14 Best Things to do in Oia, Santorini, Greece
Discover the 14 most amazing things to do in Oia for the ultimate day in Santorini.
Oia is easily the most beautiful and lust-worthy village in Santorini and a must-visit while touring the island. It is known for its white-washed buildings, blue-domed roofs, and maze of paths winding through the village.
Perched atop a cliff, Oia offers not only stunning views within but also over the sea and beyond. It truly is a magical place to visit and one of the most mesmerizing places in the world.
Enjoy this list of the 14 best things to do in Oia and prepare to fall in love with this village.
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14 Best Things to Do in Oia
Wander the Streets
Simply walking around the stunning streets is one of the best things to do in Oia. There are very few places on earth as breathtaking and magical as Oia and walking the maze of paths, getting lost along the way, is priceless.
You will quickly notice Oia is larger than it first appears and you can walk around in secret spots and up and down the stairs for hours.
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Watch the Sunset and Sunrise
Oia is one of the best places in Santorini and even in the world to watch the sunset and sunrise. It is one of the most photographed sunset spots on earth and for good reason.
When the sun starts to set the warm light hits the white-washed buildings creating a glow that vibrates through the city. There are many places in Oia to watch the sunset but the most famous is the Oia Castle Ruins. This spot is extremely busy due to the popularity of the sunset so arrive early … or go for sunrise!
Watching the sunrise in Oia is every bit as magical as the sunset but much more exclusive and intimate. You can enjoy all the famous sunset spots but with very few people which makes it much more enjoyable.
View The 4 Bells of Oia (Agia Ekaterini)
The 4 Bells of Oia are exactly as they sound: 4 bells in Oia! They are really popular amongst photographers due to their beauty and magic.
The 4 bells with the Greek flag and views of the open sea in the distance are magic. You can find these by walking towards the windmills in Oia and they are along the way.
Admire the Three Blue Domes
The three blue domes are one of the most iconic photo spots in Oia and a must-see while exploring. They can be easy to miss since they are located off the main pathway, but worth the search.
You will likely find them when wandering the streets and exploring or you can map your way here. There are two sides where people view the domes so go see it from both angles and choose your favourite!
Hike to Fira
Hiking from Oia to Fira is one of the best things to do in Oia if you have some spare time to do some additional exploring of Santorini. The hike is pretty easy is 10 km long, you should complete the hike in 4 hours depending on how much you stop and how fast you walk.
The hike is a great way to see more of the island and discover some hidden gems along the way. Oia is extremely busy and the hike offers a nice escape to some quieter and more intimate parts of Santorini like Firostefani.
Oia isn’t the only beautiful village in Santorini and seeing as much as possible is the best way to enjoy this island.
Have a Drink with a View
There are countless amazing restaurants in Oia with stunning views of the white-washed houses and stretching sea – they are all perfect for a drink!
This is one of the best things to do in Oia to simply soak in the views and have your pinch-me moment, that yes this is really happening you are really here!
Go Wine Tasting
Santorini is actually a very popular place for wine tasting and is home to many wineries around the island. Going wine tasting is the perfect opportunity to indulge in local wines all around the island.
Take a tour of a traditional wine cellar or authentic vineyard and learn about the best wines on the island. You can opt for a daytime tour or sunset to set the mood.
Enjoy Oia Church (Church of Panagia)
The Church of Panagia is a stunning bright white church with blue domes in the middle of Santorini. This Orthodox church dominates the square and is hard to look away from! You can enter for free or just admire it from the outside.
Walk to Amoudi Bay
Amoudi Bay is located just below Oia amongst the red volcanic rock. It is a stunning bay and port with bright blue waters and white buildings built into the cliffs.
It is accessible by a long set of stairs leading from Oia to the Bay and is well worth the walk down. While here you can enjoy the views from below and grab a bite from one of the restaurants.
Join a Boat Tour
Heading out on a boat tour is a great way to see Santorini from a different perspective. One of the best things to do in Oia is to escape the village for a short while and head out on the sea with some perks. Some tours have free drinks, some music and more. Find one that suits you best and sail away.
Marvel at Oia Castle
Walking amongst the ruins of Oia Castle is easily one of the best things to do in Oia. The castle is not so much a castle anymore just very bare ruins due to an earthquake that destroyed it years ago.
Now it is one of the most popular view spots in the village where you can see the iconic view of Oia you see online.
This is also the best place in Oia to watch the sunset and is regarded as one of the best places on earth to watch the sunset. If you plan to watch the sunset here be sure to get here early so you get a good spot amongst the many many others.
Rent an ATV to explore Santorini
Renting an ATV to cruise around Santorini is the best way to see more than just Oia. Although Oia is absolutely stunning there is more to see than just this village. Rent an ATV for a day and cruise around to see and discover more!
Book a Cave Hotel
There is no better way to experience Oia than by staying in one of the iconic cave hotels. These hotels are super special to Santorini and even more so in Oia.
With this type of hotel, you get a pool in your room leading to outside. Spending a day enjoying your pool, patio, and the view is easily one of the best things to do in Oia.
Here are some of the best cave hotels in Oia:
Go Shopping
There are a ton of super cool shops in Oia well worth a visit and a purchase. Not only are the souvenirs actually cool and not just junk, but they also sell clothing, ceramics, jewelry and more. Spending some time going between shops and finding some gems is one of the top things to do in Oia.
When to Visit Oia, Santorini
The best time to visit Santorini is in the shoulder seasons: Late April to Mid June and September to Mid-October. This is when the weather is still warm, sunny and beautiful. But there are much fewer people so you can enjoy the village without the huge crowd’s summer brings.
How to Get to Oia
You can get to Oia in one of the following ways:
- By car: Either rent a car or hire a driver (contact your hotel and ask them to arrange this for you).
- By bus: There are public buses that can bring you to and from Oia with ease.
- By tour: Take a tour to bring you to Oia.
Where to Stay in Oia
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It sounds like time to book that trip to Oia and make your travel dreams come true. Use this list of the top things to do in Oia to guide your stay!
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SSW
