Awesome Santorini travel attractions right now? Oia is one of the most popular and picturesque towns on the island. An absolute must see during a trip to Santorini. It is located on the north-west edge of the island, at an altitude of 70 to 140 m a.s.l. (230 – 460 feet). Its characteristic white buildings stretch for about 1.5 km (1 mile) along the edge of the cliff over the Armenis Bay. From the west, Oia is adjacent to fishing village of Amoudi (Greek: Αμμουδίου). On its south there is a port village of Armeni (Greek: Αρμένη), on its east side Finikia (Greek Φοινικιά) and from the north Tholos (Greek: Θόλος). It is 12 km (7.5 miles) from the island’s capital Fira and 17 km (10.5 miles) from the airport. Find extra details on Oia Santorini.
Near the village of modern Akrotiri, 12 kilometers southwest of Fira, the ancient Minoan settlement of Akrotiri was buried below lava following the 16th-century BC volcanic explosion that created the caldera. At the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, visitors can walk on pathways through the debris of the town to see remains of the clay buildings of this once thriving town. It is so well preserved that it’s often compared to Pompeii. The site has remnants of multi-level buildings, pottery, and drainage systems, proving that Santorini was a flourishing and prosperous island before the eruption and probably lived from shipping and trading. Santorini’s connections with North Africa can be deduced from the outstanding frescoes (most of which are now in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens) that decorated its houses. The site of the Akrotiri ruins reopened to the public in 2012, following several years of closure.
If you have 2 days in Santorini, in addition to the first day described above, you should do a boat-trip to Nea Kameni. You will walk to the top of the volcano and take a dip in the hot springs. You can book this tour by clicking here. And if you prefer a more luxury version in a catamaran, it’s right here! This cruise is clearly a must-see attraction in Santorini! If you’re spending 3 days in Santorini, in addition to the 2 days above, you can visit the island’s other villages and the ancient site of Akrotiri. Then, how about ending your day at one of the many beaches? You’ve planned 4 or 5 days in Santorini? You’re lucky! In addition to all the best places to see on the island, you will have time to take another tour, like Santorini wine tasting tour. You will taste 12 of the island’s best wines. There are also other interesting activities to do in Santorini.
If you want to enjoy magnificent viewpoints of the island and the caldera, you should hike from Fira to Oia. A 9-km long marked trail on the edge of the caldera connects the 2 cities. You will stop many times to take beautiful pictures, as the view is just breathtaking! It’s clearly one of Santorini’s best points of interest. This marked trail isn’t really difficult, even if the weather can get really hot on sunny days. So, it’s better to hike in the morning or at the end of the day. You can for example plan your walk to arrive in Oia for the sunset. From Fira, you will reach Oia in about 2 hours. You should however plan a bit more time, as you will for sure stop a few times on the way to enjoy the panorama and take pictures.
Oia is known for its famed sunsets that attract tourists from around the world. Located on the northern tip of Santorini, 12 kilometers up the coast from Fira, Ia (Oia) is a picture-perfect village of whitewashed houses, several of which have been converted into chic little boutique hotels with infinity pools, overlooking the caldera. Like Fira, it lives from tourism, but caters to a more upmarket clientele. From Ammoudi Bay, steep paths zigzag up to the town where you’ll find a row of waterfront seafood eateries, many with alfresco dining. Oia can be reached by local KTEL bus or by walking the trail along the cliffs high above the caldera (allow three hours from Fira). Read extra info on santorini-more.com.