cyclades.

Hike from Oia to Fira

The hike is approximately 10 kilometers long and fairly easy to do.

The hike takes you along a path with breathtaking views of the caldera and its white-washed villages, as well as stunning vistas of the Mediterranean Sea.

Along the way, you will pass through vineyards and olive groves before finally reaching Fira, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the island’s beautiful scenery.

It will take you anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours to complete it, depending on the pace and how many times you stop to admire the view or take pictures.

You should avoid doing it during the day and try to go either early in the morning or in the afternoon. The sun can get really strong around here, and the island is arid, thus you won’t find any shade to hide from the sun.

The path is paved or with cobbler stone, thus it won’t be difficult to take.

Stay in a cave hotel or a room with an infinity pool in Oia

If you’re unfamiliar with the “cave hotels,” let me introduce you to some of the most stunning hotels you’ll ever want to stay in.

Apart from their fantastic view, the design is authentic, and most have infinity pools overlooking Oia and the caldera.

Many have been featured in famous magazines worldwide and are on the list of the rich and famous. However, in my Santorini accommodation guide, I’ve also found some more affordable options if you don’t want to break the bank but still see the best places.

Best places to stay in Oia

When you are celebrating something special, and you want to have a memory that will last forever, check out one of the following hotels:

Perivolas Hotel. Usually sold out months ahead, this hotel offers 22 private houses with magnificent sea views and built-in restored 300-year-old caves. Present on location, there’s also a wellness center offering a steam bath, sauna, open-air hot tub, and massage facilities. Check it out here!
Art Maisons Oia Castle. Architectural design inspired by the volcano meets modern amenities and traditional Cycladic style. According to hotel guests, this is the best sunset viewpoint in Santorini. Check it out here!
Aris Caves. This hotel is carved in volcanic rock and offers apartments only 5 minutes away from Oia’s center. They also have a free luggage porter service that will make a difference—trust me, you’ll understand once you get there. Check it out here!
Chroma Suites. On the affordable side, this hotel offers the same panoramic view and charming location as above. Check it out here!

If you don’t know what to do, book that trip! Life is too short!

Go on a wine-tasting tour

I might have mentioned this before, but a wine-tasting tour is a must-do in Santorini.

It’s about the wine and the view, the ultimate combination.

Here are two great options I would consider on a future trip because we’ve been to Santo Wineries for the first time. However, the tasting was too short for me, thus I would like to try something different:

Enjoy the best cuisine on the island!

Disclaimer: we absolutely love Greek food!

But somehow, no matter how hard we try to order less food, we always end up stuffed.

Maybe because of the stunning view, we often forget how much we ate. But really, no matter the time of the day, eating Greek food in Oia is something you shouldn’t skip.

For dinner, you will want to book a table at one of the best restaurants in Oia:

Visit the Oia Castle

Oia Castle, also known as Kastro, is a magnificent fortress located in the beautiful village of Oia in Santorini, Greece.

Constructed during the 16th century by Venetian conquerors and originally a walled fortress, today it stands as an iconic landmark that offers visitors stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the neighboring island of Thirassia.

The castle is open to visitors all year round, and it’s a great place for sightseeing and exploring the culture of this beautiful region. From the top of the hill where the castle stands, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Oia’s white-washed buildings, rocky cliffs, and crystal-clear waters.

With its ancient ruins and vibrant history, the Oia Castle is an amazing place to explore and experience some Greek culture.

Things to do in Oia at night

If you don’t know what to do in the city once night falls, here are a few ideas worth considering.

Go on a sunset cruise along the caldera. This is not only unforgettable for couples, but anyone should try it at least once in their life.

Go bar hopping and taste some of the best cocktails in town while enjoying a stunning view. Sun Spirit, Hassapiko, Fino, and Kookoo Bar are only a few of the places you should try.

Remember the hike from the previous point? Do it once the sun sets, and you don’t risk getting sunburned.

Another romantic activity for couples is horseback riding at sunset.

Getting to Oia, Santorini

There are plenty of ways to get to Oia, depending on where you are coming from.

From Santorini airport, in Fira, you will want to catch a taxi, book a private transfer, rent a car, or take the bus. The Ktel public buses link lots of towns around Santorini island.

People find booking a private transfer so affordable and convenient that the option will likely sell out. Book here your private transfer.

From the main port in Ammoudi, you’ll have to climb the few hundred stairs to the top of the hill and the center of Oia.

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The ultimate list of things to do in Oia, Santorini

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Best things to do in Oia