Oia, information about Oia village in Santorini Greece

Oia Santorini

oia Oia is located at the northwest tip of the island and is the most northerly village of Santorini. It is approximately 11km from the capital town of Fira and is probably the best place to go to see the magical sunsets of Santorini. Indeed, the vast majority of travel brochures of Santorini and the stunning postcard views of its sunsets are taken from Oia. The name is pronounced as ‘ee-ah’ and the village perches on top of the impressive cliff-face of the caldera rim and gives breathtaking, panoramic views outward to the volcano of Nea Kameni and Palia as well as the island of Thirassia and inward to the rest of Santorini back towards Fira. Being some 150 metres above sea level, it is not surprising that it is often referred to as ‘the eagle’s nest’. It is extremely scenic and picturesque with narrow, pedestrian-only, cobbled streets, blue domed churches and charming, traditional Cycladic houses; ‘cave houses’ which are carved into the rock face; and also the elegant, neo-classical, 19th century sea captain’s mansions with their staircases and wonderful terraces overlooking the volcano. Its views are classically characteristic of a Greek island, with pristine white, ochre and bright blue architecture clinging to the cliff making a striking contrast with deep blue of the Aegean. Generally, it is much prettier, quieter and calmer than the capital town of Fira, although at sundown it does get very crowded with coaches bringing tourists to see the gorgeous, dramatic views of the sunset in Santorini.
It is an extremely romantic setting and perfect for those looking for a more tranquil holiday.

The history of the island is interesting in itself. In the 19th century it was a prosperous mariner’s town and fishing port with many of the residents being ship owners and sea captains. It began to slowly decline in importance in the early 20th century due to wars, economic depression and depleted fish. In 1956 it was completely devastated by an earthquake but, today, following its official listing as a protected traditional community, it has been beautifully restored. It has not, however, recovered its former economic grandeur. Today the permanent population of Oia is around 6% of what it had been in 1900 and many of the houses left derelict after the earthquake have been repaired and converted into tourist accommodation.
Getting there: Oia is very easy to get to by road from Fira and a scenic road, with cliffs on one side and the Aegean on the other will take you into Oia. There are several free car parks in the town, the first being at the entrance to the village. Much of Oia is pedestrianised so you should leave your car in one of these free car parks and enjoy the rest of your stay on foot. There is a regular bus service from Fira, which goes via Firostefani and Imerovigli. It takes an inland route however, so the magical views of the caldera rim are missed. The bus terminal at Oia is in the main square below the Caldera. If you are fit, you can also walk along the rim from Fira to Oia. The hike takes around 4-5 hours but it is definitely worth it for the amazing views to be had. Coach tours to view the sunset are also available during the tourist season and you will see many of these being offered in the capital town of Fira.

Oia isn’t all about sunsets; there are many other things of interest to delight you. There are windmills, a ruined Venetian castle, a very interesting Maritime Museum, a weaving mill, art galleries and around 60 beautifully restored churches, many of which have been dedicated to sailors. The architecture of the island deserves a special mention. It consists mainly of two dwelling types: fascinating cave dwellings and wonderful neo-classical mansions. The cave dwellings were built into the volcanic rock and were the dwelling places of ship crews. The beautiful mansions, on the other hand, belonged to the wealthy ship owners and captains. Many of the houses are built, one on top of the other, with the roof of one serving as the terrace of the one above. As well as climbing down the cliff face to visit the small ports at the foot of the cliffs, it is also possible to visit the local vineyard and also take cruises from Fira around the Caldera.

Oia is very well organised for visitors with numerous places to stay that will suit every pocket. You can choose from luxury hotels, villas with views of the volcano, cave house studios, Captain’s houses on the calderic rim, studios, rooms and apartments. You are also spoilt for choice when deciding where to eat or drink in Oia. The coastal pedestrian road is bursting with cafes, bars, restaurants and tavernas – all with wonderful views where you can watch the spectacular sunsets. In this town of around 1250 residents, Oia has a cultural centre, a bank, ATMS cash services, an Internet Café, a bus station, a post office, a health clinic and pharmacy which are open every day. You will also find plenty of wonderful little shops selling an array of ethnic goods, handicrafts, jewellery and souvenirs.

Traditional Cycladic windmills are an integral part of the landscape of Oia. They are scattered across the town, hugging the side of the cliffs like molluscs. Some of them are now used as private homes or are let out as holiday homes, whereas others are incorporated into restaurants or simply cling there with no other purpose than to add to the unique charm of this town. The most charming are those located at the western end of the island, especially when they are bathed in the rays of the setting sun.
The Venetian Castle of Oia: This ruined Venetian fortress is also located at the western end of the island, on the very edge of the cape and close to the steps which lead down to Ammouda Bay. It is one of five fortified castles in Santorini and apparently, was used for the opening scene of ‘Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life’. It is a very popular area for taking photographs of the sunsets and there is a viewing point just behind the ruins.
Maritime Museum. Oia’s history is seeped in maritime traditions and a visit to the Maritime Museum is well worth a visit. It is housed in a superbly restored 19th century captain’s mansion and was established by Captain Antonis Dakaoronia in the 1950s. Although destroyed by the 1956 earthquake it has been restored again and has many interesting exhibits detailing the history of Santorini’s nautical past.

The Weaving Mill: This is located quite close to the Maritime Museum and the rhythmic sound of the loom should guide you there. Fine textiles are produced here and these can be purchased alongside traditional Santorini agricultural products such as honey, wine, capers and fava beans.