Oia village is not over 10km from Fira. The small houses, carved into the rock, the mansions with their stairways and their neoclassical architecture, with white and ochra as their dominant colors, the walls decorated with small stones, the roads paved with flagstones, and the flowers, form a harmonious total of the impressive picture of the Oia village.
The Oia village square is a balcony looking at the caldera. The view of the volcano and the infinity of the sea take a different dimension when seen from here. The wealth of the villagers of the last century is exhibited in the Nautical museum. Oia's inhabitants were sailors, and became rich in the last century by working in the sea. They decorated their village with neoclassical buildings which today bear witness to an age that has passed.

Once the Oia had been officially listed as a protected traditional community, some sixty derelict houses, abandoned in the wake of the 1956 earthquake, were repaired and converted into hotels and rented rooms. Visitors looking for atmosphere and peace and quiet come to Oia, where they can find some of the most beautiful hotels on Santorini island, perfectly integrated in the landscape. As the sun descends to the horizon and the pink of the evening sky turns to mauve, the shutterbugs line the walls of the mediaeval castle, their lenses hungrily devouring the Santorini's most famous sunset. When the last rays of the sun are gone, they pour into the tiny ethnic shops along the central street, in every respect the equal of the famous Gold Street in Fira. Here you will find Indian shawls and bedspreads, exquisitely carved silver jewellery, Venetian mirrors, antiques. And when you have had enough of shopping you will dine to the sound of classical music and, before you return to your room or hotel, take a last stroll through Santorini island's most enchanted village.

Holidays in Oia - Santorini, GREECE
Spending your holidays in Oia is like stepping into a photograph from a calendar. It's so idyllic – from the whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, to the famous sunsets over the glittering sea – you'll have to pinch yourself to check you're not dreaming. Legends of hauntings and vampires lend another dimension to Oia's ample charms. So whether you've been planning this trip for months, or just picked up a last minute holiday to Oia, you've selected one of the best spots in the Greek Islands for a peaceful holiday in romantic surroundings. From the vantage point of the ruined Venetian castle, you can see the effect of eruptions and earthquakes. Located on the south coast of the northern tip of this crescent-shaped island, you can see white clusters of villages sprinkled on top of the steep cliffs that plunge into the deep waters of the volcano's crater. Aside from wandering the steep, narrow streets of the village, flitting between the numerous little boutiques and dining al fresco, make sure you stroll down the 214 steps to the bottom of the cliff and visit Oia's small harbour, Ammoundi. Here you'll find a tiny beach and several superb fish tavernas.
Sites and Attractions
Several of the most important archaeological and historical sites in Greece are located in Santorini, such as the Ancient City of Thira and the Minoan City of Akrotiri, which is believed by many to be connected to the Lost City of Atlantis. We suggest you make a visit to the Archaeological, Folklore and Prehistoric Museums in Fira and the Maritime Museum in Oia (Ia), as well as the Venetian Castle Skaros and the Gizi Manor. Santorini also has many splendid churches and monasteries, many of which date back to the 11 th century AD. A great day excursion is a boat trip to the volcanic isles of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirassia, which are located opposite Imerovigli.
Oia Santorini weather & Climate
The climate is mild and dry. During the summer temperature is between 25- 35 degrees. The island capital of Santorini, Fira clings to the edge of a cliff, which is, in fact, the rim of the carter. The town’s archaeological museum is crammed with finds from excavations at Akrotiri. Santorini has magnificent beaches, created by the volcano, where the sand is black, red, or white and the sea is deep blue and crystal clear. The impact of tourism has made itself felt in Santorini, judging from the abundance of hotels, shops and taverns.
Getting to Santorini - Oia
Travelling to Santorini Greece is convenient and easy, especially in the summer months when flight and boat trips are more frequent. You can board a direct flight from Athens Airport and Thessaloniki in Greece, as well as charter flights from other European Airports. If you feel like exploring other Greek islands, you can go island hopping by airplane from Santorini to other Cycladic Islands, Skiathos island and Crete.
Ferries and hydrofoils depart for Santorini from Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, and other Cyclades Islands, Dodecanese and Crete. During the summer months, ferry transportation to Santorini is very frequent, often departing every few hours. Boat fares to Santorini Island depend on the season and the type of vessel (ferry boat or hydrofoil).
Oia overview
The pretty colour-coordinated houses in pristine white and various shades of pastel cling precariously to the cliff face, along with the picturesque blue domed churches and a reconstructed windmill. Only the famous skafta cave houses with their barrel-shaped roofs seem to be the less precarious places to live.
Oia sits on the northern tip of Santorini island, high on the top of the cliff with the fishing village of Ammoudi nestling below, reached by staircases leading down to the sea. It has fewer crowds than the rest of the island, and has a cosy small-town atmosphere, though there are still plenty of smart boutiques and expensive jewellery shops in its narrow passageways in the centre of the town. For those interested in history it sports a naval museum, and the remains of a Venetian castle can also be visited. Before the earthquake it was an important commercial centre and some of the wealthy ship owners mansions can still be seen hewn into the solid rock face.
However it is the amazing sunsets that bring many people to Oia from all over the island. Many restaurants have jostled for space at the edge of the abyss hoping to attract evening diners with superb cuisine and Greek music as well as the spectacularly unforgettable sunsets. According to legend the town happens to be haunted and is home to a number of vampires, so make sure you go straight back to your hotel after the sun has set!