Things to do in Oia, Santorini? Below are the ten best ones and many other tips 😉
A trip to Santorini cannot be completed without visiting the most picturesque and famous town on the island, Oia (pronounced Ee-uh).
Located on the northwestern tip of Santorini, Oia is famous for its breathtaking sweeping views, magical sunsets and picture-perfect scenery with whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, cobblestone alleys and charming traditional Cycladic hotels carved into the rock face of a cliff.
Oia’s first settlements date back to medieval times when St. Nicolas Castle was built to protect the northern part of the island. Nowadays Oia is booming with tourism and it’s one of the dreamiest and most photographed places on earth.
During my second visit to Santorini, I decided to stay in Oia for a few nights and explore this part of the island more. There are several interesting things to do in Oia and I compiled a list of the ten best ones below.
Table of Contents
10 Best Things to Do in Oia Santorini
1 – Soak in the breathtaking views
Because of its geographical location on the northwestern edge of a cliff between 70 and 100m (230 and 330 feet) above sea level, Oia provides magnificent views of the famous volcano, the deep blue sparkling Aegean Sea, and other Santorini villages.
From Oia, you can take in the complete dramatic Santorini landscape, including the whole length of the main island Thira, Ammoudi Bay and Thirassia Island.
And there are plenty of places where you can appreciate the gorgeous vistas in Oia.
From the ruins of the castle to cafes, bars, restaurants, paths and even from your balcony, in case you’re lucky enough to stay at one of the hotels with a caldera view.
- Read Next: Best Places to Stay in Santorini
2 – Explore the paths, alleys and stairwells of Oia
The scenic town of Oia extends for almost 2 Km (1.2 mi) and has two main squares and a central street that crosses the top of the cliff branching off through narrow passageways.
But Oia’s main pedestrian strip can get very crowded, especially in the summer, with loads of tourists.
If you want to see a much quieter town, find good locations for pictures and places where you can enjoy the views peacefully, you should delve into Oia’s winding streets, alleys and stairwells.
My top recommendation is the southern part of Oia, towards Fira, which is very serene because many tourists don’t go there. It’s indeed stunning and the perfect photo location for a picture with whitewashed houses in the background.
The area around the windmills is also lovely and there are houses painted in different pastel colours and vivid flowers. It only gets busy during the sunset.
Remember to go off the beaten track and explore Oia’s paths, alleys and stairwells.
- Ready for Greece? See my favourite Greece tours.
3- Walk the path between Oia and Fira
Oia is accessible by car, taxi, bus and foot from Fira.
In fact, there is a 10 km path connecting the villages of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia.
One of the best things to do in Oia is to walk this path, which can take from 2 to 5 hours.
After leaving the town there will be some hills and unpaved parts that can be a bit challenging, especially because of the heat and seasonal mosquitos.
But once you get to Imerovigli, the path is paved and much more pleasant.
You’ll pass by numerous hotels, restaurants, picturesque houses, churches and shops in Firostefani and Fira.
The path provides impressive caldera vistas, especially from Firostefani to Fira, where you face the caldera constantly.
If you want some adventure and have spare time, you should definitely hike the path from Fira to Oia.
- Suggested Read: What to Pack for Santorini
4 – Watch the Acclaimed Oia Sunset
Oia is famous worldwide for its beauty, glamorous luxury hotels with infinity pools and incredible sunsets.
Of course one of the best things to do in Oia is to take in this glorious sight.
You can see it from the main street, bars, restaurants, viewpoints, Ammoudi Bay and even from your hotel if you’re staying in a hotel with a sunset view.
No matter where you go, this spectacle of nature will not disappoint you.
The most popular place in Oia to watch the acclaimed Santorini sunset is the ruins of the old Venetian castle. But it can get overcrowded and you might need to get there at least one hour in advance.
From Oia castle you can watch the sun curving towards the sea, the sky being painted with layers of yellow and orange and the whitewashed houses gleaming. When it starts getting dark, shades of gold, orange and amber streak across the sky, and the white houses light up like candles sparkling in the twilight. It’s magical!
5 – Take the steps down to Ammoudi Bay
One of the best things to do in Oia is to take the 240+ steps down to Ammoudi Bay.
This tiny idyllic cove at Oia’s foothill is enveloped by impressive red cliffs with crystal-clear turquoise water and boasts taverns serving delicious seafood and Greek specialities.
At Ammoudi Bay you can also find a great spot to watch the sunset.
However, dining and watching the sunset at the picturesque harbour is very popular in Santorini and reservations are highly recommended.
If you want to go swimming in that beautiful water or even cliff jumping, just walk south along the bay and follow the narrow treacherous path that leads to a hidden beach between the rocks.
The crystal-clear water is very enticing and you need to swim to get to a cemented platform or a boulder and jump from it. It’s only 4.5 – 6 m (15-20 ft) high, but it feels very good.
From Ammoudi Bay you can also take a caldera tour, one of the top things to do in Santorini.
You’ll have the unique opportunity to walk in the volcano’s crater, learn about Santorini’s geological formation and history, swim in the hot springs and visit Thirrasia, an unspoiled island across from Santorini’s caldera.
