The village of Oia in Santorini, with its typical white cube houses in pure Cycladic style, the blue domes, the walls full of bougainvillea, and the splendid terraces overlooking the sea, is the ideal destination for a romantic getaway but also a holiday in the family. Know more things to do at OThingstodo.
Oia also has an abundance of large hotels to suit every budget and purpose; Regardless of whether you are planning your honeymoon, or even you are just looking for a simple budget hotel as a base for exploring the island, there is a place for everyone here.
Here is a list of the 6 free best things to do in Oia
1- Watch the sunset
Well, one of the reasons why you come to Santorini is to see live its sunsets so often seen on travel agency brochures, right?
For the best sunsets in Santorini, come to Oia and you will surely not be disappointed: watching the sky above the sea change from a beautiful bright blue to a soft pink hue is truly unforgettable, and will undoubtedly be one of your best memories of your trip.
One of the best places to watch the sunset is the ruins of Agios Nikolaos castle, which is not only the most renowned on the island of Santorini but probably the whole world as well.
Bring a bottle of wine (if you are with friends if you are with your girlfriend maybe a fresh prosecco) and relax as much as you can in front of this wonderful show.
If you go in the summer, however, do not expect an isolated place: the presence of other people still contributes to the atmosphere, making it particularly warm and intimate. After all, we are all together and sitting together in silence marveling at the beauty of nature.
2 – Visit the Atlantis bookshop
The Atlantis bookstore is a small classic bookstore, one of the most magical bookstores, and often named among the best in the world. It is a mine of books of all kinds and in all languages and is the perfect place to spend a few hours in the cool of a summer afternoon.
Make sure you support the shop and buy something: a great buy (and a great souvenir) is their map of Santorini (costing € 5) with the best things to do on the island marked directly by the bookstore staff!
3 – Explore Agios Nikolaos Castle
Another thing not to miss in Oia is to explore the ruins of the Venetian castle of Agios Nikolaos, which dates back to the 15th century and is named after a beautiful church carved into the rock.
Its construction dates back to the end of the 15th century when the incessant pirate raids became a great threat to the inhabitants of the island. The castle served as an observation point and inside there were notable residences, which belonged to the Venetian rulers.
4 – Visit Ammoudi bay for the beach and fish taverns
One of the best spots to swim is Katharos beach which can be reached by descending from Oia towards the port of Ammoudi along the driveway and then following the signs (you can’t go wrong).
Ammoudi is also one of the best places in Santorini to try the authentic local cuisine – the fish tavernas here are top-notch, you couldn’t find better. Try (if you find a place) Katina’s Tavern (which cannot be booked)
5 – Explore the alleys and stairs
However, the best way to get to know Oia and one of the best things to do is undoubtedly get lost in the winding alleys and its stairways, which offer glimpses and panoramas that extend into infinity and that seem to take you everywhere: every time you discover something. again so focus on the details!
Make sure you spend time simply wandering, as you’ll undoubtedly stumble upon amazing hidden gems that are just a little off the beaten path.
If you want a treat not to be missed, a good place to start is to find the Lotza restaurant and then take the path down the cliff directly to the right of the restaurant.
6 – Trekking from Oia to Fira
About 7 kilometers from Oia is the capital of Santorini, Fira which from Oia can be reached with a fantastic 2 or 3-hour trek, through villages and breathtaking views. Of course, it could take even longer if you like to photograph.
However, it’s quite a strenuous hike, so it’s not suitable for everyone!
The trek starts in Fira (but you can also do it the other way around) and continues north through Firostefani and then Imerovigli and continues from Imerovigli to Oia largely through nature with few shops or restaurants.
The path is not fully marked but it is quite intuitive: stay on the path that follows the edge of the caldera and walk north.
I wrote you that you can do the same route in reverse, but the truth is it is better to start from Fira because one of the best parts of the whole trek is the arrival from the hills above Oia.
To go from Fira to Oia or vice versa there are public buses, the bus goes along a scenic coastal road and reaches Oia in about 30 minutes.