- Book your caldera tour in advance here.
6 – Find the famous & secret Instagrammables Places in Oia
Every summer our Insta-feeds are filled with pictures of people in Santorini.
The island, and especially Oia, with its iconic whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, is an Instagrammer’s delight and a perfect location for film and commercial photo shoots.
Once you’re in town, you cannot miss the opportunity to boost your Instagram. You won’t need any photo editing after taking pictures here, though sometimes I use tools for extra quality enhancement or removing objects from photos if anything ruins the view.
So, take your hat, sunglasses and camera because I have selected some of the most famous and secret Instagrammable places in Oia to snap that “dreamy” picture.
1 – The blue-domed and salmon tower church: one of the most desired Instagrammable places in Santorini.
P.S.: There is a small gate to give access to the stairs in front of the church. It remains closed, however, if you’re with a local photographer he/she grants you access.
2 – The famous Santorini postcard
The picture I shared at the very beginning of this post. The place to take this shot can be absurdly overcrowded with people queuing to take the exact postcard photo.
This view is indeed beautiful and it’s one of the most recognizable Santorini photo spots.
From the stairs, you can also take lovely pictures!
3 – Oia sunset: the best spot is from the castle where you can get the whitewashed houses and windmills.
4 – Kastro: Kastro Restaurants (an adorable small garden in front of it) and Kastro Oia Houses (stairs)
5 – South of Oia: great photo location for a picture with whitewashed houses in the background.
These are just some of the most Instagrammable places in Oia, but there are more, such as: the stairs of Katikies Hotel, the two bell towers close to Aspaki Exclusive Suites, etc.
And because some of them aren’t easy to find and/or have restricted access, I created a map with the exact location of each and the directions to get there.
- If you prefer, you can book a Santorini Instagram Tour here
7 – Visit Atlantis Bookshop
Located on the main street of Oia, overlooking the caldera view, Atlantis offers literature in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese, and, of course, Greek.
It focuses on new and used books of modern classic fiction and non-fiction but also offers selections of poetry, philosophy, art, and all things Greek interest.
What makes Atlantis worthy of visiting, a part of its exquisitely curated collection is its location.
Atlantis Books occupies the basement of an old captain’s house that was levelled by the 1956 earthquake.
A precipitously steep staircase leads to a two-room cave stuffed with books from floor to ceiling. Above the shop, up a short flight of exterior stairs, is the rooftop terrace with bookshelves, benches and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea.
Atlantis is one of the most distinctive bookshops I’ve been to, and you should not miss it.
- Don’t miss: Best Beaches in Santorini
8 – Plunge into the public pool
One of the most glamorous things to do in Oia is to relax in an infinity swimming pool and enjoy the dazzling views of the Aegean Sea.
But if you’re on a budget and your hotel doesn’t have a pool with a view, worry no more because there is a “public” pool with fascinating views you can enjoy.
At Lioyerma Lounge Cafe Pool Bar, you can have breakfast, swim in the pool, have special cocktails, unwind and watch the sunset from a very privileged spot, at the edge of the caldera.
There are free sunbeds, tables and umbrellas and no entrance fee is required.
A minimum of 10 euros spent per person applies, but the prices are reasonable.
Lioyerma Lounge Cafe Pool Bar is a true Santorini hidden gem I stumbled upon during my first visit in 2014.
It’s a great place for a sunset drink and to have fun with friends!
- You may also like: 7 Reviews Santorini Hotels for All Budgets
9 – Try the delicious Greek cuisine
When visiting a new destination, besides the desire to see famous tourist attractions and have memorable experiences, there is also the curiosity to taste local and different dishes.
While in Oia, you must not miss the opportunity to taste the Greek cuisine!
If Greek salad, Souvlaki, Gyro, Moussaka and Honey Baklava taste delicious, imagine consuming them overlooking the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
Some of the best restaurants in Oia are: Ammoudi Fish Taverna (Ammoudi Bay), Lauda Restaurant (at Andronis Boutique Hotel), Ambrosia, Roka, Lotza and Pitogyros. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the summer.
I love Moussaka, sliced aubergine with minced beef in a creamy bechamel sauce, and every time I’m in Greece I have some.
Don’t forget to put delicious Greek cuisine on your list.
- Read next: How to Get to Santorini
10 – Visit Art Galleries
If you don’t want to make your way down to Fira to enjoy its nightlife and are looking for things to do in Oia at night or on a rainy day, my suggestion is to visit some art galleries.
In addition to upscale hotels and boutique shops, Oia has a great number of art galleries.
Ak Oia Art Gallery, Oia Treasures and Opera are just some of the few where you can find intriguing sculptures, beautiful paintings and many other artworks made by local artists.
You can also find handmade designer jewellery, pottery, temporary art exhibitions and events.
The galleries combine sophisticated aesthetics with the beauty of the town and even if you aren’t an art connoisseur you should visit some of them.
They are open until midnight in the summer months and offer worldwide shipping.
These are my top suggestions for what to do in Oia and I bet you will find some more.
Safe travels and have fun in Santorini.
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